Some of the most interesting characters and heroes to study within the DC Comics universe are the ones who straddle the line between hero and villain. Seeing characters born out of darkness rise above the villainy inside of them and become heroes is something many great DC Comics storylines are made of.
One character that embodies this greatly has to be Etrigan the Demon. A demon bonded to an ancient knight, the immortal Etrigan often finds himself either working to save the world or clashing with DC’s greatest heroes, depending on his mood. Here are ten things to know about Etrigan.
10 Half-Brother Of Merlin
One of the best places to start is to examine where Etrigan comes from. Etrigan is the son of the demon Belial, and happens to also be the half-brother of the infamous wizard Merlin. Merlin, known for his council on King Arthur’s Knights of the Round Table, found a way to bond his brother Etrigan to a man named Jason Blood.
He used this bond to control Etrigan, sending the demon to stop his enemy Morgaine le Fey and her son Mordred from destroying Camelot. Although they stop the enemy, the Phantom Stranger ensures Camelot’s destruction in part due to Madame Xanadu.
9 Modern Day Demonologist
The bond Merlin made between the demon Etrigan and Jason Blood made Jason immortal, which was considered both a gift and a curse all at once. Due to this, Jason went on to live into the modern era of DC Comics. Taking residence in Gotham City, Jason became a demonologist.
After being called in to investigate Merlin the Wizard’s crypt, Jason discovers an ancient poem that unlocks the demon Etrigan, beginning the years of transformation that the demon would wreck havoc on Jason’s life for. This transformation also unleashed Morgaine le Fey, leading to Etrigan’s first major battle in modern times.
8 Once Separated From Jason Blood
After a few years went by, Jason and his ally Glenda Mark decided to try and attempt to separate himself from the demon Etrigan. The process took a heavy toll, with Jason’s longtime ally Harry Mathews being devoured and later turned into a pillow by the demon and father of Etrigan, Belial.
However, in the end, Jason and Etrigan were both separated from one another, free after centuries of being bonded together. However, this led to both of them aging rapidly and soon the process was reversed, when in Cosmic Odyssey both Jason and Etrigan bonded with one another again.
7 Took Crown Of Hell
The bond between Jason and Etrigan was strained to say the least. One of the most contentious moments between the two was when Etrigan was in Hell, having gone there to stop Archfiend Asteroth from sacrificing Glenda, Mark, Randu Singh, Merlin and even Jason Blood himself, who in hell was separated from Etrigan.
Etrigan went on to overthrow the Triumvirate of leaders in hell, which included Lucifer, Belial and Beezlebub. Taking the source of power known as the Crown of Horns, Etrigan assumed power of Hell itself and went to destroy Jason, but Merlin encouraged Jason to fight back, and Jason bonded with Etrigan once more, stopping Etrigan’s plot.
6 Nearly Became President
After many adventures and escaping the Realm Beyond, Etrigan and Jason finally came to a stalemate and agreed to work together after all this time. In that partnership, they joined Batman and Robin in taking down the Howler. However, this evolution of both characters led them to step into the political ring.
In a bizarre twist of fate, Etrigan was chosen as a nominee for the President of the United States, nearly securing the Republican nomination away from real life President George H.W. Bush. However, he never became President, which may have been hurt when Superman refused to endorse Etrigan for the Presidency.
5 Chosen By Batman For Replacement Justice League
One of the biggest moments for Jason Blood and Etrigan came during a time when Jason was having doubts about himself and his attempts to be a hero. However that all changed and was put to the test when the Justice League disappeared attempting to save Aquaman from the past.
When this happened, Batman’s automatic contingency plan was enacted, contacting various heroes and people to be recruited into a replacement Justice League while they were gone. Etrigan was chosen to be a part of this team, which included other members like Zatanna and Martian Manhunter. Etrigan improved the Watchtower’s magical defenses while there.
4 Once Turned To Stone
One of Etrigan’s biggest plots separate from he and Jason Blood’s heroics involved him regaining control of Hell again. To do this, Etrigan took control and went after the Trident of Lucifer, hoping to use its power to regain control of Hell as he had in the past.
However, this was not meant to be, as a makeshift team known as Shadowpact stopped Etrigan. Taking the Trident from the demon, they fled to the Oblivion Bar, a supernatural hangout of sorts. Etrigan followed and battled inside the bar, but eventually was turned to stone by magical pistols. Eventually, he was used as a hat rack inside the bar.
3 Guided Justice League And Secret Six Through Hell
Years later after the events of Blackest Night and Brightest Day, which saw Etrigan fighting the Justice League over a meteorite with supernatural properties, Etrigan became a guide through hell for not one but two separate teams. These teams included not only the Justice League, but the infamous group known as the Secret Six.
Etrigan helped the Justice League and namely Hawkman take down a demonic beast, while later on he guided the Secret Six through hell. The biggest moment of that mission came when he showed Catman the true fate of his father, and Etrigan gained amusement over the Secret Six’s suffering.
2 Joined The Demon Knights
When the New 52 retconned Jason and Etrigan’s history together entirely, Etrigan found himself living through the Dark Ages. After being bonded to Jason for so long, the two were recruited into a unique team of warriors known as the Demon Knights, a rag-tag group of heroes during the era.
The team included members like Madame Xanadu, Vandal Savage and Shining Knight, amongst many others. They fought villains like Mordru and the Questing Queen’s army. Etrigan of course later betrayed the team, trying to sacrifice their souls to Lucifer to gain the demon lord’s favor, but this plot failed.
1 Had Many Love Interests
While Jason Blood had a relationship that resulted in a daughter and family overall in the years before the New 52, Etrigan and Jason both found themselves in new relationships in the New 52 era, primarily to two very well known supernatural heroes. The first was Madame Xanadu, who Jason had loved but soon Etrigan fell in love with also, growing jealous all the while.
Later on, during the future event known as New 52: Future’s End, a post-apocalyptic future showed Etrigan in a relationship with none other than Zatanna, one of DC Comic’s most powerful supernatural heroes of all time.