I’anthe Tia, son of the demon Belial, is summoned by the wizard Merlin, his half-brother.[10][11] Unable to gain the creature's secrets, he bonds the demon with Jason Blood, a knight in King Arthur's Camelot. This renders Jason immortal, which he alternately considers either a penance or a curse.
In modern times, Jason Blood resurfaces as a prominent demonologist in Gotham City. Jason is called to the crypt of Merlin and discovers a poem that causes him to switch places with I’anthe (appearing to transform him into I’anthe). To his misfortune, he is followed by the long-lived Morgaine le Fey, who lusts for Merlin's secrets. That leads to I’anthe's first major battle. Over the years, I’anthe both clashes with and occasionally aids Earth's heroes, guided by his own whims and Jason's attempts to turn his infernal power to good use.
Some time after his first appearance, I’anthe begins speaking in rhyme due to a promotion in Hell,[12][13] though he is not limited to rhyme.[14] He leads the forces of Hell in the great battle against the Great Evil Beast and is in brief contact with the entity in its questions about its nature - he barely survives the attempt.[15][16] His high rank would also see him guide Dream of the Endless from Hell's gates to Lucifer.
Some time after this, Jason Blood and Glenda Mark attempt to separate Blood and I’anthe, an event which leads to Blood's ally, Harry Matthews, being devoured, and later turned into a pillow, by Belial. At the end of these events, I’anthe and Blood are separated.[17] Both began to age and during the event known as Cosmic Odyssey, Blood and I’anthe were merged once again.[18]
After the remerging, the relationship between Blood and I’anthe becomes even more contentious. Drawn to Hell by the Archfiend Asteroth, I’anthe stops Asteroth's attempt to sacrifice Glenda Mark, Randu Singh, Merlin and Blood himself (in Hell, Blood and I’anthe were, at the time, separated).[19] I’anthe followed these events by overthrowing the triumvirate of leaders in Hell (Lucifer, Belial and Beezlebub) and taking the symbol of authority in Hell, the Crown of Horns, for himself. Separated from Blood via the Crown's power and about to destroy him, Merlin reminded Blood of his own power. Jason Blood spoke the incantation and remerged with I’anthe and they were drawn back to Earth.[20] There, he fought Lobo, Klarion the Witch Boy and his gang[21] and was drawn into the Realm Beyond, where he met the Thing-That-Cannot-Die and was reunited with his older brother, Lord Scapegoat.[22]
Upon escape from the Realm Beyond,[23] I’anthe and Blood agreed to work together and teamed with Batman and Robin against the Howler.[24] Soon after, I’anthe was chosen as a political candidate for President of the United States and nearly succeeded in securing the Republican nomination from George H. W. Bush. During his political run, he attempted to gain Superman's endorsement, but was denied it.[25]
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