The Tipsy Trickster: Hallucinations in the Fog

In the heart of London, where the fog clung to the cobblestones like a shroud, John Constantine found himself nursing a pint in a dimly lit pub, the kind where secrets whispered between the walls. The night had started innocently enough, but as the whiskey flowed, so did the shadows, twisting and curling around him like old friends. With each sip, the world around him began to blur, and the familiar faces of patrons morphed into grotesque caricatures, their laughter echoing like a sinister melody. It wasn’t long before a shimmering cloud of magic dust materialized before his bleary eyes, swirling with colors that danced like fireflies. As the line between reality and illusion faded, Constantine realized he was not just tipsy; he was teetering on the edge of a hallucinatory adventure that would drag him deep into the underbelly of the supernatural, where every sip could summon a new danger. Every shadow held a secret waiting to be uncovered.

[Workflow: A few NightCafe image prompts, merged in some magical mischief, and a distorted logo within Affinity Photo, since John is having trouble focusing his eyes.]

Hi-rez image link [2160px tall]

Gaslight: John Constantine's Confrontation with Madness

John Constantine staggered through the haze of The Joker's laughing gas, his mind a chaotic whirlwind of manic laughter and twisted visions. The world around him warped into a surreal carnival of colors and shadows, but amidst the madness, his instincts kicked in. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned a flickering sigil, the air crackling with unstable magic. As the laughter echoed in his ears, he channeled the chaos, weaving spells that danced like fireflies, determined to turn the Joker's deadly joke back on itself before he lost his grip on reality entirely.

[Workflow: A few NightCafe image prompts, brought into Affinity Photo and the added pentagram, fiery portal and extra smoke Fx.]

Hi-rez image link [2160px tall]

John Constantine in a London Graveyard

In the heart of a damp graveyard, the air is thick with the scent of wet earth and decaying leaves. The moon hangs low in the sky, casting an eerie silver light that glimmers off the puddles of standing water scattered across the uneven ground. Shadows dance between the crooked tombstones, their inscriptions worn and faded over time.

John Constantine stands at the center of this desolate scene, his trench coat clinging to him, heavy with moisture. His expression is intense concentration, eyes narrowed as he focuses on the incantation swirling in his mind. The dampness of the graveyard seems to amplify the tension in the air, a palpable energy crackling around him.

With a swift motion, he raises his left hand, and flames erupt from his palm, bright and fierce against the darkness. The fire flickers and roars, casting a warm glow that momentarily banishes the shadows. The flames dance with a life of their own, illuminating the intricate symbols he has drawn in the mud at his feet—runes of protection and binding, glowing faintly in response to the fire.

As he chants the spell, the flames twist and spiral, forming shapes that flicker like ghosts in the night. The water around him ripples, reflecting the fiery light and creating a surreal tableau of fire and water. The graveyard seems to hold its breath, the only sound the crackling of the flames and the distant rustle of leaves in the wind.

Constantine's voice rises above the stillness, a gritty determination lacing his words. He knows the stakes are high; the forces he is summoning are not to be trifled with. The flames intensify, casting long shadows stretching across the gravestones as if the spirits of the dead are drawn to his power. In this moment, he is both a sorcerer and a soldier, standing resolute against the darkness that threatens to engulf him.

[Workflow: Mulitple images were created from a dozen Tengr image prompts, which I then spliced together and did my usual post-edits for clean-ups, texture fixing, and other filtering tweaks.]

John Standing in a Subway Station

Another composite image of John Constantine was sourced from multiple Tengr image prompts, which I then spliced together and did my usual post-edits for clean-ups, texture fixing, and other filtering tweaks.

John smoking a cigarette before boarding the subway

Zatanna at the Garrick Theatre

Get ready for an enchanting experience as the mesmerizing Zatanna Zatara takes the stage for a two-night-only engagement at London's iconic Garrick Theatre! Known for her spellbinding performances that blend magic and illusion with captivating storytelling, Zatanna promises to leave audiences spellbound. Join us for an unforgettable evening filled with wonder, laughter, and a touch of the supernatural as this beloved sorceress showcases her extraordinary talents in the heart of the West End. Don't miss your chance to witness the magic live!

