Doctor Fate (Khalid Nassour)

Creation and development

At the conclusion of the Convergence limited series in June 2015 and the launch of the "DC You" line, DC Comics introduced a new ongoing Doctor Fate series written by Paul Levitz and illustrated by Sonny Liew. This series featured Khalid Nassour, an Egyptian-American medical student, as the newest Doctor Fate. Levitz noted that Dan DiDio and Jim Lee aimed for a different approach compared to the original incarnation created by Gardner Fox during the Golden Age of Comic Books, with Levitz expressing particular fascination with the Egyptian connection of the character: "So looking at the kinds of diversity we have today, and remembering a bunch of my conversations with Egyptian Americans, I just thought, what if a person who gets the helmet this time, in this world, is an Egyptian American young man?[9] And for a visual look, the guys really wanted something fresh - not the standard superhero approach that's been going on for the last few years. I liked Sonny Liew's work years ago on My Faith in Frankie, and ran into him in Singapore a few years ago when I got the chance to be the guest of honor at a convention there. And I've watched his work and stayed aware of it in the years since.[9]"

Comic book appearances

First appearing in Convergence: Aquaman #2 as part of a sneak peek preview in May 2015, the first issue of the Doctor Fate series was released in June 2015[10] and ran until its cancellation in November 2016,[11][3] surrounding the character's origin story and early adventures, which included his connection to the original Doctor Fate (Kent Nelson), who made his New 52 debut within the same series.[4][12] The character also made minor appearances in other titles in between 2015 and 2016. Afterwards, the character was absent for nearly two years and Kent Nelson's character returned to the role for a time.[3]

In June 2018, Nassour's character was revealed to be a major character in the second Justice League Dark series written by James Tynion IV starring a new roster led by Wonder Woman[13] and first appeared in the second issue of the series in August 2018.[14] The character would become a reoccurring support character throughout the run, culminating to him adopting the Doctor Fate mantle officially from the Kent Nelson character officially and was redesigned with a new Doctor Fate costume. While the original 2018 series was cancelled in 2020, the Justice League Dark series was instead re-purposed as a backup issue to the mainstream Justice League title, the backup issue written by award-winning author Ram V featuring a new storyline with Khalid remaining a reoccurring member of the Justice League Dark subdivision.[15] The character also made notable appearances in several title crossovers and Bendis's run on the Justice League title.[16][17]

In late 2022, Nassour was revealed to be among the cast of characters in Geoff Johns' upcoming Justice Society of America limited comic book series, which would include the exploration of the character as a legacy hero and continue the story established from V's backup issues of Justice League Dark.[18] The title addresses timeline discrepancies, noting events like "Zero Hour" occurred eight years earlier and the 2015 Doctor Fate series is set one year prior.[19] However, Khalid's appearances in other titles[16][20] and in the series suggest a tenure longer than four years, as he is depicted as a first-year resident physician.[20] The character would later appear in several other company crossovers, including Dark Crisis alongside its spin-offs.[21][22] In 2023, the character made several appearances in Knight Terrors. In the same year, the previous histories of Doctor Fate was later restored, retroactively making the character the eighth person within the DC Universe to adopt the mantle, whereas past stories imply he is the second succeeding Nelson.[23]

In 2024, the character appears in the Absolute Power crossover.[24][25] Coinciding with the DC All In initiative, a new JSA series was announced in July with writer Jeff Lemiere and illustrator Diego Olortengui as part of the creative team.[26] Lemiere revealed Nassour as an important character within the series.[27] He is also slated to make an appearance in the event DC K.O., featured in variant covers and previews for the crossover event and previews.[28][29]

The All-New Doctor Fate

The sorceress supervillain Circe founds the Injustice League Dark and strikes at the team with her newfound power, possessing Hecate's mystical power, revealed to be a progenitor of magic in the DC Universe. When she strikes a powerful blow to the Justice League Dark, Nassour responds by donning the helm once more, officially succeeding Kent and plays a critical role in defeating the Injustice League Dark and later bringing balance of the elemental forces.[20] As the sole Doctor Fate, Nassour is a trusted member of the Justice League and Justice League Dark.[34]

