A Black Dr. Fate?

[Matthew Morris]

"Why not, it worked in Blazing Saddles."

Ok, thought hit me in the shower this morning regarding 'reboots' and 'diversity'.

If a JSA book was done in WWII, how much of an upset would it be if Dr. Fate wasn't Kent Nelson? Then it hit me, different time and all, Dr. Fate's costume really covers his full body, so what if you rebooted the JSA and Dr. Fate was a black man? (or woman?) I thought it would be an interesting way of talking about race in the 40's-60's (pre-civil rights marches) especially if you integrated the JSA into the period.

Some stray thoughts.

The JSA members wouldn't likely care. (well their attitudes should be different if Dr Fate was a woman)

Other characters 'projecting' their own images on who they think Dr. Fate is. (bonus amusement value, some Klan types look at his helmet and start modling their hoods after it.)

It would also make an interesting 'Clark Kent/Superman dynamic.' if Dr Fate was known to be powerful, but out of costume, he was dealing with the prejudices of the time.

Now this thought is based on the 'spirits in the helmet empower the guy wearing it' model of Dr. Fate. Just curious if anyone would read it.

[Crimson Jester]

Honestly this should have been tried before. With Fate generally being powered by the helmet, anyone could be the bearer. I would also like it if even for a short time, a powered hero got the mask. Superman/Fate would be a bit much but could you imagine Zantana with the helmet of Fate?

[Matthew Morris]

Crimson Jester wrote:

but could you imagine Zantana with the helmet of Fate?

Seod Siht temleh ekam em kool taf?

[Crimson Jester]

LMAO

[Freehold DM]

I've wondered why she never got the helmet over the years.

Also, at this point in time, a black Dr. Fate might be dumb, considering Doctor Voodoo.

[Matthew Morris]

Freehold DM wrote:

I've wondered why she never got the helmet over the years.

Also, at this point in time, a black Dr. Fate might be dumb, considering Doctor Voodoo.

True I forgot about him (Don't read the Avengers books. Didn't he become Sorcerer Supreme only to get ganked?)

Just thought it would be interesting. I mean in the Wild Cards universe, the Jokers thought the Great And Powerful Turtle was a Joker, because he was in his shell.

[David Fryer]

I would love to see more ethnic diversity among all comic companies, and let's be honest a Black Doctor Fate would be progressive, a Black sorcerer named Doctor Voodoo seems just racist to me.

[Chris Mortika]

I admit, I'm not a big fan of racial diversity for its own sake. But an Egyptian Fate would be consistent with its own premises.

It occurs to me that I've never seen a small team-up with Dr. Fate and Captain Marvel, but that sounds like a nice pairing.

[Cartigan]

Chris Mortika wrote:

I admit, I'm not a big fan of racial diversity for its own sake. But an Egyptian Fate would be consistent with its own premises.

The Egyptian you are thinking weren't terrible ethnic, if I recall.

[Matthew Morris]

Chris Mortika wrote:

I admit, I'm not a big fan of racial diversity for its own sake. But an Egyptian Fate would be consistent with its own premises.

It occurs to me that I've never seen a small team-up with Dr. Fate and Captain Marvel, but that sounds like a nice pairing.

We had Oded Fehr. That's close, geographically.

[Crimson Jester]

Freehold DM wrote:

I've wondered why she never got the helmet over the years.

Also, at this point in time, a black Dr. Fate might be dumb, considering Doctor Voodoo.

Dr. Voodoo? Wasn't it Brother Voodoo?

[thejeff]

David Fryer wrote:

I would love to see more ethnic diversity among all comic companies, and let's be honest a Black Doctor Fate would be progressive, a Black sorcerer named Doctor Voodoo seems just racist to me.

OTOH, voodoo is interesting to play with and a white Doctor/Brother Voodoo would just be wrong.

Now my mind has gone to Grant Morrison's Jim Crow, probably the best Voodoo type I've seen in comics.

[Chris Mortika]

Crimson Jester wrote:

Dr. Voodoo? Wasn't it Brother Voodoo?

Brother Voodoo + Eye of Agamotto and the mantle of the Sorcerer Supreme = Doctor Voodoo.

Then, things went south.

[Crimson Jester]

Chris Mortika wrote:

Crimson Jester wrote:

Dr. Voodoo? Wasn't it Brother Voodoo?

Brother Voodoo + Eye of Agamotto and the mantle of the Sorcerer Supreme = Doctor Voodoo.

Then, things went south.

I have been out of the loop for awhile then. Um what happened to Strange?

[Chris Mortika]

The Vishanti aren't too keen on him using back magicks.

[Matthew Morris]

Chris Mortika wrote:

The Vishanti aren't too keen on him using back magicks.

But front magics are fine.