Damien Darkblood is a supporting character in Invincible, debuting from Season 1 and onwards.
He is a demon detective who pursues justice from others to redeem his own soul. He had worked for the Global Defense Agency prior to being returned to Hell for defying commands from Cecil Stedman.
Quick Answers
What is the significance of Damien Darkblood's geometric-patterned shaved region?
Who provides the voice for Damien Darkblood in the comics?
What led to Damien Darkblood being sent back to Hell?
Is there a chance that Damien Darkblood will return after being sent back to Hell?
Appearance[]
Darkblood is of average human height, has a round belly, red skin, a somewhat long tail, yellow sclera with white irises in his eyes, and gray hair featuring a white geometric-patterned shaved section. His additional facial characteristics consist of a wide nose, a sturdy chin with two horn-like extensions on the sides, and ears that are pointed and facing outward. Every hand consists of four fingers: an index finger, a middle finger, a ring finger, and a thumb. Damien's outfit features a snug, two-toned gray undershirt adorned with an abstract geometric design on the chest, a cream raincoat left unbuttoned, and a russet fedora topped with a gray band. He strolls without shoes.
Personality[]
Darkblood is a composed character, frequently showing minimal emotion with a flat, raspy tone. In conversations with others, he is candid and blunt regarding the facts, which frequently makes him appear unwelcoming and impolite. He argues that the subtleties of human communication are hard for him to understand, even if he might be intentionally stimulating. Cecil Stedman and Omni-Man, both notably tough characters, perceive him as unpleasant and intimidating because of his straightforwardness and dry humor, leading them to insult the demon during every meeting. Despite his outward look, Darkblood identifies himself as a remorseful demon who values justice, striving to perform good deeds, largely to avoid going back to Hell. The sole times Darkblood exhibits aggression occur when Cecil banishes him to Hell, cursing Cecil for his stubborn choices, and when Donald Ferguson appears somewhat frightened of him, snarling in response.
Darkblood's biggest vulnerability is his excessive self-assurance. His determination to reveal the truth is so unwavering that he is completely unafraid (and indifferent) to any repercussions that might arise from disclosing a truth too early. Additionally, as Cecil notes, Darkblood tends to view situations in a single dimension, disregarding the broader context in perilous situations and unwilling to adjust his beliefs (particularly when they contest his views on morality). His defiant demeanor and rigid actions have rendered him almost unmanageable, leading to frequent solitude. He was excessively sure that neither Omni-Man nor Cecil could oppose him, failing to recognize how far both would go to stand against him.
History[]
Background Information[]
As reported by War Woman, Martian Man aided Darkblood on a "crucial mission"; specifics about this mission are not revealed.
Death of the Guardians[]
Cecil Stedman requests some good news from Donald, but he informs his boss that whoever took down the Guardians deactivated the cameras and security systems. Cecil expresses dissatisfaction, stating that his message was not positive, and asks everyone to go away. He tells the demon detective Darkblood to show himself. Darkblood surveys his surroundings and reveals all he understands. Cecil instructs Darkblood to continue and inform him if he requires help.
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Omni-Man talked to Damien Darkblood, who investigated the case.
Omni-Man notices Damien Darkblood, informing him that the event is exclusive. He expresses his frustration about never being invited, but Darkblood points out that he always attends regardless, emphasizing that he is eager to find clues and apprehend the murderer. Omni-Man advises him not to feign concern, aware that he merely wants to avoid returning home, and informs him that he has already shared all his knowledge with Cecil. Darkblood reiterates that he is aware Omni-Man has neither seen nor heard anything, as he was abandoned as if dead. Omni-Man questions whether he is implying anything, but Darkblood replies that he just doesn’t comprehend how humans express themselves.
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Debbie Grayson takes a seat in the kitchen as she feels chilly while working. Her computer shuts down, and she looks at Damien, who expresses his regrets. She inquires about his activity, and he clarifies that he is searching for hints because the massacre seems illogical to him. He notes that there are seven deceased and just one survivor—her spouse—therefore he seeks her assistance as his responses have been inadequate. She inquires of Darkblood about his concern, and he clarifies that he has fled from hell and now pursues justice for others in order to redeem his soul. He inquires whether her husband hasn't said anything to ease her worries, but she replies that he hasn’t, having left right after Nolan switched on the light. Upon inquiring if she is fine, he senses the chill and realizes that Darkblood has visited, a fact he dislikes.
Investigation on Omni-Man[]
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Omni-Man confronted Darkblood when the demon kept investigating him.
Darkblood serves himself a drink and acknowledges Nolan, expressing that he had been curious if he would show up. Nolan tells him that he was in his home and scared his wife. Darkblood claims to have killed seven individuals, but Nolan implies that it might have been him, visiting his residence to complete the task he began, as a demon. Darkblood informs him that demons recognize evil when they encounter it, but Nolan dismisses this and claims that if he reenters his home, he wouldn't need to act, as others would trust him instead of the demon. Darkblood maintains that he would not relent, for the truth cannot be concealed, and his wife was already suspicious, contemplating how long it would take for their son to realize it too.
At the Grayson's residence, an orchid stands still as Damien Darkblood enters and surveys the surroundings. He writes down observations and notices that Cecil is present, accompanied by officers who aim firearms at the demon. Cecil tells Darkblood that Nolan had alerted them regarding him.
Sent Back to Hell[]
Darkblood banished back to Hell.
