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==Powers and abilities==
==Powers and abilities==
Dormammu is composed of pure magic energy, and is described as "one of the most powerful known mystical beings" in existence,<ref name="Handbook2">''Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Deluxe Edition'' #4 (1985)</ref> with "virtually unlimited" ability to manipulate the forces of magic for various effects,<ref name="Handbook3">''Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Master Edition'' (1991)</ref> including energy projection; matter transmutation; size shifting; teleportation; body possession,<ref name="NA46">''New Avengers'' #46 (2008)</ref> and bestowment of sufficient power to dwarf that of a [[Sorcerer Supreme]].<ref name="Handbook1">''Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe'' #3 (March 1983)</ref><ref>''Strange Tales'' vol.1, #132 (May 1966)</ref> Dormammu is considerably more powerful within the "Dark Dimension", and can draw upon its power. He can be further empowered through worship.<ref name="Handbook4">''All-New Official Handbook Of The Marvel Universe A To Z'' #3 (March, 2006)</ref><ref name="mindless ones"/>
Dormammu is an interdimensional energy being with significant physical and mystical power that can be used to achieve various effects including energy projection; matter transmutation; size shifting; teleportation and body possession. The character is deemed worthy to challenge the King of the Norse gods, Odin, by cosmic entity Lord Chaos; merged his dimension with the Earth of the [[Earth-616]] universe and challenged the cosmic entity Eternity. Although the character is usually defeated by long-time adversary Dr. Strange, the hero is often written as triumphing only by means of trickery.<ref>''Amazing Spider-Man'' #500 (Dec. 2003)</ref>

Among other examples, the character has engaged, and in one case defeated, avatars of Eternity in personal combat;<ref>''Strange Tales'' #131 - 146(Apr. - 1965 - July 1966); ''Defenders'' vol. 3, #3 </ref> created a demonic entity at the scale of [[Satannish]] as an extension of his own power;<ref name="hellcat"/> imprisoned or transformed the [[Elder Gods (Marvel Comics)|elder goddess]] [[Gaea (Marvel Comics)|Gaea]] against her will;<ref>''Doctor Strange'' vol. 2, #6 - 7 (Feb. & Apr. 1975); ''Doctor Strange'' vol.3, #2</ref> reached a draw against the Norse god king [[Odin (Marvel Comics)|Odin's]] in an abstract chess match that controlled the universal balance of [[chaos]] and [[order]], despite being within the latter's seat of power at the time;<ref name="Thor Annual #9"/> and through aid from the "[[Evil Eye of Avalon|Evil Eye]]" merged his dimension with the mainstream Marvel Universe and forced [[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor]] to change into his mortal Donald Blake persona against Odin's enchantment.<ref name="Handbook2"/><ref name="Avengers/Defenders War"/>

Although stated to possess "more raw power than even the most skilled sorcerer", the character is frequently undone by his own impatience, enabling his nemesis Dr. Strange to triumph by means of superior strategy, skill, or even trickery.<ref name="Handbook4"/><ref>''Amazing Spider-Man'' #500 (Dec. 2003)</ref>

Dormammy is not all-powerful, as his power is known to be dwarfed by that of Eternity and the [[Living Tribunal]], and presumably even that of the demon [[Zom]].<ref name="Strange Tales #131 - 146"/><ref>''Strange Tales'' #156</ref><ref name="Handbook2"/> The character's intellect is listed as genius-level by human standards, but this would be insignificant compared to that of most known mystical or cosmic entities of a comparative scale.<ref name="Handbook3"/>

Dormammu has also been shown as extremely vulnerable to environments without any fuel for the flames of which he is composed.<ref name="hellcat"/>


==Other versions==
==Other versions==

Revision as of 03:51, 11 October 2009

Dormammu
The warlord Dormammu in a panel from Defenders vol. 3, #1 (Sep. 2005).
Art by Kevin Maguire.
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceStrange Tales #126 (Nov. 1964)
Created byStan Lee
Steve Ditko
In-story information
Alter egoDormammu
Team affiliationsMindless Ones
PartnershipsUmar
Loki
Notable aliasesThe Dread One
AbilitiesMystic energy
Immortality

Dormammu is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics, and is presented as the archenemy of the mystic hero Dr. Strange. The character first appeared in Strange Tales #126 (Nov. 1964), and was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko.

