El Diablo (character)

Last updated

El Diablo
El Diablo comic book cover (vol. 2 no. 16).jpg
El Diablo (Rafael Sandoval) from the cover of El Diablo vol. 2 #16 by Mike Parobeck.
Publication information
Publisher DC Comics
First appearance (Lazarus Lane)
All-Star Western #2
(October 1970)
(Rafael Sandoval)

El Diablo vol. 2 #1
(August 1989)
(Chato Santana)
El Diablo vol. 3 #1
(September 2008)
Created by(Lazarus Lane)
Robert Kanigher (writer)
Gray Morrow (artist)
(Rafael Sandoval)
Gerard Jones (writer)
Mike Parobeck (artist)
(Chato Santana)
Jai Nitz (writer)
Phil Hester (artist)
Ande Parks (artist)
In-story information
Alter egoLazarus Lane
Rafael Sandoval
Chato Santana
Team affiliations(Lazarus Lane)
Rough Bunch
Justice Riders
(Rafael Sandoval)
Justice League
(Chato Santana)
Suicide Squad
Checkmate
Abilities(Rafael Sandoval)
Olympic level boxer and athlete
(Chato Santana)
Pyrokinesis

El Diablo is a name shared by several characters appearing in media published by DC Comics: Lazarus Lane, Rafael Sandoval, and Chato Santana. Santana appears in the 2016 Suicide Squad film, set in the DC Extended Universe.

Contents

Publication history

The Lazarus Lane incarnation of El Diablo first appeared in All-Star Western #2 (October 1970), and was created by Robert Kanigher and Gray Morrow. [1] The character starred in a four-issue miniseries published by DC Comics through their Vertigo imprint as a mature readers title; El Diablo #1 (March 2001) was written by Brian Azzarello and drawn by Danijel Zezelj.

The Rafael Sandoval incarnation of El Diablo first appeared in El Diablo #1 (August 1989), and was created by Gerard Jones and Mike Parobeck.

The Chato Santana incarnation of El Diablo first appeared in El Diablo #1 (September 2008) and was created by Jai Nitz, Phil Hester and Ande Parks.

Fictional character biography

Lazarus Lane

Lazarus Lane is the original iteration of El Diablo, operating in the later half of the 19th century in the American Old West. Lane was originally a bank teller who is nearly killed by a gang of thieves and put in a coma after being struck by lightning. After being revived by Native American shaman "Wise Owl", Lane becomes the vigilante El Diablo. [1] The name "El Diablo" means "the devil" in Spanish.

According to Jonah Hex vol. 2 #11 (November 2006) and #24 (December 2007), Lazarus Lane is cursed to be the host of a minor demon which acts as a Spirit of Vengeance. Lane's body slumbers in a coma while "El Diablo" roams the Earth. His fate is similar to that of the current Crimson Avenger. In Swamp Thing vol. 2 #85 (April 1989), Wise Owl is shown in a more villainous light, with Lane/El Diablo his unwilling servant. In that story, set in 1872, a number of DC's western heroes (including the aforementioned Hex, Bat Lash, Johnny Thunder (John Tane), and Madame .44) were employed by Otto Von Hammer and Jason Blood to defeat Wise Owl and recover from him an object of great power, which turned out to be a crystal containing the spirit of Swamp Thing, who had become lost in time. When the group killed Wise Owl, Lane's comatose body woke up, and El Diablo apparently vanished forever. [1]

In The New 52 (a 2011 reboot of the DC Comics universe), Lazarus Lane appeared in a backup feature in All-Star Western . In this iteration, he was once again cursed by Wise Owl to become the host of a demon. Rather than being in a coma, Lazarus remains awake. However, El Diablo arises from his body whenever he is unconscious. [2]

Rafael Sandoval

The concept for the character was initiated by editor Brian Augustyn, who wanted to come up with a new angle on the name El Diablo. He stated, "Forget the old west setting and the paralysis gimmick of the old El Diablo, make up a new character in the new west a city in Texas, and play off the Spanish name by making him Mexican American. He'll be a councilman, because all of his Anglo cohorts treat him like just a token Hispanic, So he decides what he can do for the underdogs of the city in his own time, under an assumed name, and a mask". [3]

Rafael Sandoval was the second iteration created in 1989 by writer Gerard Jones and artist Mike Parobeck as a title set in the modern DC Universe. This title lasted 16 months. As created by Jones and Parobeck, Sandoval is a rookie member of the city council of Dos Rios, Texas, who creates his version of El Diablo (from a festival costume and an old boxing persona and local legends surrounding the Devil) after being stymied by officials while trying to pursue the case of a serial arsonist. [1] Subsequent efforts involved battles with illicit drug smugglers using maquiladora covers for their activities, a hunt for a serial killer, conflicts with human-smuggling operations, and Sandoval's conscience over how to serve the people of Dos Rios.

