| Doctor Fate | |
|---|---|
.png) Khalid Nassour's design as Doctor Fate. Art by Amancay Nahuelpan. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Convergence: Aquaman #2 (May 2015) |
| Created by | Paul Levitz Sonny Liew |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Dr. Khalid Kent Nassour,[1] M.D. |
| Species | Metahuman(comics) Homo Magi(select media) |
| Place of origin | Brooklyn,New York |
| Team affiliations | Justice League Justice League Dark Justice Society of America Lords of Order |
| Partnerships | Stitch Nabu Doctor Fate (Kent Nelson) |
| Notable aliases | Fate, Young Fate, Son of Pharaohs, Khalid Nelson, Kent, Heir of the Pharaohs |
| Abilities |
|
Dr. Khalid Nassour (Arabic: خالد نصور) is asuperhero featured inAmerican comic books published byDC Comics. Created byPaul Levitz and artistSonny Liew, Nassour first appeared inAquaman: Convergence #2 (May, 2015) and is the eighth version of theDoctor Fate.[2] Unlike prior versions within the mainstream comic books, the character has profound ties to theancient Egyptian aesthetic of the Doctor Fate, being both of Egyptian origin and powers connected toEgyptian mythology, and is the firstMuslim character in DC Comics to headline a solo series.[3][4][5]
The character first debuted as amixedEgyptian-American and medical student chosen byancient Egyptian deities (Bastet andThoth chiefly),Nabu, andarchangels to be Doctor Fate, a legacy hero and sorcerer tasked with safeguarding the universe against supernatural menaces as one ofDC Universe's foremost supernatural defenders while maintaining a social life. He is also mentored by Kent Nelson, the original Doctor Fate whom is also his granduncle.[6] Since his inception, Nassour has been featured in his ownDoctor Fate solo title and several team books, includingJustice League Dark andJustice Society of America. In 2022, the character'sstatus quo changes, now cast as a physician and sole modern Doctor Fate following Nelson's death, with goddessHauhet replacing Nabu as his patron spirit.[7]
The second longest-running incarnation as Doctor Fate to be published continually, Nassour's version has been considered generally mixed to positive, with critics suggesting the version to be a positive step towards representation in comics and believed incorporating an Egyptian-born character as Doctor Fate to make sense.[4][8] However, criticism levied at the Nassour version has cited concern over the character's age compared to the original.[9] Other concerns include elements oforientalism, inconsistent artistic depictions, and both reductive roles in comics and exclusion within media.[10][11][12]
Thus far, the character has made few appearances in media. He would make his first media appearance in the animated seriesYoung Justice, voiced byUsman Ally. He would also appear as a DLC summon character inScribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.
At the conclusion of theConvergence limited series in June 2015 and the launch of the "DC You" line, DC Comics introduced a new ongoingDoctor Fate series written byPaul 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 byGardner Fox during the Golden Age of Comic Books, with Levitz expressing particular fascination with the Egyptian connection of the character:[5]
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?[5] 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 onMy 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.[5]
First appearing inConvergence: 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[13] and ran until its cancellation in November 2016,[14][4] 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.[6][15] 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.[4]
In June 2018, Nassour's character was revealed to be a major character in the secondJustice League Dark series written byJames Tynion IV starring a new roster led byWonder Woman[16] and first appeared in the second issue of the series in August 2018.[17] 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, theJustice League Dark series was instead re-purposed as a backup issue to the mainstreamJustice League title, the backup issue written by award-winning authorRam V featuring a new storyline with Khalid remaining a reoccurring member of the Justice League Dark subdivision.[18] The character also made notable appearances in several title crossovers and Bendis's run on the Justice League title.[19][20]
In late 2022, Nassour was revealed to be among the cast of characters in Geoff John's upcomingJustice 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.[21] The title addresses timeline discrepancies, noting events like "Zero Hour" occurred eight years earlier and the 2015Doctor Fate series is set one year prior.[22] However, Khalid's appearances in other titles[19][23] and in the series suggest a tenure longer than four years, as he is depicted as a first-year resident physician.[23] The character would later appear in several other company crossovers, includingDark Crisis alongside its spin-offs.[24][25] In 2023, the character made several appearances inKnight 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.[26]
