Nabu is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. First appearing in More Fun Comics #67 in May 1941, he is a major supporting character in Doctor Fate titles. A fictionalized version of the Mesopotamian god of the same name, he frequently serves as the first person to call himself Fate before serving as a guiding force and mentor of several bearers of Doctor Fate, notably being his agents for the Lords 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 of Inza Cramer's mental breakdown. This characterization becomes consistent although the character 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 the two emerged, both forces struggle for supremacy over the other. The Lords of Order manifest as the first sentience race in the universe as disembodied magical beings, in which included 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.
During his time with Ramses, Nabu tried to warn the pharaoh and subsequently his son against persecuting the escaping Jews, led by Moses. One night, Nabu was visited by the Spectre, who warned that every firstborn Egyptian child would be killed by him except for Hebrew slaves. This horrified the magician and he prepared to fight the Spectre with all of his powers but was defeated despite his preparations. The humiliated mystic returned to the pharaoh who had lost his son and, in despair, agreed to free the Hebrew slaves, but then decided to send his army to kill them to 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.
Nabu became the guardian of several powerful talismans, in 2578 BC, when Egypt had fallen under the rule of the Vandal Savage, who had assumed the identity of Pharaoh Khafre. Around this time, Bonnie Baxter of the Masters of Time had come from the 20th century, where Khafre's guards threw her into a prison cell. Nabu appeared before her and led her to safety with his magic and asked for her help in overthrowing the immortal Khafre. He intended to combine magic with the science of the time traveler where she gave him her communicator. By combining the pair, he created the Blue Beetle of Khaji-Da, which Bonnie used to overthrow the pharaoh who was wrapped in bandages to contain him, as his immortality would cause him to rise again.[3] The Beetle was lost for 4,500 years before being rediscovered in the 20th century by archaeologist Dan Garrett, who became the first Blue Beetle.
During the Theban dynasty, Nabu served as an advisor to Prince Khufu Kha-taar, where he served with his ally Teth-Adam. One day, they witnessed a Thanagarian spacecraft crashed and they headed to catch up, they arrived at the scene of the dying pilots where Nabu conjured a spell to translate their alien language that spoke of imminent danger in the far future after this they died. From the ship, they discovered the existence of Nth Metal, which Khufu forged into weapons for his use, and Nabu tried to prepare them, as it was determined that the prince and his fiancée had a role to play in this conflict. During this time, they encountered a traveler who could travel at high speeds and gave him a war glove forged from portions of the Nth Metal called the "Claw of Horus", which they predicted would be instrumental in a battle of thousands of years in the world.
In 1920, archaeologist Sven Nelson and his son Kent go on an expedition to the Valley of Ur. 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 and Wotan in Alexandria, Egypt on his way back to America. After arriving back in the United States, Kent begins a career fighting crime and supernatural evil as the sorcerer and superhero Doctor Fate and sets up a base in a tower in Salem, Massachusetts. Due to Nabu occasionally possessing him, he converted to half of the helm to regain control but at the cost of halving the power.
After Kent's death, Nabu chooses Eric Strauss and his stepmother Linda 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. The three of them are soon joined by a friendly demon called Petey and lawyer Jack C. Small.[5] Eric is killed on Apokolips during a battle with Desaad, forcing Linda to become Doctor Fate on her own.[6] Linda is killed soon afterwards by the Lords of Chaos. Despite their grim fates, Eric and Linda's souls are reincarnated in the bodies of Eugene and Wendy DiBellia while Nabu reincarnates in Eugene and Wendy's unborn child.[7]
Eventually, Nabu came into conflict with the Spectre when he began hunting down and killing other Lords of Chaos and Order. In Infinite Crisis, Alexander Luthor Jr. revealed that he had sent Superboy-Prime to recover the black diamond and that the Psycho-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 to Detective 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 the character featured alterations to his origin story. In the Doctor Fate series, the character's earlier history attributed him to being a servant of Thoth, who created the Helmet of Fate and designated Nabu as the spirit within. The reasons behind this choice remain currently unknown, but Nabu's role was to assist the chosen champion of the Egyptian pantheon, Doctor Fate.[8]
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 with Hecate, 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 created Helmet of Fate, as his original 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 energy beings that originated millions of years ago.[9]
In the Doctor Fate series, Nabu assumes a new role as a guide and mentor to Khalid Nassour, the newly chosen Doctor Fate. Nabu assists the inexperienced Khalid in his battles against various adversaries, including Anubis, a necromancer, and the spirit of Julius 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 fustrates the young Doctor Fate. At times, Khalid dismisses Nabu, likening him to an annoying Jinn.[10] [11] For a period, Kent Nelson would 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 with Blue Beetle and his scarab Khaji-Da, orchestrated by their shared adversary, Arion. Kent eventually regained control, defeated Arion, and continued training Khalid.[12]
In the second Justice League Dark series, 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 passing on the mantle of Doctor Fate to Khalid. With Nabu's help, Khalid battles Circe, 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, however, becomes cautious about trusting Nabu, while supporting Khalid as Doctor Fate.[13] [14] [15]
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.[16] 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.[17] Eventually, Hauhet replaces Nabu as the patron spirit of the Helmet of Fate, bringing her superior wisdom and perspective.[18] The Future State event hints at a connection between Nabu and Hauhet, with Hauhet considering herself wiser than Nabu.[19]
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 rivalled by other notable sorcerers such as the enigmatic Phantom Stranger and Arion, the former who serves as an agent of the Presence and the latter a fellow Lord of Order and a hailed Sorcerer Supreme, respectively.[20] [21] 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.[22]
While Nabu possesses considerable might, it is important to note that his power is surpassed by the Spectre, the embodiment of divine vengeance and justice. The character would also suffer from various imposed limitations overtime, with recent stories depicting him been rendered unable to utilize a human host without them willfully accepting his help after the events of the Lords of Order storyline.