At the Pentagon, Cecil and the officers guided Darkblood down a corridor. Cecil informed him that during their search of his office, they discovered dried blood. He told him it was staged because he made no effort to harm Nolan or the Guardians. Cecil stated that he was aware of this but had to expel Darkblood regardless because he persisted in his inquiries despite Cecil's instructions. Darkblood dismissed the notion, claiming he had obliterated the Demonius Ex-Mortum book employed to expel demons centuries prior; however, Cecil revealed that they had utilized artificial intelligence to piece together the fragments into readable text. As the ceremony commenced, Cecil clarified that demons perceive reality in extremes, yet he required additional time to grasp why Nolan had slain the Guardians and how to prevent him. Darkblood was bound by chains and returned to Hell, not without cursing Cecil that he would encounter him in Hell one day and that a worse fate awaited him in the inferno.
Plotting of revenge[]
Damien Darkblood making his next move in Hell
More than a year since his exile to Hell, Darkblood is shown creating a pentagram and is visited by an old demon he calls "Lord." When questioned about why he was called, Darkblood expresses regret for disturbing him but promises that he has "good news." Authorized to proceed, Darkblood claims he possesses the ability to reinstate the demon's rank to "infernal throne," a title that the demon has previously revealed he yearns for—the sensation of combat. Darkblood further clarifies that he is aware of a surface inhabitant possessing immense strength, comparable to what Earth hasn’t encountered in ages. This delights the old demon, and Darkblood declares that this individual, whose powers far surpass those of everyone else, also has a "blackened heart," which he thinks will greatly benefit the old demon. Darkblood intends to summon this individual to Hell with his pentagram.
Powers and Abilities[]
Powers[]
- Magic: True to his nature, Damien Darkblood possesses demonic magic that he can use in his criminal investigations.
- Teleportation: Damien appears capable of showing up anywhere without limitations. Unless, presumably, he aims to access a location that is protected by supernatural forces or that disrupts magic in general, he can manifest in any place, regardless of its security. The sole indication of his nearing presence is the coldness of the area that leads to breathing becoming foggy.
- Influential Presence: Being a demon, Damien possesses the natural power to cause paranormal effects to the surrounding areas. The temperature drops whenever he appears with people suddenly being able to see their breath. It's how Cecil knows he's there and how Omni-Man comes to suspect the demon was in his house.
- Psychometry: Damien can perceive impressions of crimes through contact with evidence and the victims' remains. Although these visions show the manner of the victim's death, they do not identify the perpetrator of the crime.
- Immortality: As a demon Damien is immortal and therefore cannot die. Seeing how he's a demon who escaped Hell and gets a few years reprieve for cases he solves, it's very likely that he can't truly die. Which would explain his being unphased by Nolan in the slightest.
- Teleportation: Damien appears capable of showing up anywhere without limitations. Unless, presumably, he aims to access a location that is protected by supernatural forces or that disrupts magic in general, he can manifest in any place, regardless of its security. The sole indication of his nearing presence is the coldness of the area that leads to breathing becoming foggy.
Abilities[]
- Master investigation: Damien is a remarkable paranormal investigator, one of the few to uncover that Omni-Man had murdered the Guardians due to his deductive skills, even earning acknowledgment from Cecil, who was concerned that Damien might expose the truth and eventually upset the Viltrumite.
- Master Occultism: Damien, as a demon, is well-versed in demonic rituals and arcane knowledge, even knowing how to summon other demons.
Weaknesses[]
- Exorcism: Being a demon, Damien can be sent from the mortal realm back to Hell through a straightforward ritual. Damien needs to be positioned within a large white circle close to a table (likely an altar) that holds a burning candle, an iron bell, and the Demonius Exmotum, a Latin spellbook or sacred text. One individual recites a spell from the tome, while another sounds the bell. A blast of wind envelops the circle, leading to the emergence of a luminous, bright red pentagram inside the circle. Chains arise from within the pentagram, ensnaring Damien and pulling him into a gateway back to Hell.
Sightings[]
| Season 1 | ||||||||||||
| 1. "It's About Time": | Absent | 5. "That Actually Hurt": | Mentioned | |||||||||
| 2. "Here Goes Nothing": | Debut | 6. "You Look Kinda Dead": | Mentioned | |||||||||
| 3. "Who You Calling Ugly?": | Appears | 7. "We Need To Talk": | Absent | |||||||||
| 4. "Neil Armstrong, Eat Your Heart Out": | Appears | 8. "Where I Really Come From": | Absent | |||||||||
| Season 3 | ||||||||||||
| 1. "You're Not Laughing Now": | Absent | 5. "This Was Supposed To Be Easy": | Absent | |||||||||
| 2. "A Deal With The Devil": | Absent | 6. "All I Can Say Is I'm Sorry": | Absent | |||||||||
| 3. "You Want A Real Costume, Right?": | Absent | 7. "What Have I Done?": | Absent | |||||||||
| 4. "You Were My Hero": | Absent | 8. "I Thought You'd Never Shut Up": | Appears | |||||||||
| Specials | ||||||||||||
| Invincible: Atom Eve: | Mentioned | |||||||||||
| Invincible: Atom Eve & Rex Splode: | Absent | |||||||||||
Trivia[]
- Although there are certain similarities to the occult detective archetype, Damien Darkblood resembles Rorschach from the Watchmen graphic novel more when it comes to his personality and motivations. The comic book rendition of Darkblood is also attired exactly like Rorschach.
- Damien's look seems to be significantly influenced by Hellboy, who is also a demon anti-hero.
- War Woman refers to Damien, indicating that he has been on Earth for a considerable period, as the guardians are fully aware of his presence.
- The voice actor for Damien Darkblood, Clancy Brown, has also portrayed General Kregg in the show.