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Doctor Fate (also known as Fate) is a superhero who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Gardner Fox and Howard Sherman, the character first appeared in More Fun Comics #55 (May, 1940) during the Golden Age of Comic Books. Since his creation, several other characters have served as successor incarnations of the character within the mainstream DC Universe as legacy heroes, with each new version attempting to reinvigorate the character for contemporary audiences.

The original version is archaeologist Kent Nelson, whose encounter with Nabu, a cosmic being affiliated with the Lords of Order, transformed him into the sorcerous superhero, Doctor Fate, by granting him the famous Helmet of Fate. First training him out of pity of Kent following father's death during an excavation, various retellings reconceptualize Nabu's intents and method of training. As Doctor Fate, Kent became a founding member of the Justice Society of America and served in other superhero teams like the Justice League International. As the original (sometimes referred to as Golden Age Doctor Fate), Kent's most reoccurring conflict is his gradual loss of personal agency to Nabu and its effects on his interpersonal relationships, especially with his love interest, Inza Cramer. Since the 1980s, the original version has been subjected to various comic book deaths, with several other successors taking the role at times and Kent either eventually returning to the role in after revivals, making posthumous appearances in storylines, or being in supporting roles to other versions. After being killed off in a 2019 Justice League Dark storyline, he is permanently succeeded by the modern incarnation, Egyptian-American and medical practitioner Khalid Nassour.

While not reaching the same levels of cultural recognition as Batman, Superman, or Wonder Woman, Doctor Fate remains as one of DC Comic's most enduring and long-standing characters, known for their distinctive name and design. Being one of the earliest heroes created by DC Comics, the original's Immortal Doctor Fate remain as one of the character's most popular runs. However, creators and critics alike have been critical of aspects of the characters, including elements of orientalism, Nabu's characterization in regards to Nelson's agency, and the character's immense powers poising challenges in creating credible adversaries. Despite this, the original Doctor Fate has made many appearances in adaptations. Nelson first made his live-action debut in the television series , portrayed by . He also appears in the DC Extended Universe film (2022), portrayed by . The character appeared in the DC Animated Universe, voiced by George DelHoyo in the and Oded Fehr in and . Several alternate versions of the character have also been adapted in media, including original creations and those based on other published DC Comics characters.

In a 1987 interview, Fox recalled the genesis behind Fate, stating, "Doctor Fate (I originally called him Doctor Droon, but the name was editorially changed) was one of my favorites. I created him and even sketched out the original costume he would wear – but that costume was changed by artists over the years, for one reason or another. To my knowledge, I wrote all the Dr. Fate yarns that appeared, up until 1968, when I left comic book writing to a great degree. I always liked the supernatural; I read Lovecraft, Derleth, Sax Rohmer, Howard, Clark Ashton Smith, Whitehead, all the others, Fate was a derivation from my imagination influenced by those writings"

The original version of the character, Kent Nelson, first appeared in a self-titled six-page strip in More Fun Comics No. 55 (May 1940), during the Golden Age of Comic Books, created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Howard Sherman, who produced the first three years of monthly Doctor Fate stories. Soon after, the character's origin was shown in More Fun Comics No. 67 (May 1941). Stories during the Golden Age included his love interest, Inza, who was known variably throughout the Golden Age as Inza Cramer, Inza Sanders, and Inza Carmer. When the (JSA) was created for All Star Comics No. 3 (Winter 1940), Doctor Fate was one of the characters National Comics used for the joint venture with All-American Publications. He made his last appearance in that book in issue No. 21 (Summer 1944), virtually simultaneously with the end of his own strip in More Fun Comics No. 98 (July–August 1944).