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Etrigan the Demon
Etrigan as depicted in Action Comics Weekly #638 (February 1989).
Art by Jack Kirby.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceThe Demon #1 (September 1972)
Created byJack Kirby
In-story information
Alter egoEtrigan
Jason Blood
SpeciesDemon (Etrigan)
Human (Jason Blood)
Place of originHell (Etrigan)
Camelot (Jason Blood)
Team affiliationsJustice League Dark
Demon Knights
Justice League United
Justice League
PartnershipsMadame Xanadu
Notable aliasesThe Demon (Etrigan)
Jason Blood, Jason of Norwich (Jason Blood)
Abilities
  • Demon physiology
  • Superhuman strength, speed, stamina, durability, agility, and senses
  • Immortality
  • Regenerative healing factor
  • Energy blasts
  • Pyrokinesis
  • Hellfire projection
  • Flame breath
  • Precognition
  • Magic

(Etrigan)

  • Expert in witchcraft and maleficium
  • Telepathy
  • Master martial artist and swordsman
(Jason Blood)

Etrigan the Demon is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Jack Kirby, Etrigan is a demon from Hell who, despite his violent tendencies, usually finds himself allied with the forces of good, mainly because of the alliance between the heroic characters of the DC Universe and Jason Blood, a human to whom Etrigan is bound. Etrigan is commonly depicted as a muscular humanoid creature with orange or yellow skin, horns, red eyes, and pointed, webbed ears, who frequently speaks in rhymes. The character was originally based in Gotham City, leading to numerous team-ups with Batman.

Since his conception, Etrigan has been adapted into several forms of media outside of comics, including animated series, films, and video games. He is voiced by Michael T. Weiss in the DC Animated Universe, Dee Bradley Baker in Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Patrick Seitz in Justice League Action, and Ray Chase in the DC Animated Movie Universe.

Creation

[edit]

Kirby's former assistant, Mark Evanier, said that Carmine Infantino asked Jack Kirby to create a new monster hero. Kirby or Infantino mentioned a demon, and Kirby from that point worked on creating a demonic character. Evanier said that he was with Kirby and several others during a dinner at a restaurant, and Kirby came up with Etrigan's name, back story, and motivations on the spot. Kirby intended to create the character but pass him off to others to write and draw. However, Infantino convinced him to make the first issue and made the decision final by suspending Kirby's unprofitable Fourth World comics series. Kirby then moved full-time to the Etrigan comics.[1]

Publication history

[edit]

Etrigan first appeared in The Demon #1 (September 1972)[2] and was created by Jack Kirby.[3] He created him at the behest of DC, who saw it as likely to be more commercially successful than the Fourth World and cancelled New Gods and Forever People to facilitate work on the new title.[4] According to Evanier, Kirby had no interest in horror comics, but created Etrigan in response to DC's demand for a horror character. Kirby was annoyed that Etrigan's popularity forced him to abandon the Fourth World titles before he was done with them.[5]

Etrigan returned for a four-issue miniseries in 1987, written and illustrated by Matt Wagner. Alan Grant followed this with an Etrigan feature in Action Comics Weekly #636-641 and a second ongoing title in 1990. The 1990 series lasted 58 issues, two Annuals and one #0 issue. Garth Ennis took over the title beginning with issue #40. Ennis' run included the first appearance of his character Hitman. This series was followed by a miniseries, Driven Out. Following this, John Byrne's Blood of the Demon lasted 17 issues, and ignored much of the continuity that took place after Kirby's initial run.

While his first monthly comic book series was short-lived, and his second was canceled after five years, Etrigan remains a popular supporting character with occasional additional miniseries.[6] Series in which Etrigan has appeared include Alan Moore's Swamp Thing, Neil Gaiman's The Sandman, Kevin Smith's Green Arrow and Batman: The Widening Gyre, Garth Ennis's Hitman, and Cosmic Odyssey by Jim Starlin and Mike Mignola.

The New 52

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In The New 52 rebooted continuity, DC Comics launched a new series featuring Etrigan titled Demon Knights, which debuted on September 14, 2011.[7] It was written by Paul Cornell and drawn by Diógenes Neves.[8][9][10]

Etrigan will receive a new ongoing series in March 2026 as part of the "DC Next Level" publishing initiative.[11]

Fictional character biography

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Pre/Post-Crisis

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Etrigan, son of the demon Belial, is summoned by the wizard Merlin, his half-brother.[12][13] Unable to gain the creature's secrets, he binds the demon to Jason Blood, an arrogant knight in King Arthur's Camelot. This renders Jason immortal, which he alternately considers either a penance or a curse.

In modern times, Jason Blood resurfaces as a prominent demonologist in Gotham City. He is called to the crypt of Merlin and discovers a poem that causes him to switch places with Etrigan (appearing to transform him into Etrigan). To his misfortune, he is followed by the long-lived Morgaine le Fey, who lusts for Merlin's secrets. Over the years, Etrigan both clashes with and occasionally aids Earth's heroes, guided by his own whims and Blood's attempts to use his power for good.

Some time after his first appearance, Etrigan begins speaking in rhyme due to a promotion in Hell,[14][15] though he is not limited to rhyme.[16] He leads the forces of Hell in a battle against the Great Evil Beast and is in brief contact with the entity in its questions about its nature - he barely survives the attempt.[17][18] His high rank would also see him guide Dream of the Endless from Hell's gates to Lucifer.

Some time after this, Jason Blood and Glenda Mark attempt to separate Blood and Etrigan, an event which leads to Blood's ally, Harry Matthews, being devoured, and later turned into a pillow, by Belial. At the end of these events, Etrigan and Blood are separated.[19] However, both begin to age rapidly without Blood's curse to sustain them. During the Cosmic Odyssey event, Blood and Etrigan are reunited.[20]

After the remerging, the relationship between Blood and Etrigan becomes even more contentious. Drawn to Hell by the Archfiend Asteroth, Etrigan stops Asteroth's attempt to sacrifice Glenda Mark, Randu Singh, Merlin and Blood himself (in Hell, Blood and Etrigan were, at the time, separated).[21] Etrigan followed these events by overthrowing the triumvirate of leaders in Hell (Lucifer, Belial and Beezlebub) and taking the symbol of authority in Hell, the Crown of Horns, for himself. Separated from Blood via the Crown's power and about to destroy him, Merlin reminded Blood of his own power. Jason Blood spoke the incantation and remerged with Etrigan and they were drawn back to Earth.[22] There, he fought Lobo, Klarion the Witch Boy and his gang[23] and was drawn into the Realm Beyond, where he met the Thing-That-Cannot-Die and was reunited with his older brother, Lord Scapegoat.[24]

Upon escape from the Realm Beyond,[25] Etrigan and Blood agree to work together and team with Batman and Robin against the Howler.[26] Soon after, Etrigan wi chosen as a political candidate for President of the United States and nearly succeeds in securing the Republican nomination from George H. W. Bush. During his political run, he attempts to gain Superman's endorsement, but is denied it.[27]

