With the release of the new Swamp Thing series on DC Universe, there is a chance of different characters from the comics showing up on the screen. Any DC television show has a wealth of characters to pull from, and Swamp Thing is no different, diving into some names that may not be common with more casual fans.
With the casting of Ian Ziering as Blue Devil in Swamp Thing, it means that a somewhat more obscure character gets a chance to shine. Not familiar with Blue Devil? That's totally fine because here is a list of 10 things you need to know about Blue Devil!
10 Marvel
The origins of Blue Devil are an interesting case of one competitor referencing the work of another. In Dan Johnson's article "The Blue Devil You Don't Know" for Back Issue! (pp. 28 - 32), Gary Cohn recalls some of the inspirations for the character who was being developed for a potential project for Steve Ditko at DC.
What resulted was Blue Devil, borrowing elements from Iron Man, The Thing, and Spider-Man. Iron Man is referenced by the exoskeleton of Blue Devil. The Thing reference comes from Blue Devil being trapped in a form he doesn't want. Spider-Man is present in the athleticism of the character. There's even a bit of Green Goblin to boot!
9 Three Creators & A Belt
Credit for the creation of Blue Devil falls to three men: Dan Mishkin, Gary Cohn, and Paris Cullens. How do three men make one character? Well, Dan Mishkin and Gary Cohn were writing partners and worked to develop a new character. After having Steve Ditko pass on the concept, they brought Blue Devil to Paris Cullens who enthusiastically agreed to join up.
Cullens, however, is credited specifically for the design of Blue Devil's belt. The bulk of Blue Devil's look is credited to Cohn, however. Paris Cullens would work on Blue Devil in the 1980s and would also work on Blue Beetle as well ("The Blue Devil You Don't Know" pp. 28 - 32).
8 A Special Effects Wizard
Blue Devil is the alias of Daniel Patrick Cassidy. His origins as the Blue Devil, of course, are tied to this former life. On the set for the Verner Bros. film Blue Devil, as a favor for his friend director Marla Bloom, Danny Cassidy uses his specialty: on-camera effects work.
Danny's know-how and tech wizardry allowed him to create a power-exoskeleton with different abilities for the film shoot. When two of his co-stars accidentally summon a demon, Danny is able to fend it off with his exoskeleton. However, in battle, Danny is blasted with occult energy which binds the suit to him, permanently (Blue Devil #1).
7 Responsible for the death of his best friend
Being a superhero with a sidekick (Kid Devil) was not enough for Danny for a while. Seeking greater fame and thrills, he catches the eye of the demon lord Neron. Neron offered Danny what he wanted, but at a cost, as is expected of demons.
Danny eagerly accepts Neron's offer and takes on the task of destroying an electrical substation in the desert. However, unknown to Danny, the destruction of the substation would lead to the death of Marla Bloom, his best friend, and her pilot (Underworld Unleashed #2).
6 A Demon
Neron did make Danny more successful but racked by grief, Danny sought to interfere with Neron's schemes. He was rebirthed as a demon after a battle against Neron and would go on to join the Justice League.
Daniel would again be killed, this time by Mist armed with a sprinkler system of Holy Water, as he was a demon in Starman (vol. 2) #38. He would then be summoned by Sebastian Faust, the son of longtime JLA adversary Felix Faust. The pair were part of 1999's "Day of Judgement" miniseries.
5 Shadowpact's Big Bruiser
For a time, besides busting up demons, Danny worked as a bouncer at the Oblivion Bar, a multiversal hotspot for the magical-powered. Eventually, he is recruited by Ragman, Enchantress, and Detective Chimp - alongside Nightshade and Nightmaster - to deal with the rampage of The Spectre.
The team proves to be so effective, they manage to wound the incredibly powerful Eclipso while Danny finds the purpose he sorely craves. Danny stays with them for a while to deal with magical problems as a result of the Day of Vengeance storyline.
4 Team Player
Blue Devil has been a member of many teams in the DC Universe. He has served in the ranks of the Shadowpact, the Justice League of America, the Justice Society of America, the Sentinels of Magic, and the Spirit Squad.
Despite spending time in a couple of different incarnations of the JLA, Daniel finds himself to be most valued as a member of the more supernatural and magical organizations. He was forcibly conscripted into the Sentinels of Magic by Faust but eventually succeeded in obtaining his release from this obligation. Sadly, this newfound freedom only led to the Blue Devil's third death.
3 Blue Devil Made Hell Cool
In a confrontation with fellow Justice League member Zauriel, Danny learns that his presence is a big PR problem for Heaven. As a demonic superhero, Blue Devil inspired copycats to try to forge their own deals with demons. Zauriel, as an angel, is then tasked to kill Danny.
Realizing Danny does not wish to be a demon, Zauriel takes his place in the Shadowpact so Danny can work out the terms of his contract with an actual lawyer, in Hell itself. It all works out for Danny in the end, though. He is reborn as a demon with a soul and was given back the Trident of Lucifer.
2 Weirdness magnet
Because Blue Devil was originally a fusion of magic and technology, the combination of the two forces drew the unusual to him for a time. S.T.A.R. Labs was able to statistically prove this as well. In one particularly hilarious story, they use the uncanny probability around Danny in Las Vegas (Blue Devil #22).
Later, Blue Devil confirms his status as a weirdness magnet with Cain at the House of Mystery. The origins are unclear though, Danny was not only granted magic through demonic means, however, his family also has faerie blood (Blue Devil #25).
1 Daniel can't set foot on holy ground
As an actual demon, it is established that holy water is a problem for Danny because, after all, it can kill him. As a devout Catholic, his role as a living demon is even worse for the poor guy. He cannot set foot on Holy Ground without bursting into flames!
Despite this setback, his demonic nature gives him a great many abilities, including enhanced strength and durability. The Trident of Lucifer allows him to assuage his Catholic guilt in one key way, as he can use it to banish demons back to Hell.