Doctor Druid
Doctor Druid | |
---|---|
Publication information | |
Publisher | Marvel Comics |
First appearance | As Dr. Droom: Amazing Adventures #1 (June 1961) As Dr. Druid: Weird Wonder Tales #19 (September 1976) |
Created by | Stan Lee (writer) Jack Kirby (artist) |
In-story information | |
Alter ego | Anthony Ludgate Druid |
Species | Human |
Team affiliations | Monster Hunters Avengers Legion of the Unliving Defenders |
Notable aliases | Druid |
Abilities | Limited telepathy Limited telekinesis Hypnosis Magic detection Mystic manipulation Scholar of magic |
Doctor Anthony Druid, also known as Doctor Droom and Druid, is a fictional mystic and a
Through his knowledge, Dr. Druid has enhanced physical and mental abilities (such as hypnosis and the ability to sense magic) and knows how to counteract magic and protect against it (through rituals and special arrangement of symbols). According to the lore of Marvel Comics, this makes Dr. Druid a mystic but not a full sorcerer like Dr. Strange since he does not cast spells that alter the state of people or the environment around him and does not draw power from Earth's magical energy, extra-dimensional energy, or energy linked to magical entities.[4]
Considered a scholar of multiple fields, the brilliant Dr. Anthony Druid is originally a psychiatrist who then becomes an author and physician. After Dr. Druid undergoes a series of tests in Tibet, a dying lama and mystic mentally transmits to his mind secrets of how to enhance his own body and mind's power and control, as well as knowledge regarding magic and supernatural threats. Later it is said Dr. Druid also taps into the knowledge of Celtic ancestors regarding magic. With the combined knowledge of both his Celtic ancestors and the Tibetan lama, Dr. Druid acts as a magic-based consultant and hero of Earth. Over the years, he has worked with the superhero team known as the Avengers, and it is later said he was part of a group known as the Monster Hunters. On multiple occasions, he has worked with the sorcerer Dr. Strange.
Publication history
Originally introduced as Dr. Anthony Droom, the character debuted in Amazing Adventures #1 in 1961.[1] The origin story was written by Stan Lee, penciled by Jack Kirby, and inked by Steve Ditko. In the story, Anthony Droom is referred to as a psychiatrist, scholar, and physician and is independently wealthy. After undergoing a series of tests in Tibet, he is chosen by a dying lama to protect humanity from threats. In this version of the character's origin, he is imparted with all of the lama's knowledge and then is also transformed by magic from his Caucasian appearance to now having the appearance of Asian heritage. He is told that his appearance suits his new knowledge and role. In the subsequent stories of Amazing Adventures, Droom continues to have an Asian appearance and is given a yellow skin tone.
After his origin in issue #1, Dr. Droom starred in stories in Amazing Adventures #2–4 and #6 (1961).
According to Lee, the idea of Doctor Droom was essentially succeeded by Doctor Strange: "... I always liked [Doctor Droom], but I forgot about him. It was a one-shot thing. And one day while we were trying to think of some new heroes, I thought I'd like to bring back a magician".[6] Lee later clarified that the inciting incident to bring forth a magical character similar to Dr. Droom came when Steve Ditko brought him artwork for a character he called Mr. Strange.[2] Stan Lee changed the name to Dr. Strange and gave the character a new version of Dr. Droom's origin, making Stephen Strange a physician who loses the use of his hands and then seeks out help from a sorcerer in the Himalayas for help, only to then become the man's student and return to New York as a sorcerer himself.
In 1976, Marvel editor Roger Stern thought to bring Doctor Droom back for issue #19 of Weird Wonder Tales, a series that reprinted previously published Marvel Comics stories, sometimes with new art. Issue #19 reprinted Dr. Droom's origin story but with some altered and added dialogue by Larry Lieber and with the protagonist now called Doctor Anthony Druid, new name conceived by Len Wein, presumably to avoid confusion with Marvel supervillain Doctor Doom. Dr. Druid sported a red outfit in his role as hero and the new version of his origin story removed the idea that the appearance of his racial heritage is altered by magic. Droom's second story was then reprinted in Weird Wonder Tales #20, again with new art work and with his name changed to Dr. Druid. The character then appeared in issues #21-22, but only as a host introducing fantasy stories to the reader. Weird Wonder Tales then ended with issue #23, which contained a reprint of another Droom story from Amazing Adventures. The story was introduced by a new splash page drawn by artist John Byrne. In the story, Droom's drab grey clothing was painted over with Druid's new red uniform.