Blood and Mark later have a daughter named Kathryn. Knowing Etrigan will not tolerate such a distraction, Blood hires hitman Tommy Monaghan to slay the demon. After a battle against both Merlin and Etrigan, the two of them rescue Kathryn and Blood steals Etrigan's heart, essentially neutralizing him and binding him to Jason's will. At the end of the battle, Blood leaves Kathryn with her mother, hoping that she never meets him.[28] Following these events, Etrigan becomes listless and ceases to rhyme. When Monaghan needs an edge against the demon Mawzir, he cons Blood into returning to Gotham and using Etrigan to retrieve the Ace of Winchesters, an anti-demon rifle, from Hell, all while preparing to force Blood to return Etrigan to Earth. Despite the risk of Etrigan killing him in vengeance, Monahgan trades Etrigan his heart for the Ace of Winchesters, once more forcing Blood to have the full burden of their merging and returning Etrigan to his full strength.[29]

When the Justice League vanishes during their attempt to rescue Aquaman from the past, Batman's emergency program — designed to assemble a substitute Justice League in the event that the originals were ever killed — selects Jason Blood as the team's magic expert. Batman creates a pre-recorded message assuring Blood that he will not give Etrigan the keys to the Watchtower unless he is certain that he can be controlled. During the subsequent fight with Gamemnae, Blood sacrifices himself to free Zatanna from her control, although he later escapes Gamemnae's quagmire spell thanks to Martian Manhunter telepathically prompting his transformation into Etrigan.[30] The crisis resolved, Blood passes his duties as the League's magic expert to Manitou Raven before departing.[31]

The series Blood of the Demon, plotted and drawn by John Byrne and scripted by Will Pfeifer, began in May 2005. Etrigan apparently loses the restrictions imposed upon him by the wizard Merlin which turned him from evil, caused by his "murder" at the exact moment he was transforming from his human self, Jason Blood, into his demon self. The incident resulted in Blood being able to exert some will over Etrigan's violent nature, whereas previously the two remained separate. Blood of the Demon ended with issue #17 in July 2006.

Etrigan later attempts to use the Trident of Lucifer to take control of Hell. A makeshift Shadowpact team successfully takes the Trident from him and flees to the supernatural Oblivion Bar. Etrigan follows and battles the team inside the bar. He is turned into stone via magical pistols and is used as a hat rack. The pistols' magic would return Etrigan to normal at sunrise, which never happens within the bar.[32]

Etrigan takes part in the war for control of Hell on behalf of Neron, duelling Blue Devil. Later, due to the effects of a magical drug Satanus had infested Hell with, he is transformed into a soulless duplicate of Jason Blood. Blood has taken steps as to interfere with any possible attempts of Etrigan's to re-merge.[33]

Etrigan briefly appears in the prelude to the JLA/JSA crossover during the Brightest Day event. Etrigan travels to Germany to find a crashed meteorite that contains an unconscious Jade and is drawn into a confrontation with the Justice League after attacking a squad of German superheroes. He mocks the League by claiming they are an inferior team of substitutes, but is ultimately defeated when Donna Troy uses her Lasso of Persuasion to force him back into his Jason Blood form. Blood apologizes for the trouble he caused and departs from the scene, but not before warning Batman and his teammates that the meteorite possesses supernatural qualities. The meteor is later revealed to be the Starheart, a legendary entity that has the power to possess metahumans with magical or elemental abilities.[34]

Etrigan is shown aiding the JLA during their mission into Hell, where he helps Hawkman defeat a demonic beast.[35] He also was the guide to the Secret Six in their trip to Hell and led Catman to see the fate of his father, all the while amused by the confusion and pain they were suffering as a result of their visit.

The New 52

[edit]

In The New 52, the 2011 reboot of the DC Comics universe, his past and origins are largely changed. Before the Dark Ages, Etrigan was a Rhyming Demon who served Lucifer before leading a rebellion against him. Jason of Norwich had been sent to Camelot as a scribe to Merlin and was growing frustrated with life, believing he was meant for greater things and suffering from rages. A prophecy showed that if Jason did not have some sort of quest to force him to heal himself, his rage would grow and cause him to kill his lover, Madame Xanadu. During the fall of Camelot, Merlin bonded Etrigan to Jason in an attempt to provide this quest.[36]

Now immortal, Jason and Etrigan came to an agreement and shared their existence. Madame Xanadu began traveling with Jason, only to find Etrigan had now begun falling for her as well and would slaughter innocents if he thought she and Jason were happy together. To placate the demon, she pretended to be in love with him and cuckolding Jason.[37]

Over the centuries, Jason became known as Jason o' the Blood and Etrigan continued to practice his rhymes. By the Dark Ages, he and Etrigan became the centre of a rag-tag team of adventurers, the "Demon Knights": Jason/Etrigan, Xanadu, Vandal Savage, Shining Knight, the Horsewoman, Saracen inventor Al Jabr (The Numbers in Arabic) and the Amazon Exoristos (The Exile in Greek). They first fought Mordru and the Questing Queen's army to a standstill before being tasked by the city of Alba Sarum to return Merlin to life at Avalon. Etrigan plotted to betray his teammates' souls and Avalon itself to Lucifer to curry his favour.[38] While he successfully manipulated the Knights into letting Hell invade Avalon (and secretly felt guilty about his treatment of Xanadu), he was himself captured and used by the Questing Queen to gain access as well. Lucifer believed Etrigan had done this deliberately and condemned him; outraged, the demon refused to serve anyone again. At the end of the battle, Jason was tasked as a member of Avalon's Stormwatch, but neither he nor Xanadu wanted to serve Merlin after having Etrigan forced on them again. Jason vowed to not let the demon out so often.[39][40][41]

In the present, Etrigan's body lies buried in London; it is explained that he was sealed there by his own friends because of his betrayal of them, but magic emanating from it is able to possess persons above, eventually freeing the demon, who promptly attacks Midnighter and Apollo.[42] The entire Stormwatch then battles Etrigan, but after being defeated, he is able to possess a host and flees.[43]

During Trinity War, Etrigan is among the superheroes who feel the disturbance in the magical plane when Shazam picks up Pandora's box.[44] In the timeline of The New 52: Futures End, Zatanna is romantically involved with Etrigan.[45][46]

Jason Blood and Etrigan appear in the 2024 miniseries Batman/Santa Claus: Silent Knight Returns, where they assist Batman in battling the Silent Knight's forces. The Silent Knight is revealed to be a former friend of Blood who was corrupted after venturing into the Hollow Kingdom and became a conqueror.[47][48][49]

Characterization

[edit]

Transformation incantation

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To transform into Etrigan, Blood must recite the poem from Merlin's crypt (though usually he only recites the last two lines). The poem does not have to be spoken for it to work. For instance, in one adventure, Blood is magically transformed into a fly by the warlock Shahn-Zi. Unable to speak, Blood triggers the change by writing out the poem in the dust.[50]

Change! Change! O form of man!
Free the prince forever damned!
Free the might from fleshy mire!
Boil the blood in the heart for fire!
Gone! Gone! O form of man
[And] rise the demon Etrigan!!

To return to human form, a couplet must be recited, either by Etrigan or someone else in his hearing, but there are several versions of it:

Begone, begone, O Etrigan
Resume once more the form of man!

Gone now, O Etrigan
And rise again (or rise once more) the form of man!

In other media such as Justice League Dark, a different poem is used to return Etrigan to human form:

Since the battle's fought and won.
Jason Blood with me is done.

