Dormammu

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Dormammu is the ruler of the Dark Dimension. He holds a longstanding grudge with the Ancient One, legendary Earth sorcerer, and has recently extended this grudge to the Ancient One's powerful student, Doctor Strange.

Biography

Doctor Strange in the Dark Dimension

In 1964, Dormammu sent a messenger to the Ancient One, declaring his intentions to invade Earth. The Ancient One sent his strongest disciple, Doctor Strange, to the Dark Dimension to stop this invasion before it occurred. Dormammu wasn't interested in fighting Strange and demanded to see the Ancient One instead, but Strange insisted that he'd have to go through him first. Clea, one of Dormammu's people, tried to convince Strange not to fight him, but he refused, and Dormammu restrained her simply for speaking with the enemy. He forced her to watch his battle with Strange, promising to kill her afterward. The two fought, but this weakened Dormammu such that the wall he'd put up around his domain to hold back the Mindless Ones was broken. He was forced to avert his attention to this more dire threat, but in his weakened state was unable to build a new wall strong enough to hold them. Strange offered his power as well, and together the two pushed back the invaders. Dormammu cursed Strange, realizing that he was now in his debt for helping save his people. Strange simply told Dormammu not to harm Clea and to vow never to invade Earth. Dormammu agreed, but nonetheless vowed to avenge the indignity he had suffered that day.[1][2]

Alliance with Mordo

Dormammu soon found a workaround to his vow. He forged a utilitarian bond with Baron Mordo, another disciple of the Ancient One and earthly nemesis of Doctor Strange. ormammu granted Mordo a portion of his power, and as a result Mordo at last became more powerful than Strange. Mordo and his spirit henchmen chased Strange around the world, keeping Dormammu apprised via a magical screen into the Dark Dimension. Mordo came close to defeating or capturing Strange on numerous occasions, but repeatedly fell short.[3][4][5][6] Clea soon learned that Strange was in danger, and knew that she had to help. She used a device from Dormammu's possessions to dissolve the barrier holding back the Mindless Ones, forcing Dormammu to temporarily divert his power from Mordo to erect a new one.[7][8] Dormammu soon learned that Clea was responsible, and magically restrained her until he was ready to deal with her.[9] With help from the Ancient One, Strange reached the realm of Eternity, the living embodiment of the universe.[10] While he was away, Mordo kidnapped the Ancient One, forcing Strange to meet Mordo at his sanctum upon his return.[11]

Dormammu demanded to know what Strange had gotten from Eternity, but he truthfully said nothing. Mordo prepared to battle Strange as he and Dormammu prepared the Ancient One and Clea to see Strange's defeat. Dormammu and Ancient One bolstered their respective charges with their own powers, but all involved knew that Dormammu's might allowed Mordo to be the superior. On the advice of the Ancient One, Strange instead relied on his wits to out-duel Mordo, and he indeed managed to prolong what might well have been an easy victory for Mordo. Dormammu grew impatient, and he banished everyone (save Clea) to another dimension.[12]

In the face of Eternity

Dormammu arranged things in such a way that he and Strange could fight each other in a neutral dimension, with rulers from across myriad other dimensions looking on. Some present supported Dormammu, while others supported the Ancient One, and Strange in turn. Strange agreed to Dormammu's terms, whereby they would battle in such a way that relied upon skill and wits rather than raw magical power. At stake was the fate of Earth, and the approval of the interdimensional dignitaries. The two proved to be relatively even, but Strange eventually got the upper hand. As he did so, Mordo blindsided him with a powerful blast of energy to the back, taking him down.[13] Dormammu was naturally furious at Mordo's interference. Mordo said he was only trying to help, but Dormammu only got more insulted at Mordo's insolence. He banished Mordo to the "Dimension of Demons," but in any case declared himself victor over Doctor Strange. Strange recovered however, and insisted that they continue fighting. He had in fact fully recovered from Mordo's attack, but let Dormammu believe that he was more injured than he truly was. Dormammu agreed, and the two resumed their battle as before. Strange played into Dormammu's overconfidence and outsmarted him, defeating him convincingly. Dormammu begrudgingly agreed to never attack Earth, with the eyes of the dimensions' powerful representatives upon him. He banished everyone back to their home dimensions, decrying his own arrogance. Determined to get the last laugh, Dormammu contacted Strange on Earth and showed him that he had Clea captive. Since Dormammu was still beholden to his oath not to harm Clea per se, he instead banished her to another, unstated dimension, daring Strange to try to find her.[14] Dormammu lured Strange into the domain of Tazza and tricked Tazza into thinking that Strange was coming to destroy him, such that Tazza would attack when Strange simply came looking for information. Strange defended himself well however, defeating Tazza and leaving unharmed.[15]

