| First appearance | More Fun Comics #67 (1940) |
|---|---|
| Created by | Gardner Fox Howard Sherman |
| Teams | Lords of Chaos and Order VariousDoctor Fates(Kent Nelson, Eric and Linda Strauss, Hector Hall, Khalid Nassour) |
| Abilities |
|
| Aliases | Fate, Nabu the Wise, Doctor Fate, Nabu-called Fate |
Nabu is a character appearing inAmerican comic books published byDC Comics. First appearing inMore Fun Comics #67 in May 1941, he is a major supporting character inDoctor Fate titles. A fictionalized version of theBabylonian god of the same name, he frequently serves as the first person to call himselfFate before serving as a guiding force and mentor of several bearers of Doctor Fate, notably being his agents for theLords of Order. Over time, Nabu is characterized as cold and relentless in his battles against the Lords of Chaos, resorting to manipulating his first apprentice by usurping control of Kent Nelson's mind and body while being the chief cause ofInza Cramer's mental breakdown. This characterization becomes consistent, although Nabu has also attempted to learn from his errors. In modern continuities, while his history of his mental control over Nelson is intact, he agrees to cede control to Khalid Nassour, favoring his newest host.[1]
Shortly after the formation of the universe, two elemental forces were born: the Lords of Order and the Lords of Chaos. As these emerged, each force struggles for supremacy over the other. The Lords of Order manifest as the first sentient race in the universe as disembodied magical beings, including Nabu. As a Lord of Order, he was one of the first beings to contribute to the creation of the universe.[2] Eventually assigned to the mortal world of Earth, he adopted a human form and descended to Earth from Cilia, and became Nabu the Wise, an advisor to the pharaohs of ancient Egypt. He served as a court magician for various Egyptian pharaohs including Khufu and Ramses.
Nabu tried to warn Ramses (and subsequently his son) against persecuting the escaping Jews led by Moses. One night, Nabu was visited by theSpectre, who warned that he would kill every firstborn Egyptian child but not the children of Hebrew slaves. This horrified Nabu. He prepared to fight the Spectre with all of his powers but was defeated despite his preparations. The humiliated mystic returned to the pharaoh. In despair over the loss of his son, Ramses agreed to free the Hebrew slaves, but then decided to send his army to kill them and annoy God. Despite his plans, the Pharaoh was killed when the Spectre brought the Red Sea crashing into the Egyptian army after Moses and the Israelites had crossed.[2]
In 2578 BC, when Egypt fell under the rule ofVandal Savage (in the guise of PharaohKhafre), Nabu became the guardian of several powerful talismans. Around this time, Bonnie Baxter of the Masters of Time came from the 20th century and Khafre's guards threw her into a prison cell. Nabu appeared before her and led her to safety with his magic. He asked for her help in overthrowing the immortal Khafre. Proposing to combine magic with Baxter’s science, she gave him her communicator. Nabu used this to create the Blue Beetle of Khaji-Da, which Bonnie used to overthrow the pharaoh and contain Savage in specialized wrappings to prevent his resurrection.[3] The Beetle was lost for 4,500 years before being rediscovered in the 20th century by archaeologistDan Garrett, who became the first Blue Beetle. This origin of the Blue Beetle scarab was later retconned with the introduction of the third Blue Beetle, Jaime Reyes.
During the Theban dynasty, Nabu served as an advisor to Prince Khufu Kha-taar, along with his allyTeth-Adam. One day, they witnessed aThanagarian spacecraft crash. They arrived at the scene and Nabu conjured a spell to translate their alien language. The dying pilots spoke of imminent danger in the far future. Nabu and Teth-Adam discoveredNth Metal in the extraterrestrial ship, which Khufu forged into weapons for his use. Nabu tried to enchant them after it was determined that the prince and his fiancée had a role to play in the future conflict. They[clarification needed] encountered a traveler who could travel at high speeds[clarification needed] and gave him a war glove[clarification needed] forged from Nth Metal. They called it the "Claw of Horus", which they[clarification needed] predicted would be instrumental in the conflict.
In 1920, archaeologist Sven Nelson and his son Kent go on an expedition to the Valley ofUr. While exploring a temple discovered by his father, Kent opens the tomb of Nabu and revives him from suspended animation, accidentally releasing a poisonous gas which kills Sven. Nabu takes pity on Kent and teaches him the skills of a sorcerer over the next twenty years before giving him a mystical helmet, amulet, and cloak. In 1940, Kent meets Inza Cramer andWotan inAlexandria, Egypt on his way back to America. After arriving in the United States, Kent begins a career fighting crime and supernatural evil as the sorcerer superhero Doctor Fate and sets up his base in a tower inSalem, Massachusetts. Due to Nabu occasionally possessing him, he removed half of the helm to regain control but at the cost of halving his power.
