Today the doctor is in...Kent Nelson, Doctor Fate. Gardner Fox and Howard Sherman presented a visually striking character in More Fun Comics #55 (May, 1940). Tricked out in his golden helmet, and magical amulet, Doctor Fate made a strong impression. But, was it all smoke and mirrors? Golden Age readers wouldn't learn of Doc's origins until #67. Young Kent Nelson became orphaned when he accompanied his archaeologist father in opening the tomb of the wizard Nabu. A guilty Nabu trained Kent until he became a supreme sorcerer. Fate was a founding member of the Justice Society of America, but writers still didn't quite know what to make of him. An effort was made in More Fun #72 to transform him into a more straight forward super-hero (complete with a modified half-helmet).
When the Justice Society was revived in the Silver Age, Doctor Fate was back to his classic look. He attracted a greater following as more was revealed about his connection to Nabu, as well as Nabu's role in ancient Egypt. After a well regarded backup feature in The Flash, circa the 1980's, Doctor Fate seemed poised to at last take center stage. Unfortunately, a bizarre series of creative choices, following the Crisis on Infinite Earths, made that possibility disappear. Kent Nelson was replaced by a succession of individuals. These included a kid named Eric Strauss, his stepmother Linda, and even his own wife Inza Cramer Nelson. None of these characters had any staying power, and they all perished- joining Kent in the great beyond.
In the 1990's, comics took a gritty turn. Jared Stevens became Fate (no Doctor this time) when he adopted the weapons of Nabu. The classic helmet became a knife (my how cool and edgy). Stevens looked like a homeless hippie, that just got done knocking over a novelty shop. Thankfully, he was offed after two failed series. Hector Hall (former Silver Scarab and Sandman), the son of the Golden Age Hawkman, was the next in line. Hector's reign as the good Doctor (yep, he was back to Doctor, along with a modified version of the original outfit) was a lot more successful. But, inside politics between DC's super-hero and Vertigo lines, eventually led to Hall being slain (kind of) as well.
Since DC has yet to learn any new tricks, another Doctor Fate has joined the JSA (Kent Nelson, the grandnephew of the original). It's doubtful if the magic can ever be recaptured.
Tomorrow, a birthday Blast...
When the Justice Society was revived in the Silver Age, Doctor Fate was back to his classic look. He attracted a greater following as more was revealed about his connection to Nabu, as well as Nabu's role in ancient Egypt. After a well regarded backup feature in The Flash, circa the 1980's, Doctor Fate seemed poised to at last take center stage. Unfortunately, a bizarre series of creative choices, following the Crisis on Infinite Earths, made that possibility disappear. Kent Nelson was replaced by a succession of individuals. These included a kid named Eric Strauss, his stepmother Linda, and even his own wife Inza Cramer Nelson. None of these characters had any staying power, and they all perished- joining Kent in the great beyond.
In the 1990's, comics took a gritty turn. Jared Stevens became Fate (no Doctor this time) when he adopted the weapons of Nabu. The classic helmet became a knife (my how cool and edgy). Stevens looked like a homeless hippie, that just got done knocking over a novelty shop. Thankfully, he was offed after two failed series. Hector Hall (former Silver Scarab and Sandman), the son of the Golden Age Hawkman, was the next in line. Hector's reign as the good Doctor (yep, he was back to Doctor, along with a modified version of the original outfit) was a lot more successful. But, inside politics between DC's super-hero and Vertigo lines, eventually led to Hall being slain (kind of) as well.
Since DC has yet to learn any new tricks, another Doctor Fate has joined the JSA (Kent Nelson, the grandnephew of the original). It's doubtful if the magic can ever be recaptured.
Tomorrow, a birthday Blast...
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