History ComicBook / Etrigan

* AristocratsAreEvil:
** In continuities where Etrigan is a true demon, not merely a construct of Merlin's, he's depicted as at least a prince of Hell. While he was under the pen of Creator/GarthEnnis, he was briefly king of it.
** Baron Von Evilstein.

* CreepyChild: Klarion the Witch-Boy

* EthnicMagician: Randu Singh.

* TheFettered: Etrigan.

* {{Hell}}: Usually the FireAndBrimstoneHell.

* UrbanFantasy

Etrigan has also appeared in various animated adaptations of DC comics, being played by Creator/BillyZane in ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheAnimatedSeries'', Michael T. Weiss in ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'', Creator/DeeBradleyBaker in ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheBraveAndTheBold'' and ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueTheFlashpointParadox'', Christopher S. Field in ''VideoGame/DCUniverseOnline'', Creator/RayChase in ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueDark'' and ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueDarkApokolipsWar'' and Creator/PatrickSeitz in ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueAction''.

Created by Creator/JackKirby and appearing for the first time in ''The Demon'' #1 (August, 1972), Etrigan has played many smaller roles in several DC comics from ''ComicBook/TheSandman'' to ''Franchise/WonderWoman'', with occasional stories and miniseries wholly to himself (such as in anthology series ''ComicBook/WednesdayComics''), and a number of ongoings, including Kirby's original series, a fifty-nine issue run, not counting annuals, during TheNineties, and Creator/JohnByrne's ''Blood of the Demon''.

* GeniusBruiser: Etrigan is capable of going toe-to-toe with Superman, Darkseid, and Lobo. He's also one of the most powerful spellcasters in existence, powerful enough that (an admittedly weakened) [[ComicBook/TheSandman Morpheus]] treated him with respect and he has successfully plotted the overthrow of Hell's hierarchy on at least three occasions, emerging as a KarmaHoudini for orchestrating the Day of Judgement CrisisCrossover (almost nobody realizes his involvement).

* DarkIsNotEvil: He may be a demon, but that doesn't make him any less of a good guy. Depending on how he feels at the time, really. Sometimes Etrigan will do good for the sake of good, or need coercing by Jason.

* SkunkStripe: Jason Blood

Etrigan is a yellow skinned and red eyed demon who was summoned by Myth/{{Merlin}} to aid Camelot against the forces of Morgaine le Fay, who later became a recurring opponent in the series. After the fall of Camelot, Merlin sent Etrigan to roam the earth in the disguise of a man. DependingOnTheWriter, Etrigan is either bonded to one of KingArthur's noblemen or the human Jason Blood was merely created by Merlin's spell. In the present, Jason Blood, a well respected authority on demonology, is well versed in the skill of magic and has helped other superheroes in several occasions. Etrigan's habit of speaking in verses is a later addition, introduced by Len Wein in ''ComicBook/DCComicsPresents'' #66, but really established and explained by Creator/AlanMoore. This also makes him fall under almost every rhyme Trope there is.

Etrigan has also appeared in various animated adaptations of DC comics, being played by Creator/BillyZane in ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheAnimatedSeries'', Michael T. Weiss in ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'', Creator/DeeBradleyBaker in ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheBraveAndTheBold'' and ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueTheFlashpointParadox'', Christopher S. Field in ''VideoGame/DCUniverseOnline'' and Creator/PatrickSeitz in ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueAction''.

* TheTrickster: Frequently, Etrigan's own motivation is his own amusement... such as when he intentionally triggered a war between Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory over [[ComicBook/TheSpectre the vessel of God's divine rage]], just to get more serious (and dull) demons abused when the heroes inevitably won.

Etrigan is a yellow skinned and red eyed demon who was summoned by Myth/{{Merlin}} to aid Camelot against the forces of Morgaine le Fay, who later became a recurring opponent in the series. After the fall of Camelot, Merlin sent Etrigan to roam the earth in the disguise of a man. DependingOnTheWriter, Etrigan is either bonded to one of KingArthur's noblemen or the human Jason Blood was merely created by Merlin's spell. In the present, Jason Blood, a well respected authority on demonology, is well versed in the skill of magic and has helped other superheroes in several occasions. Etrigan's habit of speaking in verses is a later addition, introduced by Creator/LenWein in ''ComicBook/DCComicsPresents'' #66, but really established and explained by Creator/AlanMoore. This also makes him fall under almost every rhyme Trope there is.

* CanonDiscontinuity: Creator/JohnByrne, in an act of [[OnlyTheCreatorDoesItRight purism]], attempted to reveal that Etrigan's rhyming was the result of a curse rather than his demonic rank, in a story where the curse was undone and Etrigan was overjoyed to speak normally again. This was ignored by basically everyone.

* InstantRunes: WordOfGod says Etrigan's one of the most powerful spellcasters around, with only Myth/{{Merlin}} confirmed his superior. He can perform spells like this if he chooses, though he usually prefers hellfire or physical violence.

* LeastRhymableWord: Etrigan can stretch a rhyme pretty far. WordOfGod says that he does this to annoy other people as much as being forced to rhyme due to spells or his caste in Hell.

* EthnicMagician: Randu

* TheFettered: Etrigan

'''Policeman:''' Freeze!

