Superheroes come from many beliefs, whether it be in destiny, morality or the existence of life outside of Earth, but the two characters on display today are the respective masters of an element that can never be predicted; Magic. Doctor Fate of The DC Universe. Doctor Strange of The Marvel Universe. What's The Difference?
First we have Doctor Fate created in 1940 by Gardner Fox and Howard Sherman, premiering in "More Fun Comics #55". Kent Nelson joined his father on an archeological exhibition to Egypt in 1920. During their adventuring through a buried temple, they accidentally release Nabu The Wise from his suspended animation. However, Nabu's room was filled with toxin fumes that killed Kent's father. Though he could not revive the boy's father, Nabu spent the next twenty years training the boy in the mystical arts before granting him a helmet called The Helmet of Fate. When wearing this helmet, Kent's soul would bound with Nabu's and he'd gain the power of Fate itself. Now a sentinel of order, Kent becomes Doctor Fate. Being a founder of The Justice Society of America, the predecessor to eight other wearers of The Helmet of Fate, and the go-to magician in the DCU Doctor Fate is one of the most powerful heroes there is. He rivals the power of Superman, The Spectre and many other heavy-hitters. Later in his creation, Kent Nelson became a type of mentor to many heroes and-as Doc Fate-was on of the few elderly superheroes in comic book history. The element to Doctor Fate that makes him unique is that despite Kent having a life of his own, Nabu takes full control of Kent's body when he wears the helmet, meaning there is the constant risk of Nabu never letting go of Kent. Currently Kent Nelson is missing, but the Helmet of Fate is in the possession of Khalid Nassour. Khalid's story can be fully explored in another post "What's Up Doc?".
Thought to be the creation of Stan "The Man" Lee, Marvel Comic's Doctor Strange was first conceived by Steve Ditko and first appeared in "Strange Tales #110" in 1963. Stephan Strange was-ironically enough-a surgical doctor with one helluva ego. Stephan gets in a car accident that damages his hands meaning he cannot perform surgery, sign checks or even fend for himself. After failed attempt after failed attempt to find a way to fix his hands, Stephan meets a hermit named The Ancient One in the Himalayas who takes him in. The Ancient One reveals himself to be The Sorcerer Supreme, he who defends the Earth from magical forces. It is only after saving The Ancient One from his evil student that Stephan accept The Ancient One's offer of tutorship. Though his hands remain broken, Stephan becomes a master of magic and takes The Ancient One's place as The Sorcerer Supreme, referred to as Doctor Strange. You know, his actual name. Because his stories were so bizarre and far out, many students of the 1960's who were part of the hippie movement really "dug this jazz", much to Stan Lee's amazement. Doctor Strange is a wise and respected character of the Marvel Universe being a member of The Midnight Sons, The New Avengers, and The Illuminati. Also, many of you know he'll be getting his own feature-length film starring Benedict Cumberpatch. Oops, I mean Benedict Cumbersnatch. Crap! I mean, Benedict Cumberbatch! Ah, there we go.
These characters are equally dramatic at first glance, and even share the same "ends justify the means" ideals, but the big difference comes from personality of all things. Doc Strange is a pretty high-strung guy, often refusing help from others and resurfacing that old ego of his. Doc Fate is more a light switch, without the helmet Kent is a kind and guiding man, but with the helmet he's the equivalent to a magic robot, following the program of his duty on Earth. These two are both really great characters and I hope to see more of their one-of-a-kind magical tales in the time to come. Oh, and they fused once. That was fun.
Thought to be the creation of Stan "The Man" Lee, Marvel Comic's Doctor Strange was first conceived by Steve Ditko and first appeared in "Strange Tales #110" in 1963. Stephan Strange was-ironically enough-a surgical doctor with one helluva ego. Stephan gets in a car accident that damages his hands meaning he cannot perform surgery, sign checks or even fend for himself. After failed attempt after failed attempt to find a way to fix his hands, Stephan meets a hermit named The Ancient One in the Himalayas who takes him in. The Ancient One reveals himself to be The Sorcerer Supreme, he who defends the Earth from magical forces. It is only after saving The Ancient One from his evil student that Stephan accept The Ancient One's offer of tutorship. Though his hands remain broken, Stephan becomes a master of magic and takes The Ancient One's place as The Sorcerer Supreme, referred to as Doctor Strange. You know, his actual name. Because his stories were so bizarre and far out, many students of the 1960's who were part of the hippie movement really "dug this jazz", much to Stan Lee's amazement. Doctor Strange is a wise and respected character of the Marvel Universe being a member of The Midnight Sons, The New Avengers, and The Illuminati. Also, many of you know he'll be getting his own feature-length film starring Benedict Cumberpatch. Oops, I mean Benedict Cumbersnatch. Crap! I mean, Benedict Cumberbatch! Ah, there we go.
These characters are equally dramatic at first glance, and even share the same "ends justify the means" ideals, but the big difference comes from personality of all things. Doc Strange is a pretty high-strung guy, often refusing help from others and resurfacing that old ego of his. Doc Fate is more a light switch, without the helmet Kent is a kind and guiding man, but with the helmet he's the equivalent to a magic robot, following the program of his duty on Earth. These two are both really great characters and I hope to see more of their one-of-a-kind magical tales in the time to come. Oh, and they fused once. That was fun.
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