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Religion: alien religion; Catholic
Name: St. Johnny
Alter Ego: John Trane / Mondu
Other Names: Saint Johnny; Srev; "the former Darkhawk"
Classification: supporting character
First Appearance: Darkhawk #1 (Mar. 1991): "Dawn of the Darkhawk"
Creators: Danny Fingeroth, Mike Manley
Super? (Has Super Powers/Special Abilities/Technology): Yes
Number of Appearances: 16
Gender: male
Note: Darkhawk's sometime mentor
Saint Johnny is the key figure in Darkhawk's origin. The alien (who possessed the body of homeless vagrant John Trane) led Chris Powell to obtain the amulet that transformed him into a super-hero. At times, Saint Johnny served as a mentor and guide to Powell in learning about his Darkhawk powers.
Although the character was not portrayed as unusually religious as far as alien characters go, it is interesting that he was known by an overtly religious name: "Saint Johnny." Was this simply the name that the alien's human host body was known by? Or was this a name that the alien chose to be know by? Saint Johnny's human side often seems present and prominent. The character is not purely the alien in human form, but is also the original human vagrant. It is likely that John Trane's pre-existing religious background and beliefs probably came into play in the choice of the name he is known by. It is likely that John Trane's background is Catholic, hence the "Saint" appellation chosen through a fog of mental instability and/or alien possession.
Alien mentor characters often have somewhat inscrutable religious, quasi-religious and/or philosophical motivations for journeying to Earth and imbuing humans with power to become heroes. Saint Johnny seems to be archetypal in this regard, but further examination of his appearances would be necessary to completely document his motivations, beliefs, etc.
Suggested links for further research about this character and the character's religious affiliation:
- http://www.comicvine.com/saint-johnny/29-27619/
- http://www.marvunapp.com/master/saasak.htm
- http://www.comicvine.com/darkhawk-dawn-of-the-darkhawk/37-34018/
- https://www.comics.org/issue/49398/
- http://comicbookdb.com/issue.php?ID=8503
- http://www.comicboards.com/marvelguide/s.htm
- https://www.comics.org/issue/50527/
- https://www.comics.org/issue/203993/
- https://www.comics.org/issue/203992/
- https://www.comics.org/issue/204011/