Alternative versions of Doctor Fate

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Through the publication history of DC Comics, several alternative versions ofDoctor Fate have been created with usage of the codename in DC Comics. Often defined as a legacy hero within the fictional DC Universe, the first character to adopt the codename, Kent Nelson, was created by Gardner Fox and Howard Sherman. Over the character's publication history, several other characters have adopted the name, such as Hector Hall and Khalid Nassour. Alternate versions of the character also exist within the DC Multiverse, such as Khalid Ben-Hassin and Doc Fate.

Contents

Mainstream alternate versions

Egyptian champions hosts

Several years after the New 52 reboot, the Doctor Fate character was retroactively established to be a legacy dating back to ancient Egypt. Unlike prior portrayals in which Nabu himself was active solely in human form during that era, [1] [2] [3] Nabu's powers were consolidated into the helm overtime at some point and began using human hosts to act. The human hosts acted as conduits for his will, did not utilize the "Doctor Fate" moniker, [4] were described as champions of Egypt chosen by ancient Egyptian deities rather than the Lords of Chaos and Order during that period. [2] [5]

Name/Alter egoDescriptionFirst appearance
UnkownOnly referred to as "Nabu" or "Nabu-called Fate", this champion was a host whose body was used to battle Khaji-Da and insane god-sorcerer, Arion. [6] Blue Beetle(2016-2018) #7

Temporary bearers

Within the DC Universe, several characters briefly came into possession of the Helmet of Fate due to various circumstances, allowing them to become Doctor Fate and/or utilize their powers.

NameDescription
Superman (Clark Kent) Superman was briefly given the Helmet of Fate by Khalid Nassour to help battle the mystical super-villain, Xanadoth. [7]
Batman (Bruce Wayne) When Nezha gained the Helmet of Fate by defeating Nassour, Batman later usurped it and briefly became Doctor Fate. [8]
Detective Chimp Detective Chimp was briefly chosen as Doctor Fate but relinquished it due to the overbearing information it placed in his mind. [9]
Sand (Sandy Hawkins) After Hector Hall's mysterious disappearance, Sand voluntarily placed the helm on his head to allow the JSA to confer with Nabu to explain his disappeance. [10]
Black Alice Black Alice was a candidate to becoming Doctor Fate but the helm rejected her in part due to her intentions and forceful nature. [9]

Alternate universe versions

Several other versions of the character exist in alternate versions of the DC Universe often to as the Multiverse. Within these fictional parallel universes, each of these characters appear within their own continuity and stories, often differing from versions depicted within the mainstream comic books. These versions of the character specifically are different characters and incarnations typically disassociated with the mainstream bearers (i.e. Strangefate) and/or possess varying different characteristics despite sharing aspects (i.e. Doc Fate).

NameAlter egoCreator(s)First appearanceFictional biography
Doctor FateKhalid Ben-Hassin James Robinson [11]

Nicola Scott

Earth 2 #9 (April, 2013)Khalid Ben-Hassin is an Egyptian-American archaeologist and expert on the occult and magic on Earth-2 who encounters the famed Helmet of Fate, a mother box containing the essence of the wizard, Nabu, and dons it to become the superhero known as Doctor Fate, a member of the Wonders of the World. [12]
Richard John "Dick" Grayson J.T. Krul

Mikel Janin

Flashpoint: Deadman and the Flying Graysons #1 (August, 2011)In the Flashpoint timeline, Richard John "Dick" Grayson becomes Doctor Fate following Kent Nelson's (a fortune teller in Haly's Circus and a former hero of the JSA) death and being hunted by Starfire and the Amazons seeking the helm. He is assisted by Deadman. [13]
Brother FateUnknown Phillip Kennedy Johnson Batman/Superman: Authority Special #1On Earth al Ghul, a universe within the Dark Multiverse ruled by Bruce Wayne (known as Ra's al Ghul) and his Empire of Shadows, BrotherFate is among the heroes opposing him but is killed by one of his sons. [14]
Doctor StrangefateCharles Xavier Ron Marz

José Luis García-López Kevin Nowlan

Marvel Versus DC #1 (1996) Charles Xavier of Earth-9602/Earth-1996 is a mutant and telepath who learns the mystic arts through Nabu the Ancient One. Taking the Helmet of Strangefate and mantle of Sorcerer Supreme, he becomes a powerful but unconventional hero who often assists the Judgement League of Avengers and employs others at his steed despite his power. He is assisted by his servant, Myx. [15] This character is an amalgamation of Doctor Strange and Professor X from Marvel Comics alongside Doctor Fate.
Doctor Fate of the 31st CenturyUnknown Marc Andreyko