After Kent's death, Nabu choosesEric Strauss and his stepmotherLinda to be the next Doctor Fate, with Eric and Linda having to merge into one being to become Fate.[4] Nabu goes on to possess Kent's corpse to personally advise them.[4] The three of them are soon joined by a friendly demon called Petey and lawyer Jack C. Small.[5] Eric is killed onApokolips during a battle withDeSaad, forcing Linda to become Doctor Fate on her own.[6] Linda is killed soon afterwards by theLords of Chaos. Eric and Linda's souls reincarnate in the bodies of Eugene and Wendy DiBellia while Nabu reincarnates as their unborn child.[7]
Eventually, Nabu came into conflict with the Spectre when he began hunting down and killing other Lords of Chaos and Order. InInfinite Crisis,Alexander Luthor Jr. revealed that he had sentSuperboy-Prime to recover the black diamond and that thePsycho-Pirate delivered it to Loring on Alex's orders and had Eclipso-Loring manipulated the Spectre by convincing him magic was an abomination to God and into breaking down magic into its more raw energy form, in which doing so killed the Lords of Chaos and Order in the process. In doing so, Alexander could use them for his own ends. After killing other Lords of Order including the Wizard Shazam, Nabu was the last one to face him. Nabu put up a valiant fight against the Spectre but knew he would lose this battle and instead, opted to fight at a level for the Presence to take notice. Je was fatally injured but ultimately stopped the Spectre. Nabu, in his final act, passed his Helm of Fate toDetective Chimp and tasked him to find one worthy of the mantle. With his death, the 9th Age of Magic had ended and the 10th Age of Magic begun.
In 2011, "The New 52" rebooted the DC universe. This new iteration of Nabu featured alterations to his origin story. In the Doctor Fate series, Nabu's earlier history attributed him to being a servant ofThoth, who created the Helmet of Fate and designated Nabu as the spirit within. The reasons behind this choice are unknown, but Nabu's role was to assist the chosen champion of the Egyptian pantheon, Doctor Fate.[8][1]
However, an alternative origin was later presented for Nabu in this revised continuity. It depicted his rise to becoming a member of the Lords of Order from a mortal existence. This transformation occurred as a result of his interactions withHecate, a deity who had suffered abuse from fellow sorcerers, including the notable future practitioner of dark magic,Mordru. As a consequence of the inherent dangers of magic, Nabu's spirit eventually came to reside within the Helmet of Fate as his body deteriorated. While this alternative origin restores his status as the Helm's primary intelligence, it diverges from the traditional depiction of the Lords of Order as ancient energy beings.[9]
In theDoctor Fate series, Nabu assumes a new role as a guide and mentor toKhalid Nassour, the new Doctor Fate. Nabu assists the inexperienced Khalid in his battles against various adversaries, including Anubis, a necromancer, and the spirit ofJulius Caesar. Additionally, Nabu imparts crucial information to Khalid, as well supports Kent Nelson when he resurfaces in Khalid's life after discovering Khalid's destiny as the next Doctor Fate. Nabu is portrayed as a deceased spirit who often communicates in cryptic ways, which frustrates the young Doctor Fate. At times, Khalid dismisses Nabu, likening him to an annoyingJinn.[8][10][11] For a period, Kent Nelson resumed the Doctor Fate mantle while training Khalid Nassour, but Nabu trapped Kent in mystic stasis. Nabu then assumed the role of Doctor Fate, using Kent's connection to manifest through the Helm of Fate. Nabu clashed withBlue Beetle and his scarab Khaji-Da, orchestrated by their shared adversary,Arion. Kent eventually regained control, defeated Arion, and continued training Khalid.[12]
InJustice League Dark, Nabu betrays Kent Nelson, taking control of his body and imprisoning Khalid Nassour. Nabu's goal is to eradicate magic and sacrifice the magical community to eliminate the threat of the Upside-Down Man and Hecate. Khalid, Kent, and the Justice League Dark unite to counter Nabu and Hecate, ultimately leading to Nabu giving the mantle of Doctor Fate to Khalid. With Nabu's help, Khalid battlesCirce, the Injustice League Dark, restores balance to the elemental Parliaments, and faces the Upside-Down Man. Both Nabu and Kent make sacrifices to aid the team. Though surviving, Nabu is no longer the primary intelligence in the Helmet of Fate. Throughout the series, Nabu's manipulative nature is evident, but he gradually learns from his mistakes and gains respect from Khalid. Kent becomes cautious about trusting Nabu, while supporting Khalid as Doctor Fate.[9][13][14]
