Magic

While there are many definitions of "magic" in real life, in both DC and Marvel comic books, magic usually refers to a fifth universal force in addition to the known Four Fundamental Forces of the real world (gravity, electromagnetic, strong force, and weak force) in superhero comic books and occurs with little explanation in most other types of comic books. There are two predominant flavors of magic in comic books, and it is dangerous to confuse them. One form of magic itself is merely raw power from a source other than the Four Fundamental Forces, therefore no more capable of possessing an innate morality than is gravity. In such cases, it falls upon the user to decide whether to use the powers they wield honorably or not (just as it falls upon any individual with power). This is often simply a handwaved excuse for something otherwise-impossible to occur. The other form of magic emanates or radiates from supernatural beings similar to the way that light and heat radiate from the sun; this form is more of a religious or spiritual force flowing directly from its specific supernatural being and therefore conveys the inherent good or evil of the god or demon or fey from whom it flows, making it capable of corrupting its wielder if evil and therefore dangerous for people to use. Supernatural beings that provide magical force include elemental powers, spirits, the Fair Folk (a.k.a. faeries or fairies), gods & demons, and abstract entities or sapient concepts.

Magic can be channeled into something fantastic like the creation of a dragon out of thin air or something relatively mundane like making small objects levitate. In order to harness safely the power of magic, an individual requires certain skills and/or attributes (such as training, innate ability via heredity or something else, etc), and even then the amount of magical power any one person can control is usually limited. Manifesting in a variety of ways, the methods used to channel magic are diverse; incantations, artifacts, complex rituals, potions, the list goes on and on. That being said, there are many individuals within the world of comics that utilize magic, both villains and heroes and the occasional clueless bystander.

DC Comics

In DC Comics, magical talent has been considered entirely separate from scientific talent, and magic has less to do with supernatural or spiritual matters and more to do with a sixth fundamental force, called at various times the lifeforce or, often, simply magic.

Although DC Comics has changed its continuities a number of time during its long history, in most of its continuities, the ability to wield high levels of magic has a biological and genetic basis rather than being a craft or skill. For this reason, many of those DC heroes who use magic are dependent on magical items such as the Helmet of Fate or the Ruby of Life or Alan Scott's magical Green Lantern ring -- though the same characters that use these items may display some magic abilities without them. Of course, these magical items all have their value due to their rareness and power. Many DC superhumans are born with the ability to wield magic. For example, Amethyst of Gemworld and Nightshade are both descendents of otherworldly noble families with the inherited ability to cast magic. Raven inherited her powers from her demon father Trigan, whereas The Enchantress gained her power from fusing with an ancient mystical spirit.

Mr. Mxyzptlk comes from the 5th Dimension where everyone is born with the ability to wield reality-altering magic, and Klarion the Witch-boy comes from Witch-World, home of an entire species of black magic wielders. Circe is the daughter of Greek divinities, in her case the Titans of myth. One of the most powerful of the magic-wielders in the DC universe, Zatanna, is half homo magi, a race of inherently magical humans (during the Silver Age, it was canon that the ability to wield magic was inherited from the homo magi strain, so the more homo magi DNA an individual had, the greater the magic he or she could wield, whereas those humans who lacked any homo magi DNA could perform only the simplest of magical spells and then only at great cost).

Similarly, other superhumans first must be transformed before their bodies can handle high levels of magic. Bloodwynd and Doctor Mist were both transformed by enchanted forces, a mystical Blood Gem and the Pillar of Life respectively. Doctor Fate had his body transformed by the cosmic lord of order Nabu before he could handle the tremendous power. The White Witch had her body transformed by the teachers of Sorcerer's World. For those who have neither a biological basis for their magic nor powerful magical items, it has been established that magic always has its price. This is why John Constantine, Anton Arcane, and the Cheetah take considerable risks whenever they use magic. Characters like Doctor Fate, Zatanna, and Zatara have used magic to fight crime. Zatanna casts her magic by reciting the desired action backwards (though as has been stated this is a mental exercise for her to focus on the complex magics.)

Magic is also one of Superman's few weaknesses. According to Silver Age continuity, Superman was even more vulnerable to magic than were ordinary humans because Kryptonians have no homo magi DNA to them whereas every Earth human has at least some homo magi DNA.

Sorcerer Supremes of the DC Universe

In the DC Universe, a Sorcerer Supreme is one of the titles given to a select few practicing magic users denoting their great skill in the mystic arts. Currently, the Sorcerer Supremes in the DC Universe are Zatanna Zatara and Jennifer Morgan of Earth and Skartaris respectively. Formerly, Kent V. Nelson/Doctor Fate (not to be confused with his predecessor) was the Sorcerer Supreme of Earth prior to Flashpoint.