Powers and abilities

[edit]

Etrigan

[edit]

Even among demons, Etrigan is considered to be extremely powerful. He has mystically enhanced superhuman strength, to the degree that he can stand against other powerhouses such as Superman, Wonder Woman, and Lobo. He has a high degree of resistance to injury and can project hellfire from his body, usually from his mouth. He has a very high command of magic. Other powers include mystically enhanced fangs and claws, enhanced senses, super speed, agility, telepathy, energy blasts, and precognition. His sadomasochistic nature allows him to enjoy pain as if it were pleasure, making him generally fearless in the face of combat and torture. His healing factor can handle an incredible amount of damage, allowing him to recover from wounds that have removed large sections of his body. He also has pyrokinesis and cryokinesis enabling him to manipulate fire and ice.

Jason Blood

[edit]

Jason Blood is a highly skilled hand-to-hand combatant, including mastery in swordsmanship. Jason is adept at magic, and is often called upon to act as an advisor or investigator in occult matters. He has limited precognition and telepathy. Jason is technically immortal due to his connection to the demon Etrigan. He has the combined experiences of Etrigan since he was bonded to the demon. Jason shares all of Etrigan's weaknesses.

Weaknesses

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Etrigan has all the limitations usually associated with a demon, including a weakness towards holy powers, holy water and iron. While his command of magic is strong, it is considered to be less than his father, Belial, and half-brother, Merlin. Additionally, Belial granted the "power of Etrigan" to both Merlin and another son, Lord Scapegoat. He is also helpless against those with magic strong enough to control him, such as Morgaine le Fey. He is also said to have a strong frailty for certain sounds as well.

Other versions

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  • In an alternate timeline depicted in Justice League Europe Annual #2, Etrigan kills a time-displaced Rocket Red before Waverider undoes the timeline.
  • Blaze Allen, a fusion of Etrigan, the Flash, and Ghost Rider, appears in the Amalgam Comics universe.
  • Etrigan appears in Batman/Demon: A Tragedy. This version was bonded to Bruce Wayne one thousand years prior and primarily takes over his body at night, targeting and killing criminals due to being influenced by his personality. Additionally, Merlin adopted the identity of Alfred Pennyworth to serve Bruce and atone for his actions, continually erasing his memories via magic.
  • Etrigan appears in the Superman and Batman vs. Vampires and Werewolves storyline.
  • An alternate universe variant of Etrigan from Earth-9 appears in Tangent: Superman's Reign #3. This version is a human necromancer and member of the Dark Circle.
  • An alternate universe variant of Etrigan from Earth-17, amalgamated with Superman, appears in Final Crisis: Secret Files #1. This version is an alien from the planet Kamelot who was sent to Earth by Merlin shortly before its destruction.
  • An alternate universe variant of Etrigan appears in the Flashpoint storyline. This version is a member of the Grifter's resistance movement against the Amazons.[51][52][53][54]
  • Etrigan appears in "Devil's Play", written by Joe Kubert and Brandon Vietti and published in Joe Kubert Presents #6.
  • An alternate universe variant of Jason Blood appears in Batman: Damned. This version is an underground rap artist.[55]
  • An alternate universe variant of Jason Blood appears in Batman: Curse of the White Knight. This version is a priest and member of the Order of St. Dumas.[56][57]
  • Alternate timeline variants of Etrigan and Jason Blood appear in Future State. These versions were separated by Merlin amidst his movement to eradicate magic, with the latter joining his cause as the Blood Knight while the former bonds with Detective Chimp.[58]

Collected editions

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Title Material collected Year ISBN
Jack Kirby's The Demon The Demon #1–16 2008 ISBN 978-1401219161
The Demon: From the Darkness The Demon vol. 2 #1–4 and vol. 3 #22 2014 ISBN 978-1401242503
The Demon: Hell's Hitman The Demon vol. 3 #40, 42–49 and Annual #2 2015 ISBN 978-1401258214
The Demon: The Longest Day The Demon vol. 3 #0, #50–58 2016 ISBN 978-1401260996

In other media

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Television

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DC Animated Universe

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Jason Blood / Etrigan appears in TV series set in the DC Animated Universe (DCAU):

Film

[edit]

Video games

[edit]

Miscellaneous

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Etrigan the Demon

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Etrigan the Demon is a in DC Comics, depicted as a powerful from Hell bound to the mortal Jason Blood, enabling the latter to transform into the fiery, rhyming creature to battle otherworldly threats. Created by legendary artist , Etrigan first appeared in The Demon #1 in 1972, marking the start of his ongoing series that explores his dual existence as both a destructive infernal being and an unlikely ally to humanity. The character's origin traces back to medieval times, where the wizard cursed Jason Blood—a knight of —by linking his soul to Etrigan, a denizen of , to defend against demonic incursions during King Arthur's reign. This binding persists into the , with Jason reciting the "Change! Change! O form of man! Free the prince forever damned! Free the might from fleshy mire! Boil the blood in the heart of fire! Gone! Gone! The form of man! Rise the demon Etrigan!" to unleash Etrigan's form, often against his will. Etrigan embodies a Jekyll-and-Hyde dynamic, with Jason as the refined historian and Etrigan as the brutish, yellow-skinned demon who communicates exclusively in verse, adding a poetic flair to his violent confrontations. As a demon lord, Etrigan possesses immense , durability, and regenerative abilities, allowing him to withstand extreme damage and engage in battles against gods, monsters, and fellow hellspawn. He wields hellfire manipulation for devastating attacks and has demonstrated , having existed for centuries while navigating conflicts in both earthly and infernal realms. Throughout DC's continuity, including New 52 and Rebirth eras, Etrigan has featured in titles like Demon Knights, The Demon: Hell is Earth, and recent series such as Batman and Robin (2025), allying with the against apocalyptic threats while grappling with his cursed and disdain for humanity.

Creation and Publication History

Creation

Etrigan the Demon was created by in 1971 for DC Comics, reflecting the publisher's broader initiative to revitalize supernatural and horror genres in the wake of the Silver Age's conclusion and the relaxation of the restrictions on such content. Kirby, fresh from his ambitious saga, was approached by DC editor to develop a new monster-hero character amid a wave of interest in occult-themed stories. According to Kirby's longtime assistant and biographer , the idea emerged spontaneously during a casual dinner at a restaurant, where Kirby sketched out the core premise in about 15 minutes following discussions with DC about producing a horror comic. The character debuted in The Demon #1 (August–September 1972), with Kirby handling both writing and penciling duties, inked by Mike Royer. Kirby's initial concept featured Etrigan as a fiery, rhyming demon from Hell, magically bound by Merlin to Jason Blood, an arrogant knight serving in King Arthur's Camelot, forcing the pair into an eternal duality of mortal restraint and infernal power. This setup allowed Kirby to explore themes of conflicted identity and supernatural conflict, with Etrigan's transformation incantation—"Change! Change! O form of man! Free the prince forever damned! Free the might from fleshy mire! Boil the blood in the heart of fire! Gone! Gone! The form of man! Rise the demon Etrigan!"—establishing the rhyming motif from the outset. Influences for Etrigan stemmed from Kirby's recent DC projects, such as the post-apocalyptic Kamandi and the cybernetic thriller OMAC, where he similarly fused speculative elements with high-stakes action; here, he merged those with Arthurian legend and demonic folklore to create a versatile anti-hero suited for horror-fantasy narratives. The design of Etrigan also echoed visual inspirations like the demonic masks in Hal Foster's Prince Valiant strips from the late 1930s, contributing to the character's iconic, grotesque yet dynamic appearance.

