Doctor Voodoo

Origin

Jericho Drumm was born in Haiti, where he was surrounded by a native culture that embraced voodoo and magic. Jericho left behind his younger brother Daniel and went to New York City, where he studied psychology. After 12 years away from his homeland, Jericho returned to Haiti to find that his brother had become a the Houngan Supreme and was in conflict with an rival sorcerer who claimed to be empowered by a spirit god called Damballah. Daniel was badly injured from his last battle with his rival sorcerer and was about to die. Daniel died, but not before he made Jericho take an oath, Daniel made Jericho promise that he would take the ways of their ancestors and avenge him. Jericho agreed and went to be train by the soccer Papa Jambo. Some time after Jericho found out that Papa Jambo was the last living lord of Loa, Papa Jambo intended that Jericho would be his successor.

Papa Jambo summoned the spirit of Daniel and bound it to Jericho’s soul. Now empowered by his brother’s presence, Jericho donned the garments that would mark him as Brother Voodoo and the Houngan Supreme. Jericho then set out to avenge his brother’s death. Brother Voodoo found Damballah and they battled, Damballah was exposed as a false god called Zobop. Brother Voodoo beat Zobop using the power’s of Loa ( the power of Loa enables Brother Voodoo to control fire and plant live, mesmerize people and raise the dead).

Creation

Brother Voodoo was created as a character try-out by Marvel writer Len Wein and first drawn by veteran comics artist Gene Colan for a 1973 issue of Strange Tales. After five appearances in that title, the character appeared in several versions by quite a few different artist and writer teams.

Sadly, Wein and Colan’s original version remains the best, as well as the least exploitative, iteration of a unique character in the annals of comicdom: a black Caribbean Superhero immigrant to America whose powers made use of traditions from outside the US that had otherwise long been a source of shameful caricature. Wein and Colan’s Brother Voodoo was more tasteful, less exploitative, and still as dramatic and exciting as a comic book character needs to be, due in no small part to the gifted Colan’s dynamic and expressive artwork, rich with shadows and exotic flourish.

Unfortunately, Brother Voodoo was never granted the transcendent treatment of gifted creators like Don McGregor and Billy Graham‘s Black Panther run, the excellent Panther’s Rage, and has instead devolved into a rehashing of more of the same cliche’d treatment of voodoo exotica that has long been a staple of cheap genre fiction, as well as being tumbled head first into Marvel’s ever-more convoluted narrative framework.

Major Story Arcs

Continuing Adventures

In the years that followed Brother Voodoo found himself battling against some powerful supernatural enemies such as Dracula, the Black Talon and Marie La Veau but none of them could beat Brother Voodoo. Brother Voodoo has also worked along side other supernatural being such as Doctor Strange, Ghost rider [Dan Ketch] and Blade.

The New Sorcerer Supreme

Dr. Strange knew he lost the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme for some time and that the Eye of Agamotto would appear to the person that would replace him. He travels with the New Avengers to New Orleans where he believes The Hood is trying to kill the new Sorcerer Supreme before he or she can take their rightful place and claim the Eye.

The Hood fights Daimon Hellstrom to the point where the infernal side of him becomes dominant. Dr. Strange then appears, assuming that Daimon Hellstrom was going to be the new Sorcerer Supreme. He tells him to run so that Dormammu could not possess the Eye. Daimon then tells Strange he does not have the Eye.

Brother Voodoo then emerges from the ruins created by Damion and the Hood-Dormmamu’s fight. He is seen to possess the Eye of Agamotto, and it seems that he is now the new Sorcerer Supreme.

Voodoo joins the Avengers, Strange and Hellstorm battle The Hood who has fully turned into Dormammu. Together they are able to defeat him and the three magic users banish Dormammu and depower The Hood. After the fight Clint Barton re-names Brother Voodoo Doctor Voodoo on live TV. Also he and Photon (Monica Rambeau) have started an on-again-off-again dating relationship.

Avenger of the Supernatural

Taking his new calling to heart Doctor Voodoo is now being tutored by Doctor Strange. He travels to the Dark Dimension to seal Dormammu for his recent assault using and returns home where his brother and Strange scold him for not resting in a week, but shows the Doctor mystical items he has collected in his work. Strange reminds him of the dangers of dark magic and Voodoo reminds him he is not Sorcerer Supreme anymore and Strange leaves.

Doctor Voodoo goes to his work at a free clinic to see an old man who has been waiting on him for hours. He is shocked to see the man is possessed by a loa spirit named Marinette-Bwa-Chech. Doctor Doom arrives to interrupt the two and fights Voodoo. Doom still wishes to have the Eye and feels now is his best chance since Voodoo is so untrained in its use. The two battle even raging through different dimensions but Doom wins.