History

Circa 500,000BC, the Sorcerer Supreme of Earth was the Atlantean god known as Calculha, whose activities during his time was recorded in the Chronicles of Choloh. During his time, Calculha protected his kingdom, Atlantis, from threats such as Kr'rth and bore Arion and Garn Daanuth through his wife and queen, Dark Majistra, though the union between the equals was dissolved. Calculha would train his son in the ways of the Lords of Order and white magic while Majistra trained Garn in chaos and dark magic. Eventually, their family battle would inadvertently cause an Ice Age through the Zodiac Crystals and Arion's body would seemingly be killed, his soul sent to Darkworld when the crystals converted his body into energy and Calculha sent that energy to a star to be reborn.

In 45,000BC, Arion would be resurrected and continued his life and Calculha would finally escape his exile into Darkwould, his son eventually recognized as the Sorcerer Supreme of Atlantis. Following his death, Arion would become Atlantis's foremost protector, fending off threats from the Lords of Chaos and other dark opponents, both scientific, political and mystical with his twin brother, Garn, being his chief enemy. Eventually, political strife caused by Garn and his alliance with Vandal Savage and Chaon's direct attack on Atlantis led to the City of the Golden Gate's destruction although remnants of Atlantis survived despite his belief.

In ancient Skartaris, the 38th Sorcerer Supreme of the Wizard World fell to Mongo Ironhand, who was next in line for the title. While unable to utilize complex types of magic, his skills enabled him knowledge of the future. In the modern Skatarian age, Jennifer Morgan would be the realm's Sorceress Supreme.

Eventually in the modern age, Arion would be called back to duty and reluctantly became one of Earth's protectors once more, claiming to be the Sorcerer Supreme. Eventually, Arion's body was usurped by Mordru and his soul casted into Gemworld until being rescued by Power Girl and Dove. His soul would disrupt Mordru's control briefly, allowing the JSA to defeat the Lord of Chaos, before ascending to the afterlife.

The next individual to be recognized as Sorcerer Supreme would be Kent V. Nelson, an incarnation of Doctor Fate who was the great nephew to the original Doctor Fate and the origin point for his namesake. A former psychiatrist, he eventually lost his job and family due to depression and adultery and found the Helm of Fate after the events of Days of Vengeance, the Lords of Order and Chaos destroyed with one survivor of each faction. Despite his inexperience, he eventually became a Sorcerer Supreme and a valued member of the Justice Society of America.

Non-Titled Equivalents

While some characters have not used the "Sorcerer Supreme" title, some characters have accolades similar to them:

• Kent Nelson is credited as the most powerful sorcerer of the modern age. (Source)
• Merlin is considered the most powerful mage of his era (The Dark Ages). (Source)
• Circe is considered the most lethal magician in existence after absorbing Hecate's power. (Source)
• Tim Hunter is destined to becoming the greatest magician in history.

Marvel Comics

In Marvel, some characters that employ magic are Doctor Strange, Witchfire, Magik, Ashake, Brother Voodoo, Doctor Doom, Forge, Nico Minoru, (though the Staff of One is the only way she is able to use magic) and Enchantress. In Marvel Comics continuity, for humans the ability to wield magic has little biological basis; instead, it is the result of tremendous study and self-discipline, its training not unlike the training for the highest levels of martial arts. For this reason, it may take years of dedicated study and honing oneself before an aspirant can manage even a minor spell casting. However, there are still characters who are born with a natural talent for magic. Both the Forge and Scarlet Witch are able to use their mutant talents to help them master spell casting, and The Enchantress was born with a talent for spell casting as a consequence of being a Norse goddess.

Sorcerer Supremes of the Marvel Universe

The title held by the dimension's greatest Magic practitioner. From time to time the Sorcerer/Sorceress Supreme will be challenged for the title or the magical objects the title grants him/her.

Upon becoming Sorcerer Supreme, that person is imbued with power by the Vishanti and becomes functionally immortal and immune to diseases. However, they can still be killed through sufficient physical trauma.