Kevin Maguire

Supergirl Vol 7 #33 (November, 2019)This unnamed Doctor Fate resides in an alternate future based upon a new future taking place adjacent to "Prime Earth". A six-armed male alien, this version is a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes and a revered sorcerer known to the United Planets. [16]
Sofia Geoff Johns The New Golden Age #1 (January, 2023)In an alternate future based upon the original version appearing in the 1958 Legion of Super-Heroes, this futuristic Doctor Fate, named Sofie, is a founding member of the 31st Century iteration of the JSA. Her time as Doctor Fate is fated to eventually be succeeded by an unnamed granddaughter. [17]
Doctor ChaosUnknown Andy Schmidt

Kieran McKeown

Crime Syndicate #2 (June, 2021)Not to be confused with villain within the mainstream comics of the same name, this version is native of Earth-3, where alternate versions of the Justice League are villains (known as the Crime Syndicate), and several characters have adopted the codename. One versions is shown to be a member of the Crime Syndicate.
Joker Tom Taylor

Cian Tormey

Injustice: Year Zero #12 (Digital)(December, 2020)On Earth-49 (the universe of Injustice: Gods Among Us ), Joker becomes Doctor Chaos in tie-in comics after taking possession of its associated artifacts and targets the Justice Society of America due to being inspirations for Batman.

Alternate mainstream variations

Kent Nelson's alternative variations

NameFirst appearanceDesignation/StorlyineFictional biography
Doc FateFinal Crisis: Superman Beyond #1 (October, 2008)Earth-20This version of Nelson is an African-American gunslinger and occultist in a pulp-fiction influenced world. Possessing the Helmet of Fate, he is based out of a windowless Manhattan skyscraper, he leads a team of heroes known as the Society of Superheroes. [18] This character serves as a amalagamation of Doctor Fate and Doc Savage.
Doctor FateFlashpoint: Deadman and the Flying Graysons #1 (August, 2011) Flashpoint In this reality, after the JSA disbanded, Nelson works as a fortune teller in Haly's Circus and has a vision of Dick Grayson's death, revealing it to co-worker and trapeze artist Boston Brand. He is killed shortly by the Amazons seeking the Helmet of Fate. Boston and Dick Grayson manage to escape with the helmet, with Grayson becoming the next Doctor Fate. [19] [20] [21]

Khalid Nassour's alternate variations

NameFirst appearanceDesignation/StorlyineFictional biography
Doctor Fate Future State: Justice League #1 Future State In a potential future, an older Khalid Nassour manages to re-empower the Helmet of Fate under Hauhet and sees all potential futures, experiencing them in order to find a way to defeat an evil Merlin, who seeks to control magic. [22]
The New Golden Age #1 New Golden Age In an alternate reality and future based upon Prime Earth and a variant of the timeline featured in the 1958 Legion of Super-Heroes, in approximately near 2050, Khalid Nassour is among the older, active members of the JSA in and one of the few who bears the legacy of a founding member. This future variant alongside his reality is later erased due to Helena Wayne's temporal interference on Prime Earth. [23]
Batman: Full Moon #1Batman: Full MoonIn this alternate reality, Nassour is seen among the members of the Justice League Dark.

Other versions

Villain counterparts

NameCreator(s)First appearanceFictional biography
Doctor ChaosBurt Belker Martin Pasko

Kurt Schaffenberger

The New Adventures of Superboy #25 (1982)Burt Belker is a wealthy, college student studying archaeology and an assistant of Lewis Lang (father of Lana Lang) who briefly dated his daughter. Discovering a "Sumerian" helm revealed to be the Helmet of Chaos, he dons it and is taken over by the personality within it and comes into conflict with Superboy. [24]
UnknownSteve Orlando

Hugo Petrus

Justice League of America (2017) #18A new unnamed version of Doctor Chaos serves a protector of Chaos Realm, home of the Lords of Chaos. He is ambushed and seemingly killed by the villain, Queen of Fables. [25]
Anti-FateDr. Benjamin StoneJ.M. DeMatteis

Keith Griffen

Doctor Fate #1 (1987)Dr. Benjamin Stone is a lead doctor in Arkham Asylum driven insane by Typhon, a Lord of Chaos. Targeting an aged Kent Nelson, Typhon uses him to battle Kent and his successor, Eric and Linda Strauss, with a dark variant of the Helmet of Fate as the adversary, Anti-Fate. [26]
Doctor HateRachel Roth / RavenJoshua Williamson

