Nightcrawler

Nightcrawler is a term with several distinct meanings in biology and popular culture.

In comics, Nightcrawler refers to Kurt Wagner, a German-born mutant in the Marvel Comics universe. He is a blue-skinned, demonic-looking character with a prehensile tail and teleportation powers, often described by the onomatopoeic “BAMF” when he vanishes and reappears. First appearing in Giant-Size X-Men #1 (1975), he has been a long-standing member of the X-Men and, at times, Excalibur. His backstory includes a controversial heritage in various storylines, with some retcons portraying him as the son of Mystique and the demon Azazel, making him part demon. He is known for agility, swordsmanship, and a moral, compassionate demeanor.

Nightcrawler also refers to the 2014 American psychological thriller film titled Nightcrawler, directed by Dan Gilroy and starring Jake Gyllenhaal as Louis Bloom. The film follows Bloom, a driven videographer who enters the world of crime journalism in Los Angeles, pushing ethical boundaries to obtain sensational footage for news broadcasts. It received critical acclaim for performances, direction, and editing.

In biology, a nightcrawler is a common name for certain earthworms, especially Lumbricus terrestris, which are more active at night and are frequently used as fishing bait. They are terrestrial annelids found in temperate regions and contribute to soil aeration and nutrient cycling.