Demons Three
Encyclopedia
Abnegazar, Rath and Ghast are three fictional character
s in the DC Universe
who are collectively known as the Demons Three. They first appeared in Justice League of America
#10 (March 1962), and were created by Gardner Fox
and Mike Sekowsky
.
and others, their attempts always foiled by the Justice League. Abnegazar was slain by Doctor Fate
in Swamp Thing
#50, but is currently being resurrected by his brothers. They have also been seen in the company of Neron
.
Anyone can summon the power of the Demons Three by possessing (and utilizing) three artifacts: the Green Bell of Uthool, the Silver Wheel of Nyorlath and the Red Jar of Calythos which were created by the brothers for this purpose and could not be destroyed or moved from Earth, meaning the Timeless Ones created magical guardians for them. If one releases the incense from the jar and then spins the wheel while the bell resounds, a series of events is set in motion which, one hundred years later, frees the demons; but for that century, the one who freed them could possess all their awesome power. In JLA #10 Faust is able to make the JLA recover the items, and later in JLA #11 while the JLA are time-travelling to capture the Lord of Time who has escaped to the future, they discover the demons a century later. They are imprisoned, but Green Lantern helps Wonder Woman escape, and she uses his ring to free the others. Green Lantern disguises the JLA as each other so the Demons will be fooled, they are able to capture them and imprison them once more.
The Demons three - with Abnegazar, after his rebirth, still just a big maggot - cooperated with Neron
in an attempt to destroy the Justice League. While they were evidently less powerful than him, the Devil showed some veneration for their great age.
In the JLA/Avengers
crossover
, these objects are part of the twelve items of power sought by the heroes.
In Infinite Crisis
, Abnegazar, Rath and Ghast became members of the Secret Society of Super Villains
. They help Felix Faust kidnap Nightshade
for Alexander Luthor in Day of Vengeance
Infinite Crisis Special.
Ralph Dibny (Elongated Man
) comes into possession of the Silver Wheel of Nyorlath in 52
, Week 41, Day 3. Professor Achilles Milo apparently was experimenting on it from within the Haven Correction Facility.
The Green Bell of Uthool and the Silver Wheel of Nyorlath recently appeared in Teen Titans #42, seen on the desk of Sebastian Faust
, along with an open book showing a summoning spell with an illustration of the Demons Three. Faust also mentions that he lent the Red Jar of Calythos to Blue Devil
.
In Teen Titans #83, the three prominently appear in the backup feature, plotting to use the souls of Traci 13, Black Alice, and Zachary Zatara
to permanently escape from Hell.
. They were once loyal to Etrigan, until he betrayed them, and had them trapped in an artifact. They later manipulated Etrigan and The Riddler into opening the artifact on Halloween night in order to be released and take their vengeance upon Etrigan and the rest of the world. They were defeated by Batman
and Robin
, and were imprisoned.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
s in the DC Universe
DC Universe
The DC Universe is the shared universe where most of the comic stories published by DC Comics take place. The fictional characters Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman are well-known superheroes from this universe. Note that in context, "DC Universe" is usually used to refer to the main DC continuity...
who are collectively known as the Demons Three. They first appeared in Justice League of America
Justice League
The Justice League, also called the Justice League of America or JLA, is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by DC Comics....
#10 (March 1962), and were created by Gardner Fox
Gardner Fox
Gardner Francis Cooper Fox was an American writer best known for creating numerous comic book characters for DC Comics. Comic-book historians estimate that he wrote over 4,000 comics stories....
and Mike Sekowsky
Mike Sekowsky
Michael Sekowsky was a Jewish American comic book artist best known as the exclusive penciler for DC Comics' Justice League of America during most of the 1960s, and as the regular writer and artist on Wonder Woman during the late 1960s and early 1970s.-Early life and career:Mike Sekowsky began...
.
Fictional character biographies
These brothers ruled the galaxy a billion years ago before being banished by beings known as the Timeless Ones. The Demons Three have tried to return time and again, summoned by Felix FaustFelix Faust
Felix Faust is a fictional character and supervillain who appears in stories published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in 1962 as an adversary of the Justice League of America...
and others, their attempts always foiled by the Justice League. Abnegazar was slain by Doctor Fate
Doctor Fate
Doctor Fate is the name of a succession of fictional sorcerers who appear in books published by DC Comics. The original version was created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Howard Sherman, and first appeared in More Fun Comics #55...
in Swamp Thing
Swamp Thing
Swamp Thing, a fictional character, is a plant elemental in the created by Len Wein and Berni Wrightson. He first appeared in House of Secrets #92 in a stand-alone horror story set in the early 20th century . The Swamp Thing then returned in his own series, set in the contemporary world and in...
