The Secret OriginS of... DR. FATE

Though there were other comics series with similar names before and after, the longest-running Secret Origins comic book was published by DC Comics from April 1986 to August 1990.  It included 50 regular issues, three annuals, and one special edition.  This series of blog posts focuses on the stories that would have, should have, or otherwise follow the spirit of that series.      

The Secret Origins anthology, which would debut with an issue cover dated April 1986 featuring the Golden Age Superman, prominently featured the origins of Golden Age "mystery men."  The origin of Dr. Fate was told twice within in a short time.  All-Star Squadron #47 has Dr. Fate recounting his origin to Tarantula of the All-Star Squadron.  In Secret Origins #24, Fate's enemy Wotan weaves the tale.  There are differences between the two stories, in part because of the four-issue Dr. Fate miniseries by J.M. DeMatteis and Keith Giffen that came out in 1987.

The Secret OriginS of... DR. FATE

"The Secret Origin of Dr. Fate" from All-Star Squadron #47 (July 1985) by Roy Thomas, Todd McFarlane, Mike Clark, and Vince Colleta

Synopsis from The All-Star Companion Vol. 2: Dr. Fate tells Tarantula of his origins: In 1920, archaeologist Sven Nelson, excavating the Mesopotamian city of Ur, dies opening the tomb of Nabu the Wise.  For twenty years, the revived Nabu trains Nelson's orphaned son Kent to replace him as mankind's mystic champion.  Christening his protege "Dr. Fate," Nabu reveals his true nature as a Lord of Order and vanishes.  Fate is soon battling Nabu's acient nemesis Wotan for the life of Inza Cramer.  As he finishes his narrative, the Squadron receives an urgent message from Churchill requesting Fate or Spectre come to England immediately.     

"The Secret Origin of Dr. Fate" from Secret Origins #24 (March 1988) by Roy Thomas, Michael Bair, and Bob Downs

Wotan tells the reader of Dr. Fate's origins: In 1940, archaeologist Sven Nelson and his 12-year old son Kent are excavating the Mesopotamian city of Ur.  Sven dies after Kent pulls a level in the tomb of Nabu the Descended One, releasing a venomous gas.  In a span of days, Kent grows from childhood to adulthood, the revived Nabu training Nelson's orphaned son Kent in what men would call magic.  Nabu reveals his true nature as a Lord of Order.  Giving his disciple vestments of blue and gold, including a helmet, Kent Nelson becomes "Dr. Fate."  Fate is soon battling Nabu's acient nemesis Wotan for the life of Inza Cramer, who holds great significance for both Kent Nelson and Dr. Fate.       

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Comics and the Bible | The Seraph in "Echo of Evil!" | Super Friends #46

Image
The Seraph in "Echo of Evil" from  Super Friends  #46 Rivkah's cousin from Los Angeles is visiting Masada, a site in the Eastern Judean desert.  She is introduced to Chaim Lavon, who senses the clammy nearness of a malevolent being.    A caption box sets up the remainder of the story: "The influx of American visitors to Masada promised to be a joyful event, yet the place was haunted by the venomous presence of a demon... A ghostly butcher eager to slaughter 960 men, women, and children... Echo of Evil!" Despite the moment of unease, Chaim shares the history of Masada with cousin Wendy: "King Herod the Great turned Masada into a pleasure palace and formidible fort around 36 to 30 B.C.  100 years later, Rome sacked Jerusalem.  The last band of Jewish fighters fled into the desert to continue their battle for freedom... From Masada, they harried the Romans for two years....Then, Flavius Silva, with the Roman Tenth Legion, plus 10,000 colonial troops and s...
Read more

I Met... SANDY PLUNKETT!

Image
  I Met... Sandy Plunkett! Chillicothe Comics Center, a local non-profit, sponsored a special event at Wheatberry Books, our local bookstore.  They invited Sandy Plunkett, an Athens-based comic book artist, for a time of conversation and signings.  Although the name was unfamiliar, I learned that he had worked for both Marvel and DC, in addition to other projects throughout the years.  He penciled entries in the original Who's Who series for the Fiddler, a Golden-Age Flash villain, and Tim Trench, a private investigator who appeared in Wonder Woman.  So I took my 50-pound Who's Who Omnibus Vol. 1 for him to sign, which it graciously did.       But I also learned during his presentation that he drew the cover for Comic Book Creator #29, the first issue I worked on during my time with TwoMorrows Publishing.  Had I realized that, I would have brought that magazine for him to sign as well.  Next time!
Read more

I Met... FLASH GORDON!

Image
I Met... Flash Gordon! The 2024 Cincinnati Comic Expo was at the Sharonville Convention Center this year.  Perhaps the location meant fewer featured Comic Creators, or perhaps there were just fewer I was interested in meeting.  There were three that I sought out for autographs in my hard-bound Who's Who  Omnibus 1 and Omnibus 2: Alan Grant (who signed The Batman Revised Entry and The Reaper), Matt Wagner (who signed Dr. Mid-Nite) and Bart Sears (who chose to sign Rocket Red).  Howard Chaykin and Simon Bisley canceled, but I have gotten autographs from both of them before. One of the later additions to the Celebrity side of the con was Mr. Sam J. Jones.  Mr. Jones may be best known for his portrayal of Flash Gordon in the 1980 film of the same name.  The film turned the polo-playing Flash of the comic strips into the football-playing Flash, which led to this nifty souvenir that Mr. Jones signed.  (Jones himself was a football player in real life). ...
Read more