Some time before the battle with Upside-Down Man, Nabu assists Khalid and Superman in battling Xanadoth, a former leader of the Lords of Chaos.[15] After parting ways with Khalid following the fight with Upside-Down, Nabu reappears to help defeat Xanadoth once more alongside the Justice League and Justice League Dark.[16] Eventually,Hauhet replaces Nabu as the patron spirit of the Helmet of Fate, bringing her superior wisdom and perspective.[17]Future State hints at a connection between Nabu and Hauhet, with Hauhet considering herself wiser than him.[18]
Nabu, a sorcerous entity composed of pure magical energy and a key figure in the Doctor Fate mythology, is widely recognized as one of the most powerful beings on Earth. Among the esteemed members of the Lords of Order, Nabu holds a position of great power and influence. However, his capabilities are rivaled by other notable sorcerers such as thePhantom Stranger andArion, the former who serves as an agent of thePresence and the latter a fellow Lord of Order and a hailed Sorcerer Supreme, respectively.[19][9] Boasting an immeasurable reserve of magical power, this character possesses the ability to perform virtually any mystical feat. These powers encompass mind reading, interdimensional teleportation, and various others. Additionally, Nabu possesses inherent immortality and a degree of superhuman strength.When residing within the Helm of Fate, Nabu can establish communication with the wearer, provide visions, interface with computers, and even exert influence over the wearer's will.[1][20]
While Nabu possesses considerable might, his power is surpassed by the Spectre, the embodiment of divine vengeance and justice.[2] Nabu also suffers from various imposed limitations over time, with recent stories depicting him been rendered unable to utilize a human host without their consent.[1]
![[icon]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aWiki_letter_w_cropped.svg) | This sectionneeds expansion. You can help byadding to it.(November 2024) |
Jay Nakamura is a character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics.
Jay Nakamura is the boyfriend ofJon Kent. He first appears inSuperman: Son of Kal-El issue 2. He first appears at Jon Kent's attempted first day of college and later seeks out Jon as Superman for help. He reveals that be is a refugee from Gamorra, and is the son of Sara Nakamura, the former president of Gamorra. He shares that due to being the child of the former president, he was targeted by the new one, Henry Bendix. He was kidnapped and experimented on, leading tometahuman abilities.[25]
He is the person behind the Truth, a news network aiming to expose the truth of President Henry Bendix. Furthermore, he operates as the superheroGossamer, utilizing aLegion flight ring and his metahuman ability of intangibility.[26][27]
InSuicide Squad: Dream Team, a series that takes place prior to theAbsolute Power event, Jay's mother was killed, in part due to the actions ofNia Nal, who operates as the hero Dreamer and was previously friends with Jay, acting on behalf ofAmanda Waller[28].
Jay Nakamura and Jon Kent star alongside Nia Nal, Black Alice,Catman, andDeadshot in the 2025 miniseriesSecret Six, part of theDC All In relaunch, where they join the eponymous team.[29] In the series Jay discovers that the United States was responsible for the murder of his mother and the subsequent hostile takeover of Gamorra. The United States is also revealed to have known of Henry Bendix's experimentations, and implied to have maybe even put him into power. He clashes with Jon over his desire to avenge his devastated home country and this leads to the two breaking up.[30]
| First appearance | Justice League Dark #12 (2012) |
|---|---|
| Created by | Jeff Lemire & Mikel Janín |
| Abilities | Powerful mastery overblack magic and extensive knowledge of the occult and supernatural |
| Aliases | Nick Necro |
Nicholas Edgar Nolan, known asNick Necro, is a mystical supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created byJeff Lemire and Mikel Janin, Necro first appeared inJustice League Dark #12, debuting duringthe New 52 era.
The character is an accomplished sorcerer and former lover ofJohn Constantine andZatanna. However, his obsession with dark magic leads him to become a villain and adversary ofJustice League Dark.
Negative Flash is the alias of two characters appearing inAmerican comic books published byDC Comics. Both versions arespeedsters corrupted by the Negative Speed Force, and were created by Joshua Williamson, Paul Pelletier, andHoward Porter.
