Publisher: Marvel Comics
Created by: Michael Fleisher, Don Perlin
1st appearance: Ghost Rider (Vol. 2) #60 (June, 1981)
Alias: Destroyer of Demons, Demon Slayer or Black Juju
Nationality: African American
Team Affiliations: None
Legal Status: Unknown
Height: 5’9 Weight: 190 lbs
Eye color: Brown Hair color: Black and Grey
Relatives: Gloria (Daughter), Unnamed Mother (Status unknown), Unnamed father (Deceased)
Skills and abilities: Capable fighter.
Powers: The Leopard god amulet grants its wearer immunity to mystical attacks derived from hell dimensions (Or a measure of resistance to Dark Magic). He could also fire very potent magic concentrated blast from his hands described by Ghost Rider as being “awesome enough to destroy even” him [Ghost Rider (Vol. 2) #60, June, 1981].
Biography
Joshua Grimly also known as Destroyer of Demons, Demon Slayer or Black Juju is the latest in a long line of beings empowered by the Yoruba leopard god. Before Joshua’s ancestors came to the new world in chains the first of their bloodline was bequeathed a mystic amulet in what is descried as “the dark days before written records”. They were given the weapon by an aged witch Doctor who had received it from the hands of the Leopard god in the very heart of a sacred mountain cave. When the first of the great demon slayers passed away, he gave the amulet to his son. This started the succession went on for centuries until Joshua’s father who was born a slave gave it to him [Ghost Rider (Vol. 2) #60, June, 1981].
Some time later he mastered the power and kept the artifacts as treasured mementos of a proud and noble heritage. As time went on he became a reverend and settled into church life. Its unknown if he married but he had a daughter Gloria. As she became a woman she drifted from the church and became entangled in gang affairs. When Ghost Rider was punishing a criminal and threw him into the revered prayer meeting their eyes met [Ghost Rider (Vol. 2) #60, June, 1981].
At this time Joshua retrieved his ancestral Garb and prepared to destroy the evil spirit. After almost destroying Ghost rider multiple times he eventually realized that he was a force for good when he all but sacrificed himself to save them from a planted bomb. During the ordeal the Rider also saved his daughter Gloria [Ghost Rider (Vol. 2) #60, June, 1981].
They parted on good terms and he reconciled with his daughter [Ghost Rider (Vol. 2) #60, June, 1981].
He was seen as a potential recruit for the Avengers Initiative [Civil War: Battle Damage Report #1, 2007].