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{{Short description|American comic book series}}
{{Infobox comic book title
<!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->|title=Doctor Fate|image=File:
'''''Doctor Fate''''' (also known as '''''Dr. Fate''''', '''''Immortal Doctor Fate''''', and '''''Fate''''') is a series of [[American comic books]] published by [[DC Comics]], featuring the [[Doctor Fate|superhero of the same name]]. Since its debut in 1985,
== Publication history ==
In 1988, the first limited series of ''Doctor Fate'' was released. The series was written by [[J. M. DeMatteis]] and illustrated by [[Keith Giffen]] and [[Dave Hunt (artist)|Dave Hunt]], introducing the
After the release of the limited series in 1989, an ongoing series was launched, continuing the narrative from the previous limited series. Initially, the series focused on the incarnations of Eric and Linda Strauss, the successors of Doctor Fate, until their characters were killed off in the storyline leading up to the 23rd issue. Following their departure, the series shifted its focus to Inza Cramer and Kent Nelson, who returned from the dead within the story. Inza primarily assumed the role of Doctor Fate for the remainder of the series until its cancellation. The latter half of the series explored Inza's unique approach to being a superhero, as both characters faced the challenges of rebuilding their social lives in rejuvenated bodies.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2021-03-07 |title=DC Universe Infinite Encyclopedia: Doctor Fate |url=https://www.dcuniverseinfinite.com/encyclopedia/doctor-fate/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307110104/https://www.dcuniverseinfinite.com/encyclopedia/doctor-fate/ |archive-date=2021-03-07 |access-date=2022-02-24}}</ref>
Between 1994 and 1996, DC Comics released the ''Fate'' series as part of the [[Zero Hour: Crisis in Time!|Zero Hour: Crisis in Time! event]]. The character of Doctor Fate, portrayed by Jared Stevens in this iteration, underwent a significant redesign. He abandoned the "Doctor" title and acquired new weapons crafted from previous artifacts associated with Doctor Fate. Instead of being a traditional sorcerer, the character was reimagined as a demon hunter. Both Kent Nelson and Inza Cramer were killed off in the series.<ref name=":2" /> Unfortunately, this reinterpretation of Doctor Fate received negative feedback from readers and critics.<ref name=":
In 2003, a new Doctor Fate limited series was launched, featuring the [[Hector Hall]] version of the character, who had previously made his debut in the ''JSA'' series. The storyline followed Hector as he embraced his role as the new Doctor Fate under the guidance of Nabu. Set in Salem, Hector faced off against a formidable adversary named "The Curse," an ancient and powerful sorcerer who posed a threat to the Doctor Fate legacy. The Curse resurfaced in the modern world through a host named Justin Guilder, who also competed for the affections of Caitlin, Hector's love interest. Throughout the limited series, Hector also receives support from a Wicca coven in his battle against The Curse.
In 2022, [[Tom King (writer)|Tom King]] and Mitch Gerads initially proposed a new ''Doctor Fate'' series. However, DC Comics decided against the idea and instead encouraged them to concentrate on projects related to Batman.<ref>{{Cite web |last=writer |first=Joshua Lapin-Bertone Contributing |date=2023-04-25 |title=Tom King and Mitch Gerads once pitched a Doctor Fate comic, but DC said 'No' |url=https://www.thepopverse.com/tom-king-mitch-gerads-doctor-fate-dr-dc |access-date=2024-02-18 |website=Popverse |language=en}}</ref>
== Print media ==
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=== Comics ===
====
{| class="wikitable"
!No
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|-
| colspan="3" |[[J. M. DeMatteis|J.M. DeMatteis]] <small>(author),</small> [[Keith Giffen|Keith Griffen]], Dave Hunt <small>(illustrators)</small> , Anthony Tollin <small>(colorist)</small> , [[Dennis O'Neil]] <small>(editor)</small>
|}
==== ''Doctor Fate (2003 - 2004)'' ====
{| class="wikitable"
!No
!Title
!Release date
|-
|1.
|"The Curse: Part 1 of 5"
|October, 2003
|-
|2.