Rafael Sandoval's character has subsequently made guest appearances in one of the Justice League titles, in which he is possessed by the spirit of an Aztec god-emperor and takes on an appearance reminiscent of Lazarus Lane. [1] He also appears in the Villains United Special when he is pulled out of retirement by Oracle to serve in her de facto Justice League, whereupon he is attacked by a member of the Royal Flush Gang during a battle at the Enclave M prison in the Sonora Valley, Mexico. He is wounded in the battle, but rescued by the warden of the facility.

Chato Santana

The current iteration of El Diablo is Chato Santana, an ex-criminal who after being hospitalized, meets a still living comatose Lazarus Lane. [4] [5] It is written by Jai Nitz, pencilled by Phil Hester, with inks by Ande Parks. [6]

In The New 52 reboot of DC's continuity, Santana's El Diablo is a member of the Suicide Squad. He joins Checkmate under the leadership of Uncle Sam, until he realizes that he is being lied to and abandons them in search of the truth.

In other media

Television

Film

Chato Santana / El Diablo as he appears in Suicide Squad. El Diablo Suicide Squad.webp
Chato Santana / El Diablo as he appears in Suicide Squad.

The Chato Santana incarnation of El Diablo appears in Suicide Squad , portrayed by Jay Hernandez. [8] This version was previously a gang leader before accidentally destroying his family home in a moment of anger, killing his wife and two children in the process. Guilt-ridden, he is incarcerated in Belle Reve Penitentiary and vows to never use his powers again. Despite being forced into Amanda Waller's Task Force X program, Diablo maintains his vow until Deadshot goads him into helping defend the squad from the Enchantress' forces. El Diablo later helps his squad-mates resist the Enchantress' illusions before sacrificing himself to kill her brother Incubus.

Video games

Miscellaneous

The Chato Santana incarnation of El Diablo makes cameo appearances in DC Super Hero Girls as a student of Super Hero High.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doctor Fate</span> Comics character

Doctor Fate is the name of several superheroes appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The first version was originally created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Howard Sherman, debuting in More Fun Comics #55. Eight characters have served as incarnations of the character within the mainstream DC Universe, with each new version after the original attempting to reinvigorate the character for contemporary audiences.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suicide Squad</span> DC Comics antihero team

The Suicide Squad is an antihero/supervillain team appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The first version of the Suicide Squad debuted in The Brave and the Bold #25 and the second and modern version, created by John Ostrander, debuted in Legends #3.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peacemaker (character)</span> Comic book superhero

Peacemaker is the name of a series of fictional characters originally owned by Charlton Comics and later acquired by DC Comics. The original Peacemaker first appeared in Fightin' 5 #40 and was created by writer Joe Gill and artist Pat Boyette.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Captain Boomerang</span> DC Comics supervillain

Captain Boomerang is the name of two supervillains appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, who respectively serve as enemies to both the Barry Allen and Wally West versions of the Flash. Created by writer John Broome and artist Carmine Infantino, the first Captain Boomerang, George "Digger" Harkness, first appeared in The Flash #117. He has also been a prominent member of the Suicide Squad since its second iteration in the late 1980s. During the 2004 storyline Identity Crisis, George Harkness is killed and his son, Owen Mercer, created by Brad Meltzer and Michael Turner, takes over his father's role as Captain Boomerang for a period of time. However, during the 2009–2010 Blackest Night storyline, Owen is killed and Harkness returns to life, resuming his role as Captain Boomerang, and, overwhelmed by grief and rage, evolves as a dangerous threat after the loss of his son.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Count Vertigo</span> Fictional character

Count Vertigo is a supervillain created by Gerry Conway, Trevor Von Eeden and Vince Colletta as an enemy of Black Canary, Batman and later Green Arrow in the DC Comics Universe. Count Vertigo is the last descendant of the royal family that ruled the small eastern European country of Vlatava that was taken over by the Soviets and later became devastated by the Spectre.

