With the release of Black Adam on the horizon, many fans eagerly await the hierarchy of power in the DC Universe that will change. Not only will the film feature Dwayne Johnson’s debut as Black Adam, a character he was cast as many years ago, but it will also feature the cinematic debut of fan-favorite DC Comics superheroes.
One such member of the Justice Society is Kent Nelson’s tenure as Doctor Fate. Doctor Fate is played by Piers Brosnan in Black Adam, and many fans of the character eagerly await his debut. However, there are some great things to know about Doctor Fate in the comics, considering the character first debuted in May of 1940, and is still featured today.
6 Kent Nelson, The Vessel
When a young boy assisted his father on an archaeological dig, the last thing they expected was to discover an ancient immortal of the Law on Order, Nabu. After releasing Nabu from imprisonment, Kent Nelson’s father was killed, and Kent himself was imbued with a plethora of knowledge to craft him into an Agent of Order.
Kent Nelson became Doctor Fate, with the powers of Nabu inhabited within the helmet. Kent Nelson’s body is his own, but once he places the helmet upon his head, Nabu takes over as host for Nabu’s magic and desire for order. Nelson proves that becoming Doctor Fate is a responsibility and burden to hold over a lifetime for supernatural power.
5 Justice League Dark Member
There are many superhero and supervillain teams present in the DC Universe. One of the more prominent teams is a division of the famed Justice League. Justice League Dark is a team consisting of magical characters that dedicate themselves to handling mystical threats beyond the comprehension of characters like Batman.
With HBO Max's streaming service, Justice League Dark is set to feature in a J.J Abrams-produced series. Not much is known about the series, but Doctor Fate was a member of the team in the New 52 reboot for DC Comics. Other famed members are John Constantine, Wonder Woman, and Zatanna, a character who is also set to receive her movie.
4 Nabu The Wise
As the Lord of Order, Nabu the Wise was a cosmic being who arrived on Earth over a billion years ago. Nabu took the role of a defender of order and a defiant battler of the Lords of Chaos. Nabu’s true power is nigh on limitless, and his spirit resides in the Helmet of Fate, the source of dangerous power. With Nabu’s power, he can wield the Amulet of Anubis and the Cloak of Destiny.
Nabu’s life in the early stages of human evolution was spent as an adviser to the pharaohs of Ancient Egypt. His history in the DC Universe does not end there, as the character has had adventures with Teth-Adam, known as Black Adam. Before the New 52 reboot, Nabu was killed by the Spectre Force, ushering in the tenth age of magic.
3 Opposed Fate
DC Comics is no stranger to gritty storytelling. Injustice took the characters that fans knew and loved and thrust them into a conflict with each other. Heroes and villains alike would battle, with a fascist Superman leading a regime against Batman. One event in the comics had Doctor Fate arrive at a concluded battlefield, in which Black Canary lay unconscious and bleeding from Superman’s damages.
In an act of defiance, Kent Nelson removed the Helm of Fate to intervene. Nelson stated “F*** Fate”, and revealed to Black Canary that he saved her of his own accord. Nelson’s defiance of Fate shows how he still holds control, despite being the vessel to Nabu. Nelson used the powers of Nabu to transport Black Canary to a new universe, where Oliver Queen is alive, and she will be safe from a tyrant Superman.
2 Constantine Destroyed Nabu
There are perhaps no masters of the mystic arts that could rival Doctor Fate. However, the Liverpool, England-born occult detective, John Constantine, is one such rival. Constantine is famed for his snark and anti-social attitude. He will do whatever it takes to get the job done, and that includes a battle of wits against Doctor Fate.
In the DC Comic Constantine: Future’s End, Constantine is tricked by the Helmet of Fate into wearing it and allowing Nabu to use him as a vessel. However, from inside his mind, Constantine battles Fate by making Anubis judge who cares more about lives. Constantine comes out the victor, as Doctor Fate tricks people into becoming vessels, and gets them killed. Therefore, Nabu is eaten by Anubis.
1 Doctor Strangefate
Amalgam Comics was the strange period in comic books in which DC Comics and Marvel Comics combined their heroes and villains to make hybrid versions of themselves. It’s a powerful crossover, and one many hope to see happen again someday. In this universe, Doctor Strangefate is the combination of X-Men’s Charles Xavier, Doctor Strange, and DC Comics’ Doctor Fate.
The character was greatly intelligent and realized that the two keys controlled by Access would restore and separate both the DC Comics and Marvel Comics universes. Thus, the destruction of the Amalgam universe. The character was the most powerful sorcerer in the Amalgam universe and could be a great threat to the now separated universes.
Black Adam is scheduled to release in theaters on October 21, 2022.