The second entry in our back at through Who’s Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe #1-26 from 1985 to 1987. Similar to our Marvel-based BOOK OF THE DEAD feature, we’ll take a look back at each character featured in the series go over where they were at the time and see how they’ve evolved over the years, each time the DC Universe has started over! These entries aren’t designed to list every appearance of each character,but rather to expand on the events mentioned in the Who’s Who profiles and then see where the characters appeared next.
See our WHO’S WHO: SURVIVING THE DC UNIVERSE INDEX for more!
This time around, the spotlight shines on the Demons Three – Abnegazar, Rath & Ghast – regular foes of the Justice League of America and quite possibly the first demons to ever make their way to the Earthly plane…
1st appearance: Justice League of America #10 (1962)
Felix Faust prepares a spell that will unleash the demonsAbnegazar, Rath & Ghast into the Earthly plane, freeing them from their imprisonment by the Timeless Ones a billion years earlier. Faust uses his sorcery to manipulate the Justice League of America into obtaining the Green Bell of Ulthool, the Red Jar of Calythos and the Silver Wheel of Nyorlath to complete the spell. Faust is defeated by the Lord of Time attempts to complete his plan to unleash the Demons Three. The Green Lantern finds a way to trap them once again (Justice League of America #10-11, 1962).
The Demons Three managed to charge the JLA’s costumes with mystical energy during their first clash. They use to enslave the League to make them locate the Bell, Jar and Wheel, then switch places with them to gain their freedom. A fail safe set by the Green Lantern switches the League back and imprisons the demons (Justice League of America #35, 1965).
The Legion of Super-Heroes’ arch-foe, Mordru the Mystic, drags the Justice League and the Justice Society of America into the 30th Century. He uses the Legion as hostages, sending the JLA and JSA out to claim the Bell, Jar and Wheel in order to release Abnegazar, Rath & Ghast who immediately overpower him. Their inability to agree results in the deaths of Abnegazar and Rath, leaving Ghast to be defeated by the JLA and JSA during THE ETERNITY PURSUIT (Justice League of America #147-148, 1977).
Abnegazar and Rath return to life and, rejoining Ghast, escape imprisonment and attack the new Justice League Satellite. Zatanna defeats them and imprisons them once more (Justice League of America #206, 1982).
Abnegazar, Rath & Ghast rally demonic forces to align with the oncoming Great Darkness. Abnegazar is killed by Doctor Fate during A MURDER OF CROWS (Swamp Thing #49-50, 1986).
CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS creates an opportunity for a continuity refresh for the DC Universe as of 1987 on New Earth, though some of the previous continuity remaines.
1st appearance: History of the DC Universe #1 (1987) – not ‘in-story’; Books of Magic #4 (1991) – Abnegazar & Ghast only, cameo, alternate near-future incarnations; JLA #6 (1997) – Demons Three, full appearance
In the early history of planet Earth, the world came under threat from demons, such as Abnegazar, Ghast and Rath, despite the best efforts of the Guardians of Oa (History of the DC Universe #1, 1987). Their history is tweaked Abnegazar and Ghast resurrect Rath with a hex, restoring him to life as a maggot with help from Neron. Together, they attempt to turn discord in Heaven to their advantage in an effort to claim souls, but are defeated by the Justice League of America (JLA #6-7, 1997).
The Demons Three offer the Coven of Three their hearts desire, but are ultimately repelled by them (Teen Titans #83-87, 2010).
Multiversal incarnations of the Demons Three are seen when Tim Hunter is taken to a possible future by Mister E (Books of Magic #4, 1991), Felix Faust and the Demons finally defeat the Justice League during ELSEWORLDS (Justice League America Annual #8, 1994) and are among the many protagonists facing the Justice League in a world where Superman’s arrival was severely delayed (Justice League: Another Nail #1-2, 2004).
The face of the DC Universe changes once more with the FLASHPOINT event, with DC Universe continuity starting over once more on Prime Earth. Here, the Demons Three see to be lackeys more than a pervading threat on their own…
Acting as agents of Felix Faust, Abnegazar, Ghast and Rath break into the Black Room at ARGUS HQ during WAR FOR THE BOOKS OF MAGIC (Justice League Dark #10-11, 2012). The Demons Three are revealed to be imprisoned within the Circus. They escape when Vibe stages a breakout (Justice League of America’s Vibe #6, 2013). Robin and Superboy come to the aid of the Justice League when they’re held prisoner by the Demons Three (DC’s Terrors Through Time 80-Page Giant #1, 2022). Wonder Woman and Zatanna attack the Demons Three in order to track down Felix Faust. She gifts them to Jason Blood to restore his youth during NEW JUSTICE (Justice League Dark #8, 12, 2019).
Who’s Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe #1– Abnegazar, Ghast & Rath
Art: Craig Hamilton & Dick Giordano
Reading Order © Omniverse Comics Guide 2025
Leave a Reply