Dr. Druid appeared next in The Incredible Hulk (vol. 2) #210-211 by writer Len Wein, and Ghost Rider (vol. 2) #26 by writer Jim Shooter. During Roger Stern's work as writer of Avengers in the 1980s, Dr. Druid frequently appeared as an associate of the team.
Dr. Druid appeared in the
Doctor Druid was one of the featured characters in the 2011 three-issue limited series Chaos War: Dead Avengers.
Fictional character biography
Doctor Druid's real name is Dr. Anthony Ludgate Druid, although he usually refers to himself as Dr. Anthony Druid. He is a
Doctor Druid remained on the sidelines for years. He eventually appeared again and teamed with the
Doctor Druid sometime later aided the Avengers in thwarting
His membership was tainted when he was mind controlled by
Due to his actions while in the villain's thrall, Druid was disgraced. He was briefly reunited with his former teammates while working with
He then abandoned his spandex costume and became even more of a real, traditional druid, a fact reflected by his taking on the simple name of "Druid" and the new nature of his nature powers,[19] but he let his feelings of rage and power lust take him over, went insane, was betrayed by his allies, and was finally killed by Hellstorm, the putative Son of Satan.[20] Druid's ghost appeared later alongside the spirits of other dead ex-Avengers, confirming that Druid had, in fact, died this time.[21] The Avengers later placed a memorial statue of him in the garden of Avengers Mansion.
A mere 36 hours before his death, Druid is visited by a time-traveling
Doctor Druid's son is introduced as one of Nick Fury's new recruits to fight against the Secret Invasion.[23] Secret Invasion #4 reveals that he is operating under the name of Druid.
During the
As part of the All-New, All-Different Marvel, Doctor Druid resurfaced on Weirdworld. Nighthawk of Earth-31916, Blur of Earth-148611 and Tyndall were captured by Doctor Druid's minions and taken to his castle. He revealed to his captives that his soul took on a corporeal form when it found Weirdworld, where he remained so that he can still be alive. Doctor Druid also revealed that Ogeode built him a massive crystal on top of his castle to amplify his mind-control abilities, which brought anyone in his part of Weirdworld under his thrall. For some reason, Thundra and Tyndall were immune to his effects due to something related to time travel.[25]
He later resurfaces on Earth and attempts to live a normal life, but does help Dr. Strange with a magical investigation.[26]
Powers and abilities
Doctor Druid's latent mystical abilities were activated by the
Doctor Druid's druidic powers have a special vulnerability to iron, as did the powers of his ancestors. Iron tends to act as a lightning rod for the magical forces he employs, sometimes disrupting their effects.
Doctor Druid employs the mystical knowledge and skills of the ancient
abilities, including control over involuntary functions of his body such as his heartbeat, respiration, bleeding, and reaction to pain.In his latest and final incarnation, when he was called only "Druid", he has been seen manipulating fire,[volume & issue needed] and making a tree instantaneously grow in a person's stomach from the seeds of an eaten apple.[volume & issue needed] These powers were nature-based (elements, plants, etc.) as the druids of old worshipped nature.
Druid has earned an M.D. from
Original Doctor Droom appearances
Amazing Adventures
All reprinted in Amazing Fantasy Omnibus (2007). The previous reprints below were edited to reflect name-change to "Doctor Druid" plus other
- #1 (June 1961)—"I Am the Fantastic Dr. Droom"
- Reprinted in Weird Wonder Tales #19 (Dec. 1976)
- #2 (July 1961)—"The World Below"
- Reprinted in Weird Wonder Tales #22 (May 1977)
- #3 (Aug. 1961)—"Dr. Droom Meets Zemu"
- Reprinted in Weird Wonder Tales #20 (Jan. 1977)
- #4 (Sept. 1961)—"What Lurks Within?"