Early Publication History

Etrigan the Demon made his debut in The Demon #1 (August–September 1972), created, written, and illustrated by as part of DC Comics' Fourth World-adjacent projects. The series followed the rhyming demon bound to historian Jason Blood, blending medieval fantasy with urban horror in stories involving sorceress Morgaine le Fey and witch-boy Klarion. Kirby's run produced 16 issues, spanning August 1972 to January 1974, before its conclusion in The Demon #16 with the story "The Immortal Enemy!". Although the title ended after this brief tenure—likely due to insufficient sales amid DC's lineup of books—it established Etrigan as a distinctive anti-hero with demonic might and poetic flair, influencing later supernatural tales in the . Following the series' cancellation, Etrigan featured in sporadic guest appearances and backup stories throughout the 1970s, maintaining his presence in DC's anthology and team-up titles. A teaser appeared in Forever People #9 (June–July 1972), hinting at the demon's impending arrival. He joined the Justice League of America in Justice League of America #110 (March–April 1973) for a battle against the Devil's agents, showcasing his hellfire powers alongside superheroes. Additional 1970s outings included a Batman team-up in The Brave and the Bold #109 (October–November 1973). These limited spots kept Etrigan relevant in horror and mystery anthologies, bridging his Kirby-era origins to broader DC continuity. The character experienced a significant revival in the 1980s through Alan Moore's run on , beginning with issue #26 (August 1984), where Etrigan aids against a fear-manipulating entity in a gothic, psychologically intense narrative. Moore's scripts, continued in #27 (September 1984), emphasized Etrigan's chaotic nature and rhyming dialogue, aligning him with the mature, horror-oriented storytelling that foreshadowed DC's Vertigo imprint. This integration revitalized Etrigan, positioning him within interconnected occult narratives involving characters like . Later in the decade, a four-issue prestige-format miniseries titled The Demon (1987), written by and illustrated by , explored Etrigan's infernal heritage and battles against ancient evils, further cementing his role in DC's darker mythos.

Modern Eras and Revivals

In the 1990s, Etrigan received renewed focus through the solo series The Demon (vol. 3), which ran from August 1990 to June 1995 for 64 issues plus specials. The series began under writer Alan Grant and artist Val Semeiks, depicting Etrigan's confrontations with urban demonic entities in , blending horror and action elements. From issue #40 onward, assumed writing duties with artist John McCrea, shifting toward satirical and gritty narratives, including the "Hell's Hitman" arc where Etrigan targets infernal assassins. These stories emphasized Etrigan's reluctant heroism and rhyming verbosity, influencing later portrayals. Etrigan also integrated into team dynamics during Grant Morrison's acclaimed JLA run (1997–2000), with a notable appearance in JLA #38 (September 1999), where he assisted the Justice League against a cosmic entity threatening reality. This guest role highlighted his utility in large-scale supernatural conflicts, bridging his solo exploits with broader DC Universe events. The New 52 initiative relaunched Etrigan prominently in Demon Knights #0–23 (November 2011–July 2013), written by Paul Cornell with art by Diogenes Neves and Szymon Kudranski. Set in a medieval fantasy landscape, the series positioned Etrigan as a founding member of a ragtag knightly order defending against invasions, incorporating historical and mythological tones while preserving his demonic origins. Concurrently, Peter Milligan's Justice League Dark #1–40, 0, and Annual #1 (October 2011–June 2015), illustrated by Mikel Janín and others, featured Etrigan as a core member combating magical threats like the Enchantress and the House of Mystery, underscoring horror-infused team adventures. During the Rebirth era, Etrigan starred in the miniseries The Demon: Hell Is Earth #1–6 (January–June 2018), scripted by Andrew Constant with pencils by Brad Walker. The storyline explored a demonic incursion on , forcing Jason Blood and Etrigan into an uneasy alliance amid apocalyptic visions, and served as a post-Rebirth reintroduction. He made recurring appearances in Books of Magic #1–17 (August 2018–December 2020), written by Kat Howard with art by Tom Fowler, weaving him into Timothy Hunter's magical journey through threats from otherworldly realms. Additional Black Label outings, such as standalone tales, sustained his mature-themed explorations of infernal politics. Post-2020 developments under the banner (launched 2023) saw Etrigan in supporting roles across event-driven titles, including crossovers tied to magical subplots in Batman and Robin #22 (June 2025), where he clashed with occult adversaries. Garth Ennis's earlier influence persisted through thematic echoes in hellish narratives, while artists like Sean Murphy contributed dynamic visuals in variant covers for recent anthologies.

Fictional Character Biography

Origin Story

Etrigan, a powerful originating from the infernal realms of , was first summoned to the mortal plane during the siege of in the by the wizard , who called upon his half-brother to combat the forces of the sorceress Morgaine le Fay. As faced imminent destruction from le Fay's dark magic and invading armies, invoked Etrigan's demonic might to turn the tide of battle, with the demon unleashing hellfire and brute strength to repel the attackers and ultimately defeat the witch, forcing her into temporary exile. Jason Blood, a and nobleman loyal to , had betrayed by allying himself with Morgaine le Fay, succumbing to her seductive promises of power, only to be abandoned by her when her plans faltered. In punishment for this treachery, bound Etrigan's essence eternally to Blood's soul through a powerful , transforming the knight into the demon's unwilling host and ensuring the fiend could be summoned at need while cursing Blood to an immortal existence haunted by his demonic counterpart. (Note: Some continuities depict Blood as a peasant chosen by without betrayal.) The binding spell's mechanics fused their forms inseparably: Blood retained his human appearance and autonomy in daily life, but reciting the rhyme—"Gone, gone, the form of man! Rise the demon Etrigan!"—would trigger the initial transformation, causing Blood's body to contort and erupt into Etrigan's hulking, yellow-skinned, horned visage amid bursts of infernal energy. This ancient curse lay dormant for centuries, with Blood wandering through history, his memories fragmented by the demon's influence, until its first modern activation in 20th-century . During , Blood, serving as a British military officer, encountered threats at the that stirred echoes of his past and led to an early, memory-erasing summoning of Etrigan; decades later, while investigating Merlin's hidden crypt amid a resurgence of le Fay's cult in Gotham, he uncovered the summoning poem etched in stone, inadvertently reciting it and fully awakening Etrigan for the contemporary era. This revelation tied Blood's wartime experiences to the Arthurian curse, propelling him into a dual life as both scholar of the arcane and vessel for hellish fury.

