Superhero Origins: Dr. Fate
Superhero Origins: Dr. Fate
Superhero Origins: Static
Some heroes hide behind a mask. This hero kind of IS the mask. Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we will explore the comic book origin of the Dr. Fate. As with most comic book characters, there are often re-imaginations and different versions to a character’s past. We have chosen primarily to follow the storyline which unfolded in 1941's More Fun Comics #67 and which was expanded upon in 1975's 1st Issue Special #9, 1978's DC Special Series #10: Secret Origins of Super-Heroes and 1988's Secret Origins Vol. 2 #24. The mysterious mage known as Dr. Fate first began casting spells in 1940's More Fun Comics #55, but readers didn't learn his origin until a year later. As the story opened, archaeologist Sven Nelson was on an important expedition to discover the secrets behind Egypt's enigmatic pyramids. Nelson was accompanied by Kent, his young son who wandered off in one of the pyramids and stumbled upon a strange figure. Kent freed the figure from the suspended animation, which had held him for millennia. His name was Nabu, and he was a visitor from the planet Cilia who had come to Earth in ancient times. Kent's excitement soon turned to grief when he discovered that his father had been killed by a poison gas, which was set by the ancient Egyptians to kill invaders of the tomb. Feeling pity on the boy, Nabu raised him and taught him science so advanced that it crosses over into the realm of magic. Armed with this knowledge and a snazzy blue and gold outfit, Kent embarked on his career as the sorcerer known as Dr. Fate. Over the years, several modifications were made the Fate's origin. In 1975, it was revealed that Kent Nelson did not so much disguise himself as Dr. Fate as become possessed by a being called Dr. Fate when he put on his golden helmet. Readers also learned that the gas that killed Kent Nelson's father was released when Kent himself freed Nabu from his eternal sleep. A 1978 comic delved further into Fate's beginnings. It transpired that Nabu was no mere alien but one of the eternal Lords of Order. When Kent had completed his training under Nabu, he was commanded to use his new powers to free Nabu's god-like spirit from his body. Once freed from its mortal shell, the spirit could merge with Kent, using the disciple as a host. Over the years, Kent Nelson's wife, Inza, had become a part of the Dr. Fate mythos as well. A 1988 re-telling confirmed that she was a reincarnation of someone Fate had known in a past life – and her presence was necessary to make Fate as complete and powerful as he could be. Nabu's spirit grew more and more formidable and seemed to reside within Fate's golden helmet itself. Thus, when Kent Nelson began to age and grow weary, other hosts were sought to fill in as Dr. Fate. These have ranged from a young boy transformed into a grown man to the reincarnated superhero named Hector Hall to an Egyptian man who is the adopted son of Kent Nelson. Whoever dons the helmet becomes Dr. Fate – sometimes at a cost to his own humanity. As one of the DC Universe's most powerful sorcerers, Dr. Fate has made the leap from the page to the small screen on several occasions. Whether gracing the screen in animated form or leveraging his mystical abilities in live action, he brings authority and awe whenever he appears. Are you a fan of Dr. Fate? For more comic book origins, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
