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DOCTOR FATE IV
Created by James Robinson & David Goyer
Costume design by Stephen Sadowski

PERSONAL DATA

  •  Name: Hector Hall
  •  Height: 6'0"
  •  Weight: 185 lbs
  •  Eyes: Blue
  •  Hair: White
  •  Family: Carter Hall/Hawkman I (father), Shiera Sanders Hall/Hawkgirl I (mother), Lyta Trevor/Fury II (wife), Daniel Hall/Dream (son), Nestor Sanders (great-uncle, presumed deceased), Kendra Shiera Saunders/Hawkgirl II (cousin)
  •  Residence: Presumably the Tower of Fate
  •  Occupation: Mystic Defender of Earth and Agent of Balance
  •  Joined JSA: Founding Member of the new JSA
  •  Group Affiliation: JSA, Sentinels of Magic, Lords of Order and former member of Infinity Inc.
  •  1st Appearance: JSA #3 (Oct 1999) (As Dr. Fate IV)
  •  1st Appearance: All-Star Squadron #25 (As Silver Scarab)
  •  1st Appearance: Infinity Inc. #49 (As Sandman III)
  •  Current Status: Active

    Creator Notes: Hector Hall and the Silver Scarab were created by Roy Thomas. Sandman III was created by Roy Thomas but based on a previous character by Jack Kirby. Dr. Fate IV was created by James Robinson, David Goyer and costume design was done by Stephen Sadowski.

    HISTORY

    As the Silver Scarab and Sandman III

    Hector Hall was the son of the Golden Age Hawkman and Hawkgirl. By using his father's Ninth Metal, he created a suit made entirely of this metal that enabled him to fly and use solar powers. Donning the costume made from the Ninth Metal, he became the Silver Scarab and with the sons, daughters and proteges of the original Justice Society of America, they tried to petition them for membership. (See Infinity Inc. #1) Although their membership was denied and without the blessing of their parents, they decided to form a new super hero team called Infinity Inc. which was almost a modern day version of the Justice Society. However, Hector Hall fell victim to an evil entity that had remained dormant inside his body since birth, due to an ancient Egyptian curse by Hath-Set. This entity, the original Silver Scarab, took over Hall's body and battled with Infinity Inc. who reluctantly destroyed it, which included Hector Hall. This caused Hall's essence to be cast into the Dream Dimension where he was abducted by two beings called Brute and Glob. These beings attached Hall to a specialized machine that programmed him with information about the machine's owner and former guardian of the Dream Dimension, Dr. Garret Sanford, a.k.a. the second Sandman.

    Hector Hall learned that the immense strain of living in the Dream Dimension had driven Sanford to his death. However, his body remained in stasis. The machine transferred Hall's consciousness into Sanford's body and changed the body's appearance to match that of Hector Hall. He became the new Sandman and visited his true love, Lyta Trevor on many occasions while she slept. Lyta was also the mother of his unborn child, and Hall decided not to wake her in case the strain on her would be too much. However, Nuklon soon discovered Hall and unmasked him in front of Lyta. Although she was shocked at seeing him alive, Lyta and Hector renewed their passion for each other. They married and left for the Dream Dimension. Unfortunately, not long afterwards Dream of the Endless returned Hector's consciousness on his deathly journey and returned Lyta to the waking world.

     
    A Speculation has risen that Lyta was the mother of the Fate child, if so... that would make Lyta the mother of her former husband, Hector Hall. A hint was given in the latest JSA series, stating that the mother of the Fate child was dreaming her life away.

     
    The New Doctor Fate

    During the end of the 20th century, a being of immense power arrived on Earth and begun the systematic slaughter of all known agents of Order & Chaos in an attempt to steal their powers. This Dark Lord was called Mordru and is a sorcerer of tremendous powers. Mordru has been gathering mystical artifacts from every world that he encounters. However, one mortal on Earth discovered the darkness that threatened the planet, the man called Wesley Dodds who was cursed with the powers of divination through his dreams. (See JSA Secret Files #1)

    Dodds travelled to Mount Kailash in western Tibet with long time friend Speed Sanders to meet the mysterious Gray Man. Through his dreams, Dodds learned that a new Doctor Fate was about to be born who's very life would be threatened by the Dark Lord. The Gray Man, a servant of Order told Dodds that there were three unborn souls that Nabu's power may yet take root. One of these children would become the new Doctor Fate and Dodds had to protect this child from the hands of the Dark Lord. After receiving information from the Gray Man, Dodds sent Speed Sanders away to inform the Justice Society. Dodds knew that the Dark Lord would be watching, so he waited for him. The Dark Lord soon appeared and demanded Dodds to tell him where the child would be born. Dodds sacrificed himself by leaping from the mountain, thus saving the child and maybe the world.

    Speed Sanders informed the surviving members of the Justice Society of America and now a waiting game begins. It is believed that the Dark Lord has aligned himself with the Sons of Anubis to help retrieve Earth's most powerful mystical artifact, the artifacts of Doctor Fate. The first known victim of the Dark Lord was Kid Eternity while the second victim was Jared Stevens, Fate!. (See JSA #1) When Fate was killed his powers and artifacts were mystically summoned to the Tower of Fate which exists in all realms of existence.

    In a bid to save the child from Mordru, the JSA began a frantic search for the fate child. The child would be recognized by an ankh birthmark on his right arm. The JSA eventually found the child, only to be repelled by Mordru who takes the child and leaves for the Tower of Fate. (See JSA #2) Mordru knew that by taking the child to the artifacts of fate, he would be transformed into a man which would then manifest the powers of fate into the newly born Doctor Fate. Before this transformation could be completed, Mordru would intervene and steal the powers for himself. When Mordru arrives, he discovers that The Scarab (Louis Sendak), is already in the tower and is guarding the artifacts of Fate. Mordru defeats the Scarab and prepares to kill the child, only to be intercepted by the new Star Spangled Kid, who makes a valiant attempt to stop him.