Barry Allen debuted as the first Negative Flash inThe Flash (vol. 5) #26 (September 2017). After being forcibly infused with the Negative Speed Force while fightingEobard Thawne,[31] Allen's powers become increasingly destructive and his emotions increasingly volatile, straining his relationships and judgment.[32]
Meena Dhawan debuted as the second Negative Flash inThe Flash (vol. 5) #34 (January 2018). She was revived by the Negative Speed Force storm and came under the thrall ofGorilla Grodd as an enforcer forBlack Hole alongsideRaijin.[33][34]
Kent V. Nelson is asuperhero in American comic books published byDC Comics. Created by writerSteve Gerber and artistJustiniano, he first appeared in Countdown to Mystery #1 (November 2007) as the seventh character to use theDoctor Fate codename. The character was created in order to simplify the Doctor Fate character, featuring several departures from the past versions of the character.[39][40]
| King Nereus | |
|---|---|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Aquman (vol. 7) #19 (2013) |
| Created by | Geoff Johns &Paul Pelletier |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Nereus of Xebel |
| Species | Xebellian |
| Place of origin | Xebel |
| Team affiliations | Xebellian Royal Family |
| Partnerships | Ocean Master |
| Abilities |
|
King Nereus is a character who first appeared inAquaman (vol. 7) #19 as part ofThe New 52 reboot and was created byGeoff Johns and Paul Pelletier. The character is depicted in the comics as Xebel's military chief and later ruler after the death of King Ryus, the father ofMera. He was also Mera's formerfiancée beforeAquaman.
In other media, Nereus is instead cast as Mera's father in several adaptations such asYoung Justice and theDC Extended Universe filmsAquaman andAquaman and the Lost Kingdom, portrayed byDolph Lundgren.
Nereus was initially a Xebel military chief to King Ryus and was to be betrothed to the king's daughter Mera. Before the wedding, Mera were tasked to kill the King of Atlantis as part of their kingdom's revenge for their imprisonment in the Bermuda Triangle by Atlantis centuries ago.[41]
When King Ryus died and Mera fell in love with Aquaman, Nereus was sworn in as the new King of Xebel. Some years later, Mera returned to Xebel, where Nereus discovered that Mera did not kill Aquaman. When Nereus tried to kill Mera, the enemy in ice that pursued Mera appeared and froze all of Xebel.[42] The frozen enemy introduced himself asAtlan the First King of Atlantis, who had awakened from his slumber and wanted his kingdoms back. Nereus swore his allegiance to the Dead King Atlan.[42] When Aquaman arrived, he and Mera fled from Xebel when Nereus and his men pursued them. Nereus led his forces into invading Atlantis, where Mera was captured.[43] Some months later, Atlan tasked Nereus with finding the other four Atlantean kingdoms.[44]
| This sectionneeds expansion. You can help byadding to it.(August 2025) |
New Wave is a character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics.
Rebecca "Becky" Jones is a metahuman criminal with the abilities to turn into water and control water in her surroundings. She led a group of mercenaries called theMasters of Disaster, using their metahuman abilities related to the elemental forces to create natural disasters.[48]
Becky Jones appears in thesecond season ofBlack Lightning, portrayed by Brooke Ence. This version was a prisoner who was chosen to become part of a metahuman attack squad via "Project Masters of Disaster" and placed in a stasis pod 30 years prior. In the present,Tobias Whale awakens her and the other Masters to build up a metahuman army.
Professor Carter Nichols is a character appearing in media published byDC Comics. He first appeared inBatman #24 (August 1944), and was created byJoseph Samachson andDick Sprang.
Carter Nichols is a childhood friend ofThomas Wayne who created a method oftime travel.[49][50][51] InBatman: The Return of Bruce Wayne, he is killed bySimon Hurt and theBlack Glove.[52][53]
Carter Nichols appears in theBatman: The Brave and the Bold episode "Last Bat on Earth!", voiced byRichard McGonagle.[54]
| Nocturna | |
|---|---|
.jpg) "Nocturna" as depicted inBatwoman (vol. 2) #32 (August 2014).Art byJeremy Haun (penciller) and Guy Major (inker). | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Detective Comics #529 (August 1983) |
| Created by | |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Natalia Knight |
| Abilities |
|
Nocturna (/nɒkˈtɜːrnə/) is a supervillainess appearing incomic books published byDC Comics, created byDoug Moench andGene Colan. The storyline involving her began inDetective Comics #529 (August 1983), and her first appearance was inBatman #363 (September 1983).[55]
The pre-Crisis incarnation of Nocturna appeared in thefirst season ofBatwoman, portrayed byKayla Ewell.