|"The Curse: Part 2 of 5"
|November, 2003
|-
|3.
|"The Curse: Part 3 of 5"
|December, 2003
|-
|4.
|"The Curse: Part 4 of 5"
|January, 2004
|-
|5.
|"The Curse: Part 5 of 5"
|February, 2004
|-
! colspan="3" |Creative team
|-
| colspan="3" |Christopher Golden <small>(writer)</small>, Don Kramer <small>(penciler)</small><sub>,</sub> John Kalisz, Heroic Age <small>(colorists)</small>, Kurt Hathaway <small>(letterer)</small>, Peter Tomasi, Stephen Wacker <small>(editors)</small>
|-
! colspan="3" |Synopsis
|-
| colspan="3" |An age-old adversary of Nabu, The Curse, reappears for revenge and chooses a new vessel in the form of Justin Guilder, a envious criminal who seeks to kill the newly chosen Hector Hall to secure the affections of a woman both men share feelings for. As Hector battles the Curse, his demonic forces, and is assisted by a [[Wicca]] [[coven]], he sets to prove himself to his doubtful mentor who believes the Curse to be too powerful of a opponent for him to handle.
|}
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|''Dr. Fate: Countdown to Mystery''
|1401218407
|September
|-
! colspan="3" |Creative team
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! colspan="3" |Synopsis and other information
|-
| colspan="3" |Kent V. Nelson,
|}
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| colspan="4" |Paul Levitz <small>(author)</small>, Sonny Liew <small>(illustrator)</small>
|-
| colspan="4" |Khalid Nassour,
* Collected material: ''Doctor Fate'' (
|-
|2.
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| colspan="4" |Paul Levitz <small>(author)</small>, Ibrahim Moustafa <small>(illustrator)</small>, Sonny Liew <small>(illustrator)</small>
|-
| colspan="4" |Following his victory over Anubis, Khalid
* Collected material: ''Doctor Fate'' (
|-
|3.
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| colspan="4" |Paul Levitz <small>(author)</small>, Inaki Miranda <small>(illustrator),</small> Brendan McCarthy <small>(illustrator),</small> Ibrahim Moustafa <small>(illustrator)</small>, Sonny Liew <small>(illustrator),</small>
|-
| colspan="4" |
* Collected material: ''Doctor Fate'' (
|}
== Reception ==
The ''Immortal Doctor Fate'' series, which included the original re-printing of the comics (not to be confused with the collected edition), is highly regarded as one of the character's most popular runs, as noted by [[Wizard (magazine)|Wizard Magazine]].<ref name=":02">{{cite web |last=McLauchlin |first=Jim |date=2006-12-03 |title=A Twist of Fate |url=https://www.wizarduniverse.com/magazine/wizard/002578766.cfm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071212102237/https://www.wizarduniverse.com/magazine/wizard/002578766.cfm |archive-date=2007-12-12 |access-date=2007-02-11 |website=Wizard}}</ref>
=== Criticisms ===
Throughout its publication years, the ''Doctor Fate'' comic book series has faced various criticisms, which have contributed to its tendency to experience early cancellations and poor sales. According to a [[Wizard (magazine)|Wizard Magazine]] article, the late writer Steve Gerber expressed his retrospective belief that previous ''Doctor Fate'' series suffered from a lack of clear definition regarding the character's abilities and the source of his power. Gerber also noted that the character had been taken in numerous directions and undergone multiple incarnations, resulting in confusion for readers. Additionally, writer William Messner-Loebs mentioned that despite his enjoyment of writing for the series, it experienced limited sales.<ref name=":02" /> The ''Fate'' series is generally regarded as the least popular run of the Doctor Fate character. This particular iteration of Doctor Fate, featuring the Jared Stevens incarnation and a significant redesign that leaned towards a demon hunter archetype, received negative reviews. The departure from traditional elements associated with the character necessitated a reboot of the character's background, origin, and abilities the ''Book of Fate'' series.<ref name=":62"
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
[[Category:Comics publications]]
[[Category:Superhero comics]]
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