* AmbiguousGender: Klarion's cat familiar Teekl alternates between male and female DependingOnTheWriter. Kirby's version (and appearance in an animated adaptation) was female (including an alternate humanoid form), while Morrison's is characterized as male.

* CreepyGood: Jason Blood. He's got human tongues on display in his basement in one story, and in another ritually bathes in blood.

* LetsGetDangerous: Usually averted. Given that Etrigan's twice conquered Hell just for his own amusement, he's clearly one of DC's heavy hitters. In the rare occasion that Etrigan's convinced the threat's worth his serious attention, he's typically subject to the WorfEffect.

Created by Creator/JackKirby and appearing for the first time in ''The Demon'' #1 (August, 1972), Etrigan has played many smaller roles in several DC comics from ''ComicBook/TheSandman'' to ''ComicBook/WonderWoman'', with occasional stories and miniseries wholly to himself (such as in anthology series ''ComicBook/WednesdayComics''), and a number of ongoings, including Kirby's original series, a fifty-nine issue run, not counting annuals, during TheNineties, and Creator/JohnByrne's ''Blood of the Demon''.

Etrigan is a yellow skinned and red eyed demon who was summoned by Merlin to aid Camelot against the forces of Morgaine le Fay, who later became a recurring opponent in the series. After the fall of Camelot, Merlin sent Etrigan to roam the earth in the disguise of a man. DependingOnTheWriter, Etrigan is either bonded to one of KingArthur's noblemen or the human Jason Blood was merely created by Merlin's spell. In the present, Jason Blood, a well respected authority on demonology, is well versed in the skill of magic and has helped other superheroes in several occasions. Etrigan's habit of speaking in verses is a later addition, introduced by Creator/LenWein in ''ComicBook/DCComicsPresents'' #66, but really established and explained by Creator/AlanMoore. This also makes him fall under almost every rhyme Trope there is.

* BiggerBad: During [[CrisisCrossover the Day of Judgement crossover]], Etrigan was ultimately the one behind the scramble for control over ComicBook/TheSpectre, though he apparently knew better than to try for control himself. This resulted in [[ComicBook/GreenLantern Hal Jordan]] taking the role, and Etrigan getting to [[ForTheEvulz laugh at the demons who thought they could.]]

* ChildMage: Klarion the Witch-Boy is an absurdly powerful little brat who, in his ''first'' appearance: cures a deadly poison, conjures up a feast, banishes a monster with a fork, and summons the Demon to his aid while tied up and suspended from the ceiling.

--> Etrigan: Blood is drawn! I am impressed--though my hell-spawned powers will heal it! Besides...next to giving pain, my favorite sport's to feel it!

* EnfanteTerrible:

* HorrifyingHero: Etrigan is a ''demon'' grafted onto the soul of a knight who betrayed [[KingArthur Camelot.]]

* InvoluntaryShapeshifting: His transformation is triggered by ''anyone'' saying the poem. DependingOnTheWriter, sometimes even ''writing'' it does the trick.

* SuperStrength: He's been known to be able to trade blows with folks as strong as {{Superman}} and Lobo.

** Whether he's evil, apparently, though that may just be ComicBook/JohnByrne.

* GeniusBruiser: Etrigan is capable of going toe-to-toe with Superman, Darkseid, and Lobo. He's also one of the most powerful spellcasters in existence, powerful enough that (an admittedly weakened) [[Series/TheSandman Morpheus]] treated him with respect and he has successfully plotted the overthrow of Hell's hierarchy on at least three occasions, emerging as a KarmaHoudini for orchestrating the Day of Judgement CrisisCrossover (almost nobody realizes his involvement).

* OurDemonsAreDifferent: All over the place. Etrigan's not much different from a HornyDevil, but pretty much every variation appears in Hell.

Etrigan has also appeared in various animated adaptations of DC comics, being played by Creator/BillyZane in ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheAnimatedSeries'', Michael T. Weiss in ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'', Creator/DeeBradleyBaker in ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheBraveAndTheBold'' and ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueTheFlashpointParadox'', and Christopher S. Field in ''VideoGame/DCUniverseOnline''.

* DemonLordsAndArchDevils:
** Etrigan is one of the higher-ups in Hell. A helpful indicator of his position in the hierarchy is his rhyming.
** His father Belial is also one of the three rulers of Hell.

* GeniusBruiser: Etrigan is capable of going toe-to-toe with Superman, Darkseid, and Lobo. He's also one of the most powerful spellcasters in existence,powerful enough that (an admittedly weakened) [[Series/TheSandman Morpheus]] treated him with respect and he has successfully plotted the overthrow of Hell's hierarchy on at least three occasions, emerging as a KarmaHoudini for orchestrating the Day of Judgement CrisisCrossover (almost nobody realizes his involvement).

* GeniusBruiser: Etrigan is capable of going toe-to-toe with Superman, Darkseid, and Lobo. He's also one of the most powerful spellcasters in existence,powerful enough that (an admittedly weakened) [[Series/TheSandman Morpheus]] treated him with respect and he has successfully plotted the overthrow of Hell's hierarchy on at least three occasions, emerging as a KarmaHoudini for orchestrating the Day of Vengeance CrisisCrossover (almost nobody realizes his involvement).