In 2024, the character appears in theAbsolute Power crossover.[27][28] Coinciding with theDC All In initiative, a newJSA series was announced in July with writerJeff Lemiere and illustrator Diego Olortengui as part of the creative team.[29] Lemiere revealed Nassour as an important character within the series.[30] In 2025, the character plays a pivotal role in theJSA series.[31] He is also slated to make an appearance in theDC K.O., featured in variant covers and previews for the crossover event and previews.[32][33]
In the character's origin story "Blood Price", Khalid Nassour is a twenty-two year[34] oldsumma cum laude graduate and aspiring physician who is chosen by Bastet to inherit the Doctor Fate mantle. With the support of the Egyptian deities, archangels connected to his Muslim faith, and the spirit within the helmet, Nabu the Lord of Order, he is tasked with overcoming the foe, Anubis. While initially reluctant to take the role, he accepts the role and manages to defeat the god, the victory marks the beginning of his journey as Doctor Fate.[1]
Struggling to balancing his dual life due to his limited supernatural knowledge as he battles various foes interconnected to those around him, Nassour encounters his great uncle, who reveals himself as his predecessor.[6] Nassour is subsequentially mentored by Nelson, with his skills improving and managed to prove worthy toOsiris and defeats another foe with power over manipulating the fate of others.[15] Sometime later in the secondJustice League Dark comic book series featuring a new incarnation of the team led byWonder Woman, Nassour's apprenticeship is interrupted for nearly a year when he is sealed by Nabu following hijacking Nelson's body in response to a growing threat from the otherworldly creatures known as the Otherkind, known to feed on magic.[35] Nassour is freed byKirk Langstrom, explaining to both Justice League Dark team members and allies of Nabu's plan to destroy the Sphere of the Gods, the source of magic and various mystical dimensions in the DC Universe, to kill off the magic-eating Otherkind and is assisted by other Lords of Order. With the efforts of a chaos magic-empowered Justice League Dark and other allies, Nabu and the Lords of Order are defeated. In the aftermath, Nassour joins the team on a consultant basis but rejects the idea of being Doctor Fate in place of Nelson even at his mentor's insistence.[36]
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The sorceresssupervillainCirce founds theInjustice League Dark and strikes at the team with her newfound power, possessing Hecate's mystical power, revealed to be a progenitor of magic in theDC 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.[23] As the sole Doctor Fate, Nassour is a trusted member of theJustice League andJustice League Dark.[37]
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.[38] 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 evilMerlin who seeks to control magic and resurrectsArion, a Lord of Order intimately connected to a nearly uncontrollable source of magic.[39] He also helps various heroes (Flash,[20]Superman,[19]Naomi,[40] etc.) with both his mystical and medical expertise while taking inStitch, a teenaged, animated, non-binary ragdoll as his apprentice and sent them to Teen Titans Academy to learn the values of heroism.[20]
During a team-up to battle reoccurring foeXanadoth, Nabu temporarily returns to aid the Justice League and Justice League Dark when the Lord of Chaos possess Black Adam.[41] 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.[24][25]
In theLazarus 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.[42][43]
Khalid later appears inGeoff John's 2022Justice 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.[44][30] In the "The New Golden Age" storyline, Nassour is revealed to have graduated medical school, become a 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 futureHuntress, 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.[44] The subsequent "Long Live The JSA" storyline has him meetSalem 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 theLegion of Substitute Heroes.[45][46]
Nassour is also involved in theKnight Terrors andAbsolute Power crossovers, among the heroes captured in the latter byAmanda Waller's Amazo robots.[27][28]
Sometime afterAbsolute Power, Nassour is among the expansive members of the now rebrandedJustice League Unlimited, focused on strengthening the connections within the superhero community with a larger number of members. He assists in defeatingDarkseid, who has bonded with theSpectre using a Miracle Machine although the League inadvertently helps the villain create theAbsolute Universe.[47]
In the 2024JSA 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.[30][48] In "Infinity, Inc. vs the Justice Society of America", Nassour and other members battle a newly formed led byWotan andJohnny Sorrow while trapped inHell 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 onJakeem Thunder, has caused friction in the remaining JSA members, former members ofInfinity, Inc. Despite their defense, the Injustice Society prevails in acquiring the helm, with Ted Grant killed in the process and separatesHawkman andHawkgirl from the group.[31]
Nassour also makes a cameo appearance in 2025New 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.[49]
Throughout the character's publication history as the modern version of Doctor Fate, Nassour has undergone various shifts in characterization.