[Workflow: Started with several images prompted in Tengr, and NightCafe, and then combined portions of those together for the final image. Re-used the "Two Nights Only" vector logo I made previously to add to the stage's backdrop screen. Used Affinity Designer for the spiral wand effects, and other minor clean-ups and additional paint texture applied done in Affinity Photo.]

Hi-rez image link [2160px tall]

Constantine Stands on the Dark Rail

As the dimly lit industrial train yard outside Chicago swallowed the darkness, John Constantine stood defiantly on the worn railroad tracks, his eyes locked onto the swirling vortex of hellish sunburst energy before him. The air was thick with the acrid stench of brimstone, clinging to his throat like a noose, while the distant rumble of the approaching train grew louder, its headlamp casting an eerie glow on the rusting behemoths of steel that loomed in the shadows.

With a sweep of his wrist, Constantine's worn leather trench coat fluttered open, revealing a twisted, blackened crucifix adorned with strange symbols and gemstones. It hummed with dark energy as he held it aloft, the relic serving as his focus for the arcane arts. The demon, its grotesque form writhing in agony, clawed at the energy beam searing its flesh, letting out a blood-curdling scream that echoed through the night.

The train's horn blared a warning, a monstrous beast hurtling toward him with deadly precision. The engineer's frantic attempts to brake were futile against the massive weight of the locomotive. Yet Constantine's gaze never wavered; he poured every ounce of his arcane power into the ritual, the air around him crackling with energy as the train bore down.

At that moment, the framework of reality seemed to tear asunder, the boundaries between worlds blurring. The demon's screams crescendoed, mingling with the train's horn, a cacophony of impending doom. But Constantine stood firm, a solitary figure against the tide of darkness, determined to vanquish the horrors that lurked beyond.

As the train thundered closer, he felt the weight of his choices pressing down on him. This was just another day in the life of a man who had made a pact with the devil himself, and he would not let it end here.

[Workflow: Started with a basic image of JC standing with his arm raised forward from image prompts in Tengr, then used Freepik's Pikaso inpainting expansion feature to give a wider-angle view. Added relic to hand, created fire bolts, and Fx, created the inbound train lights approaching, digital sign inlay, texturing for a painted canvas impression for the final edits in Affinity Photo.]

Hi-rez image link [3840px wide]

Trio of John Constantine AI Image Creations

Here are a handful of quick Tengr image prompt creations with only some very minor AI-glitch corrections by human hand.

Lilitha Summons a Demon - Expanded Edition

Lilitha was once a skilled sorceress who delved too deep into the dark arts, seeking power and knowledge. She made a pact with a powerful demon, trading her soul for unimaginable power. Now, she uses her abilities to fight against evil and protect the innocent.

[Original Workflow: Bing Co-Pilot images brought into Affinity Photo for final hand edits, revised version used Freepik's Pikaso inpainting expansion feature to give a wider-angle view. For version 2 I cleaned up AI glitches, added proper shadow for the demon, new layers for extra smoke, flames, and dust.]

Hi-rez image link [3760px wide]

Placing a Protection Spell (John Constantine)

John Constantine placed a protection spell on the room. I will probably use pieces of this one in a future creation.

John Constantine (The Trench Coat Magician)

A few Nightcafe and Tengr images I created of John Constantine which I then cleaned up within Affinity for final posting.

Lilitha Summons a Demon

Lilitha was once a skilled sorceress who delved too deep into the dark arts, seeking power and knowledge. She made a pact with a powerful demon, trading her soul for unimaginable power. Now, she uses her abilities to fight against evil and protect the innocent.

[Workflow: Bing Co-Pilot images brought into Affinity Photo for final hand edits.]

Raven Conjures a Mystical Portal

I extracted a panel from Titans #11 (DC Comics 2024), originally drawn by Lucas Meyer , and modified it to depict Raven having traversed a dimensional portal. I added elements such as a portal, light radiation, particles, a glowing magic staff, an altered moon, removed a moon, and created matching dialogue for the revised scene. Below, you can find the original source page for reference, allowing you to clearly see the alterations I made.

Hi-rez image link [1967px wide]

Zatanna Magic Time

Here are the best of Zatanna Zatara Bing/Copilot-generated AI images I made.