Nassour becomes involved in the efforts to defeat Upside-Down Man but is rendered unconscious in the battle and is replaced by Kent, who sacrifices himself and depletes the helm in the process but allows an opportunity for Zatanna to ultimately defeat the villain.[35] Nassour later partners with Langstrom to restore power to the helm but becomes inhabited by Hauhet, who replaces Nabu and grants him disturbing visions of his impending defeat and destruction of the Tower of Fate. He helps the JLD battle an evil Merlin who seeks to control magic and resurrects Arion, a Lord of Order intimately connected to a nearly uncontrollable source of magic.[36] He also helps various heroes (Flash,[17] Superman,[16] Naomi,[37] etc.) with both his mystical and medical expertise while taking in Stitch, a teenaged, animated, non-binary ragdoll as his apprentice and sent them to Teen Titans Academy to learn the values of heroism.[17]

During a team-up to battle reoccurring foe Xanadoth, Nabu temporarily returns to aid the Justice League and Justice League Dark when the Lord of Chaos possess Black Adam.[38] Shortly afterward, following the seemingly death of the Justice League's core members, he joins the Justice Society and helps in efforts to defeat Pariah and the Great Darkness.[21][22]

Infinite Frontier onward

In the Lazarus Planet crossover storyline, Batman deduces Doctor Fate to have been defeated by Nezha to acquire the helm for his purposes, explaining his mysterious disappearance noted by other heroes. In a spin-off series, new hero Dreamer discovers he was entrapped by Nezha in his subconscious when enlisted by Batman to track him down, her actions eventually freeing him.[39][40]

Khalid later appears in Geoff John's 2022 Justice Society of America series as a major character, although his history differed since his appearances in prior titles due to the series' assertion that becoming Doctor Fate takes place one year prior to the series despite having been implied in his title to have been Doctor Fate since 2015 and his graduation to a physician implying a longer period of time passing since becoming Doctor Fate.[41][27] In the "The New Golden Age" storyline, Nassour is revealed to have graduated medical school, become an intern physician, and has held down an apartment until Detective Chimp impersonated him to quit his job, citing his duties as Doctor Fate to be more important. While seeking to learn more about Hauhet, Nassour becomes entangled in Per Degaton's scheme to replace the JSA with a ritual and is targeted but meets future Huntress, who recognizes him as a teammate of her time. Degaton underestimates him and he manages to seal the villain with the help of Doctor Fates and JSA members from across time.[41] The subsequent "Long Live The JSA" storyline has him meet Salem the Witch Girl, Nelson's arrogant sidekick who was previously erased from history. The witch proves hostile due to his placement in the legacy of Doctor Fate, causing him to place Salem under the JSA's care until the pair can reconcile and is taken to the future to help the Legion of Substitute Heroes.[42][43]

Nassour is also involved in the Knight Terrors and Absolute Power crossovers, among the heroes captured in the latter by Amanda Waller's Amazo robots.[24][25]

DC All-In

Sometime after Absolute Power, Nassour is among the expansive members of the now rebranded Justice League Unlimited, focused on strengthening the connections within the superhero community with a larger number of members. He assists in defeating Darkseid, who has bonded with the Spectre using a Miracle Machine although the League inadvertently helps the villain create the Absolute Universe.[44]

In the 2024 JSA series, Nassour is a featured character although his history within the series deviates from prior appearances once again, instead casting him twenty-one in age and regarding him as a youthful and inexperience incarnation of Doctor Fate despite retaining history from prior runs and appearances.[27][45] In "Infinity, Inc. vs the Justice Society of America", Nassour and other members battle a newly formed led by Wotan and Johnny Sorrow while trapped in Hell inside the Tower of Fate as they target the Helmet of Fate, having already stolen Ted Knight's technology and seeks the artifact and the Staff of Destiny. Although the situations pushes Nassour to the brink, he is notable supported by his new mentor, Wildcat. Unknown to them, the mysterious disappearance of the roster, alongside Sorrow's impersonation of Obsidian and mysterious condition inflicted on Jakeem Thunder, has caused friction in the remaining JSA members, former members of Infinity, Inc. Despite their defense, the Injustice Society prevails in acquiring the helm, with Wildcat killed in the process and separates Hawkman and Hawkgirl from the group.[46]

Nassour also makes a cameo appearance in 2025 New History of the DC Universe series, revising his history slightly by making him the fourth incarnation of Doctor Fate (retroactively omitting certain past incarnations) and his origin story (Blood Price) being taken place between the "Darkseid War" and "Dark Nights: Metal" storyline.[47]