Dormammu knew that to defeat Doctor Strange, he would have to bring him to a neutral dimension once more. Further, Eternity's interference could prove a hindrance to his victory. Dormammu entered Eternity's realm and cast a barrier over the slumbering, formless entity to prevent it from witnessing anything. He cast a message to Doctor Strange on Earth, faking a call for help from Clea and opening a portal to Eternity's domain. Strange arrived, and Dormammu immediately attacked him. Before long, Eternity broke free of Dormammu's spell and took exception to being targeted. Eternity said that it would not have interfered normally, but Dormammu's attack had forced its hand. The bold and ambitious Dormammu was determined to destroy Eternity and become the foremost power in the universe, and he was prepared to die rather than bow to Eternity's power. The two collided in an enormous cataclysm as Strange watched from afar, dodging hurtling and exploding celestial bodies. Dormammu's body was destroyed in the battle, and as a result, all those he had imprisoned in the Dark Dimension were freed. Strange went on to further release those whom Dormammu had banished across the universe, including Baron Mordo.[16]

References

  1. ↑ Strange Tales #126b: "The Domain of the Dread Dormammu!" (November 1964) Lee, Stan (w), Ditko, Steve (art), Simek, Artie (let).
  2. ↑ Strange Tales #127b: "Duel with the Dread Dormammu!" (December 1964) Lee, Stan (w), Ditko, Steve (art), Rosen, Sam (let).
  3. ↑ Strange Tales #130b: "The Defeat of Dr. Strange." (March 1965) Lee, Stan (w), Ditko, Steve (art), Simek, Artie (let).
  4. ↑ Strange Tales #131b: "The Hunter and the Hunted!" (April 1965) Lee, Stan (w), Ditko, Steve (art), Simek, Artie (let).
  5. ↑ Strange Tales #132b: "Face-to-Face at Last with Baron Mordo!" (May 1965) Lee, Stan (w), Ditko, Steve (art), Simek, Artie (let).
  6. ↑ Strange Tales #133b: "A Nameless Land, a Timeless Time!" (June 1965) Lee, Stan (w), Ditko, Steve (art), Rosen, Sam (let).
  7. ↑ Strange Tales #134b: "Earth Be My Battleground." (July 1965) Lee, Stan (w), Ditko, Steve (art), Simek, Artie (let).
  8. ↑ Strange Tales #135b: "Eternity Beckons!" (August 1965) Lee, Stan (w), Ditko, Steve (w, art), Rosen, Sam (let).
  9. ↑ Strange Tales #136b: "What Lurks Beneath the Mask?" (September 1965) Lee, Stan (w), Ditko, Steve (w, art), Simek, Artie (let).
  10. ↑ Strange Tales #137b: "When Meet the Mystic Minds!" (October 1965) Lee, Stan (w), Ditko, Steve (w, art), Simek, Artie (let).
  11. ↑ Strange Tales #138b: "If Eternity Should Fail!" (November 1965) Lee, Stan (w), Ditko, Steve (w, art), Rosen, Sam (let).
  12. ↑ Strange Tales #139b: "Beware...! Dormammu Is Watching!" (December 1965) Lee, Stan (w), Ditko, Steve (art), Simek, Artie (let).
  13. ↑ Strange Tales #140b: "The Pincers of Power!" (January 1966) Lee, Stan (w), Ditko, Steve (art), Rosen, Sam (let).
  14. ↑ Strange Tales #141b: "Let There Be Victory!" (February 1966) Lee, Stan (w), Ditko, Steve (w, art), Simek, Artie (let).
  15. ↑ Strange Tales #144b: "Where Man Hath Never Trod!" (May 1966) Thomas, Roy (w), Ditko, Steve (w, art), Simek, Artie (let), Lee, Stan (ed).
  16. ↑ Strange Tales #146b: "The End--at Last!" (July 1966) O'Neil, Dennis (w), Ditko, Steve (art), Simek, Artie (let), Lee, Stan (ed).
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