So rather than pursue the wiser Alchemical path of strengthening/improving himself to handle that power, he divides and thus weakens himself.
You're falling into the same trap as LePaul and assuming it's actually possible to be a stable Lord of Balance.
Hellblazer 39.I believe the official Vertigo/DC Tarot has John as the Fool, actually.
According to The Golden Fogey, there are four. Himself, The Demon, and the two halves of John, one of whom is probably infected with Anti-Life.
Thank you, corrected.
...Okay, guess he is.
Besides make for the world's most complicated hookah?
What happens in the issue? Someone calls him that or he's put in the physical/metaphysical position of the Hanged Man?
No, they use a tarot deck and the Hanged Man represents him. In issue 40 he merges with the Golden Boy and the text on the card gets overwritten with 'Magus', which was Golden Boy's card.
Well, he also happens to be capable of getting women to sleep with him. Even looking like Sting, there's only so much that hatesex can explain.
And boy, it's gonna have to be a royal doozy to make all of this make any sense. It feels like someone's been playing Xanatos Speed Chess with the Constantines... And even if it does all make sense, there's still the matter of who Anti-Lifed Quinn.
One thing at a time, OL. Though that first part does make some measure of sense. It's still a bad plan, so it's perfect for a Constantine.
To be fair, this plan wouldn't have taken much of a wrench to go completely tits-up.
So they won't be likely to be facing a recombined Demon II/Quinn combo. Not if whoever's pulling the Anti-Life's strings has any say in it. Some small comfort...
Ah, that eclectic collection of metaknowledge.
In order to maintain the psychological balance. And effectively square the effect of the Anti-life against the remerged powers of Order and Chaos...
Ha! I knew it. He's effectively John's imagined version of 'what would I be like if my life wasn't shit', in this scenario. Enough metaphysical weight due to the split timelines to be a separate person, but ultimately just a shade.
...Wow, a selfless Constantine. That's... Almost inconceivable, if he weren't standing right there.
Time for a second opinion, even if it's one that loathes the man.
At best, you might end up with the helmet in hand. But I doubt the connection is that strong either...
Rule of Contagion. If something was part of something else, then it remains so, magically speaking.
Heh, appealing to his spite? That might get him on the same page, at least.
Great, so they're literally going to have to make a deal with a devil.
Quick. Safe. Effective. Pick any two, huh? There's that masochistic streak, I see.
I mean, what does the Demon want? John suffering, that's a given. His freedom? Unlikely. So what else can they offer?
That'd be like trying to pour an ocean into a teacup. And while Utgard-Loki might have managed that with a drinking horn, I don't think it's possible here.
True, his ego probably wants some stroking. Since he's not likely to get any other kind in this situation.
So this machine is partly functioning as a siphon. Keeping the power from overflowing its vessels.
And we've already seen how unwise the other Demon is, with the Baghdad thing. Not the smartest plan at the best of times.
Though I doubt you're hesitating to put yourself forwards for that, the answer would be a hard 'no.'
...And what's the bet the Demon already has something in place to shift things in his favour when their plan goes off?
Well, he was probably a little worried about what you were getting up to, so it was understandable.
Right, stupid question. Moving on...
...Oh, fuck, he almost certainly has something planned.
