Nergal

Nergal
Biological Information
Species	Demon
Status	Immortal (in Hell)
Universe Information
Home universe	Hell
General Information
Occupation	Demon God
Actor	Joey Phillips

"You can't save her."

—Nergal to John Constantine before taking Astra Logue to Hell.^[src]

Nergal was one of the strongest demon-gods of the underworld, who was summoned by John Constantine in a botch attempt to defeat another demon possessing Astra Logue, only for Nergal to drag Astra into Hell killing and damning her for all eternity. As a result, Nergal was also able to damn John's soul so it will be dragged into Hell upon his eventual death, which John tries to prevent by atoning for his sin.

Biography

Astra Logue was possessed by a demon, causing John Constantine to conjure up Nergal from Hell intending to compel him to drag the lesser demon back to Hell and save Astra. Instead, Nergal killed Astra violently and dragged her soul to Hell where she was subsequently damned for eternal suffering. This led to John suffering immense guilt and often having nightmares of the event. Ritchie Simpson, who was present for the event, also frequently endured nightmares and blamed John for Nergal's actions.

Nergal sent Furcifer to kill the psychic Liv Aberdine but John was able to exorcise him. Before doing so John told Furficer to tell Nergal that he was coming for him and Astra.

Powers and abilities

Powers

• Demonic/god-like physiology: Nergal was one of the most powerful demons-gods in hell who controlled a large portion of the underworld. He has a number of divine powers but not limited to.
  • Lower tier nigh-omnipotence: Due to being a Demon God Nergal was unimaginably powerful. He could do almost anything he wishes.
    • Nigh-invulnerability: Nergal is impervious to any physical harm such as guns, explosions, torture and even being ripped apart by the First of the Fallen. If he is ever destroyed, he can regrow himself from a small smear of blood. As a god he too has some form of control over reality.
    • Immortality: Nergal was one of the first beings that lived since the times of creation.
    • Reality manipulation: Nergal can manipulate reality at will.
      • Telekinesis: When John Constantine had a dream of Nergal he dragged Astra Logue to hell by waving his hand at her.
      • Immobilization: Nergal has the ability to stop people in place, as shown when he froze John Constantine and Chas Chandler at Newcastle
      • Shapeshifting: Nergal could shapeshift into anyone and anything.

Appearances

Constantine

• "Non Est Asylum"
• "The Rage of Caliban" (flashbacks)

Behind the scenes

• In the DC comics Nergal was also a demon responsible for Astra Logue's death and condemnation to Hell.
• Nergal is also the name of a most respected Mesopotamian deity that represents a certain phase of sunlight. Ironically, the demon Nergal is a villain instead of a heroic god.