He takes the Eye but it opens to show him something that disgusts him and he leaves it with Voodoo who wonders what he saw. Their fight leaves Voodoo trapped in a dimension filled with strange frog monsters and where his magic is of no use. After escaping the strange dimension he finds that the demons of that plane have followed him to ours. To face this powerful threat Doctor Voodoo calls on Son of Satan for support. The duo discover that this whole ordeal is being lead by the long term Sorcerer Supreme enemy Nightmare.

Heroic Age

After events in the Marvel Universe leave its dimensional boundaries weakened, Doctor Strange and Hellstrom are possessed by a demonic entity. The entity is at first implied to be the Ancient One, but is later revealed to be Agamotto himself, who seeks to reclaim his Eye. In the ensuing battle, Brother Voodoo teams up with the New Avengers to defeat the villain, but ultimately sacrifices his live to destroy Agamotto once and for all. Daniel then swears vengeance on the Avengers for his brother’s death.

Later, Doctor Strange officially retakes the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme after defeating Daniel.

AXIS

During the events of AXIS, Doctor Doom resurrects Brother Voodoo, as he realizes Jericho and Daniel are the only ones who can stop the Scarlet Witch, who has been transformed into a rampaging villain by the effects of the Inversion. The brothers play a key role in ending the crisis, with Brother Voodoo taking down the Inverted Iron Man while Doom and the possessed Scarlet Witch cast the spell to undo the Inversion.

After the Inversion ends, Brother Voodoo is officially inducted into the Avengers Unity Squad alongside Quicksilver and the new Captain America.

All-New Marvel & Uncanny Avengers

Because of the second Civil War and other factors, tensions were high in the superhero community, causing the Unity Squad to become fractured. During this time, Voodoo is confronted and stabbed by his newly resurrected brother, Daniel, who reveals he had grown impatient with Jericho for not resurrecting him and that he had bargained with the Hand to have him revived instead. In exchange, Daniel disclosed the location of the grave of the recently deceased Bruce Banner.

Voodoo manages to escape his brother and warn his remaining teammates of the Hand’s plan to resurrect and turn Hulk into their thrall. The Unity Division assault the Hand and battle the newly resurrected Hulk until they manage to force and contain him in one of Voodoo’s spells. As Voodoo begins freeing Banner’s spirit from the Hand’s influence he is confronted by a demon of the Hand who tells Jericho that if he frees Banner’s soul they’ll claim his brother’s instead. Voodoo responds by declaring that Banner is his true brother and that Daniel had damned himself. Now free of the Hand’s influence, Banner was allowed to return to the grave for some time more.

Characteristics

Height: 6’0

Weight: 220 lbs

Eyes: Brown

Hair: Brown (with a white streak)

Powers

Divine Powers: Doctor Voodoo possess a variety of divine powers, through the combination of Voodoo and Magic. Doctor Voodoo possesses numerous Mystical and Quasi-physical Powers derived from the Loa, the Spirit-Gods of Voodoo. He can can manipulate Magical/Mystical Forces, and Elemental Forces at his will. He can also summon Mystical Creatures to counter-attack Magical Attacks.

Healing: Doctor Voodoo can heal himself and others, through the use of Magic and Voodoo.The extent of his healing powers are unknown.

Levitation: Doctor Voodoo used The Cloak of Levitation to simulate flight when he was Sorcerer Supreme. He can also use his magic to levitate without it.

Magic: Doctor Voodoo is a very powerful Magician, and has incredible magic prowess outside of his Voodoo. He can combine his Magic with his Voodoo, increasing his overall powers and abilities. He’s also immune to Harmful Magic, and most Magic Effects. Being the new Sorcerer Supreme (The Most Powerful Overall Sorcerer), he is one of the most powerful beings in the Universe.

Sorcerer Supreme: Doctor Voodoo was chosen for the high mystical position of Sorcerer Supreme by the Eye of Agamotto. After becoming the Sorcerer Supreme, his powers magical powers were significantly increased.

Teleportation: Doctor Voodoo can instantaneously move form one place to another. He can also can use the Evanodor Compatriot Boost Spell, to transport him to other dimensions.

Voodoo: Doctor Voodoo is a Master of Voodoo Magic. As a Houngan, he uses it as a form of order or White Magic. Doctor Voodoo can easily enter into a trance-like state, in which he does not feel the heat from fire, and his skin becomes impervious to burning; He can also control flame and lower life forms. Doctor Voodoo can mystically create smoke accompanied by the sound of drums.The constant beat of the drums can disorient or unnerve an opponent. The smoke conceals his presence while he is able to see through it. Doctor Voodoo has the ability to command certain living things by a mystic sort of hypnotism, most effective over animals and plants. He can summon the Loa to request transport for himself and others instantaneously, if they deem it necessary to his mission. Doctor Voodoo can also summon the spirit of his brother Daniel Drumm from within his body, which can double his strength, durability, speed and stamina. He can send the spirit to possess another person’s body and then has total control over their actions.

