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Morgaine le Fey is a supervillain appearing in DC Comics, based on Morgan le Fay, the mythical sorceress and half-sister of King Arthur. She debuted in The Demon #1 (September 1972), and was created by Jack Kirby.[1]
Fictional character biography
Morgaine le Fey is the ancient sorceress of Arthurian legends. Her history is slightly different from the legends, but she is a sorceress gifted in the arts of black magic. In Madame Xanadu #1 (2008), Morgaine (or "Morgana") is revealed as a sister of Nimue (the future Madame Xanadu) and Vivienne, the Lady of the Lake. All three descend from the "Elder Folk", survivors of the fall of Atlantis that evolved into the Homo magi, explaining Morgaine's affinity for magic. While Nimue is shown as kind and caring about the early, magic-free humans, Morgaine exhibits a mean streak, treating the new human breed as little more than playthings, using contempt even towards her kinder little sister.
After several centuries of manipulating humans and taking many lovers (including Julius Caesar), Morgaine sets her sights on Uther Pendragon, High King of Britain. Her advances are rejected, as Uther only has eyes for Igraine, the wife of Duke Gorlois of Cornwall. Seeking to meddle in their lives, Morgaine disguises herself as Igraine's daughter. Afterward, she is exiled from the Elder Folk and travels to Avalon.[2] In The New 52 continuity reboot, Morgaine and Nimue are the biological daughters of Igraine, who is identified as a Fae.
In the early 6th century, Morgaine trains her sisters Morgause and Elaine to be adept with sorcery like her. After Uther kills Gorlois, Morgaine blames her half-brother King Arthur (Uther's son) for stealing her and her sisters' birthright. She conspires against him throughout his time on the throne and seeks the destruction of Camelot. During this time, Merlin merges the demon Etrigan with the human Jason Blood in a last-ditch effort to defend the kingdom.[3]
Following this, Morgaine continues to practice dark magic and retains her youth for many centuries, seeking power and a new kingdom to rule. By the 20th century, Merlin returns and tricks Morgaine, causing her to lose her youth.
In Batman Family #17, the Huntress's use of the Justice League transporter frees Morgaine, who claims the Philosopher's Stone. Le Fey seeks a baby with latent demon powers in the maternity ward where Man-Bat's wife is giving birth. Several women give birth to demon children as a result. Etrigan also appears and together he and Man-Bat defeat le Fey.
Morgaine later attempts to steal Wonder Woman's eternal youth, not realizing that she has given it up. She is killed, but revives and returns to battle Etrigan and Wonder Woman on many occasions.
Morgaine returns in Trinity, working with Enigma and Despero to usurp the symbolic position of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. She infuses the villains with the Major Arcana of the Tarot, giving them a measure of control over reality. However, she is ultimately defeated and imprisoned in a stone idol, which is placed in Jason Blood's custody.
Morgaine appears as a member of Hawkman and Hawkgirl's group The Immortals, advising Kendra Saunders/Lady Blackhawk to use the Anti-Monitor's brain to destroy the Dark Multiverse.[4]
Powers and abilities
Morgaine le Fey is a sorceress skilled in the use of black magic. This gives her various abilities, including mind control, remote viewing, life force absorption, telepathy, and magic nullification.
Other versions
- An alternate universe variant of Morgaine le Fey appears in Camelot 3000.
- An alternate universe variant of Morgaine le Fey appears in Just Imagine... This version is a member of Reverend Darrk's Church of Eternal Empowerment and Adam Strange's mother.[5]
In other media
Television
- Morgaine le Fay appears in series set in the DC Animated Universe (DCAU), voiced by Olivia d'Abo.[6]
- Introduced in the Justice League episode "A Knight of Shadows", this version was Jason Blood's lover, to whom he betrayed Camelot to during its invasion, only for her to betray and poison him in turn. In the present, she manipulates Martian Manhunter into stealing the Philosopher's Stone in exchange for her resurrecting the Martian race. However, after reading Etrigan's mind and seeing Morgaine's betrayal of Jason, J'onn realizes that she will not fulfill their deal and destroys the stone.
- Morgaine le Fey appears in the Justice League Unlimited episode "Kids Stuff", where she aids the Justice League in fighting Mordred after he steals the Amulet of First Magic and exiles all adults on Earth to another dimension.
- Morgaine le Fey appears in Batman: The Brave and the Bold, voiced by Tatyana Yassukovich.[6]
Video games
- Morgaine le Fey appears in the DS version of Batman: The Brave and the Bold – The Videogame.[7]
- Morgaine le Fey appears as a character summon in Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.[8]
See also
References
Template:Justice League Dark Template:Justice League characters Template:Etrigan the Demon Template:Jack Kirby
- ↑ Template:Cite book
- ↑ Madame Xanadu #20
- ↑ Trinity #21
- ↑ Dark Nights: Metal #2
- ↑ Just Imagine: Shazam! #1
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Template:Cite web A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
- ↑ Template:Cite web
- ↑ Template:Cite web