Heroic Signatures holds the rights to the Shuma-Gorath name, due to its use in Howard's story, along with additional elements related to theConan the Barbarian andKull of Atlantis mythos, which is licensed toMarvel Comics.[8]
During Earth's pre-history Shuma-Gorath ruled the world, and demandedhuman sacrifice until eventually banished by time-traveling sorcererSise-Neg.[9] The entity eventually returns during theHyborian Age, but is imprisoned within a mountain by the power of the godCrom.[10] Shuma-Gorath continues to be an influence on Earth until it was returned to its home dimension by Crom.[11]
When Shuma-Gorath tries to return to Earth via the mind of theAncient One, his disciple Doctor Strange is forced to kill him to prevent this.[12] Years later, Strange battles Shuma-Gorath in its home dimension, and although victorious, he gradually becomes a new version of the entity. Strange commits suicide to prevent this transformation and is resurrected by an ally.[13]Nicholas Scratch summons Shuma-Gorath to Earth, but it is driven back by Strange, theFantastic Four, theSalem's Seven, andDiablo.[14]
Shuma-Gorath is eventually revealed to be one of the four undying extra-dimensional "multi-angled ones" guiding a metaphysical invasion from a dimension called the "cancerverse". After attempting to destroyDeath, the entity and its allies are rendered inert by the conceptual form of Death and subsequently are trapped in the cancerverse when it is destroyed.[15] Shuma-Gorath survives and once again attempts to invade Earth, but is repelled by theAvengers with theSpear of Destiny.[16]
During the 2013 "Infinity" storyline,Ebony Maw manipulates Doctor Strange into summoning Shuma-Gorath to New York. The creature is met byLuke Cage and hisnew team of Avengers.[17]Blue Marvel arrives at the scene of the battle and flies through Shuma-Gorath's head, destroying its physical manifestation. Shuma-Gorath's astral body possesses a crowd of people in New York City and attempts to recreate itself on Earth. It is weakened through mystical attacks byPower Man andWhite Tiger and banished byMonica Rambeau.[18]
TheLast Days of Magic storyline describes Shuma-Gorath as responsible for destroying the home planet of the Imperator, leader of the Empirikul, by sending a group of evil sorcerers after his family. This leads the Imperator to dedicate his life to destroying magic in every universe.[19]
Later, during a battle,Dormammu states to Doctor Strange that he helped the Empirikul in finding Shuma-Gorath, who was defeated by the Imperator. Strange later banishes Dormammu to Shuma-Gorath itself, who was visibly wounded and seeking revenge.[20]
Shuma-Gorath is a godlike ruler of nearly a hundred alternate universes.[21][22] The character has the power to destroy galaxies and realities.[23][24][25] The entity is described as immortal.[26][27] Shuma-Gorath is able to manipulate reality.[28] It can communicate with and control life forms across dimensions.[29][30] It can shoot powerful energy blasts from its eye or tentacles.[31] The entity is capable ofteleportation.[32] It also possesses the ability toshape-shift.[33][34] Shuma-Gorath can alsolevitate.[35]
Peter Cunis ofCBR.com called Shuma-Gorath one of Doctor Strange's "most popular villains."[36] Jonah Schuhart ofLooper asserted, "Shuma-Gorath remains one of Marvel's most interesting antagonists, and a fine example of how Marvel's writers have been able to integrate a variety of influences into one universe."[37] Johnny Brayson and Nola Pfau ofBustle included Shuma-Gorath in their "50 Most Powerful Characters In The Marvel Universe" list, and called it Doctor Strange's "greatest and most dangerous foe."[38] Marc Buxton ofDen of Geek included in their "Doctor Strange 2: Characters We Want to See" list.[39] Rosie Knight ofNerdist included Shuma-Gorath in their "8 Magic Characters We Want to See Come to the MCU" list.[40] Chris Heasman ofLooper ranked Shuma-Gorath 2nd in their "Doctor Strange's Most Powerful Villains" list.[41] Trey Pasch ofMovieWeb ranked 3rd in their "Doctor Strange: His Best Comic Book Villains" list.[42] Jamie Lovett ofComicBook.com ranked Shuma-Gorath 4th in their "5 Greatest Doctor Strange Villains" list.[43] Aparna Ukil ofSportskeeda ranked Shuma-Gorath 7th in their "10 Best Kaijus from Marvel and DC Comics" list.[44]
Screen Rant included Shuma-Gorath in their "15 Most Powerful Magical Beings In Marvel Comics" list,[45] in their "15 Most Powerful Doctor Strange Villains" list,[46] in their "Scarlet Witch's 15 Most Powerful Enemies" list,[47] and in their "10 Best Doctor Strange Comics Characters Not In The MCU" list.[48]CBR.com ranked Shuma-Gorath 1st in their "11 Strongest Doctor Strange Villains" list,[49] 2nd in their "10 Most Powerful Demonic Marvel Villains" list,[50] and 3rd in their "20 Most Villainous Gods In The Marvel Universe" list.[51]
On May 29, 2025,Hasbro announced aMarvel Legends Series Gamerverse Shuma-Gorath action figure based on his appearances in theMarvel vs. Capcom games. As with the movie character, licensing issues meant that this figure also had to be renamed "Gargantos."[80][81]
^"Shuma-Gorath Voices (Doctor Strange)". Behind The Voice Actors. RetrievedJanuary 29, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