See main article: Naiad (character).
See main article: Natas (character).
See main article: Nebula Man.
Nicholas Edgar Nolan, known as Nick Necro, is a mystical supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Jeff Lemire and illustrated by Mikel Janin, the character would first appear in Justice League Dark #12,debuting during the New 52 era..
The character is an accomplished sorcerer who was previously a lover of John Constantine and Zatanna. However, his obsession with dark magic led him to become a villain and adversary of Justice League Dark.
See main article: Negative Man.
See main article: Nekron.
See main article: Nemesis (DC Comics).
See main article: Nemesis Kid.
See main article: Neon the Unknown.
| Character Name: | King Nereus |
| Publisher: | DC Comics |
| Debut: | Aquman #19 (2013) |
| Creators: | Geoff Johns & Paul Pelletier |
| Real Name: | Nereus of Xebel |
| Species: | Xebellian |
| Homeworld: | Xebel |
| Alliances: | Xebellian Royal Family |
| Powers: |
|
| Partners: | Ocean Master |
King Nereus is a fictional character who first appeared in Aquaman (vol. 7) #19 as part of The New 52 reboot and was created by Geoff 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 of Mera. He was also Mera's former fiancee before Aquaman.
In other media, the character is instead cast as Mera's father in several adaptations such as Young Justice and the DC Extended Universe film Aquaman, where he is played by Dolph Lundgren, and he reprise his role in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.
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.[27]
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.[28] The frozen enemy introduced himself as Atlan 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.[28] 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.[29] Some months later, Atlan tasked Nereus with finding the other four Atlantean kingdoms.[30]
See main article: Neutron (DC Comics).
See main article: Masters of Disaster (comics).
Professor Carter Nichols is a fictional character, a comic book scientist published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Batman #24 (August 1944), and was created by Joe Samachson and Dick Sprang.
Professor Nichols was created to lend some sci-fi "color" to Batman stories to both Batman and World's Finest Comics, during a period where more conventional superhero tales were out of favor and most remaining books of the genre drifted into science fiction and related genres.[34]
Carter Nichols is a childhood friend of Thomas Wayne. His appearances nearly always involved some form of time travel, based around his particular specialty referred to as "time travel hypnosis", a process that simulated time travel. He also created a "Time-Ray Machine" which he used to both displace and track objects through time.[35] [36] [37] [38] [39] [40] [41] [42] [43] [44] [45] [46] [47] [48]
During the storyline, Nichols is killed by the Black Glove (led by Simon Hurt).[49] [50]
Carter Nichols appears in the episode "Last Bat on Earth!", voiced by Richard McGonagle.[51]
See main article: Nighthawk (DC Comics).
See main article: Nightmaster.
See main article: Nightrider (DC Comics).
See main article: Nightrunner (character).
See main article: Nightshade (DC Comics).
See main article: Nightslayer.
See main article: Nightwing.
See main article: Nite Owl.
See main article: Nite-Wing.
| Character Name: | Nocturna |
| Real Name: | Natalia Knight |
| Publisher: | DC Comics |
| Debut: | Detective Comics #529 (August 1983) |
| Powers: |
|
Nocturna is a fictional supervillainess character appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, created by Doug Moench and Gene Colan. The storyline involving her began in Detective Comics #529 (August 1983), and her first appearance was in Batman #363 (September 1983).[52]
The pre-Crisis incarnation of Nocturna appeared in the first season of the live-action Arrowverse series Batwoman, portrayed by Kayla Ewell.
Natalia Knight was a homeless child who was adopted by Charles Knight. While working at the Gotham City Observatory, she was struck by a radioactive laser, which gave her pale skin and sensitivity to light. She then meets Charles' son Anton, who becomes a lover and ally to her.[53]
Post-Crisis on Infinite Earths continuity introduced a new incarnation of Nocturna. This version is Natalie Metternich, a former astronomer and member of the Injustice League who can secrete a pheromone that causes those around her to become emotional and lose their inhibitions.[54] [55] [56] [57] [58] [59]
In September 2011, The New 52 rebooted DC's continuity. Nocturna is re-introduced as Natalie Mitternacht, an inmate of Arkham Asylum and member of the Secret Society of Super Villains.[60] [61] [62]
In Infinite Frontier, an alternate universe incarnation of Nocturna known as Natalia Metternich appears as a member of the Suicide Squad.