Pre-Crisis and Post-Crisis Arcs

In the Pre-Crisis era, Etrigan the Demon debuted in Jack Kirby's The Demon series (1972–1973), where Jason Blood, bound to the rhyming demon, confronted supernatural threats in . In issue #1, Etrigan battled the ancient evil entity Unmann, unleashed by a , establishing his role as a reluctant force against dangers. Subsequent issues featured clashes with villains like Morgaine le Fay, Klarion the Witchboy, and the Glory Gang, a group of demonic outlaws, as Etrigan disrupted their schemes across mystical realms. The series culminated in arcs involving Baron von Evilsatan, a Nazi-inspired sorcerer, whom Etrigan defeated in issues #11–12 through brute force and hellfire blasts, highlighting his chaotic yet heroic duality. The series ran for 16 issues before cancellation, but Etrigan's Pre-Crisis adventures continued in guest appearances, including a 1984 team-up with in Swamp Thing Annual #2. There, Etrigan aided in Hell to rescue Arcane's soul from torment by demons under the influence of the deceased , battling infernal hordes and negotiating with hellish entities to free her. This alliance underscored Etrigan's occasional alliances with otherworldly heroes against familial curses and undead threats. Following , Post-Crisis arcs repositioned Etrigan within a streamlined , emphasizing his demonic heritage while integrating him into larger events. In the 1988 crossover, Etrigan appeared in issue #8 as part of the Guardians of the Universe's manhunt for robotic infiltrators, with heroes like the Spectre to combat the threat in a climactic battle that reshaped cosmic guardianship. His involvement highlighted his utility in multiversal crises, using sorcery to detect hidden enemies. In the 1990s and early 2000s, Etrigan's narratives deepened through ties to the . In and Mike Mignola's Cosmic Odyssey miniseries (1988), Etrigan allied with Orion against , fighting in issue #3 where temporarily linked with him to access the Anti-Life Equation's realm, only for Etrigan to betray the tyrant in a brutal confrontation involving planetary-scale destruction. This arc portrayed Etrigan as a wildcard in Apokoliptian wars, leveraging his hellish power against New God tyranny. Etrigan's heroic turn peaked in Mark Waid's JLA run (1997–2006), where he temporarily joined the in issues #64–75 as a probationary member during the "World Without Adults" and subsequent threats. Tasked with containing his demonic impulses, Etrigan contributed to battles against global perils, including magical incursions, before departing due to his volatile nature, solidifying his anti-hero status in team dynamics.

New 52 and Rebirth Continuities

In the continuity, Etrigan was reimagined as a chaotic anti-hero and core member of , where he allied with the team against supernatural threats, including the Otherkind—a malevolent race of magical beings seeking to eradicate all magic on Earth. This portrayal emphasized Etrigan's volatile nature, often clashing with teammates like while providing brute force in battles, such as the confrontation in the Lords of Order arc where the Otherkind's invasion forced uneasy cooperation among heroes. Unlike his more restrained pre- depictions, Etrigan's binding to Jason Blood was shown as increasingly antagonistic, with the demon frequently overriding Blood's control to unleash destruction, highlighting a fractured dynamic where Blood struggled to suppress Etrigan's infernal impulses. The Rebirth era expanded Etrigan's role, integrating him into broader magical narratives that delved into Hell's intricate politics. In The Demon: Hell is Earth (2017), Etrigan and Jason Blood's relationship deteriorated into mutual loathing, with Blood deliberately suppressing the demon's emergence amid a demonic incursion on , exploring themes of forced coexistence and infernal hierarchies ruled by figures like and . Ties to emerged in crossovers, where Etrigan's demonic heritage intersected with Amazonian lore, such as aiding against hellish incursions that threatened Themyscira's magical barriers. Meanwhile, appearances in series portrayed Etrigan navigating Hell's bureaucratic power struggles, allying with or betraying demonic lords to protect young sorcerers like from political machinations in the underworld. These stories amplified Jason Blood's immortality struggles, depicting his eternal life as a curse that amplified psychological torment, with separation from Etrigan causing rapid aging and existential despair. Into the 2020s, Etrigan featured in crossovers like Trinity of Sin: The Phantom Stranger (extending elements into Rebirth), where he guided the Stranger through Hell's realms alongside the , confronting sins and demonic entities in a quest to avert cosmic imbalance. In the 2024 Dawn of DC initiative, Etrigan joined forces in against undead threats, including resurgent necromantic forces tied to ancient curses, battling alongside and to contain a horde of risen horrors threatening . These arcs further diverged from pre- norms by portraying the binding as a volatile pact vulnerable to external magical interference, forcing Jason Blood to grapple with his as a double-edged —granting survival but eroding his humanity through centuries of demonic influence.

Characterization

Personality Traits

Etrigan the Demon embodies a gleeful embrace of chaos and destruction, reveling in violence and mischief with a demonic fervor that marks him as a force of infernal disorder rather than straightforward malevolence. His personality is defined by a sadistic delight in and deception, often manifesting as a reluctant ally to mortal heroes when greater threats demand his intervention. This portrayal originates from Jack Kirby's creation, where Etrigan serves as a chaotic good figure compelled to aid humanity despite his hellish inclinations, though later interpretations have leaned toward more unbridled chaotic evil tendencies. A hallmark of Etrigan's character is his penchant for speaking in rhyming couplets, a stylistic choice that underscores his aristocratic standing within Hell's hierarchy and infuses his with witty, theatrical malice. This rhyming speech, introduced by Kirby in The Demon #1 (1972), not only highlights his eloquent yet menacing nature but also serves as a constant reminder of his otherworldly origins, making his pronouncements both memorable and intimidating. Over time, writers have varied the consistency of this trait, but it remains a core element symbolizing Etrigan's flamboyant sadism and love for verbal amid physical mayhem. In stark contrast, Jason Blood, the 6th-century knight to whom Etrigan is eternally bound by Merlin's spell, exhibits a scholarly and introspective demeanor shaped by centuries of scholarly pursuit in occultism and . Blood's is marked by profound guilt and moral torment from his cursed existence, forcing him to grapple with the demon's bloodlust while clinging to a human conscience that seeks redemption and restraint. This evolves across comic eras, with Blood often summoning Etrigan only as a last resort against overwhelming evil, highlighting the ongoing tension between the demon's impulsive savagery and the man's ethical compass. The interplay between Etrigan and forms the crux of their dual identity, where the demon's chaotic impulses clash with Blood's restrained humanity, occasionally forging uneasy alliances that drive narrative tension without fully resolving their antagonism. Kirby's design emphasized this reluctant partnership, positioning Etrigan as a brooding anti-hero whose villainous traits are tempered by situational heroism, influencing subsequent revivals that explore their evolving psychological dynamic.

Transformation and Dual Identity

The transformation between Jason Blood and Etrigan is achieved through a specific recited by the active form, binding their souls in a mystical duality that originated from Merlin's curse during the fall of . To revert from Etrigan back to Jason Blood, the demon must chant: "Gone now, O Etrigan, and rise again the form of man!" This ritualistic rhyme invokes the original binding spell, forcing the shift through sheer willpower, as the process demands conscious intent from the speaker to override the demonic bond. The incantation's effectiveness relies heavily on Jason Blood's mental fortitude, as the human host must maintain control to initiate or resist the change; without it, transformations can occur involuntarily under extreme stress or magical interference, leading to uncontrolled surges of demonic power. In narrative terms, this dual identity serves as a central conflict, portraying Jason as a cursed immortal who bears the weight of Etrigan's violent deeds while retaining full memories of them, fostering a tense internal struggle between humanity and infernal impulse that drives many story arcs. The bond also grants Jason slowed aging, preserving him since the without the ravages of time, though it isolates him in a perpetual between mortal life and eternal damnation. In modern continuities, such as and Rebirth eras, the transformation mechanics have seen variations for enhanced control. For instance, during the Blood of the Demon series, writer John Byrne simplified the summoning to "Yarva Etrigan Daemonicus," a shorter phrase that bypasses the full rhyme while maintaining the core mystical trigger. These adaptations emphasize evolving themes of coexistence, where the duality becomes a tool for redemption rather than pure torment.

