This Day In Comics: The Reluctant Birth of Etrigan
Gone, gone the form of man! Rise, the Demon Etrigan! For many comic book fans, that chant is iconic. It signifies the explosive transformation of the mortal Jason Blood into a hulking, rhyming demon from the pits of Hell. This legendary character first burst onto the scene on June 22, 1972, in the pages of The Demon #1. The story behind the creation of Jack Kirby’s The Demon is as fascinating as the character himself, born from publisher demand and the reluctant genius of a comic book master. As we explore this key piece of comic book history, you’ll see how a character Kirby never intended to create became an enduring DC Comics icon.
This tale begins with a titan of the industry. Jack “The King” Kirby, co-creator of heroes like the Fantastic Four, Captain America, and the X-Men, had moved to DC Comics. There, he poured his immense creative energy into his epic “Fourth World” saga. However, when those titles were unexpectedly canceled, DC still wanted to utilize Kirby’s immense talent. The publisher saw a rising trend in horror comics and tasked Kirby with creating a new horror character. This was a demand, not a passion project. According to his longtime assistant Mark Evanier, Kirby had no real interest in the genre. Despite this, he delivered exactly what they asked for. He created a demon.
The Unwilling Creation of Jack Kirby’s The Demon
Jack Kirby, the consummate professional, created Etrigan in response to DC’s directive. The character design was striking, the premise was intriguing, and the execution was flawless. The first issue, written and drawn by Kirby, with inks by Mike Royer, was a surprise hit. In fact, it sold so well that the publisher insisted Kirby continue working on the title. According to reports from the Kirby Museum, this frustrated Kirby, who had hoped to conclude his beloved Fourth World stories. Instead, he was now bonded to his demonic creation, a situation ironically similar to the fate of his own character, Jason Blood. This unexpected success cemented the book’s place among exciting new comics of the era, even if its creator was less than thrilled.
Who Is Etrigan the Demon?
So, who is this hellish anti-hero? Etrigan is one of the most powerful demons in the DC Universe. He is the son of the arch-demon Belial and another demon, Ran va Daath. Centuries ago, during the fall of Camelot, the great wizard Merlin sought to control Etrigan and learn his secrets. Unable to fully command the creature, Merlin took a different approach. He magically bonded the demon to a mortal knight of King Arthur’s court, a man named Jason Blood. This act granted Jason immortality, a “gift” he has often viewed as a curse. For centuries, he has walked the Earth, a learned occultist and demonologist who carries a dark, fiery secret within him.
When Jason Blood speaks the magic words, “Gone, gone the form of man! Rise, the Demon Etrigan!”, he unleashes the beast. Etrigan possesses immense superhuman strength, putting him on par with some of DC’s strongest heroes. He has a profound resistance to injury and can project searing hellfire from his mouth. His demonic nature gives him a truly terrifying edge; he is a sadomasochist who takes pleasure in pain, making him a fearless and unpredictable combatant. Furthermore, as detailed in his DC Comics Fandom wiki, Etrigan has a powerful healing factor that allows him to recover from even the most grievous wounds. The character’s unique rhyming speech pattern, a trait added later by other writers, became a defining and beloved characteristic. The striking comic book covers for his series often highlighted his monstrous and powerful form. This complex figure is far more than a simple monster; he is a poet, a warrior, and a reluctant force for good when it suits his own chaotic purposes. It’s an amazing legacy for a character who was, by all accounts, created out of obligation.
A Lasting Legacy
The creation of Etrigan showcases Jack Kirby’s unparalleled imagination. Even when tasked with a project he didn’t personally desire, he produced a character with a rich backstory and incredible potential—a potential that countless other writers, like Alan Grant, would later explore in-depth. You can even read the original groundbreaking issue on DC’s official digital platform. From his reluctant beginnings, Etrigan the Demon has fought alongside the Justice League, become a key figure in DC’s mystical universe, and remains a fan-favorite character to this day. This amazing character from the mind of Jack Kirby continues to be a compelling figure in the vast world of comics.
The story of Jack Kirby’s The Demon serves as a powerful reminder that sometimes, creative genius can flourish under any circumstances. A simple request for a horror book led to one of the most unique and lasting characters in comic book lore.
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