Geek-A-Long
2017 Geek-A-Long: Doctor Fate
Aug
Doctor Fate is a helmet. Straight up, this superhero sorcerer is just a helmet. Hence, the helmet on this weeks Geek-A-Long square.
Alright, so maybe it’s slightly more complicated than someone finding this golden helmet and then harnessing an array of abilities including, but now limited to:
- Astral Projection
- Dimensional Travel
- Divination
- Healing
- Invisibility
- Necromancy
- Resurrection
- Telepathy
- Teleportation
- Making Superman immune to magic, because he’s clearly not godlike enough. ::eyeroll:: (Sorry, I’m not a fan of the Big Blue Cheese.)
Here’s the deal. The Helmet of Fate, which is what this golden beauty is actually called, is an ancient magic item that was created by a total bad-ass from 10 billion years ago named Nabu. He was from one of the first sentient races in the universe called the Lords of Order (as opposed the Lords of Chaos, who you can probably guess are the bad dudes.) Nabu came to Earth eventually, set himself up as Nabu the Wise, and became an adviser to the pharaohs of ancient Egypt. He crossed paths with Vandal Savage, created Blue Beetle’s Scarab, made the Claw of Horus that Hawkgirl used later, and most importantly, he made the Amulet of Anubis and Cloak of Destiny.
I lied, you actually need the Amulet of Anubis and the Cloak of Destiny in addition to the helmet in order to become Dr. Fate. But in some versions, like Young Justice, only the Helmet of Fate was required.
When Dr. Fate made his initial debut in 1940 before comics did that thing where they re-imagine the character a billion times, they didn’t get into Dr. Fate’s background right away. But when they eventually did, I’m guessing everyone made sad faces. Because let’s be honest, most superheros don’t have lovely backstories.
Anyway, so we have an archaeologist named Sven Nelson back in the 1920s who thought it was a keen idea to take his son, Kent, on an expedition. He was probably like,
“Hey, kid. Are you ready to learn about mummies first hand? It’ll be fun!”
Kent probably jumped up and down squealing while the narrator said,
“It was not fun.”
Little Kent Nelson opened Nabu’s tomb and revived him from suspended animation, which accidentally released a poisonous gas that killed his father. Nabu felt really bad about Sven dying, but mummies were involved so they had to have known someone was gonna kick it… Anyway, so Nabu takes pity on little Kent and spends the next 20 years teaching him sorcery before he hands over the Helmet of Fate along with it’s accessories.
Things go pretty well, Kent becomes Doctor Fate and battles supernatural evil alongside just the normal crime fighting stuff. Kent helps co-found the Justice Society of America. But then Nabu starts to posses Kent when he wears the helmet, and the situation gets really abusive. Kent meets this woman named Inza Cramer, and Nabu hides from them that he wants them to merge to form a super form of Dr. Fate, so he can maintain his control over Kent. It’s no surprise that Kent gets sick of the whole racket and abandons it for a while. He becomes a real medical doctor and doesn’t return for a few years.
Nabu’s actions become more and more questionable as time passes. Eventually, he is restricted to only advising the wearer instead of using people like meatsuits. He also does enough shady crap that he’s turned into a Lord of Chaos.
If you’re interested in Doctor Fate, but aren’t ready to pick up the comics yet, watch Young Justice. There is a great episode that introduces Doctor Fate titled “Denial,” which is also one of my favorite Kid Flash episodes. Coincidentally, this episode also starts Zatanna’s storyline with the douchebag known as Nabu, so you’re welcome.
Whether you’re knitting, crocheting, or cross stitching this square, you can download the Doctor Fate pattern here, featuring the Helmet of Fate. Instructions and charts for both knit and crochet are listed in the pattern. When you’re finished making it, don’t forget to Instagram your squares at us @lattesandllamasyarn with the hashtag #geekalong!
If you’re having trouble with double-sided knitting, we have a how-to video here and a tutorial on crochet here. Want to hang out with other people making the blanket? You can find moral support in the Geek-A-Long group on Ravelry here.
~ Jac
Alright, so Nabu turns out to be sort of a dick, but Doctor Fate does save a lot of people.
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