- Never reprinted outside Amazing Fantasy Omnibus
- #6 (Nov. 1961)—"Dr. Droom Defies the Menace Called...Krogg"
- Reprinted in Giant-Size Man-Thing #3 (Feb. 1975)
Other versions
Guardians of the Galaxy
In an alternate future, detailed in the Killraven series, Martians had come to Earth and wiped out much of humanity. Doctor Druid is one of the few survivors of the North American battles and leads a resistance movement based in Ireland. He also works to make sure the Martian battle is recorded in the Book of Kells.[27]
Marvel Apes
An alternate universe version of Doctor Druid appears in the 2008 miniseries Marvel Apes #2–4 (Nov.–Dec. 2008). Druid plays a key role in issue #3 (Dec. 2008) in which he uses his staff, the Monkey's Paw, to control the realm created by Doctor Strange.
Marvel Zombies
An alternate universe version of Doctor Druid appears in the 2007
Secret Wars (2015)
During the
Reception
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Newsarama ranked Doctor Druid as the fourth worst Avengers member describing him as "most notably responsible for becoming the leader of the Avengers only to betray them after being mocked by Daimon Hellstrom, presumably for looking like Rip Torn in a cloak".[30] The Slings and Arrows Comic Guide found him to be "always a third-stringer", and when he received his own miniseries, it was found to be a "total yawner".[31]
References
- ^ a b Amazing Adventures vol. 1 #1 (published March 1961 - cover date "June 1961"). Story by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Script by Stan Lee. Pencils by Jack Kirby. Inking by Steve Ditko.
- ^ a b Ditko, Steve (w). ""Toyland": "Martin Goodman/Stan Lee"" The Avenging Mind (April 2008), Robin Snyder and Steve Ditko.
- ^ Weird Wonder Tales vol. 1 #19 (published September 1976 - cover date "December 1976"). Original story by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Additional script by Larry Lieber. New art by Steve Ditko.
- ^ Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe vol. 1 #3 (Marvel Comics, 1985).
- ^ Markstein, Don. "Doctor Droom". Don Markstein's Toonopedia. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
- ^ Thomas, Roy (August 2011). "Stan Lee's Amazing Marvel Interview!". Alter Ego (#104): 3–45.
- ISBN 978-1465455505.
- ^ a b Avengers Spotlight #37 (Oct. 1990)
- ^ The Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #210–211
- ^ The Avengers #225–226 (Nov.-Dec. 1982)
- ^ The Avengers #276 (Feb. 1987)
- ^ The Avengers #278 (April 1987)
- ^ West Coast Avengers Annual #2 (1987); The Avengers Annual #16 (1987)
- ^ The Avengers #295 (Sept. 1988)
- ^ The Avengers #297 (Nov. 1988)
- ^ Fantastic Four #337–338 (Feb.-March 1990)
- ^ The Secret Defenders #15 (May 1994)
- ^ The Secret Defenders #25 (March 1995)
- ^ Druid #1 (May 1995)
- ^ Druid #4 (Aug. 1995)
- ^ The Avengers vol. 3, #10–11 (Nov.–Dec. 1998)
- ^ Secret Avengers #20 (February 2012)
- ^ The Mighty Avengers #13 (July 2008)
- ^ Chaos War: Dead Avengers #1
- ^ Squadron Supreme (vol. 4) #4
- ^ Dr. Strange #2
- ^ Guardians of the Galaxy Annual #3 (Jan. 1993)
- ^ Marvel Zombies vs. the Army of Darkness #3 (July 2007)
- ^ Armor Wars #2
- ^ "The 10 WORST AVENGERS of All Time". Newsarama. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
- ISBN 1-85410-486-1.
External links
- Doctor Druid at Marvel.com
- The Grand Comics Database
- Doctor Druid at the Comic Book DB (archived from the original)
- Doctor Droom at Don Markstein's Toonopedia. Archived from the original on April 14, 20162.