Copperhead is the name of several supervillains appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, mostly as enemies of the superhero Batman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Secret Six (comics)</span> Name for multiple fictional teams in DC Comics

The Secret Six is the name of three different fictional comic book teams in the DC Comics Universe, plus an alternate universe's fourth team. Each team has had six members, led by a mysterious figure named Mockingbird, whom the characters assume to be one of the other five members. The third, anti-heroic incarnation of the Secret Six was rated by IGN as the fourth Best Comic Run of the Decade in 2012.

Blockbuster is the name of four supervillains and a criminal organization appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The first iteration was an adversary of Batman and Robin, while the second served as one of Nightwing's greatest enemies. The third debuted in 52 as a member of Lex Luthor's Infinity, Inc.

El Dorado (<i>Super Friends</i>) DC Comics character

El Dorado is a Mexican superhero featured in various incarnations of the Super Friends animated television series voiced by Mexican actor Fernando Escandon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Superboy (Kon-El)</span> DC Comics superhero

Superboy is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. A modern variation on the original Superboy, the character first appeared as Superboy in The Adventures of Superman #500, and was created by writer Karl Kesel and artist Tom Grummett.

Shrike is the name of multiple characters appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics.

The Thinker is the name of five supervillains appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Parobeck</span> American comic artist (1965–1996)

Michael J. Parobeck was an American comics artist best known for his work on the Batman Adventures comic book. His artwork featured a fluid animation-inspired drawing style coupled with clear, clean layouts well-suited to the book.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Enchantress (DC Comics)</span> DC Comics character

The Enchantress is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Bob Haney and Howard Purcell, the character made her first appearance in Strange Adventures #187. Dr. June Moone is a freelance artist who becomes possessed by an entity originally known only as The Succubus. The resulting merge resulted in the Enchantress, a powerful sorceress considered to be one of the most dangerous black magic practitioners in the DC Universe. She has since endured as the archenemy of the superhero Zatanna. The character has often been depicted as both a villain and anti-hero, establishing herself as a member of various teams such as Shadowpact, the Suicide Squad, and the Sentinels of Magic. In more recent continuities, she is often cast as an ally and adversary for the Justice League Dark and a recurring member of the Suicide Squad.

Bolt is the name of several unrelated fictional characters appearing in American comic books published DC Comics. Although the characters vary in being both superheroes and supervillains, some versions of the characters are related to one another.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phil Hester (comics)</span>

Phil Hester is an American comic book artist, penciller and writer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ande Parks</span> American professional comic book artist (born 1964)

Ande Parks is an American professional comic book artist, known for his work as an inker and writer in the industry. His best known work has come from his stint with fellow artist Phil Hester on DC Comics' Green Arrow series from 2001 to 2004, and a story writer to the movie, Extraction. In addition to Ciudad, Ande has written the graphic novels Union Station and Capote in Kansas by Oni Press. He grew up in the suburbs of Kansas City and lives in Baldwin City, Kansas with his wife and two children.

A.R.G.U.S. is a government organization in DC Comics. A.R.G.U.S. first appeared in Justice League vol. 2 #7 and was created by Geoff Johns and Gene Ha.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Greenberger, Robert (2008), "El Diablo I & II", in Dougall, Alastair (ed.), The DC Comics Encyclopedia, New York: Dorling Kindersley, p. 113, ISBN   978-0-7566-4119-1, OCLC   213309017
  2. Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Korte, Steve; Manning, Matt; Wiacek, Win; Wilson, Sven (2016). The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe. DK Publishing. p. 99. ISBN   978-1-4654-5357-0.
  3. Jones, Gerard (August 1989). El Diablo (1 ed.).
  4. "DC Comics' September 2008 Solicitations". Newsarama.com. Retrieved April 2, 2011.
  5. "El Diablo Returs at DC in 2008". Forum.newsarama.com. November 17, 2007. Archived from the original on February 10, 2009. Retrieved April 2, 2011.
  6. Jai Nitz & Phil Hester – Introducing El Diablo, Newsarama, August 2, 2008
  7. "El Diablo Voice - Justice League Unlimited (TV Show)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved November 16, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  8. Jay Jayson (February 19, 2015). "Jay Hernandez's Suicide Squad Role Revealed; Killer Frost, King Shark & More To Cameo". ComicBook.com. Retrieved April 29, 2015.