Natalia Knight is a homeless child who was adopted by Charles Knight. While working at theGotham City Observatory, she is struck by a radioactive laser, giving her pale skin and sensitivity to light. She later meets Charles' sonAnton, who becomes a lover and ally to her.[56]
Post-Crisis on Infinite Earths continuity introduced a new incarnation of Nocturna. This version isNatalie Metternich, a former astronomer and member of theInjustice League who can secrete pheromones that reduces inhibitions.[57][58][59][60][61][62]
In September 2011,The New 52 rebooted DC's continuity. Nocturna is re-introduced asNatalie Mitternacht, an inmate ofArkham Asylum and member of theSecret Society of Super Villains.[63][64][65]
InInfinite Frontier, an alternate universe variant of Nocturna known asNatalia Metternich appears as a member of theSuicide Squad.
The Natalia Knight incarnation of Nocturna appears as a character summon inScribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.[24]
An unidentified incarnation of Nocturna makes a cameo appearance inThe Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #12. This version's design borrows from Bruce Timm's unused concept forBatman: The Animated Series.[citation needed]
Noose is a character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics.
Noose is a member ofMoxie Mannheim'sIntergang branch who committed suicide in prison in the 1940s before being revived in a clone body in the present day, gaining extendable, tentacle-like fingers. After an elderly clone of Mannheim exploded, taking out the crime lords present, Mannheim had Noose killVincent Edge.[70]
Noose was with Mannheim's gang when they and Dabney Donovan haveGuardian captive and haveAnomaly on their side. During Guardian's fight with Anomaly, Noose joins Mannheim's gang and Donovan into evacuating the building when it starts to come down. They fall back to another location as Mannheim plans to find another place for Donovan to operate out of. Everyone watches the TV to find a baseball game and turned it on to a channel where Jimmy Olsen states that Superman is nobody causing Mannheim to destroy the television as he decides that wants Olsen breathing.[71]
Noose and his fellow lieutenants chased afterJimmy Olsen, believing him to know the true identity ofSuperman. This persisted until they ran into the Outsiders Biker Gang.[72]
Noose and his fellow lieutenants later raidedLexCorp to steal some technology. This got busted during the escape and the fact that they took a geneticist hostage. Mannheim had Noose spare the geneticist in exchange for her arranging a meeting withLex Luthor.[73]
Noose accompanied Mannheim in confronting Skin Man, who was operating under Mannheim's nose.Superman Red was able to detain Mannheim's gang.[74]
The Metropolis Police Department received Noose from Superman after he had apprehended Noose, who was trying to collect protection money for Mannheim.[75]
In52, Noose and Rough House visitBlack Adam inKahndaq on Intergang's behalf and give himAdrianna Tomaz as tribute. However, Black Adam kills them.[76]
Noose appears as a character summon inScribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.[24]
Nosferata is a character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics.
Nosferata is an evolvedvampire bat and one of the many evolved animals created by Project Moreau, a precursor toProject Cadmus, who sought to overthrow the rulers of the Wild Lands likeGreat Caesar while coming into conflict withSuperboy.[77]
Nuclear Man is a character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. He first appeared inSuperman IV: The Quest for Peace before crossing over into the comics.
Nuclear Man first appeared inSuperman IV: The Quest for Peace, portrayed by Mark Pillow and voiced byGene Hackman. He possesses similar abilities toSuperman while also sporting retractable claws. This is because Nuclear Man was created byLex Luthor and his nephew Lenny Luthor who stole a hair sample of Superman from a museum and had it and a special computer loaded onto a nuclear rocket that was shot towards the Sun. His only confirmed weakness is that he is inactive when there's no sunlight. Nuclear Man battles Superman three times and develops an obsession for Lacy Warfield. Forming a solar eclipse, Superman weakens Nuclear Man and drops him into anuclear reactor.
In the comics continuity, Nuclear Man is an inmate of thePhantom Zone and aKryptonian clone created by the House of El. After being transported to the Phantom Zone, Nuclear Man battles Rogol Zaar, an alien hunter who kills him.[81]
Nuklon is the name of two characters appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics.
Gerome McKenna is one of the first official subjects forLex Luthor's "Everyman Project". Luthor's project grants super-powers to McKenna who is given the codename Nuklon after Luthor buys the rights toInfinity Inc. from thePemberton Estate.[82]
After Luthor deactivates his powers, Gerome gains the ability to create an evil clone of himself.[83] He kills the original before being killed byDeSaad.[84][85]
Number None is a character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics.
Number None is the abstract manifestation of a concept bad luck, manifesting as anything or anyone getting in someone's way, but never being a specific person or thing. It joined theBrotherhood of Dada perMr. Nobody's request, manifesting in that moment as a door thatAgent "!" walked into to signal its joining of the Brotherhood.
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