#50, but is currently being resurrected by his brothers. They have also been seen in the company of Neron
Neron
Neron is a fictional demon, a comic book character published by DC Comics. He first appeared in the DC Comics cross-over event Underworld Unleashed #1, , and was created by Mark Waid and Howard Porter.- Publication history :...
.
Anyone can summon the power of the Demons Three by possessing (and utilizing) three artifacts: the Green Bell of Uthool, the Silver Wheel of Nyorlath and the Red Jar of Calythos which were created by the brothers for this purpose and could not be destroyed or moved from Earth, meaning the Timeless Ones created magical guardians for them. If one releases the incense from the jar and then spins the wheel while the bell resounds, a series of events is set in motion which, one hundred years later, frees the demons; but for that century, the one who freed them could possess all their awesome power. In JLA #10 Faust is able to make the JLA recover the items, and later in JLA #11 while the JLA are time-travelling to capture the Lord of Time who has escaped to the future, they discover the demons a century later. They are imprisoned, but Green Lantern helps Wonder Woman escape, and she uses his ring to free the others. Green Lantern disguises the JLA as each other so the Demons will be fooled, they are able to capture them and imprison them once more.
The Demons three - with Abnegazar, after his rebirth, still just a big maggot - cooperated with Neron
Neron
Neron is a fictional demon, a comic book character published by DC Comics. He first appeared in the DC Comics cross-over event Underworld Unleashed #1, , and was created by Mark Waid and Howard Porter.- Publication history :...
in an attempt to destroy the Justice League. While they were evidently less powerful than him, the Devil showed some veneration for their great age.
In the JLA/Avengers
JLA/Avengers
JLA/Avengers is a comic book limited series and crossover published in prestige format by DC Comics and Marvel Comics from September 2003 to May 2004. The series was written by Kurt Busiek, with art by George Pérez...
crossover
Intercompany crossover
In comic books, an intercompany crossover is a comic or series of comics where characters published by one company meet those published by another...
, these objects are part of the twelve items of power sought by the heroes.
In Infinite Crisis
Infinite Crisis
Infinite Crisis is a 2005 - 2006 comic book storyline published by DC Comics, consisting of an eponymous, seven-issue comic book limited series written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Phil Jimenez, George Pérez, Ivan Reis, and Jerry Ordway, and a number of tie-in books...
, Abnegazar, Rath and Ghast became members of the Secret Society of Super Villains
Secret Society of Super Villains
The Secret Society of Super Villains is a group of comic book supervillains that exist in the DC Universe...
. They help Felix Faust kidnap Nightshade
Nightshade (comics)
Nightshade is a fictional character, a comic book superheroine published by DC Comics. Created by Joe Gill and Steve Ditko, the character first appeared in Captain Atom v2 #82 originally published by Charlton Comics.-Charlton Comics:...
for Alexander Luthor in Day of Vengeance
Day of Vengeance
Day of Vengeance is a six-issue comic book limited series written by Bill Willingham, with art by Justiniano and Walden Wong, published in 2005 by DC Comics.-Publication history:...
Infinite Crisis Special.
Ralph Dibny (Elongated Man
Elongated Man
The Elongated Man is a fictional comic book superhero in the DC universe. He is a reserve member of the Justice League. His first appearance was in The Flash vol. 1, #112...
) comes into possession of the Silver Wheel of Nyorlath in 52
52 (comic book)
52 was a weekly American comic book limited series published by DC Comics that debuted on May 10, 2006, one week after the conclusion of the seven-issue Infinite Crisis. The series was written by Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, and Mark Waid with layouts by Keith Giffen...
, Week 41, Day 3. Professor Achilles Milo apparently was experimenting on it from within the Haven Correction Facility.
The Green Bell of Uthool and the Silver Wheel of Nyorlath recently appeared in Teen Titans #42, seen on the desk of Sebastian Faust
Sebastian Faust
Sebastian Faust, or simply Faust, is a fictional character, a comic book superhero from DC Comics, loosely based on the protagonist of the German legend who sold his soul to the Devil. He was introduced in the 1993 Outsiders comic book series....
, along with an open book showing a summoning spell with an illustration of the Demons Three. Faust also mentions that he lent the Red Jar of Calythos to Blue Devil
Blue Devil
Blue Devil is a superhero featured in material published by DC Comics. He first appeared in a special insert published in Fury of Firestorm #24 . That story led directly into Blue Devil #1, also cover dated June 1984...
.
