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Members: Blue Devil, Deadman, Dr. Fate, Dr. Occult, Enchantress (deceased), Faust, Madame Xanadu, Phantom Stranger, Ragman, Sentinel & Zatanna
1st Appearance: Day of Judgement #1 (Nov 1999)
Current Status: Active
The ancient arts of magic and mysticism have long been feared by ordinary people. Yet although these arcane forces have often been misused by evil beings for their own selfish ends, heroes who use magic have emerged, establishing a long record of good deeds that rival those of the greatest super-heroes. All of these unique supernatural warriors have their own way of tapping their mystical powers, and all have their own colorful history of mysticism.
During a mystic threat to Earth, known as the "Day of Judgement", the fallen Angel Asmodel and the demon Etrigan seized control over Hell from the demon lord Neron. With Etrigan's help, Asmodel managed to take control over the Spectre force and freeze the fires of hell. This cosmic catastrophe caused the demons of hell to storm the Earth.
The mystics and magicians of Earth banded together under the banner of "Sentinels of Magic" to help stop this threat. With help from the other heroes of Earth, the Sentinels of Magic waged a campaign to regain control of the Spectre force by finding a soul to bond with it. A team led by Sentinel (Alan Scott) travelled to purgatory to find a fallen hero who could control the tremendous powers of the Spectre. Another team, led by Faust travelled to the depths of Hell to re-ignite the fires of hell. Zatanna lad another team to defend the Earth from the demons of Hell.
Eventually with help from the Sentinels of Magic, this catastrophe was halted and Hal Jordan was chosen to become to the new Spectre. Hell was re-ignited by the murder of Enchantress of Faust and the demons were sent back to hell.
Recently, the Sentinels of Magic were unwittingly summoned together by the new Spectre, Hal Jordan to safeguard the Spear of Destiny. Using their combined powers, they cast a spell on the spear and then sent it into orbit around the sun. The spear could only be retrieved by the Sentinels of Magic, if it was needed in the future.
Their next appearance was aside the Martian Manhunter, whom they helped fight Etrigan, the Demon, who had been separated from Jason Blood by Morgaine LeFay. (Martian Manhunter #28)
The Sentinels can frequently be found by the side of the JLA in times of great Crisis. They opened a doorway to an alien dimension to defeat the leader of the Appellaxian race. (JLA: Incarnations #7) They were also soon attacked by Hermes Trismegestus, who sought to again unleash Hell on Earth. Hermes was residing in the body of Felix Faust and he resurrected the Enchantress as his agent to steal the souls of the Sentinels. The JLA recruited Faust and Blue Devil to help them, and Tempest was infused with the spirits of old B'Mirian (Atlantean) mages. Ultimately, the Enchantress was united with June Moon, temporarily creating a new entity: the Soulsinger. The Soulsinger used the stolen heroes' souls to banish Trismegestus. Blue Devil sacrificed himself to stop the demons and both Fausts emerged unharmed. Afterwards, Zatanna was named liaison between the JLA and the Sentinels of Magic. (JLA: Black Baptism #1-4)
They helped the JLA purge Earth of the White Martians by nullifying the gravity of the moon. Thus, the moon was brought burning into Earth's atmosphere. (JLA #58) With help from Tempest, the JLA squashed an attempt by Ocean Master and Black Manta to take over Atlantis. Zatanna and the Sentinels of Magic then discovered that ancient Atlantis had in fact been cloaked for 3,000 years. They cast a spell to send the JLA back in time to find Aquaman. (JLA #68)
The Sentinels of Magic are Earth's most powerful defense for mystic threats and only meet in dire circumstances.
The Swamp Thing also had frequent interactions with the world's magicians. When a primordial shadow-creature was unleashed by the Brujeria, John Constantine recruited the Swamp Thing and an army of mystics to join the battle, including Dr. Fate, Sargon, the Spectre, Zatanna and Zatara. This time, Sargon and Zatara perished, but the shadow-creature is eventually persuaded to change its course by the Swamp Thing. (Swamp Thing #49-50)
The DCU's mystics assemble to discuss plans for the upcoming millennium. (Baron Winter, Bronze Tiger, Deadman, Dr. Fate (Eric and Linda), Enchantress, Gentleman Ghost, Madame Xanadu, Phantom Stranger, Spectre, Zatanna.) (Spectre, v.2 #11)
Dr. Occult, Phantom Stranger, John Constantine, Dr. Fate, the Spectre, Zatanna and many other magicians (living and dead) give young Timothy Hunter a guided tour of the vast world of magic. (Books of Magic #1-4)
With the help of Dr. Fate (Inza Nelson), the Demon, the Phantom Stranger and Zatanna, the Spectre destroys Eclipso. (Spectre #16-18)