Powers and Abilities

Etrigan's Demonic Powers

Etrigan's demonic physiology grants him , enabling him to demolish buildings with single punches and leap distances of hundreds of yards in . This strength allows him to contend with heavyweights, such as subduing demons capable of nearly defeating and delivering blows that have sent hurtling toward the Moon. Complementing this is his exceptional durability, derived from his infernal flesh, which withstands assaults from the strongest opponents while deriving masochistic pleasure from the inflicted pain. Etrigan's further enhances his resilience, permitting indefinite survival in hostile environments like the fiery depths of or the airless void of , as typical of demons unbound by mortal frailties. Central to Etrigan's arsenal are his fire-based attacks, primarily through the projection of hellfire—intense, mystical flames expelled from his hands or mouth that can incinerate targets and overwhelm heat-resistant foes. He possesses complete immunity to heat and conventional fire, thriving amid volcanic or infernal blazes without impairment. These abilities underscore his hellish origins, with hellfire serving as both an offensive weapon and a manifestation of his demonic essence. Etrigan possesses flight enabled by his bat-like wings, which facilitate aerial mobility at high speeds. His sorcery encompasses a broad array of mystical feats, including summoning lesser demons from Hell, generating illusions to deceive enemies, and casting spells for binding or destructive purposes, drawing directly from his princely status in the infernal hierarchy. Beyond these, Etrigan benefits from enhanced senses that heighten his perception in or chaotic battlefields, and rapid that regenerates wounds almost instantaneously, even from severe demonic or magical injuries. His overall power level positions him as a cosmic-tier threat, where his combined physical and magical prowess has proven effective against Apokoliptian forces.

Jason Blood's Human Capabilities

Jason Blood, bound to the demon Etrigan since the 6th century, exhibits exceptional occult expertise honed over centuries of study and firsthand encounters with the . As a preeminent demonologist, he possesses deep knowledge of ancient rituals, arcane artifacts, and infernal hierarchies, often serving as a consultant to heroes like Batman on matters involving magic and otherworldly threats. His proficiency in spell-casting allows him to decipher and utilize complex incantations, drawing from grimoires and forgotten lore accumulated during his immortal lifespan. This expertise stems from his original binding by , which immersed him in the esoteric arts, enabling him to identify and counter demonic influences without invoking his demonic counterpart. In addition to his mystical acumen, Blood maintains peak human physical conditioning, bolstered by his medieval origins as a in King Arthur's court. He is a master of , skilled in medieval weaponry such as swords, and proficient in modern marksmanship, having participated in numerous conflicts across history. These abilities reflect rigorous training from his youth and sustained through centuries of survival, allowing him to hold his own against human adversaries in close-quarters engagements. Blood can access minor magical abilities in his human form, independent of full transformation into Etrigan, such as erecting protective wards or detecting presences. These feats, like telekinetic manipulation or basic , rely on his innate connection to Etrigan's essence but remain limited to subtle applications to avoid triggering the binding spell. For instance, he has demonstrated the capacity to heal minor wounds or shield allies from low-level curses using incantations drawn from his personal library. As a and investigator based in , Blood pursues intellectual endeavors as a specializing in history and as an amateur unraveling mystical crimes. His analytical mind, sharpened by eons of , aids in piecing together clues from ancient texts and contemporary events, frequently collaborating with Gotham's underground or on cases involving artifacts or hauntings. This role positions him as a guardian of , using his skills to prevent escalations in the city.

Key Weaknesses

Etrigan, as a denizen of , possesses classic demonic vulnerabilities to holy artifacts and symbols, including crosses and , which inflict intense pain upon contact and can compel his temporary banishment to infernal realms. The arcane binding imposed by links Etrigan inseparably to Jason Blood, creating inherent strains: extended manifestations of the demon form gradually erode Jason's mental stability, while efforts to sever the bond threaten the annihilation of both souls. Etrigan remains susceptible to the superior sorcery of entities like , who originally ensnared him, and cosmic forces such as the Spectre, alongside weaponry designed specifically to combat demons, such as iron-based implements that weaken his infernal essence. Jason Blood's lingering guilt over historical failures, notably the defense of against dark sorcery, provides exploitable emotional chinks that adversaries like Morgaine le Fay have leveraged to manipulate or undermine their shared existence.

Alternate Versions

Multiverse Variants

In the DC One Million event set in the 853rd century, Etrigan appears as a variant unbound from Jason Blood, summoned by time-displaced teenagers using advanced technology in a dystopian Earth-1, blending his demonic essence with the era's elements to wreak havoc on high-tech summoners who seek a legendary . This portrayal emphasizes Etrigan's timeless malevolence, manifesting in a cybernetic-influenced Hellscape where his rhyming incantations disrupt futuristic machinery and digital constructs. The Amalgam Universe crossover of 1996 introduced a merged variant known as Speed Demon (Blaze Allen), combining Etrigan's demonic rhyming spirit and hellfire powers with the Flash's super-speed and Ghost Rider's vengeful flame motif, creating a skeletal, flaming speedster who battles supernatural threats like the Night Spectre. In this one-shot story, Speed Demon emerges from a sorcerous accident that fuses the characters' essences, allowing him to traverse dimensions at blinding velocities while reciting infernal verses to incinerate foes, highlighting Etrigan's influence in the hybrid's poetic, destructive personality. Within the Flashpoint timeline of 2011, Etrigan appears unbound from Jason Blood due to the altered reality caused by Barry Allen's time manipulation. He joins a resistance group in , including , Grifter, and others, fighting against invading with his demonic powers. Unfettered by his human host, this variant unleashes hellfire and sorcery to aid the resistance in their battles, underscoring the chaotic potential of Etrigan in a war-torn alternate world. In the announced in 2024, an upcoming series titled The Demon Next Level, launching in March 2026, reimagines Etrigan as a demonic presence bound to a cursed human host who unwillingly transforms to battle other demons in a horror storyline. This version emphasizes his role in infernal conflicts, leveraging demonic physiology and rhyming speech in a designed for new readers, marking a fresh take in DC's alternate continuity.