In Teen Titans #83, the three prominently appear in the backup feature, plotting to use the souls of Traci 13, Black Alice, and Zachary Zatara
Zachary Zatara
Zachary Zatara is a fictional character in the DC Universe. Zachary is a descendant of the Homo Magi just like his cousin Zatanna and uncle John Zatara. He first appeared in Teen Titans Zachary Zatara is a fictional character in the DC Universe. Zachary is a descendant of the Homo Magi just like...
to permanently escape from Hell.
Other versions
The Demons Three are featured villains in The Batman Strikes!, a comic book spin-off from the television series The BatmanThe Batman (TV series)
The Batman is an American animated television series produced by Warner Bros. Animation based on the DC Comics superhero Batman. It ran from 2004 to 2008, on the Saturday morning television block Kids' WB...
. They were once loyal to Etrigan, until he betrayed them, and had them trapped in an artifact. They later manipulated Etrigan and The Riddler into opening the artifact on Halloween night in order to be released and take their vengeance upon Etrigan and the rest of the world. They were defeated by Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
and Robin
Dick Grayson
Dick Grayson is a fictional superhero that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger and illustrator Jerry Robinson, he first appeared in Detective Comics #38 in April 1940....
, and were imprisoned.
In other media
- The Demons Three appear in The Super Powers Team: Galactic GuardiansThe Super Powers Team: Galactic GuardiansThe Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians is an American animated television series about a team of superheroes which ran from 1985 to 1986. It was produced by Hanna-Barbera and is based on the Justice League and associated comic book characters published by DC Comics.-Summary:In the fall of 1985,...
episode "The Case of the Stolen Super Powers." They are summonedEvocationEvocation is the act of calling or summoning a spirit, demon, god or other supernatural agent, in the Western mystery tradition. Comparable practices exist in many religions and magical traditions.-Evocation in the Western mystery tradition:...
by the evilEvilEvil is the violation of, or intent to violate, some moral code. Evil is usually seen as the dualistic opposite of good. Definitions of evil vary along with analysis of its root motive causes, however general actions commonly considered evil include: conscious and deliberate wrongdoing,...
sorcererMagician (fantasy)A magician, mage, sorcerer, sorceress, wizard, enchanter, enchantress, thaumaturge or a person known under one of many other possible terms is someone who uses or practices magic that derives from supernatural or occult sources...
Felix FaustFelix FaustFelix Faust is a fictional character and supervillain who appears in stories published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in 1962 as an adversary of the Justice League of America...
, who uses the magicMagic (paranormal)Magic is the claimed art of manipulating aspects of reality either by supernatural means or through knowledge of occult laws unknown to science. It is in contrast to science, in that science does not accept anything not subject to either direct or indirect observation, and subject to logical...
of his spiritSpiritThe English word spirit has many differing meanings and connotations, most of them relating to a non-corporeal substance contrasted with the material body.The spirit of a living thing usually refers to or explains its consciousness.The notions of a person's "spirit" and "soul" often also overlap,...
crystalCrystalA crystal or crystalline solid is a solid material whose constituent atoms, molecules, or ions are arranged in an orderly repeating pattern extending in all three spatial dimensions. The scientific study of crystals and crystal formation is known as crystallography...
to force them to seize the PenguinPenguin (comics)Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot III is a DC Comics supervillain and one of Batman's oldest, most persistent enemies. The Penguin was introduced by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, making his debut in Detective Comics #58 .The Penguin is a short, rotund man known for his love of birds and his...
, who had possession of SupermanSupermanSuperman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
's powersPowers and abilities of SupermanThe powers of DC Comics character Superman have changed a great deal since his introduction in the 1930s. The extent of his powers peaked during the 1970s and 1980s to the point where various writers found it difficult to create suitable challenges for the character...
. - The Demons Three appear in the Justice League UnlimitedJustice League UnlimitedJustice League Unlimited is an American animated television series that was produced by Warner Bros. Animation and aired on Cartoon Network. Featuring a wide array of superheroes from the DC Comics universe, and specifically based on the Justice League superhero team, it is a direct sequel to the...
episode "The Balance". Wonder WomanWonder WomanWonder Woman is a DC Comics superheroine created by William Moulton Marston. She first appeared in All Star Comics #8 . The Wonder Woman title has been published by DC Comics almost continuously except for a brief hiatus in 1986....
and HawkgirlHawkgirlHawkgirl is the name of several female fictional superhero characters, all owned by DC Comics and existing in that company's universe. The character is one of the first costumed female superheroes...
abducted and asked Abnegazar for directions when searching for Felix Faust in Hades. Wayne KnightWayne KnightWayne Eliot Knight is an American actor, comedian, and voice actor perhaps best known for his role as Newman in the TV sitcom Seinfeld...
provided the voice of Abnegazar while Rath and Ghast didn't speak.