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Warning: contains spoilers for Justice League Unlimited #2!
After 90 years, DC is finally allowing its oldest hero to step into the spotlight–but how long will it last? DC’s new Justice League Unlimited has taken an “all-hands-on-deck” approach to the team, with nearly every hero on Earth a member. This has allowed some lesser-known heroes to rub shoulders with Superman and Batman, and now in issue two, one of DC’s oldest heroes joins the team.
Justice League Unlimited #2 is written by Mark Waid and drawn by Dan Mora. A group of rogue Parademons are attacking, and the League dispatches a squad to help. Among the heroes sent are League stalwarts such as Superman and Wonder Woman, mixed in with new recruits Black Lightning, Star Sapphire…and Doctor Occult. The squad splits up to cover more ground, and Occult pairs up with the Martian Manhunter. Occult reveals he knew about J’Onn not long after he came to Earth, as Occult investigated the death of Professor Erdel, whose experiments brought J’Onn to Earth.
Who is Doctor Occult? DC Comics’ Very First Character Explained
Doctor Occult Shares a Pedigree with Superman
Despite being first, and having an unbeatable creative pedigree, Doctor Occult did not catch on, and disappeared before Action Comics #1.
While the name Doctor Occult is not on the lips of many comic fans, he still occupies a very important role in the history of the DC Universe: he was, essentially, the publisher’s first superhero. Debuting in 1935’s More Fun Comics #6, he predates the arrival of Superman by three years. Furthermore, Doctor Occult was created by the team of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, who would later create Superman, and help kickstart an industry. Despite being first, and having an unbeatable creative pedigree, Doctor Occult did not catch on, and disappeared before Action Comics #1.
From there, Doctor Occult slipped into obscurity. He made no appearances for nearly 50 years, and was nothing more than a footnote in DC history–that is, until Marv Wolfman and George Perez revived him for 1985’s Crisis on Infinite Earths. It was a fitting place for Doctor Occult to return, as the series was commissioned to celebrate 50 years of DC Comics. He would go on to play a pivotal role in Crisis’ final issue, as he and Green Lantern Alan Scott use their magical powers to defeat the Anti-Monitor’s Shadow Demons. Doctor Occult was back—but what next?
The 1980s Finally Saw Doctor Occult Get His Due
Doctor Occult Could Be Viewed as an Early Transgender Superhero
The answer came in 1987’s Secret Origins #17, which finally gave Doctor Occult’s origin, something missing from his first stories. Writers Roy Thomas and E. Nelson Bridwell, along with artist Howard Simpson, fleshed out Doctor Occult’s backstory, explaining his relationship with his assistant, Rose Psychic. The two were nearly sacrificed as infants to a demonic entity, but were rescued by an envoy from a group called The Seven. The Seven, a secret, underground mystical society, then trained the two children in the arts of magic. Upon adulthood, Occult and Psychic came to America, where they solved paranormal crimes.
A Guide to the Members of the “Trenchcoat Brigade”
Name
First Appearance
Created By
John Constantine
Swamp Thing #37
Alan Moore, Stephen Bissette and John Totleben
Doctor Occult
More Fun Comics #6
Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster
The Phantom Stranger
The Phantom Stranger #1
John Broome and Carmine Infantino
Mister E
Secrets of the Haunted House #31
Bob Rozakis and Jack C Harris
Doctor Occult returned in 1990’s The Books of Magic miniseries, which introduced a key element of his lore: the bond he shares with Rose Psychic. Occult, along with the Phantom Stranger, Mister E and John Constantine, mentor young Tim Hunter in the ways of magic. During the miniseries, it is revealed that Occult and Psychic share a soul and a body. There are at least two different accounts of how this happened, but regardless of how it went, it made Doctor Occult into a much more interesting character. In fact, Doctor Occult could be viewed as an early transgender superhero.
After Gaiman’s Books of Magic miniseries, Tim Hunter would return for a regular series that ran until 2000.
After The Books of Magic put Doctor Occult on the map, his appearances continued throughout the 1990s, mostly in background scenes. He was a member of the Sentinels of Magic, a team that could be viewed as a precursor to the Justice League Dark. Occult was also active in the New 52 era, and Justice League Unlimited #2 marks his All-In debut. Occult has made appearances in other media as well, including appearances in Batman: The Brave and the Bold as well as the DC Online video game.
DC Needs to Do More With Doctor Occult–And Soon
DC Would Be Foolish to Let Doctor Occult Slip Back into Obscurity
Doctor Occult should be a DC icon, but instead he remains more of a curiosity. He has an intriguing backstory, both in-universe and out. On a visual level, Doctor Occult resembles Superman in the face, and in one adventure, wore a costume similar to the Man of Steel’s. It was as if Siegel and Shuster were doing a dry run for Superman. Doctor Occult’s trenchcoat and fedora make him resemble a 1930’s hard-boiled detective, and this could be working against him. Doctor Occult’s outfit is of its era, a time that has passed, which could affect perceptions of him.
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Yet Mark Waid and Dan Mora have made a case for Doctor Occult taking a bigger role in the DC Universe, after 90 years of being relegated to the background. Waid and Mora depict Occult using not only his magical powers (including the Seal of the Seven) but also show his prowess as a detective, as he figures out the Martian Manhunter’s secret identity. Occult did not rat him out, showing his strong moral character as well. Doctor Occult is brimming with potential, and DC would be wise to continue giving this unique character more exposure in the future.
Justice League Unlimited #2 is on sale now from DC Comics!
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