WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Justice League Dark #18, by James Tynion IV, Alvaro Martinez Bueno, Raul Fernandez, Brad Anderson and Rob Leigh, on sale now.

The Upside-Down Man is the scariest character that has been introduced in Justice League Dark. His powers are massive, and include being able to distort reality to such a degree that he can even interfere with Zatanna's visions. As the leader of the Otherkind, Upside-Down Man hopes to consume the world's magic, and he has just grown closer to his ambitions after making a deal with Wonder Woman.

At the beginning of Justice League Dark #18, Wonder Woman is still trapped on an alternate plain with Witchfire. The ghost's help doesn't protect her from the grotesque nature of the Upside-Down Man, though. The Upside-Down Man explains he and the Otherkind feed off people's fear and have only grown stronger since Nabu brokered a deal with them.

RELATED: Every Decade Of Wonder Woman Comics, Ranked

While this conversation is happening, the witch Circe has taken over Wonder Woman's body and is attacking the other JLD members with her own Injustice League Dark. Knowing Wonder Woman would be desperate to get back to her comrades, Upside-Down Man offers to make a deal to get her body back.

However, this deal quickly evolves into a gambit. “You will stop the witch-goddess's ascension. You will find a means to bring balance. And if you fail, you will do nothing as I eat all of magic alive.” The witch-goddess he refers to is Hecate. Wonder Woman points out that Upside-Down Man is the dark reflection of Hecate's magic and that they should not have been separate beings in the first place.

justice-league-dark18-upside-down-man

This is why Upside-Down Man has never felt whole in his existence, and it wouldn't change if he simply consumed the multiverse's magic. However, Wonder Woman's offer to balance him with Hecate's power would allow him to be satisfied. In essence, the Upside-Down Man would gain a balanced existence if Wonder Woman successfully carries out her plan.

While doubtful, the Upside-Down Man is intrigued and accepts Wonder Woman's proposition. However, the monster requires proof that she is serious about the deal. This results in the death of Witchfire. With his supernatural powers, he captures her in solid form and bites her neck open.

Considering that the Upside-Down Man has already been betrayed by both Circe and Nabu, it is easy to understand why he would require proof of sincerity. In fact, Wonder Woman most likely expected some kind of test before the deal was officially set. However, she had no way of knowing her comrade would pay the price, and the look of stunned betrayal on Witchfire's face will most likely haunt Diana's dreams for some time to come.

RELATED: Wonder Woman: Warbringer Graphic Novel Gets Official Trailer

However, grief will have to wait, as Diana now has full access to Hecate's power through her witchmark and has a battle to win. The ramifications of the deal will likely be immediate as Constantine and Zatanna will definitely not be happy. Along with discontentment in the JLD, the rest of the magic users of DC will most likely sense Hecate in Wonder Woman's new power, which will receive a mixed response, at best, given the events of the Witching Hour.

Along with whatever ripples Wonder Woman's plan will leave in the magic world, she has put all of the world's magic and its users at risk. This means that Constantine, Zatanna, Nabu, Circe and even entire realms like Heaven and Hell will be eaten if Wonder Woman fails. It's not just characters on the DC roster at risk, magic itself could disappear from the multiverse.

KEEP READING: Wonder Woman Makes Major Changes to Her Entire Arsenal