Elseworlds and Non-Canon Stories

Etrigan the Demon has been featured in various tales and other non-canon narratives, where the character is reimagined in alternate historical or hypothetical settings divorced from DC's primary continuity. These stories often emphasize his demonic nature and rhyming speech while adapting him to new contexts, such as medieval adventures or dystopian futures, highlighting his role as a reluctant ally against supernatural threats. In the 2000 miniseries Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham, set in a late 19th-century Gotham infused with , Etrigan serves as an aid to Batman in battling ancient cults summoning elder gods. Bound to Jason Blood, Etrigan intervenes during Batman's pursuit of a mystical tome guarded by the League of Assassins, using his powers to combat cultists and demonic entities before being captured and defeated by the creature . Later freed, he joins the fight against the awakened god Iog-Sotha, contributing to the entity's banishment and the restoration of order in the city. The 1996 Elseworlds miniseries Kingdom Come portrays Etrigan as a banished supernatural entity in a grim future where traditional superheroes have faded into obscurity amid a of reckless vigilantes. Bonded to the aging Jason Blood, Etrigan represents one of the elder guardians who have retreated from active heroism, existing on the fringes of a hero-less world until drawn back by escalating conflicts between human-led factions and extremists. His presence underscores the story's themes of legacy and redemption among outcast powers. The 2011–2013 New 52 miniseries Demon Knights places Etrigan in a medieval Dark Ages setting as a brash, self-serving warrior demon. Leading a ragtag band of misfits—including Madame Xanadu, the Shining Knight, and Exorcisus—he battles barbarian invasions, rival sorcerers, and infernal forces while grappling with his forced alliance to Jason Blood. Etrigan's portrayal emphasizes his chaotic demonic impulses clashing with reluctant heroism, culminating in betrayals and descents into Hell that test the group's bonds against apocalyptic threats like Lucifer's schemes. In the 2000 Elseworlds one-shot Batman/Demon: A Tragedy, Etrigan is reenvisioned as a bat-like banished from Hell for excessive malevolence, summoned by to aid Gotham in a war against . Possessing Bruce Wayne's body, he rampages through Gotham's underworld, slaughtering criminals in brutal, rhyming fury, only to clash with heroes like and while uncovering his cursed origins tied to the city's occult underbelly. This variant amplifies Etrigan's violent tendencies, portraying him as an uncontrollable force straining against his human host's moral constraints.

In Other Media

Television and Animation

Etrigan the Demon first appeared in animated television in the DC Animated Universe's series, debuting in the episode "The Demon Within" (1998). In this story, Jason Blood, bonded to the demon by , is separated from Etrigan by , causing Blood to age rapidly; Batman helps reunite them to save his life. Voiced by , Etrigan is shown as a rhyming, powerful demon whose separation highlights the curse's importance. Etrigan next appeared in Justice League in the two-part episode "A Knight of Shadows" (2002). Jason Blood, cursed by to be bonded with the demon, transforms into Etrigan to assist the against the sorceress Morgaine le Fey and her son , who seek to plunge the world into eternal magical darkness. Voiced by , Etrigan is depicted as a fiery, rhyming anti-hero whose immense strength and hellfire abilities prove crucial in battling the mystical threats, though his volatile nature creates tension with the heroes. Etrigan returned in Justice League Unlimited (2004–2006), continuing his role as a supernatural ally within the expanded . In the episode "Kid Stuff" (2004), he is transformed into a child by Mordred's magic and aids the team in restoring order by destroying the Amulet of First Magic, once again voiced by . In the episode "" (2005), he aids Batman, , and others in a confrontation involving the magical equilibrium between , , and . Here, Etrigan's portrayal emphasizes his demonic heritage and reluctant heroism, as he helps thwart a plot by the demon Abnegazar while showcasing his signature verse-speaking combat style against other infernal beings. In Batman: The Brave and the Bold (2009), Etrigan appears in the episode "Trials of the Demon!" where Batman is transported to and teams with Jason Blood/Etrigan and to battle . Voiced by , the episode highlights Etrigan's historical ties and brute force in a steampunk-inspired adventure. In Young Justice (season 4, 2021–2022), Etrigan makes cameo appearances during arcs set in Hell, supporting the young heroes against demonic incursions and chaos lords like . Voiced by , these brief but impactful roles highlight Etrigan's role as a powerful, bound navigating infernal politics, using his sorcery and brute force to aid the team's escape from hellish realms. Etrigan also features prominently in Justice League Action (2016–2018), appearing in multiple shorts that lean into his humorous, rhyming persona amid fast-paced team adventures. Voiced by Patrick Seitz, he battles villains like the Demons Three and Trigon, often delivering quippy, poetic taunts while unleashing hellfire blasts and as an ally to the . These episodes underscore Etrigan's blend of menace and wit, making him a fan-favorite in lighter, episodic supernatural skirmishes. In the Harley Quinn animated series, Etrigan appears in the special "A Very Problematic Valentine's Day Special" (2023), running a sex shop in New New Gotham and assisting Bane in a chaotic holiday plot. Voiced by , this portrayal adds a comedic, irreverent twist to his demonic character in the adult-oriented series.

Film and Live-Action

Etrigan the Demon has primarily appeared in direct-to-video animated films within the DC Universe Animated Original Movies series, often as a supporting character leveraging his demonic powers in supernatural or apocalyptic scenarios. In Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox (2013), an alternate-universe version of Etrigan participates in the resistance efforts amid the war between Atlanteans and Amazons in a timeline altered by the Flash's actions; he is voiced by Dee Bradley Baker. The film adapts the Flashpoint comic storyline, portraying Etrigan as a fierce ally in the chaotic alternate reality. Etrigan features more prominently in the DC Animated Movie Universe starting with Justice League Dark (2017), where Jason Blood transforms into the demon to join a team of occult investigators, including John Constantine and Zatanna, against otherworldly threats; Ray Chase provides the voice. He returns in Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay (2018), acting as a demonic enforcer pursuing a mystical card that grants escape from Hell, voiced by . The character continues in Justice League Dark: Apokolips War (2020), assisting the decimated in a final assault on Darkseid's forces following ' conquest of Earth, again voiced by Ray Chase. Etrigan also appears in the anthology short DC Showcase: Constantine – The House of Mystery (2022), contributing to a Halloween-themed narrative, with Ray Chase reprising the role. A non-DCAMU appearance occurs in Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham (2023), an Elseworlds-inspired story where Etrigan aids Bruce Wayne against Lovecraftian horrors in an alternate 1920s Gotham; he is voiced by Matthew Waterson. As of November 2025, Etrigan has no major live-action adaptations, though he was rumored for involvement in ' HBO Max Justice League Dark series announced in 2020, which was canceled in 2023.

Video Games and Miscellaneous

Etrigan the Demon has made several appearances in video games, often leveraging his demonic physiology for combat mechanics such as hellfire projectiles and melee combos that reflect his rhyming, aggressive persona. In DC Universe Online (2011), released by Daybreak Game Company, Etrigan serves as a boss encounter in the villain storyline arc set in Hellish realms, where players confront him amid demonic forces; he is also featured in seasonal events like the Witching Hour, allying with heroes against supernatural threats. The character appears as a playable fighter in Lego DC Super-Villains (2018), developed by and published by Interactive Entertainment, unlocked via the Justice League Dark DLC pack; his moveset includes fire-based attacks and transformations tied to Jason Blood. In the mobile title DC Legends: Battle for Justice (2016 onward), by , Etrigan is a recruitable introduced in 2018, excelling in control and damage roles during PvP battles and campaigns, with ongoing updates featuring him in event rewards and challenges throughout the 2020s. Beyond video games, Etrigan has been represented in various merchandise lines. DC Direct produced action figures of the character in the 2000s, including a detailed 7-inch sculpt from 2004 inspired by Jack Kirby's original design, complete with articulated posing and accessories like chains. He also features in official DC trading card games, such as the Upper Deck VS System: DC Origins set (2007), where cards depict his demonic form and abilities for gameplay in collectible card battles.