The Natalia Knight incarnation of Nocturna appears as a character summon in .
An unidentified Nocturna makes a cameo appearance in The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #12. This version's design borrows from Bruce Timm's unused concept for Batman: The Animated Series.
See main article: Non (comics).
Noose is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. He is a member of Moxie Mannheim's Intergang branch who died in the 1940s before being revived in a clone body in the present day, gaining extendable, tentacle-like fingers.[67] In 52, he is killed by Black Adam.[68]
Noose appears as a character summon in .
See main article: Northwind (character).
Nuclear Man is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. He first appeared in before crossing over into the comics.
Nuclear Man first appeared in , portrayed by Mark Pillow and voiced by Gene Hackman.
The stolen DNA (or, in the original cut, the remains of the first Nuclear Man) were placed into a small box along with a computer and some material which would be made into clothing. Following assembly, Lex Luthor put the case onto the side of a nuclear missile which Superman threw into the sun. The second Nuclear Man was born. Immediately, the Nuclear Man made his way to Lex Luthor's building, where he showed that he had the power to generate heat and electricity by touch, had heat vision hotter than Superman's, could levitate objects using hand beams, could shoot fire and heat flares, and had even greater super strength than Superman. His only weakness was that he had to remain in direct sunlight to function. His appearance is that of a 6-ft-3 muscleman, who wears black gauntlets, a sleeveless black costume with yellow-goldish-orange stripes, a "N" for nuclear logo on the back of his long black cape, long silver nails/talons, and long, blonde, mullet-like hair.
Superman and this Nuclear Man fought in various locations around the world. Nuclear Man destroyed a portion of the Great Wall of China which Superman quickly rebuilt. Then Nuclear Man activated a nuclear missile in Moscow which Superman disarmed. In Kansas, Nuclear Man created a tornado which picked up a young girl, who Superman managed to save. In Italy, Nuclear Man activated a volcano, forcing Superman to plug it with the top of a nearby mountain. Nuclear Man and Superman returned to Metropolis, where Nuclear Man dropped the Statue of Liberty toward a crowded street below. While Superman flew the Statue back to its original position, Nuclear Man dug his claws into Superman's neck, poisoning him with radiation. Before Superman could fall to his death, Nuclear Man kicked the Man of Steel into the air, and his cape luckily caught on Lady Liberty's flame. This is one of the very few Superman villains to successfully defeat Superman.
The following day, Luthor unveiled Nuclear Man to the nuclear arms dealers who were working with him. Nuclear Man demonstrated his power to them, and, scared for their lives, they left Luthor's building, leaving all of their nuclear arms profits in Luthor's possession. Afterwards, Nuclear Man saw a picture of Lacy Warfield on the front page of the Daily Planet and developed a crush on her. He flew to Metropolis square where he started attacking people and vehicles until Superman would take him to "the woman". However, Nuclear Man's aggression got the better of him and he was tricked into entering an elevator which Superman took to the moon. The sun eventually shone onto the elevator room, and Superman and Nuclear Man had another battle. Nuclear Man fought, threw, zapped, jumped on, and threw rocks at Superman until he finally got Superman where he wanted him: hammered into the moon's surface. Nuclear Man flew back to the Daily Planet newsroom, where he abducted Lacy Warfield and took her into space with him. Superman, recovered from his fight on the moon, pushes the moon in front of the sun, causing a solar eclipse and robbing Nuclear Man of his powers. Superman saves Lacy and drops the Nuclear Man into a nuclear reactor where he is destroyed.
In 2016, DC Comics implemented another relaunch of its books called "DC Rebirth" which restored its continuity to a form much as it was prior to "The New 52". This version of Nuclear Man is an inmate of the Phantom Zone and was defeated by Rogol Zarr.[69]
Nuklon is the name of two different characters appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics.
See main article: Atom Smasher (DC Comics).
Gerome McKenna is one of the first official subjects for Lex Luthor's "Everyman Project". Luthor's project grants super-powers to McKenna, who is given the codename Nuklon after Luthor buys the rights to Infinity Inc. from the Pemberton Estate.[70]
After Luthor shut down his Metagene, Gerome went into a deep state of depression and self-absorption. Gerome discovered that he has gained a new power, the ability to create a fully functional, independently thinking duplicate of himself, seemingly without control. As the series progressed, he managed to create another copy. However this version is dark and amoral, wishing to replace the original.[71] Infinity Inc. was presented with new costumes and names with Gerome being given the codename Double Trouble. Gerome's dark double was later captured by Dr. Bud Fogel and conditioned to be a fighter in The Dark Side Club.[72] Double Trouble's dark double killed the original, gaining autonomy. However, Fogel then activated a machine that stripped all but three of the remaining Everyman subjects of their powers. As a result, Double Trouble's dark double simply faded out of existence.[73]
See main article: Ms. Gsptlsnz.