In the character's debut and early appearances, Khalid Nassour is introduced as to be a man in his early twenties[34][50] and older than typical college aged superheroes to make him more distinguishable.[5] Paul Levitz's, drew inspiration from iconic characters such asSpider-Man andDoctor 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.[5][34] Initially, he is a medical student with a background as a formeremergency medical technician and a college graduate majoring inorganic chemistry.[6][37] In later and current stories, Nasssour is mentioned to be a physician.[51] 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.[1] Later in his publication, he also serves as a respected member in superhero teams, a mystic consultant, andtherapist.[44][39][19][52]
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.[53][54] However, Jeff Lemire's portrayal 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.[30]
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 withChosen 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."[12]
During the character's inception, Nassour was madeEgyptian-American in order emphasize aspects of Egypt often incorporated to Doctor Fate, with Levitz admitting such a focus with the original Doctor Fate wasn't possible prior.[34] He is also of relation to a family of ancient pharaohs in Egypt, granting him mystical potential.[1] Due to his maternal line connecting him to the Nelson bloodline,[6] the character would also be ofSwedish andBritish ancestry.[55]
Within his comic book series, Nassour was characterized asMuslim although his faith was depicted as struggling prior due to competing beliefs from his parents' respectiveIslam andMethodism 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 eitherjinns orangels whom have stylized themselves as gods and work similar totheir mythological counterparts but also work in tandem toDC's depiction to Allah.[6] 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.[4]
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 toMayflower pilgrims and theHomo magi race, thus making him a distance descendant of the series' version ofArion, whose lineage is responsible for his potential in magic and is grandson ofVandal 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.[56]
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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.[5][34] Official profile sources also cite the character to be 5'5".[37][51]
Like theoriginal version, Nassour's magic visual system employs the Egyptianankh motif andtypopgraphy, using letters and geometric forms such as circles and spirals as design elements to create a distinctive visual system.[57][58] This visual system has also been accompanied byEgyptian hieroglyphs,[38][1] therunic alphabet,[31] and theArabic alphabet.[59]
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.[60] From theJustice League Dark series forward, he received a revised costume which depicts Nassour in a dark bluecoverall 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.[23]
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.[24][61] 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 goldenUsekh collar able to house the amulet, and a yellow cloak connected to it.[54] Similar elements from the variation are invoked in alternate, future versions of the character.[62][63]
Nassour possess natural magic powers derived from hispharaoh lineage,[37][64] capable of various abilities such as flight, telekinesis, and time manipulation.[51] He also possess supernatural senses, allowing him to perceive souls (in the perspective of aba) and sense the impending death of others,[15] and is remarked to be immortal.[64] He is also highly intelligent; he is asumma cum laude graduate,[6] a formerly trained EMT,[1][6] and holding a doctorate degree as a physician.[44] He is knowledgeable in several fields ofsciences andmedicine:emergency medicine,[1]chemistry,[1]organic chemistry,[1] andpsychology.[19] His training under Nelson and Nabu also makes him knowledgeable on supernatural matters and able to speak several different languages.[38] He also possess some combat skill and was later mentored byWildcat.[65][20]
Nassour chiefly wields theHelmet of Fate, a powerful artifact that bestows godlike magical powers, knowledge,[66] and allows him to (similarly to past incarnations) achieve mystic feats by visualization and willing it to take place.[67][1] The helm itself is also influenced based on the spirit inhabiting the helm and/or the power vested into it; underThoth's power (and aided simultaneously by Nabu), he can manipulate the elements and power magic through them for abilities such as intangibility, projecting mystic bolts, flight and healing.[68][1][69] He retains similar powers underNabu as the chief power behind the helm.[23][19][37] When the helm is inhabited byHauhet, Nassour retains similar magical powers but periodically see into "eternity" in forms of visions, which includes seeing into the future and canbreak the fourth wall.[70]