Former Sorcerers/Sorceresses Supreme from Earth-616

• Agamotto (First Sorcerer Supreme, 1,000,000 B.C.): Descended from the Elder Goddess, Oshtur.
• Hanuman of Xai (~1,000,000 B.C.) Hanuman was Sorcerer Supreme when humans won the earth from the Elder Gods which happened one million years ago according to the Darkhold.
• Zhered-Na (~16,500 B.C.): A mermaid from Atlantis, she prophecised Atlantis' destruction and was killed for it
• Saraswati of Akah Ma'at (~15,000-11,000 B.C.)
• Mekri Ra was Sorcerer Supreme before Kulan Gath, and was killed by him.
• Kulan Gath was Sorcerer Supreme at some point during the Hyborian Age.
• Ayesha (~10,000 B.C.): Ancestor to Ashake and Storm
• Hermes Trismegistus (~6,000-3,000 B.C)
• Zoroaster (~1,800-1,300 B.C)
• Salomé (~1,300-1,100 B.C): Member of the Fallen
• King Solomon (~1,100-800 B.C)
• Queen of Sheba (~800-550 B.C)
• Triumvirate (~550-400 B.C)
• Caius of Lacedaemon (~400 B.C-100 A.D.)
• Zhang Jiao (~100 A.D.)
• Tafrara (before year 400)
• Merlyn (~500 A. D.)
• Makeen (~616 A.D.)
• Murkfoot (~1000 A.D.)
• Ancient One: (~1450) Was Sorcerer Supreme before Doctor Strange. Upon his mortal death, the immortal Ancient One transcended into the spiritual plane, his soul occasionally coming to the aid of Doctor Strange.
• Hiram Shaw (~1680): Ancestor of Sebastian Shaw; ironically persecuted witches in the Salem Witch Trials.
• Isaac Newton: English physicist and mathematician who is widely recognized as one of the most influential scientists of all time.
• Kushala (19th century A.C.): Native American and a host of a Spirit of Vengeance.
• Margali Szardos: supposedly born in France her true age and origins are an enigma.
• Soldier Supreme: (WWII) Sebastian Szardos was the Sorcerer Supreme during World War II
• Nina the Conjuror (1950s)
• Doctor Strange: The most well-known Sorcerer Supreme and prized pupil of the Ancient One. Strange has lost the title on several occasions for one reason or another only to have the title return to him.
• Doctor Voodoo: Held the title a short time before being killed in battle with Agamotto.
• Loki Laufeyson: Was bestowed the title by the Vishanti after they deemed Strange no longer fit for the role.
• Clea: Held the title at one time while Dr. Strange was dead.
• Doctor Doom

Other Dimensions

• Clea (Dark Dimension): at one-time both the lover and student of Dr. Strange, she usurped the title from he uncle the Dread Dormammu
• Margali Szardos: (Winding Road, formerly Limbo)
• Amanda Sefton (Formerly Limbo)
• Illyana Rasputin (Limbo Dimension)
• Shanzar (Strange Matter Dimension)
• Tiboro (Sixth Dimension)
• Shanzar (Strangeworld)
• Aggamon (Purple dimension)
• Xhoohx (Tunnelworld)
• Gorgonzola (Dimension X)
• Ebbin (Crossroads)
• Lords of Wyrd (Beyond the Purple Veil)
• Zelatrix Lavey (Lower Aether)
• Szandor Sozo (Thirteenth Dimension)
• Magister Miracle (Eighteenth Dimension)
• Soldier Supreme (Rogers) (Soulworld)

Alternate Earths

• Professor Imam, Benjamin Jones and Nth Man (Earth-712)
• Necrom (Earth-148)
• Warren Traveler (House of M)
• Strange (2099)
• Krugarr (Earth-691)
• Doc Magus (MC2)
• Clea (Earth-X)
• Dr. Doom (Earth-938)
• Dr. Strangefate (Amalgam)
• Callisto (Earth-2030)
• Iron Man (Earth-9810)
• Baron Mordo (Earth-70105, Earth-838)
• Wiccan (Earth-11051, Earth-13729)
• Bruce Banner (Earth-11638)
• Ducktor Strange (Duckworld, Earth-791021)
• Wong (Earth-199999)

Newspaper Comics

In the 1940's, newspapers which were concerned with superhero comics cutting into their profits started publishing full sized comic books in the weekly newspaper. For a while a character known as Mr. Mystic was featured in every issue. Mr. Mystic seemingly had the power to do anything and was made invulnerable due to an amulet he wore. Mr. Mystic was able to enlarge himself to a size where he was able to capture planes with his bare hands. He could transform himself or anyone else into different objects. He could even melt a person into a puddle. Mr. Mystic is also able to transport himself into another place by his magic.

Malibu Comics

There are several powerful magic users in the Malibu Universe including Mantra, Archimage, Yrial and Boneyard. Magic in this universe is divided into elements such as air and fire, but are not limited to those elements. People are born with mystical potential and learn the ways of sorcery, such as Mantra.