Description and themes

In the character's debut and early appearances, Khalid Nassour is introduced as a young man in his early twenties (22 years old in his debut series) and older than typical college aged superheroes to make him more distinguishable.[9][30][48] Paul Levitz's, drew inspiration from iconic characters such as Spider-Man and Doctor Strange while influenced by his collaborations with Steve Ditko. He depicts Khalid as young man burdened with significant responsibilities, embarking on a journey of self-discovery within a world reminiscent of Doctor Strange's mystical realm.[9][30] Initially, he is a medical student with a background as a former emergency medical technician and a college graduate majoring in organic chemistry.[4][34] In more recent stories, Nasssour is mentioned to be a physician.[49]

As Doctor Fate, Nassour grapples with both the immense power of the helm and its responsibilities as a defender against evil, striking a balance between his dual life as a superhero, and comes to terms with the implications of his role within his religious beliefs.[31] Later, he serves as a respected member in superhero teams, a mystic consultant, and therapist.[41][36][16][50] His prowess has varied; he was first noted in his earlier publication to be less powerful than past versions of Doctor Fate.[51] Other times, he is comparable to the original Doctor Fate and Zatanna,[38][52][35] stated to being among the most powerful sorcerers and agent for the Lords of Order.[53]

The experience level of the character has been subjected to varying interpretations; writer Ram V described Khalid as "a man in possession of great knowledge and great responsibilities" and the character is revealed to have a sorcerer apprentice.[54][55] However, Jeff Lemire instead casts the character as inexperienced, still learning the role and notes a level of insecurity, believing both his age and continual learning making him unique among other versions to characterize.[27]

Sika A. Dogbovie-Mullins, an author from Mixed-Race Superheroes, believes Khalid's heroic journey is linked to his lineage and the concept of a "divine right of kings," aligning with Chosen One narrative trope. Unlike iconic American superheroes like Batman or Superman who fight for truth, justice, and the American way, Khalid is chosen to fight for truth, justice, and the "(ancient) Egyptian ways."[56]

Religious and racial identity

During the character's inception, Nassour was made Egyptian-American in order emphasize aspects of Egypt often incorporated to Doctor Fate, with Levitz admitting such a focus with the original Doctor Fate was not possible prior.[30] He is also of relation to a family of ancient pharaohs in Egypt, granting him mystical potential.[31] Due to his maternal line connecting him to the Nelson bloodline,[4] Nassour is also of Swedish and British ancestry.[57]

Within his comic book series, Nassour was characterized as Muslim although his faith was depicted as struggling prior due to competing beliefs from his parents' respective Islam and Methodism and the added existence of the Egyptian deities. The second story arc rationalized both religions as legitimate but leaned towards Islamic beliefs, with one archangel supporting Khalid suggesting the Egyptian deities as either jinns or angels whom have stylized themselves as gods and work similar to their mythological counterparts but also work in tandem to DC's depiction to Allah.[4] Aspects of this portrayal has been criticized, having been said to the character to feeling culturally inauthentic and would have benefitted from input by a Muslim writer.[3]

Within media adaptations, Young Justice's Khalid Nassour features several departures and alternate depictions; while retaining his Egyptian identity and heritage, his American and British ancestry is connected to Mayflower pilgrims and the Homo magi race, thus making him a distance descendant of the series' version of Arion, whose lineage is responsible for his potential in magic and is the grandson of Vandal Savage within that series' continuity. The character was similarly noted to be Muslim although this depiction did not feature influence of any derivatives of Christianity onto the character.

Design and costume

First created and designed with an emphasis on the Egyptian aspect of Doctor Fate, artist Sony Liew first drew the character with a focus on representing his heritage through physical attributes (hair, nose shape, and skin tone) while depicting him with a more average physique, diverging from the muscular physiques often associated with superhero characters.[9][30] Official profile sources also cite the character to be 5'5".[34][49]

Like the original version, Nassour's magic visual system employs the Egyptian ankh motif and typopgraphy, using letters and geometric forms such as circles and spirals as design elements to create a distinctive visual system.[58][59] In some storylines, the visual system has also been accompanied by Egyptian hieroglyphs,[35][31] the runic alphabet,[46] and the Arabic alphabet.[60]

Nassour's costume design

As Doctor Fate, the character has been depicted wearing distinctive costumes. In his debut title, the character initially wore contemporary clothing comprising a blue hoodie and jeans while donning the Helmet of Fate and Amulet of Thoth. While the original intent was for the character to gradually acquire pieces of the original Doctor Fate costume, positive reception of the contemporary design led to an editorial decision to maintain the appearance.[61] From the Justice League Dark series forward, he received a revised costume which depicts Nassour in a dark blue coverall scrub combined with a golden/yellow belt and loin cloth, a golden cape secured by the Amulet of Anubis, and golden/white-colored sneakers. This design is notable for incorporating the classic elements associated with Doctor Fate while blending elements of Egyptian aesthetics with contemporary American attire.[20]

