Joseph Blackfire (New Earth)

Martyrdom is the destiny of all messiahs. It is the only way to validate divine inspiration. The faithful expect their saviors to suffer death, defending their religious principles. There's nothing more boring than a deity who hangs around past his alloted time. I accept this fate, gladly. For haven't I gained my life's ambition? I am the undispited master of Gotham, ruler of the greatest city in the world. What more is there for me to do on this Earth? I have written my heavenly message on the streets of this city, in the blood of its citizens. Anything that I do now, other than dying gloriously, would be anti-climatic. Dramatic balance call for my death. I eagerly await my end.

— Deacon Blackfire ^src

Deacon Blackfire was a Gotham City cult leader and enemy of Batman.

History

The Cult

Main article: Batman: The Cult

Deacon Blackfire was a conman and cult leader who was over 100 years old at the time of his death, despite appearing much younger. He had discovered the secret to eternal youth, bathing in buckets and buckets of human blood. Blackfire craved power and destruction, and orchestrated his movements toward these goals. He formed an army in the sewers beneath Gotham City, largely composed of the homeless and derelict. Blackfire used this army to begin a violent war on crime, which escalated into him taking over the entire city, resulting in it being isolated from the rest of the country. Blackfire captured and brainwashed Batman, temporarily making the Caped Crusader a member of Blackfire's cult. Batman eventually broke his conditioning, but its after-effects made it difficult for him to capture Blackfire. After a brutal search through the sewers with Robin, Batman confronted Blackfire, who demanded that Batman kill him, making him a martyr. Batman refused, and instead savagely beat Blackfire, in front of his army. Blackfire's army turned on him and killed him.

Blackest Night

Main article: Blackest Night

Deacon Blackfire was one of the many villains raised from the dead in Gotham City to join the new Black Lantern Corps as zombies during Blackest Night event. Along with Abbatoir, KGBeast, Blockbuster, King Snake, Magpie, the Trigger Twins, and the Ventriloquist, he had received a Black Lantern Ring.^[1] He was seen terrorizing the city, and tearing out the hearts of innocents, in churches, to feed on their emotional energies and life force when they were feeling the most compassion.^[2]

Powers and Abilities

Powers

Immortality

Abilities

Leadership
Theology

Paraphernalia

Weapons

Black Lantern Ring

External Links

Deacon Blackfire at DC Comics

Footnotes

Batman Villain(s)
This character, team or organization, has been primarily an enemy of the Batman, or the Batman Family as a whole. This template will categorize articles that include it into the category "Batman Villains."

Black Lantern Corps member
This character is or was a member of the Black Lantern Corps. Those who have died may wield the Black Power Ring, symbolizing their lack of both life and emotion.
This template will categorize articles that include it into the "Black Lantern Corps members category."

[1] Blackest Night: Batman #1

[2] Blackest Night: Batman #2

[1]