Doctor Destiny (John Dee) is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Jeremy Davies played the character in his live-action debut on the Arrowverse crossover "Elseworlds". David Thewlis plays a version of the character in the television series The Sandman.

Publication history

Doctor Destiny first appeared in Justice League of America #5 (June 1961), and was created by Gardner Fox and Mike Sekowsky.

Fictional character biography

Doctor Destiny is a petty criminal scientist who uses his genius to create devices for crime. After encountering the Justice League, Destiny creates the Materioptikon, a device that enables him to manipulate dreams and manifest them into reality. The Sandman reveals that the Materioptikon is powered by Morpheus' Dreamstone. The League members hypnotize Destiny and prevent him from using the Materioptikon, causing him to go insane. He is subsequently imprisoned in Arkham Asylum. In The Sandman, the Dreamstone is destroyed, depriving Destiny of his powers. However, his continued use of the Materioptikon gives him its powers innately. In Justice Society of America (vol. 3), part of The Lightning Saga, Destiny captures Dream Girl and imprisons her in Arkham. However, Starman frees her and nullifies Destiny's abilities using the code word "Lightning Lad". In the Superman/Batman storyline '"Mash-Up", Doctor Destiny creates a dream world consisting of combinations of people from the real world, hoping to replace the waking world with his fabricated realm. Superman and Batman escape being fused and defeat Destiny, rendering him comatose.

The New 52

In The New 52 continuity reboot, Doctor Destiny is a centuries-old magic user and the son of Madame Xanadu. He later joins the Secret Society of Super Villains in Forever Evil and is killed by Insomnia in Knight Terrors.

Powers and abilities

John Dee has the ability to enter and manipulate dreams. He also possesses extensive knowledge of medical science.

Other versions

Doctor Destiny makes a minor appearance in Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth. This version is weak and wheelchair-bound.

In other media

Television

Film

Doctor Destiny, referred simply to as "Destiny", appears in Justice League Dark, voiced by Alfred Molina. This version is a dark wizard who was trapped in the Dreamstone by Merlin and Etrigan centuries prior. In the present, Destiny possesses Ritchie Simpson before being defeated by John Constantine, Deadman, and Etrigan after they separate him from the Dreamstone.

Video games

Doctor Destiny appears as a character summon in Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.

Miscellaneous