Despite the character's distinctive design and costume, he is occasionally depicted wearing the same outfits and accessories associated with modern costume variation of Kent Nelson and other associated Doctor Fates and sometimes has a more toned appearance and taller build.[21][62] A variation of Nelson's design, similar but also unique to Nassour, includes a muscular build with a blue bodysuit, yellow sun-disk belt that extends all around, a golden Usekh collar able to house the amulet, and a yellow cloak connected to it.[55] Similar elements from the variation are invoked in alternate, future versions of the character.

Mystical artifacts and resources

Nassour's classification as a "sorcerer" has him employ artifacts to access (amplify) power while protecting him against the inherent risks assoicated with magic;[66] He chiefly wields the Helmet of Fate, a powerful artifact that bestows godlike magical powers and knowledge.[67] Under his characterization through Nabu and/or Thoth's patronage (depending on story) he is bestowed elemental controlling powers and magical powers powered by his will, need, and the elements,[31][68][69] allowing for powers like intangibility, projecting mystic bolts, flight, and healing.[68][31][51] When the helm is inhabited by Hauhet, Nassour retains the same magical powers but periodically see into "eternity" in forms of visions, allowing him to see into the future at a cost of impairing his vision,[36] and can break the fourth wall.[70] Khalid also possesses the Amulet of Anubis and Cloak of Destiny,[49] the former deriving magical powers from distilled essence of past Doctor Fate incarnations and the latter being fire-proof and resistant to chaos magic tradtiionally.[71][72][52]

Unique to Nassour's version, he uses the Staff of Power, an artifact gifted to him by Thoth, allows for energy manipulation and is powered by his blood. It's complete power is only able to be used by those with the pharaoh bloodline.[34][31] He also carries the Eternity Book,[73] a grimoire containing Merlin's most powerful spells and is considered among the most powerful items in the DC Universe.[74]

Enemies

Having several re-occurring adversaries, Anubis served as a chief antagonist and first adversary due to the Nassour's bloodline aligning with the pharaohs, able to invoke influence over him.[31][4] While usually an ally and confidante who favors him, Nabu as also served in antagonistic roles.[68][33] Nassour is also enemies with Wotan, a shared arch-rival of the original Doctor Fate and Nabu. In team settings, he frequently encounters Eclipso and was enemies with a rogue Merlin.[20][17][76][36]

Alternate universes

• Khalid Nassour as Doctor Fate makes a cameo appearance in the Batman: Full Moon DC Black Label series.
• A teenaged version of Khalid appears in DC's Misfits of Magic named Kid Fate.

Alternate futures

• In Future State, several years after the events of the Great Wickedness storyline, an older Khalid managed to mend the broken Helmet of Fate and lived through several timelines to learn how to defeat Merlin. He is ultimately found by his teammates disguised as a blind old man. Shortly after being revealed by Etrigan, Merlin's forces arrives to dispatch the Justice League Dark, now a resistance group against his power. With Enchantress and Jason Blood as his lieutenants, Khalid makes a deal to act his oracle but imparts a careful gambit in defeat Etrigan, reminding him of the demon's abilities to perceive time differently.[78]
• In a possible future revealed in The New Golden Age storyline taking place two decades from the Prime Earth, Khalid is one of the few old legacies of the JSA active. The de facto team leader, he is an enemy of the future Salem the Witch Girl, now a Lord of Chaos. Approving of future Huntress's recreating the JSA under rehabilitated former enemies of the team, he is killed by Per Degaton. Empowered by Salem's ritual, Degaton seeks to destroy the team across all time. While Degaton's efforts is thwarted by his present self, the future version of Khalid is erased due to Helena Wayne's actions in the present time alongside all her teammates and reality.[79][5]

Positive impact

Nassour's character has been generally well received by critics; Book Riot's Jessica Plumber noted similarities between Khalid and Marvel Comics' Kamala Khan, both of whom represent important additions to the underrepresented demographic and praised the character's design and significance of diverse representation in the comic book industry, commending the creators for addressing the gap.[3] IGN writer Levi Hunt viewed the character as a positive step in establishing diversity within DC Comics and appreciated the incorporation of Egyptian mythology, which deviates from the commonly used Greek and Roman mythological themes prevalent in comics.[80] Charli Snow of CBR also positively viewed Khalid's character in several storylines pertaining to both the 2015 Doctor Fate and 2018 Justice League Dark comic book series, also noting the character's heritage in relation to Doctor Fate's Egyptian connections, more accessible storylines, and noted his ascension to leadership in the latter series.[81]

