How powerful is Etrigan?

[Batman 80]

Is he considered one of DC's powerhouses?

[Karkull]

Not really, but keep in mind that he's in pretty powerful company.

He can certainly hold his own, however, and he does have the power to show up in both regular and Vertigo titles!

[Batman 80]

What exactly are his powers? And why were he and Jason Blood bound together?

[Batman 80]

Is Etrigan friend or foe?

[The Guard]

Etrigan was first summoned in the middle ages to help combat an evil invading force. Etrigan slaughtered the invaders. But when it was over, he refused to go back to Hell. So to control his actions, Jason Blood's souls was forever bound to Etrigan, to temper the demon. I can't remember why Etrigan comes out anymore...

[Batman 80]

That bites for Jason Blood. He almost reminds me of the Hulk.

[Arachkid]

I think Etrigan's powers and abilities can vary from writer to writer, but based on the TNBA episode, he's seems to be pretty strong and able to breathe fire. I wouldn't be surprised if he had other abilities I don't know or have forgotten about.

I have no idea how Etrigan would fare against a science-based GL ring or someone mythologically-powered like Wonder Woman, but with the way Superman's vulnerability to magic is usually written, the Demon could probably give him a run for his money. Klarion was able to take control of Etrigan, though, so I'd wager that Dr. Fate (or another sorceror) could probably defeat him.

Except that Harry Pottter kid. Etrigan would probably kick his butt. :p

[Batman 80]

Harry Potter! LOL! That kid deserves to ripped to shred by Etrigan. Welcome to the boards by the way.

[Arachkid]

Thanks! :cool:

[kid_flash]

Etrigan is far different from the Hulk. Jason has control over turning into Etrigan, but I think Etrigan decides whether or not to turn back into Jason. Not positive there.

He also speaks in rhymes, which I really wish they included in TNBA.

[The Mad Hatter]

He did to an extent... there was the rhyme he whipped out before taking that creepy kid whose name escapes me to his room.

[Batman 80]

Does Jason physically change into Etrigan or do they switch places? If they do switch places, where does Jason go and where does Etrigan go?

[MrGiantRobot]

They are magically trapped within their host. They can see things, I believe, but cannot act. Although I do remember hearing of Etrigan stealing some of Jason's memories, just to mess with him.

And the kid's name was Klarion, the cat's name is Teek. Old enemies of theirs, I believe.

[kid_flash]

Originally posted by The Mad Hatter
He did to an extent... there was the rhyme he whipped out before taking that creepy kid whose name escapes me to his room.

Yeah, but that's 'cause he was casting up a spell. In the comics, all he does is rhyme, it's kinda cool.

Oh, and the kid's name is Klarion, bum bum BUM, the Witch Boy. Heh, sorry, only a few people will get the "bum bum BUM" part.

[Arachkid]

I got it! I got it! What do I win? :D

[Ed Liu]

Howdy all,

I think the definitive Etrigan stories are in Alan Moore's Swamp Thing run, which should probably be required reading for anybody into Weird Stuff in the DC Universe. Check out the first 2 TPBs for the meat of the Demon action. There's a bit of Etrigan in the original Books of Magic 4-issue limited by Neil Gaiman (another bit of required reading for anybody into WSitDCU), but there isn't much hard info on him, despite being the only character who shows up in all four issues other than Tim Hunter, Yo-yo, and Dr. Occult. Matt Wagner also did a 4-issue Demon limited series back in the 80's or 90's which wasn't bad and should be fairly cheap, but may be hard to find.

If I remember correctly, Jason Blood was a relative of Merlin back in the days of King Arthur. At one point, to protect the crown from the forces of darkness, Etrigan the Demon was summoned and bound to Jason. As a result, Jason Blood has stayed alive for hundreds of years, although he has trouble remembering patches of his past. I think they're essentially the same being -- it's not a case of Etrigan disappearing somewhere else while Jason is being Jason (although answering that question could make for a pretty interesting story in its own right).

Etrigan is a "rhyming demon," which makes him a big wheel in the Hellish Circles he runs in. As far as powers go, he is supernaturally strong and durable, although it's not quite clear to what extent. He can also breathe hellfire, which is capable of hurting other demons in Hell, making it pretty unpleasant stuff. He is a capable magician, although he's not in the same league as a Dr. Fate or Zatanna, and he also prefers to rip things apart. Probably his most effective power is that he's crafty and manipulative, and is smart enough to get his way through guile and deception.

It was hinted at in Swamp Thing that Etrigan and Jason Blood fight for dominance in their personality, and that Etrigan is slowly winning. The story comes to one gruesome, possible ending in The Books of Magic, although the future shown isn't certain.

-- Ed/Ace

[kid_flash]

Originally posted by Arachkid
I got it! I got it! What do I win? :D

Whoo-hoo! I hoped I wouldn't be the only one who read Sins of Youth! You win.........................................the honor of knowing strange comic book trivia......or something....

[Sugar Daddy]

Originally posted by Karkull
[BHe can certainly hold his own, however, and he does have the power to show up in both regular and Vertigo titles! [/B]
whats vertigo?

[The Mad Hatter]

It's a line of adult-aimed DC books with themes that might be too much for the young 'uns.