Chapter 35: John Constantine
This is one of my favorites anti-heroes. I took bits and pieces of this character from both the Arrowverse and the DCU. I felt that the Arrowverse was good, but it missed huge parts of this character. I left out the DCU parts that I felt hurt the character overall. I like Constantine. He is a good anti-hero like Slade.
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ORIGIN:
John Constantine was born in Liverpool, England, UK, to a happily married couple. His mother had unknowingly had an affair with a half-blood demon. John was born with demon blood, but had no idea. John grew up with the ability to do magic. He was fascinated with magic from an early age. This also gave rise to his blasé attitude about the law and justice. His parents tried to correct that leaning. In general, it worked.
As a teen, John experimented with magic as his power and ability grew, but he was untrained. However, he was mentally scarred for life when his attempt to call fire resulted in calling hellfire. His home burned to the ground. His entire family died in the fire. This was when he first learned about the cost of magic.
Until this point, John had not been affected by the cost of magic. His demon blood prevented the cost of magic to affect him physically. The more information he sought about magic, the more frustrated he became. He didn't seem to be held to the same restrictions as other magicians. What most mages held as fact, didn't apply to him. He could use large amounts of magic without the physical cost of that magic on his body.
After he lost his family, he cautiously tinkered with magic. He went to New York, where he found teachers in Giovanni Zatara and Baron Winters. He studied beside Nick Nolan and Zatanna Zatara. His casual studies ended when Nick betrayed Zatanna. Nick became obsessed with the Books of Magic and betrayed them to the Cult of Cold Flame. The Cult of Cold Flame attempted to banish him to hell. This was the first time that John was exposed to Hell Rituals. He eventually learned to use them. John dated Zatanna until the death of her father. Zatanna cursed John when they broke up. She condemned him to become a better person.
John's curse drove his need to help people. He began using his magic to help people in need. This eventually led to the disaster at New Castle, Delaware. John and the New Castle crew tried to save the girl Astra from the Demon Nergal. They failed. This failure haunted John. He never again tried to think of himself as skilled.
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FAMILY:
John has limited contact with his living family. His parents and siblings died in the house fire. He does have two living children from various flings with women he has had over the years. He has no contact with the children by choice. Likewise, he feels that contact with him will put the children at risk. He has a daughter, Tefe Holland, and a son, Noah Ikumelo.
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MOTIVATION:
John is motivated in two parts; One, he is driven by a need to know. His initial investigation into magic was about what he could do and how it was possible. Two, Zatanna's curse to be a better person gave direction to use his knowledge for a purpose. To help others. Instead of just a selfish reason to know how to do something. He could now put that knowledge to use to assist others who needed that knowledge.
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PERSONALITY:
John has had hardships in his life. He killed his whole family by mistake. It has created a cynical and brutal personality. When John was not trying to get you on his side, he tells you the brutal truth in the most painful way possible. He feels it is his responsibility to drive people from him. Those people who stay, can see past his thorny personality. He has seen the worst of humans and demons and still has his cynical outlook on life. He is gritty and cynical, foul-mouthed, and chain-smokes.
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POWERS/ABILITIES:
Magic: Astral Projection, Chlorokinesis, Chronokinesis, Cosmic Awareness, Demon Summoning, Dimensional Travel (frequently used to banish demons back to hell), Divination, Disintegration, Enhanced Senses (magic and ghosts), Energy Construct Creation (Shields and bridges), Energy Projection (Eldritch Blast, Electro-Blast, Photokinesis), Exorcism, Illusion Casting, Infection, Invisibility (Self and item), Mind Alteration (thought editing), Necromancy, Power Absorption (take magic ability from others), Pyrokinesis (control fire), Sigil Magic, Spirit Ward Creation (protection circles), Telekinesis, Teleportation
Demon Blood: John has demon blood. This allows him to channel magic in larger quantities without the cost associated with it to the human body. He can also cast multiple spells without tiring out. The blood makes him more durable and immune to all diseases, cancers, and poisons.
Skills: Deception, Escapology, Hand-to-hand Combat (Basic), Hypnosis, Indomitable Will, Intimidation, Investigation, Multilingual, Occultism, Prestidigitation, Singing
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NOTES:
I had a lot of fun creating my Constantine. This is a merged character. I cherry picked from the many DCU reboots of his character and the Arrowverse to create mine. I like Constantine. He is the kind of guy that you want on your side even as you regret needing him on your side. He says he doesn't do anything and then pulls out a massive save. He talks about going to hell, as he does it often, as a side note. Nothing intimidates him, which makes him intimidating. He is the least physically imposing man shown in the comics. He is a skinny, wiry little guy with a foul mouth and a bad attitude. What is not to love?
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