Nightcrawler (Kurt Wagner) is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in the Marvel Universe. He has been associated with both the X-Men and Excalibur, originally appearing in graphic novels published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Len Wein and artist Dave Cockrum, he first debuted in Giant-Size X-Men #1 (May 1975).

A mutant, Nightcrawler possesses superhuman agility, the ability to teleport, invisibility in deep shadows, and adhesive hands and feet. His physical mutations include blue fur, two-toed and -fingered feet and hands (not including thumbs), yellow eyes, and a prehensile tail. In Nightcrawler's earlier comic book appearances he is depicted as being a happy-go-lucky practical joker and teaser, and a fan of swashbuckling fiction. A German, Nightcrawler is Catholic and while this is not emphasized as much in his earlier comic book appearances, in later depictions Nightcrawler is more vocal about his faith.

Since his inception, Nightcrawler has had a regular presence in Marvel-related comic books and video games. He has featured in a small number of the 1990s X-Men animated series episodes and was a regular on its successor, X-Men: Evolution. In 2003, he was a major character in the film X2, and was portrayed by Alan Cumming. In 2006, IGN rated Nightcrawler at #7 on their list of Top 25 X-Men from the past forty years.^[1] In 2008, Marvel rated their top ten X-Men of all time. Nightcrawler ranked #4 on their list.^[2]

Nightcrawler is originally stated to be from a small village called Winzeldorf in the German state of Bavaria.^[3] In the X-Men animated series, it is said to be Neuherzl,^[4] and in the movie X2, he makes repeated references to his time in the Munich circus, though it is never explicitly specified from where he originated.