Abilities

Combat: Jericho has knowledge in many different forms of armed and unarmed combat.

Escape Artist: Jericho possess great escapist skill, allowing him to escape from traps and infiltrate places unseen.. He once entered Strange’s building, not through magic, but through the chimney.

Intellect: Jericho is very intelligent. He has an extensive Medical background in multiple types of Conventional Medicine. Jericho also has vast knowledge of Magic over all, combined with his extensive knowledge of Voodoo, thanks to training by Papa Jambo. Along with Black Panther and Blue Marvel, he’s one of the most educated superheroes in the world.

Psychologist: Jericho is a noted, successful, and wealthy Doctor. He has a M.D. in Psychology, over 12 years of education/practice as an accredited Psychologist, and extensive knowledge in the way of Human behavior. Jericho also runs his own Free Clinic in New Orleans.

Tracking: Jericho is a very skilled tracker. Through his use of his Voodoo and Magic, he can track anyone.

Weapons Master: Jericho is very proficient in the use of different kids of weapons.

Weapons and Equipment

Books of knowledge: Doctor Voodoo uses these books, such as the Book of the Vishanti, to help him train for his future quests. Drumm also has the right to claim the Wand of Watoomb, according to Doctor Strange, but it is currently lost in another reality.

Cloak of Levitation: The Cloak of Levitation allows Doctor Voodoo to fly at 25 miles an hour for indeterminate lengths.

Doctor Strange’s former costume: Doctor Voodoo has the use of Doctor Strange’s formor costume, and his enchanted sash capable of extending in length.

Eye of Agamotto: The Eye of Agamotto is a mystical artifact used by the Sorcerer Supreme. Among its various powers, it can project mystical light for a variety of effects, allow it’s user the ability to fly, and give its user certain mystical perceptions into another’s soul. It can also open dimensional portals, and cast a hypnotic gaze.

Medallion: Jericho utilizes a medallion to assist him in harnessing the “Loa.”

Orb of Agamotto: Normally used for scrying, The Orb of Agamotto can be used to teleport others or to travel into Agamotto’s personal realm.

Staff of Legba: As the Houngan Supreme, Jericho is also a Guardian of the Eternal Crossroads. He wields the Staff of Legba, a gift bestowed only onto the Houngan Supreme. It serves as a conduit for Jericho’s mystical energies, and also grants him access to infinite dimensions, which he refers to as “Everdimensions.”

Voodoo Paraphernalia: Jericho employs a host of Voodoo Paraphernalia such as Voodoo-dolls.

Wand of Watoomb: Jericho has the right to claim the Wand of Watoomb according to Doctor Strange, but it is currently lost in another reality.

Alternate Realities

MARVEL ZOMBIES

In Ultimate Fantastic Four #23 (Nov. 2005), in the alternate reality Ultimate Marvel universe, Brother Voodoo is one of dozens of superhero zombies. In the one-shot, flashback comic book Marvel Zombies: Dead Days (July 2007), Brother Voodoo is one of the last few surviving heroes to become infected with the zombie virus.

WHAT IF? AGE OF APOCALYPSE

Brother Voodoo was one of the main characters in an alternate Age of Apocalypse, first seen in the February 2007 What If? Featuring X-Men: Age of Apocalypse one-shot. In this issue, Brother Voodoo replaces Dr. Strange as the Sorcerer Supreme in the story and wears Strange’s wardrobe. He battles Dormammu and helps the heroes take down Apocalypse, though himself vanishes when the Eye of Agamotto is taken away from him.

MARVEL AGE MAGAZINE

Brother Voodoo was a frequent guest in Fred Hembeck‘s monthly Marvel Age feature, which also introduced his ‘long lost sister’, Sister Voodoo.

Other Media

Video Games

• Brother Voodoo makes a small cameo appearance in Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3. He is shown in Doctor Strange’s ending along with other mystic’s such as Wiccan and the Scarlet Witch.
• Doctor Voodoo appears as a playable character in Marvel Avengers Alliance.
• Brother Voodoo appears as a playable character in Lego Marvel’s Avengers.
• Doctor Voodoo appears as a playable fighter in Marvel Contest of Champions.
• Doctor Voodoo was featured in Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2.

Merchandise

• A classic Brother Voodoo figure was shown in a Marvel Legends fan poll. Though a prototype was produced, Brother Voodoo ultimately lost the poll.
• Brother Voodoo was included in the HeroClix figure game.
• Doctor Voodoo appeared in the Marvel Legends Book of Vishanti box set from Hasbro, alongside Doctor Strange, Magik, Hela and Dormammu.
• Doctor Voodoo was featured in the Marvel Legends Dormammu Build-a-Figure wave from Hasbro, which was released for the live-action Doctor Strange movie.