Khalid also possesses theAmulet of Thoth andCloak of Destiny,[51] the latter which traditionally grants invulnerability, superhuman strength, and flight.[71] It is also fireproof and resists chaos magic.[72][73] Nassour's base of operations as is the Tower of Fate, a nexus of magic that lacks physical doors and can only be accessed by magic.[37] The tower itself houses an collection of mystic artifacts[74] and possess powerful wards capable of repelling powerful magic, alien energies, and physical strength from beings such asKryptonians.[42] Nassour also uses artifacts not typically carried by other incarnations; The Staff of Power, an artifact gifted to him by Thoth, allows for energy manipulation and is powered by his blood.[37][1] He also carries the Eternity Book,[75] agrimoire containing Merlin's most powerful spells and is considered among the most powerful items in the DC Universe.[76]
Nassour's incarnation has some limitations, his healing powers ineffectively against injuries of divine and ghostly forces,[6] a cost for using the helm to see into the future has can impair his vision,[39] and is assumed to be ultimately inferior to theSpectre in power as a incarnation of Doctor Fate.[77]
Within his 2015Doctor Fate series, his supporting cast consisted of; Muhammed and Elizabeth Nassour (née Nelson), Nassour's parents aware of his dual life whom are of respectively an Egyptian Muslim and Christian archaeologist. The family cat, Puck, is a vessel for the goddess Bastet, whom supports Nassour. Kent Nelson, his maternal granduncle, is his mentor. Nassour's childhood best friend is Akila, who often encourages him towardsactivism unaware of his heroic and has unrequited feelings for him. Fellow aspiring physician Shaya Halim served as the character's love interest.[6][15][1] Nabu served as his spiritual guide in the original series, characterized aking to a "combination of a GPS system and the movie version ofIron Man'sJ.A.R.V.I.S." under Khalid and advisees him in mystical situations but is often vague, making him figure out certain situations.[78] Thoth and various arch-angels also covertly support Nassour (the former the power behind his patronage in the series) while following the edicts of DC Comics' depiction ofAllah, the character known as thePresence. The Egyptian deities within the series are contextualized as angels believing themselves deities.[1][15]
Outside his series, Nassour adopted jovial, non-binary animated ragdollStitch as both his child and apprentice.[54] Hauhet later replaces Nabu's (and Thoth's) role as a guide and patron; although her motives are currently unclear, she is supportive of Khalid.[39] Time-displacedSalem the Witch Girl also serves as a complicated ally.[79]
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.[1][6] While usually an ally and confidante who favors him, Nabu as also served in antagonistic roles.[68][36] Nassour is also enemies withWotan, a shared arch-rival of the original Doctor Fate and Nabu. In team settings, he frequently encountersEclipso and was enemies with a rogue Merlin.[23][20][79][39]
| Character | First appearance |
|---|---|
| Anubis[51][68] | 1st Issue Special #9 (December, 1975) |
| Clothorus[15] | Doctor Fate #17 (October, 2016) |
| Wotan[80] | More Fun Comics #55 (May, 1940) |
| Xanadoth[41][19] | Superman #23 (September, 2020) |
| Upside-Down Man[68][51] | Justice League Dark #1 (September, 2018) |
| Nabu[68] | More Fun Comics #67 (May, 1941) |
| Eclipso[23][20][79] | House of Secrets #61 (August 1963) |
| Merlin[39] | New Comics #3 (February, 1936) |
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.[4]
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.[8] Charli Snow ofCBR also positively viewed Khalid's character in several storylines pertaining to both the 2015Doctor Fate and 2018Justice 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 andJames 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]
Ashley Hurt ofCBR 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.[9] Although Hurt's assessment of the character stated him to be of college age,[9] the character's age slightly older during his debut, thus deviating from her statement.[34]
InMixed Race Superheroes, Adrienna Resha, a researcher forComic Studies Societies, notes numerous elements of Orientalism within Nassour's 2015Doctor 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.[83]
Resha also noted how the series presents a "false binary" between his identity as a 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 a American citizen through his mother, and asserts Khalid fails to "reconcile his Egyptian/immigrant and American/citizen identity" due to this.[83]
Throughout his publication, several concerns were raised from Nassour's roles in several other titles; Plummer believed that theDoctor 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 inJustice 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.[4] 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.[10]
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 withinDC Comics andMarvel Comics are frequently sidelined, exist as backlist team members, or fade into obscurity.[84]
| Title | Material collected | Publication date | ISBN | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doctor Fate Vol. 1: The Blood Price | collectsDoctor Fate (vol. 4) #1-7, and material fromDC Sneak Peek: Doctor Fate #1 | October 3, 2017 | 978-1401261214 | [94] |
| Doctor Fate Vol. 2: Prisoners of the Past | collectsDoctor Fate (vol. 4) #8-12 | June 26, 2018 | 978-1401264925 | [95] |
| Doctor Fate Vol. 3: Fateful Threads | collectsDoctor Fate (vol. 4) #13-18 | June 26, 2018 | 978-1401272418 | [96] |
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