    However, with the help of the new Hourman, the JSA arrive and engage Mordru in combat who easily dispatches them. As Courtney watches the final moments of the battle, she hears a "voice" calling her towards the artifacts of Fate. As she nears the artifacts, she is drawn into the amulet of Anubis, into another world. Courtney is greeted by Kent Nelson who tells her that he and Inza are between worlds and has no interest in assuming the mantle of Dr. Fate again. Kent tells Courtney that he is only assisting in the birth of the new fate and that another "old soul" will become Fate. He tells Courtney that it is up to her to save the child by retrieving the Scarabeus from Scarab and to use this artifact on the child's' chest. Courtney is returned to the tower, in time to see Mordru about to kill the child. As Mordru is distracted, Courtney retrieves the Scarabeus from Scarab and uses the artifact on the child's chest that instantaneously transforms the child into a new Doctor Fate. (See JSA #3)

    As the JSA slowly recovered from their battle with the Mordru, they saw the newly born Dr. Fate in a battle of spells with the Dark Lord. They valiantly tried to assist the new Dr. Fate but were once again defeated by Mordru. As Dr. Fate battled with Mordru, they traveled through the different realms of existence that the Tower occupies. Unknown to Dr. Fate, Mordru had secretly cast a counter spell that was draining the powers of Dr. Fate and feeding into his own powers. Mordru striked at Fate with a final spell that forced the new Dr. Fate to lose control of the artifacts of Fate which allowed Mordru to retrieve the items. Mordru donned the artifacts of Fate and finally gained the powers of Nabu. However, the Dark Lord's victory was short lived as the artifacts of Fate crushed Mordru and banished him to the netherworlds of the Amulet of Anubis.

    As Hector Hall collects the artifacts of Fate, Nuklon recognizes his old friend from Infinity Inc. Their reunion is brief as Kent Nelson appears and congratulates Hector on the task he performed. Kent tells Hector that his powers are evolving and that he is now an agent of balance. His role as Dr. Fate will not be easy but Kent Nelson will be around to help guide his steps and can always be reached through the amulet. Hector dons the artifacts of Fate and gathers the Justice Society and in a blink of an eye, he returns them to the JSA headquarters. Hector then explains to the JSA that his former lives were always building to this moment, to become Dr. Fate. A curse had been placed on his parents by Hath-Set, a high priest of Setekh and his birth was a culmination of the curse. He was destined to be born without a soul and be nothing more then a vessel for the real silver scarab who was Hath-Set's agent of vengeance. When Infinity Inc. destroyed the Silver Scarab, Hector's consciousness was sent into the Dreaming and was eventually found by Kent Nelson who told him that the wheel of life had turned and that Hector's destiny was not over but just the beginning. Doctor Fate had returned and so did a new chapter of the JSA.

    The New Doctor Fate recently played a role in the Day of Judgement crisis where he and the rest of the magical heroes of Earth grouped together for a final battle with Azmodel for control of the Spectre. (see Day of Judgement #3 - 5)

    POWERS

  •  Powers: It appears that, unlike previous incarnations, the helmet of Nabu does not possess this Dr. Fate. Rather, the helmet (which might be the spirit of Kent Nelson) seems to advise the user. Although this Dr. Fate has limited experience, he is perhaps still the most powerful member of the mystic community on Earth. He has the ability to cast magical blasts and shields of protection to name a few of his powers. The Dark Lord Mordru even mentioned that his powers have become vaster then previous Dr. Fate's.

  •  Limitations: Unknown

    PRINCIPLE ADVERSARIES

    • Mordru the Dark Lord
    APPEARANCES

  •  Modern Age
    • Day of Judgement #3 (Nov 1999)
    • Day of Judgement #4 (Nov 1999)
    • Day of Judgement #5 (Nov 1999)
    • Day of Judgement Secret Files & Origins #1 (Nov 1999)
    • JSA #2 (Sep 1999) as the Fate child
    • JSA #3 (Oct 1999)
    • JSA #4 (Nov 1999)
    • JSA #6
    • JSA #7 - 9
    • Martian Manhunter #18 - 19 (May - Jun 2000)
    • Mystics #15 (Unofficial cameo)
    • Sins of Youth: Starwoman and the JSA #1 (May 2000)
    • Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. #8 (Mar 2000) - cameo
    • Young Justice #20 (Jun 2000)
    • Young Justice: Sins of Youth #1 - 2 (May 2000)


    COVER GALLERY

    HISTORICAL ISSUES (NON DR. FATE APPEARANCES)

  •  Key Issues
    • Infinity Inc. #49 (DC)
      First appearance of Hector Hall as Sandman III
    • Sandman #11 - 12 "Playing House" (DC/Vertigo - Nov/Dec 1998)
      Fate of Hector and Lyta Hall
      Reprinted in Essential Vertigo: The Sandman series in color
    • Sandman #61 "The Kindly Ones: 5"
      Hector Hall appears only as a memory

  •  Key Issues of Lyta Hall (Fury II)
    • Sandman #11 - 12
    • Sandman #22 "Season Of Mists- Pt. 2"
    • Sandman #40 "Convergence"
    • Sandman #57 - 61
    • Sandman #63 - 65
    • Sandman #67 - 72
  •  Key Issues of Daniel Hall (Sandman V)
    • Sandman #22 "Season Of Mists- Pt. 2"
    • Sandman #40 "Convergence"
    • Sandman #57
    • Sandman #59
    • Sandman #61
    • Sandman #65 - 72
    • Sandman #74