Publication history

1960's

The character first appears in the title Strange Tales and after being established as a warlord from an alternate dimension[1] quickly became a perennial foe of Sorcerer Supreme and maverick Dr. Strange, who until this time had dealt almost exclusively with off-beat "one-off" mystical threats.[2] Strange's first encounter with Dormammu in the "Dark Dimension" also introduced Clea - eventually revealed to be the niece of the villain[3] - and the monstrous and imprisoned Mindless Ones.

Dormammu also allies himself Baron Mordo (a former pupil of Strange's master, The Ancient One)[4] and after another abortive battle with Strange[5] competes with the sorcerer over the course of fifteen issues to find the cosmic entity Eternity, wishing to usurp the character's place in the universe.[6] The character later captures Clea and attempts to destroy Strange, but is defeated, having to vow that he would never invade Earth.[7]

1970's

Dormammu enters into an alliance with the Asgardian god Loki (adopted brother of the thunder god Thor) and tricks super teams the Avengers and Defenders into fighting each other for components of the artifact the Evil Eye. The Eye is reassembled, and allows Dormammu to merge his dimension with Earth without breaking his vow. Despite this, both villains are defeated, with Dormammu being absorbed into Eye courtesy of a hex cast by Avenger the Scarlet Witch.[8]

After being seen in flashback,[9] the character manages to reintegrate himself on Earth. Together with sister Umar, Dormammu captures the the elder goddess Gaea.[10] Dormammu seeks revenge against the Scarlet Witch by interrupting her intended marriage to the android Avenger the Vision. The character kidnaps the Scarlet Witch and her mentor Agatha Harkness, but is defeated by Wanda and the Avengers.[11] Although thwarted, Dormammu attempts to destroy Dr. Strange and Clea, but is betrayed by Umar who steals his power, allowing the character to be banished from Earth.[12]

Dormammu also tricks Strange into battling both the demon Ghost Rider and the Bounty Hunter in an unsuccessful attempt to kill the hero.[13] Dormammu also appears in the alternate universe title What If.[14]

1980's

Dormammu acts as the envoy of Lord Chaos by playing King of the Norse gods Odin in a cosmic chess match[15] and makes another appearance as a support character in the What If title.[16] The character takes advantage of a demon attack on New York City[17] to attack Dr. Strange and temporarily assume his title of Sorcerer Supreme, but is eventually defeated.[18]

1990's

The character attempts to regain control of the Dark Dimension from Clea, and empowers sometime-pawn Baron Mordo in another bid to murder Dr. Strange. Dormammu also attempts to invade Earth, but is again defeated (as is Mordo) by Strange.[19] After two brief appearances[20] Dormammu travels back in time to the year 1943 and, after possessing the body of an aristocrat, attempts to change the timeline, but is stopped and ultimately banished by Dr. Strange and his allies the Silver Surfer, Hulk, and the modern Ghost Rider.[21]

The character observes the Guardians of the Galaxy - adventurers from the 31st century of Earth-691 - travel to the mainstream era of Earth-616. Now curious, Dormammu follows them back to their dimension and attacks their headquarters, demanding the presence of the Dr. Strange of their time. Strange, called the Ancient One in this timeline, arrives with his disciple, the alien Krugarr, and battles Dormammu with the Guardians. Although Dormammu murders the now weakened Strange, the character is defeated by Krugarr and the Guardians and banished to his home dimension.[22]

Dormammu appears as the guiding force behind an attack on the self-titled Goddess[23] and twice more in the "What If" title, with the stories detailing the possibilities if villain Doctor Doom and Iron Man (Tony Stark) had assumed the title of Sorcerer Supreme.[24] In the limited series The Flight of the Bones the character is eventually revealed as the instigator behind a series of spontaneous combustions of criminals and an attack on an ally of Strange by cultists.[25]

2000's

Dormammu uses the demon lord Satannish (stated as created by Dormammu as an agent in the early days of hell) and warlock Nicholas Scratch to lead his armies to capture five of the inter-dimensional places of Hell, in a plot to eventually conquer all life and afterlife. Dormammu, however, is thwarted when the heroine Hellcat rallies the powers of Hell to weaken the character by engineering a complete absence of mystic flame.[26] Dormammu also allies with the entity Mephisto to drive an attacking force out of their respective dimensions.[27]

Some time later the character rematerializes on Earth and sends an army of Mindless Ones to attack the city of New York. While Dormammu's minions battle many of Earth's superheroes, Dr. Strange engages him in personal combat, and sends the hero Spider-Man back in time to a critical moment to stop his enemy from being able to re-enter Earth's dimension.[28]

