Deacon Blackfire

Deacon Blackfire is an antagonist in ''Batman: New War. ''He is a conman and cult leader who indoctrinated the homeless population to serve as members and followers in his cult and aid him in his quest to control Gotham City.

Personality
To his followers, Deacon Blackfire ornates himself as a blessed and rather devout man. He cares for his followers, providing them with food and living quarters and describing them as his "children" in addition to promising them passage to the sacred land, should they devote life, body and soul to his religious cause, viewing humanity as fickle and soon to domination. Thus he presents himself as the Moses-like, Archaic figure, sent by God as a savior for those who could see the light and accept his fanatical beliefs, twisted behind a charismatic charade.

Blackfire, however, is a truly dangerous and insane man, completely wrapped in his beliefs and that immortality exists, he would go as far to commit human sacrifices and prey on those who society reprimands such as the homeless of Gotham. Rather supercillously, Blackfire looks down on others for their alleged crimes and flouts his self-proclaimed title as preacher, as if he was the only one pure whereas he commits more crime than anyone else. Blackfire preaches Pagan mythology as he paints an image of Amageddon for the sinners to rot with which carries the archetype of several Bible verses. Though he claims to be immortal, many just view Blackfire as a con artist who believes in his own lies.

Abilities

 * Expert Leader: Deacon Blackfire is a skilled cult leader, managing to gain many homeless people to follow him and obey his orders without question and effectively control them.
 * Expert Combatant: Deacon Blackfire shows expertise in armed combat.
 * Expert Theologist: Deacon Blackfire shows vast knowledge in religion and theology.
 * Expert Deceiver: Deacon Blackfire is a master in deceiving and manipulating, being able to convince his mass cult to believe in his lies and also convincing many that he is immortal.

Equipment

 * Sacrificial Knife: Deacon Blackfire's signature weapon is an ancient sacrificial knife which he uses to sacrifice his victims.
 * Prayer Book: Deacon Blackfire often carries a prayer book as a cult leader.
 * Sacramental Goblet: Deacon Blackfire often carries a "sacred" goblet, claiming drinking from it gives him strength.