| Deacon Blackfire | |
|---|---|
 Deacon Blackfire as depicted inBatman: The Cult #1. Art byBernie Wrightson. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Batman: The Cult #1 (August 1988) |
| Created by | Jim Starlin (writer) Bernie Wrightson (artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Full name | Deacon Joseph Alexander Blackfire |
| Species | Human |
| Place of origin | Earth |
| Team affiliations | The Underworlders Black Lantern Corps |
| Notable aliases | Shaman Blackfire, the Holy One |
| Abilities |
|
Deacon Joseph Blackfire is asupervillain appearing inAmerican comic books published byDC Comics. Blackfire is stated as being over 134 years old, and is often portrayed as a power-crazed charismatic con artist and cult leader skilled in manipulation and brainwashing. Blackfire claimed to be a Native American shaman who was entombed alive after being found guilty of killing a tribal chief and committing heresy.
He first appeared inBatman: The Cult #1 (1988) and was created byJim Starlin andBernie Wrightson.[1]
Deacon Joseph Blackfire is the main antagonist in the four-issue miniseriesBatman: The Cult, where he is introduced as a con man and cult leader who may be over 100 years old.[2] He forms an army in the sewers beneathGotham City, largely composed of the homeless. Blackfire orchestrates a violent war on crime, which escalates into him taking over Gotham. Blackfire captures and brainwashesBatman into joining his cult before Batman breaks free of his conditioning. Batman confronts Blackfire and beats him in front of his army. Blackfire's army turns on him and rips him to shreds.[3]
In theBlackest Night event, Blackfire's corpse is reanimated by ablack power ring and recruited to theBlack Lantern Corps.[4]
InThe New 52 reboot, Deacon Blackfire is anevangelist who is the center of the occult power permeatingArkham Asylum, withDuela Dent as his enforcer. WhenBatwing andJim Corrigan uncover the secret of the asylum, both are captured by Blackfire and his demonic army. Batman is able to break the pipe that he is chained to, and in a reversal of their confrontation inBatman: The Cult, orders Blackfire to kill him to prove himself in front of his followers. Blackfire refuses multiple times, and his disillusioned army turns on him and beats him to death.[5]
Between his death and the time ofBatman Eternal, Blackfire has taken over the body ofMaxie Zeus, in attempt to regain entry into the mortal world. He attempts to remove theSpectre from his host, Jim Corrigan, to gain his power, only for the Spectre to overpower Blackfire and remove him from Zeus' body.[6] Blackfire returns inDC Rebirth, where he attempts to possess his only remaining blood relative as a means of resurrection. However, he is defeated by Batman and forced to return toHell.[7]
Deacon Blackfire has an extended lifespan and - allegedly - mind-control abilities. He's also good at indoctrinating the hopeless of Gotham.
Deacon Blackfire appears inBatman: Arkham Knight, voiced byMarc Worden.