Howard Porter

Knight Terrors: Night's End #1 (August, 2023)Raven is the infamous daughter of Trigon and a superhero often portrayed with empathic and sorcerous powers. Sometime after the aftermath of Lazarus Planet, the dark reflect of the Helmet of Fate, the Helmet of Hate, is created. Raven's demonic self separates from her whole self and becomes independent, donning the helm and the Nightmare Stone. As Doctor Hate, she has powers comparable to Doctor Fate and the power to manipulate minds. [27]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ The Spectre Vol. 2: Wrath of God. DC Comics. 2014-12-23. ISBN   978-1-4012-5729-3.
  2. 1 2 "DC Universe Infinite Encyclopedia: Doctor Fate". 2021-03-07. Archived from the original on 2021-03-07. Retrieved 2022-02-24.
  3. ↑ Wiacek, Stephen (2021-11-30). The DC Book: A Vast and Vibrant Multiverse Simply Explained. Penguin. ISBN   978-0-7440-5856-7.
  4. ↑ Johns, Geoff (2024). Justice Society of America Vol. 1: the New Golden Age. DC Comics. ISBN   978-1-77952-468-3.
  5. ↑ Manning, Matthew K.; Wiacek, Stephen; Scott, Melanie; Jones, Nick; Walker, Landry Q. (2021-07-06). The DC Comics Encyclopedia New Edition. Penguin. ISBN   978-0-7440-5301-2.
  6. ↑ Giffen, Keith; DeMatteis, J. M. (2018-01-02). Blue Beetle Vol. 2: Hard Choices. DC Comics. ISBN   978-1-4012-8366-7.
  7. ↑ Bendis, Brian Michael (2021). Superman: Mythological. Ivan Reis, Kevin Maguire, John Timms, Danny Miki, Joe Prado, Oclair Albert. Burbank, CA. ISBN   978-1-77950-572-9. OCLC   1238130236.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  8. ↑ Waid, Mark (2022-12-20). Batman vs. Robin (2022-) #4. DC Comics.
  9. 1 2 Simone, Gail; Niles, Steve; Willingham, Bill (2007). The Helmet of Fate. DC Comics. ISBN   978-1-4012-1470-8.
  10. ↑ Champagne, Keith (2005). JSA #78-79. DC Comics.
  11. ↑ TODAY, Brian Truitt, USA. "'Earth 2' writer puts a new twist on Doctor Fate". USA Today. Retrieved 2022-05-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  12. ↑ Robinson, James (2014). Earth 2: The Tower of Fate. DC Comics. ISBN   978-1-4012-4614-3.
  13. ↑ Johns, Geoff (2011). Flashpoint. Andy Kubert, Sandra Hope, Jesse Delperdang, Alex Sinclair, Nick Napolitano. Burbank, CA. ISBN   978-1-4012-3337-2. OCLC   742511266.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  14. ↑ Johnson, Phillip Kennedy; Hairsine, Trevor (2021). Batman/Superman Authority Special. DC Comics.
  15. ↑ Doctor Strangefate #1 (April 1996)
  16. ↑ Bendis, Brian Michael (2021-01-19). Legion of Super-Heroes (2019-) #12. DC Comics.
  17. ↑ Johns, Geoff (2022). The New Golden Age #1. DC Comics.
  18. ↑ The Multiversity: The Society of Super-Heroes #1 (September 2014). DC Comics.
  19. ↑ Flashpoint: Deadman and the Flying Graysons #1 (June 2011). DC Comics.
  20. ↑ Flashpoint: Deadman and the Flying Graysons #2 (July 2011). DC Comics.
  21. ↑ Flashpoint: Deadman and the Flying Graysons #3 (August 2011). DC Comics.
  22. ↑ Altbacker, E. J. (2021). Future state: Justice League. Ryan Cady, Josie Campbell, Will Conrad, Sami Basri, Dale Eaglesham, Daniel Henriques. Burbank, CA. ISBN   978-1-77951-065-5. OCLC   1240265473.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  23. ↑ Johns, Geoff (2024-02-27). Justice Society of America Vol. 1: The New Golden Age. DC Comics. ISBN   978-1-77952-914-5.
  24. ↑ The New Adventures of Superboy #25 (January 1982)
  25. ↑ Orlando, Steve (2018). Justice League of America. Vol. 4, Surgical strike. Kelley Jones, Hugo Petrus, Stephen Byrne, Michelle Madsen, Clayton Cowles, Josh Reed. Burbank, CA. ISBN   978-1-4012-8058-1. OCLC   1014090846.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  26. ↑ DeMattis, J.M. (1989). Doctor Fate #1-#4. DC Comics.
  27. ↑ Taylor, Tom (2024-01-23). Titans: Beast World (2023-) #5. DC Comics.
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