Collected Editions

Key Trade Paperbacks

The Demon by Jack Kirby (2008 TPB) collects the full run of Jack Kirby's original 16-issue series from 1972 to 1974, introducing Etrigan as a rhyming demon bound to the soul of Jason Blood by during the fall of , and featuring battles against supernatural threats like Morgaine le Fey and Glinda the Good Witch. This edition highlights Kirby's bold artistic style and thematic exploration of duality between man and monster, making it a cornerstone for understanding Etrigan's foundational lore. A reissue in 2017 under the same title collects the same 16 issues in a single volume. Demon Knights Vol. 1: The Gathering (2012 TPB) collects Demon Knights #0-6 by Paul Cornell and Diogenes Neves, featuring Etrigan in the as a member of a medieval precursor team battling the forces of darkness during the . In the era, Justice League Dark Vol. 1: In the Dark (2012 TPB) compiles issues #1-6 of the series by and Mikel Janín, marking Etrigan's debut in this relaunch as a volatile member of the supernatural team alongside , , and Deadman, confronting otherworldly threats like the Enchantress and . The volume establishes Etrigan's role as a reluctant ally whose infernal power and chaotic personality add tension to the group's dynamics in addressing magical crises beyond the Justice League's scope. The Demon Vol. 1: Hell's Hitman (2017 TPB) collects The Demon (vol. 3) #1-16 (1990-1993) by and John McCrea, showcasing Etrigan's gritty, humorous take as Gotham's hellish enforcer against demonic threats. A more recent solo outing appears in The Demon: Hell is Earth (2018 TPB), collecting the six-issue miniseries by writer Andrew Constant and artist Brad Walker, where Etrigan separates from Jason Blood amid a demonic invasion of Earth led by , forcing the demon to navigate alliances with heavenly forces and his own infernal heritage. This collection revitalizes Etrigan's character in the Rebirth era, focusing on themes of redemption and hellish bureaucracy while delivering high-stakes action against apocalyptic odds.

Hardcover and Omnibus Collections

Several deluxe and omnibus editions have compiled significant runs of Etrigan the Demon stories, offering collectors comprehensive access to key narratives from Jack Kirby's foundational work to later ensemble appearances. These volumes emphasize high-production values, restored artwork, and expansive storytelling, distinguishing them from more targeted trade paperbacks by encompassing broader arcs and crossovers. Justice League Dark: The New 52 Omnibus, released in 2021 by DC Comics, compiles the complete Peter Milligan run in a 1,648-page hardcover, featuring Etrigan as a core member of the supernatural team combating the "Others" and magical apocalypses. Collecting Justice League Dark #0–40, Justice League Dark Annual #1–2, I, Vampire #1–19, Books of Magic #1–8, and related tie-ins like Justice League Dark #23.2: The Books of Magic, the volume showcases Etrigan's role in arcs such as "The Books of Magic" and "The Black Room," where he allies with Zatanna, John Constantine, and Deadman against entities like the Enchantress and the House of Mystery. The omnibus highlights Milligan's blend of horror and humor, with Etrigan's verse-spouting ferocity driving key confrontations, all presented in a slipcased format with variant covers. Announced in 2025 by DC Comics, DC Finest: The Demon: Birth of the Demon is an upcoming deluxe slated for release on February 24, 2026, focusing on Etrigan's early appearances. This collection encompasses The #1–16 (1972–1973), classic team-ups from , and key appearances in and , spanning stories published between 1972 and 1981. Spanning over 500 pages with restored artwork, it highlights Kirby's foundational lore.

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  40. https://leagueofcomicgeeks.com/character/457/jason-blood
  41. https://www.cbr.com/dc-justice-league-dark-members-ranked-personality/
  42. https://www.cbr.com/jason-blood-dc-etrigan-demon/
  43. https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/The_Demon_Vol_1_8
  44. https://vsbattles.com/threads/etrigan-post-crisis-revision.22639/
  45. https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/ComicBook/Etrigan
  46. https://comicvine.gamespot.com/forums/battles-7/etrigan-vs-darkseid-609753/
  47. https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Jason_Blood_%28New_Earth%29
  48. https://www.reddit.com/r/respectthreads/comments/ubj4bx/respect_jason_blood_dc_post_crisis/
  49. https://comiconverse.com/justice-league-dark-rise-demon-etrigan-13447/
  50. https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Etrigan_%28New_Earth%29
  51. https://www.dcuniverseinfinite.com/comics/book/hitman-1000000/2e9458c5-48ec-4283-862e-d65e5b7fb45e
  52. https://comicvine.gamespot.com/hitman-1000000-to-hell-with-the-future/4000-45472/
  53. https://www.cbr.com/the-flash-ghost-rider-speed-demon-amalgam/
  54. https://leagueofcomicgeeks.com/comics/series/115111/speed-demon
  55. https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Flashpoint:_Lois_Lane_and_the_Resistance_Vol_1_2
  56. https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Etrigan_%28Flashpoint_Timeline%29
  57. https://bleedingcool.com/comics/scott-snyder-talks-dc-next-level-details-on-the-demon-and-deathstroke/
  58. https://screenrant.com/dc-absolute-continuity-demon-etrigan-op-ed/
  59. https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Batman:_The_Doom_That_Came_to_Gotham_Vol_1_1
  60. https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Batman:_The_Doom_That_Came_to_Gotham_Vol_1_2
  61. https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Batman:_The_Doom_That_Came_to_Gotham_Vol_1_3
  62. https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Earth_22
  63. https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Demon_Knights_Vol_1
  64. https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Demon_Knights_%28Prime_Earth%29
  65. https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Batman/Demon:_A_Tragedy
  66. https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Etrigan_%28A_Tragedy%29
  67. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0519705/
  68. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0618125/
  69. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0618182/
  70. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1399709/
  71. https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/Young-Justice/Etrigan-the-Demon/
  72. https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/Justice-League-Action/Etrigan/
  73. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt22525032/
  74. https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/movies/Justice-League-The-Flashpoint-Paradox/Etrigan/
  75. https://www.dc.com/movies/justice-league-dark-2017
  76. https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/movies/Justice-League-Dark/Etrigan-Jason-Blood/
  77. https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/movies/Justice-League-Dark-Apokolips-War/Etrigan-Jason-Blood/
  78. https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/movies/Batman-The-Doom-That-Came-to-Gotham/Etrigan-Jason-Blood/
  79. https://screenrant.com/justice-league-dark-jj-abrams-hbo-max-canceled/
  80. https://www.dcuniverseonline.com/news/witching-hour-2025
  81. https://www.thexboxhub.com/is-the-lego-dc-super-villains-justice-league-dark-character-pack-worth-your-cash/
  82. http://www.oafe.net/poe/dcuc1_dem.php
  83. https://www.ebay.com/itm/153631913173
  84. https://www.amazon.com/Jack-Kirbys-Demon-Kirby/dp/1401219160
  85. https://www.dc.com/graphic-novels/demon-knights-2011/demon-knights-vol-1-the-gathering
  86. https://www.dc.com/graphic-novels/justice-league-dark-2011/justice-league-dark-vol-1-in-the-dark
  87. https://www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=23155289
  88. https://www.amazon.com/Demon-Hell-Earth-Andrew-Constant/dp/1401284825
  89. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/691320/justice-league-dark-the-new-52-omnibus-by-peter-milligan/
  90. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57600290-justice-league-dark
  91. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/811899/dc-finest-the-demon-birth-of-the-demon-by-jim-starlin/
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