Zatanna Conjures a Mad Rabbit from Her Hat

Zatanna Zatara, a skilled magician and daughter of the renowned magician John Zatara expertly conjured a pentagram-eyed evil rabbit from her top hat. The air was filled with the sweet scent of mysticism and wonder as the demonic rabbit, with its glowing eyes and twisted, gnarled fur, seemed to embody the dark magic that she had summoned. Its presence was both fascinating and unsettling, as if it held secrets and mysteries that only it knew.

[Workflow: Started with some Bing Co-Pilot AI images, and then added additional layers of smoke, particles, paper textures, and warping effects within Affinity Photo.]

Teenage Zatanna with Xaxpyre

As the warm glow of candles illuminated the mystical chamber, Zatanna, now an older teenage magician, kneeled on the floor, her fingers weaving intricate patterns in the air as she attempted to conjure a small flame. In front of her, her loyal demon-imp familiar, Xaxpyre, watched with an air of quiet intensity, his piercing green eyes fixed on the young magician.

[Workflow: Started with some Bing Co-Pilot AI images, and then added additional layers of smoke, particles, and flames within Affinity Photo.]

Hi-rez image link [3840px wide]

The Magic of Zatanna and Xax (a young girl magician and her conjured cat)

Young Zatanna Zatara narrowed her eyes, their cerulean depths glowing with intense concentration. Her lips moved silently, forming the arcane words of an incantation. Her hands, imbued with the power she wielded, danced in the air, tracing intricate patterns. The very air around her seemed to thrum, shimmering and distorting as if reality itself bent to her will. A pinpoint of flame ignited on her index finger, blossoming into a miniature inferno fueled by her magic.

Meanwhile, Xax, the impish demon-cat familiar, reveled in the chaos. With a nonchalant flick of his tail, he sent a fireball arcing through the air, a playful glint in his eyes. His paws, impossibly nimble, juggled the fiery orb with practiced ease. The flames danced around him, a mesmerizing spectacle of swirling gold that cast a warm glow on the scene. Xax punctuated his fiery display with a playful meow, a challenge in his emerald gaze, daring Zatanna to snatch one of the blazing spheres from his midair performance.

As the magical energy escalated, the air crackled with raw power. The acrid tang of smoke and ozone mingled with the sweet, earthy scent of burning wood, filling the air with a heady mix. The very atmosphere vibrated with anticipation, charged with the promise of wonder and the thrill of the unknown. Glowing particles, like miniature stars, swirled and pulsed around them, adding to the spectacle.

[Workflow: Started with some Bing Co-Pilot AI images, and then added additional layers of smoke, particles, and fireballs within Affinity Photo.]

Hi-rez image link [3840px wide]

and then I created a Manga-style version of this image this time with her fire imp Xaxpyre...

Hi-rez image link[3840px wide]

Zatanna Fighting Demons in the Streets of London

As the fog-shrouded streets of London's East End trembled with the whispers of the damned, Zatanna Zatarra, her eyes blazing with determination, clashed with the demonic horde that had descended upon the city. 

[Workflow: a series of Tengr.AI images generated from a base image drawn by Vasco Georgiev, minor post edits done with Affinity Photo.]

Zatanna Zatara summons Benny the Demonic Imp

Zatanna Zatara summons Benny the demonic imp to assist in her latest investiagation of a  crime involving the underworld...

[Workflow: Tengr.AI images from my prompts, with final masking, overlay and texture edits by hand in Affinity Photo.]

Zatanna and Her Top Hat

Zatanna practices magic within the confines of her tuxedo top hat.

[Workflow: Started with some Bing Co-Pilot AI images, and then added additional layers of smoke, particles, paper textures, and warping effects within Affinity Photo.]

Batman Beyond Shows Off Some Magical Powers

Batman (Terry McGinnis) says "Of course, magic is real.  Of course, it is.  Obviously..." panel extracted from Batman Beyond: Neo-Gothic issue #2 (© DC Comics 2023) whose original artwork was produced by Max Dunbar & Sebastian Cheng.   I twisted the original context of this artwork and granted Batman real magic powers via my own image edits and adjustments.