Noah Sharma, for Comicon, praised the character's role and importance in throughout the series and James Tynion IV's use of the character, opining in issue #12 that "Zatanna and Wonder Woman have too much importance to the story to turn away from them now, but it's Khalid that invests you and Khalid who succeeds in infusing the moment with hope and heroism.".[82] In his guest appearances such as the 2018 Superman series, one reviewer noted how Nassour's version is "less omnipotent and foreboding and much more relatable and understanding." She also noted how the dialoague and character's down to earth "makes for a very magnetic personality."[83]

Criticisms

Ashley Hurt of CBR expressed the character's age diminishing the struggles of Nelson's Doctor Fate and believed the character being older and a design reminiscent of a traditional Doctor Fate costume would help the character.[6] Although Hurt's assessment of the character stated him to be of college age,[6] the character's age slightly older during his debut, thus deviating from her statement.[30]

Elements of orientalism

In Mixed Race Superheroes, Adrienna Resha, a researcher for Comic Studies Societies, notes numerous elements of Orientalism within Nassour's 2015 Doctor Fate series: She critiques Nassour's relationship as Doctor Fate in comparison to his white counterpart (Kent Nelson), noting how in issue #9, he worries about intervening in a massive demonstration gone awry within the United Nations plaza without being labelled "some kind of super-villain or costumed terrorist" and asserts how Nelson's incarnation likely wouldn't have worried about being labelled a terrorist (and only a super-villain at worst), Nassour is aware he would not be afforded the same level of protections as a person of color. She criticizes this approach due to his powers have repercussion practicing Egyptian mysticism despite his heritage compared to Kent, who faces none for his practices.[7]

Resha also noted how the series presents a "false binary" between his identity as an American and Arabic ethnic identity, portrayed as having Arab exceptionalism and ethnicity incompatible with American exceptionalism and citizenship. Noting how the Helmet of Fate seemingly micro-socially prioritizing his Egyptian heritage and love triangle involving Akila and Shaya (love interests) representing the respective identities as he prefers the later but often becomes Fate to save the former. She asserts that Nassour's identity as a citizen should not narratively require him to prove more for him to belong due to being an American citizen through his mother, and asserts Khalid fails to "reconcile his Egyptian/immigrant and American/citizen identity" due to this.[7]

Usage critiques

Throughout his publication, several concerns were raised from Nassour's roles in several other titles; Plummer believed that the Doctor Fate comic featuring Khalid did not feel innovative or culturally authentic and suggested the need for a Muslim-led writer to bring a more genuine perspective. She was also critical of the character's storyline early in James Tynion IV's run in Justice League Dark, where Khalid's fate involved being trapped within a vase by Nabu. She interpreted this plot development as an unintentional metaphor, considering Khalid, an Egyptian-born character, being reduced to a hieroglyphic confined within an ancient vase.[3] Resha also pointed out inconsistencies in how the character was drawn, characterized, and colored, particularly in relation to his age and skin tone. The researcher also noted that Khalid was often sidelined in favor of other characters, including his predecessor Kent Nelson, despite being the only clearly identifiable person of color in the team also criticized the character for frequently invoking Egypt's ancient past instead of exploring its modern history.[7]

Comic historian Tim Hanley highlighted Nassour's character as having a short-lived ongoing series before being regulated into a secondary character in team books since the series conclusion, arguing that characters of colors existing within DC Comics and Marvel Comics are frequently sidelined, exist as backlist team members, or fade into obscurity.[84]

Critical response

• CBR included Khalid Nassour in their list of the "10 Most Powerful Golden Age DC Legacy Heroes".[85]
• Gizmodo featured Khalid Nassour's comic and Young Justice versions in an article highlighting other Muslim heroes.[86]
• Egyptian Streets featured the Khalid Nassour version of Doctor Fate in a list of Egyptian comic book superheroes.[87]
• Motivate Media Group's Whats On highlights Khalid Nassour's Doctor Fate in a list of Arab superheroes.[88]
• David Harth of CBR included Khalid Nassour in "10 B-List DC Heroes Who Deserve Better".[89]
• Looper ranked Khalid Nassour's "Blood Price" storyline as #1 in "DC's Doctor Fate: The 12 Most Memorable Comic Moments Ranked".[90]