THE LAUGHING MAGICIAN

The Sage of The Swamp Thing #76 (1988) | Books of Magic #2 (1990) | Hellblazer #61 (1993)

He nods as things are explained to him, it made sense in it's own kind of way, even from Bruce's own limited understanding of this new concept. The question about having been inside Ark M is met with Bruce's nose scrunching up underneath the cowl. "You could say that. I got trapped there for a couple months when I went in to look for a friend. I was one of the experiments for a while." Probably not an important detail, but he might as well say it, since it would make what he says next make a little more sense. "During one of my ill-fated escape attempts, I ended up in the Isley wing, got attacked by these plants...I don't remember exactly what was said. But I know one of those things spoke about the Green, I remember that part vividly. I didn't really have time to learn anything else." Before Bane had found him. "There was a lot of messed up stuff going on in there."

He tries to take a drag from his cigarette, only now realising it had gone out while he was listening to the bat's story. He drags through his pocket for his lighter. " I need to make a connection with it. But if it attacked you on sight that might as well be suicide. " He mutters before lighting his cigarette again. He watches the smoke that rises as he exhales pensively. " There's this sort of in-between place that lets me connect with it through meditation. But it's not exactly safe at the best of times and this sure as hell isn't the best of times. " He scoffs to himself, then looks to him like he's about to let him in on the joke. " I know it's not exactly in a vigilante's job description but; you up for playing trip sitter for me? "

❛  circe   is   a   possibility,   despite   the   least   probable.   i   fought   her   with   diana   and   zee.   yet,   we   came   to   an   agreement   on   our   last   encounter.  ❜    memories   steadied   voice,   not   quite   discarding   the   goddess,   but   believing   there   are   others   more   interested   in   his   fall.    ❛  ra’s   has   the   infrastructure.   his   pit   can   resurrect   the   dead,   he   could   have   other   means   to   contact   them.   and   so   could   vandal   savage.  ❜   a   beat,   at   last   head   tilted   towards   the   british,   but   when   eyes   met,   there   was   something   colder   sculpted   in   narrowed   irises.   ❛  i   trust   you   will   respect   our   agreement   if   i   take   you   to   their   graves.   ❜    no   one   else   should   be   involved.

He snaps out of it. " What I'm trying to get at is- I've been there. I know what it's like to see this shite for the first time. It's scary. Makes you think you're losing your bloody mind. So believe it or not- this time I actually want to help you. "

JOHN CONSTANTINE In Batman/Dylan Dog (2024)

wrong crowd. shoulda known. maybe one of these days he'd get a smile outta constantine still. or something other than a grunt. he's still working his way with batman —  what's another grump to throw on the plate? descending onto the ground, clark eyes the cigarette stub on the floor for a beat too long. " that's great to hear, john. i really appreciate it. " and in a blink, he picks up the stub and throws it at the nearest trash before returning. " i've got no problem in owing ya, buddy. " he produces a closed lead box then, offering it to the brit. " there it is. found it at a secret intergang facility. i don't think they know much more about it than we do at the moment, but the readings i got from the fortress indicate it's not tech, but magic. "

" Well, if I were at home I could've had a look though my collection of tomes. I have a suspicion but... I could pull some strings and get one of my connections to bring me a copy of the book I'm looking for. " He explains. The box now tucked under his arm as he continues smoking. " You won't mind if I hold onto this for a bit, will you mate? Any unsavoury figures that might come looking for it? "

"Change is hard to control," Bruce muses. It would explain why so many magic related experiments and events go awry. It takes a highly trained and skill person to control something as fluid as change. "Is magic something everyone can do, or is there something within you that makes you more prone to using it?"

" So yeah, with the right rituals or artifacts any ol' cunt could do it. Strong blood and expensive education sure make it easier, but that's just life, ennit? Why? You interested in adding a lil magic to your toys? "

Clark couldn't cast a spell if he tried (and oh how many times he's tried, turns out space magic isn't a part of his abilities). He admires John's unique skills and he finds the man to make pleasant company, no matter how prickly and grumpy he acts. "Want a lift home? I can get you there quick."

" You're offering to carry me in those big strong arms of yours? " Focus, John. " You sure that won't make me puke all over these nice streets, Blue? "

silhouette   filled   the   empty   seat   on   his   right,   and   cigar   smell   denounced   the   identity   of   the   man   before   he   could   speak   [   𝚌.𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚎 𝚑𝚊𝚍 𝚊 𝚏𝚊𝚟𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚎 𝚋𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚍  ]   .   eyes   kept   focused   in   golden   liquid   when   bruce   asked,      ❛   have   you   found   something?   ❜

" I saw 'em. The ghosts of the names you gave me. They were pulled from the grave by someone who knows what they're doing. The magic is impressive. I suggest you check where they're buried to see if their bodies weren't tampered with. That would make this kinda spell a lot bloody easier. " John says. He's not here to mince words, but there is a hesitation in his voice. A sympathy, almost. He's had to deal with his own ghosts haunting him for a long time. He knows the kind of toll that takes on a person. " I can put them to rest again with a simple ritual. But whoever's behind this might just do the same shite and then we can do this back and forth forever. So before I do that you might wanna think about this for a bit; Anyone with this kinda skillset out to get you, luv? "