Dormammu returns with Umar and together they overcome an avatar of Eternity, the embodiment of time, and use the acquired power to remake the universe in their image. The pair are opposed by a reuniting of the original Defenders (Strange; the Hulk; the Silver Surfer and Namor the Sub-Mariner, with Dormammu retreating when Umar steals his power.[29] The character also appears briefly in the limited series The Oath.[30]

Acting in secrecy, Dormammu empowers criminal mastermind the Hood, who in turn resurrects several dead supervillains and forms a crime army.[31] Dormammu also takes advantage of the fact that Strange loses the title of Sorcerer Supreme, but the latter eventually exorcises his influence from the Hood together with Daimon Hellstrom and Doctor Voodoo.[32] The character also takes an interest in the "zombie" virus that decimates Earth-2149, and seeks to control it as a weapon.[33]

Powers and abilities

Dormammu is an interdimensional energy being with significant physical and mystical power that can be used to achieve various effects including energy projection; matter transmutation; size shifting; teleportation and body possession. The character is deemed worthy to challenge the King of the Norse gods, Odin, by cosmic entity Lord Chaos; merged his dimension with the Earth of the Earth-616 universe and challenged the cosmic entity Eternity. Although the character is usually defeated by long-time adversary Dr. Strange, the hero is often written as triumphing only by means of trickery.[34]

Other versions

Ultimate Dormammu

The Ultimate Marvel title Ultimatum introduces an alternate universe version of the character who succeeds in killing Doctor Strange (actually the son of the original) during the limited series Ultimatum.[35]

In other media

Television

Film

References

  1. ^ Strange Tales #126 - 127 (Nov. - Dec. 1964)
  2. ^ Strange Tales #110 - 125 (July 1963 - Oct. 1964)
  3. ^ Like Clea's name, this was not initially revealed in Strange Tales #126 (Nov. 1964)
  4. ^ Strange Tales #130 (Mar. 1965)
  5. ^ Strange Tales #140 (Jan. 1966)
  6. ^ Strange Tales #131 - 146(Apr. - 1965 - July 1966)
  7. ^ Doctor Strange #171 - 173 (Aug - Oct 1968)
  8. ^ "Avengers/Defender War: Avengers #115 - 118 (Sep. - Dec. 1973) & Defenders #8 - 11 (Sep. - Dec. 1973)
  9. ^ Doctor Strange #3 (Sep. 1974)
  10. ^ Doctor Strange vol. 2, #6 - 7 (Feb. & Apr. 1975)
  11. ^ Giant-Size Avengers #4 (June 1975)
  12. ^ Doctor Strange vol. 2, #8 & 9 (June & Aug. 1975)
  13. ^ Ghost Rider #30 - 31 (June & Aug. 1978)
  14. ^ What If #18 (Dec. 1979)
  15. ^ Thor Annual #9 (1981)
  16. ^ What If #40 (Aug. 1983)
  17. ^ Inferno (Oct. 1988 - Aug. 1989)
  18. ^ Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #1 - 2 (Nov. 1988 & Jan. 1989)
  19. ^ Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #21 - 23 (Oct. - Dec. 1990)
  20. ^ Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #28 (Apr. 1991) & Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme Annual #3 (1993)
  21. ^ Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #50 (Feb. 1993)
  22. ^ Guardians of the Galaxy #34 - 36 (Mar. - May 1993)
  23. ^ Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #55 (July 1993), in a crossover with the storyline the Infinity Crusade
  24. ^ What If #52 (Aug. 1993) & What If #113 (Oct. 1998) respectively.
  25. ^ Doctor Strange: The Flight of the Bones #1 - 4 (Feb. - May 1999)
  26. ^ Hellcat #1 - 3 (Sep. - Nov. 2000)
  27. ^ Magik II #1 - 4 (Dec. 2000 - Mar. 2001)
  28. ^ Amazing Spider-Man #498 - 500 (Oct. - Dec. 2003)
  29. ^ Defenders vol. 3, #1 - 5 (Sep. 2005 - Jan. 2006)
  30. ^ The Oath #1 - 5 (Oct. 2006 - Mar. 2007)
  31. ^ New Avengers #46 (Dec. 2008)
  32. ^ New Avengers #51 - 54 (May - Aug. 2009)
  33. ^ Marvel Zombies 4: Midnight Sons #2-4 (May-July 2009)
  34. ^ Amazing Spider-Man #500 (Dec. 2003)
  35. ^ Ultimatum #1 (Dec. 2008); #2 (Jan. 2009); #3 - 4 (May 2009); #5 (Sep. 2009)

External links

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