List of DC Comics characters: N

Nabu

First appearance	More Fun Comics #67 (1940)
Created by	Gardner Fox Howard Sherman
Teams	Lords of Chaos and Order Various Doctor Fates (Kent Nelson, Eric and Linda Strauss, Hector Hall, Khalid Nassour)
Abilities	Incalculable levels of magical power, spell-casting mastery, cosmic awareness, highly knowledgeable on the supernatural, and more. Immortality and superhuman strength. In the form of the Helmet of Fate, Nabu can commune with those who bear him and others, produce visions, levitate, flight, and can use his powers to access computers. He can also possess others at will to use their bodies.
Aliases	Fate, Nabu the Wise, Doctor Fate, Nabu-called Fate

Nabu is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. First appearing in More Fun Comics #67 in May 1941, he is a major supporting character in Doctor Fate titles. A fictionalized version of the Mesopotamian god of the same name, he frequently serves as the first person to call himself Fate before serving as a guiding force and mentor of several bearers of Doctor Fate, notably being his agents for the Lords of Order. Over time, Nabu is characterized as cold and relentless in his battles against the Lords of Chaos, resorting to manipulating his first apprentice by usurping control of Kent Nelson's mind and body while being the chief cause of Inza Cramer's mental breakdown. This characterization becomes consistent although the character has also attempted to learn from his errors. In modern continuities, while his history of his mental control over Nelson is intact, he agrees to cede control to Khalid Nassour, favoring his newest host.

Shortly after the formation of the universe, two elemental forces were born: the Lords of Order and the Lords of Chaos. As the two emerged, both forces struggle for supremacy over the other. The Lords of Order manifest as the first sentience race in the universe as disembodied magical beings, in which included Nabu. As a Lord of Order, he was one of the first beings to contribute to the creation of the universe. Eventually assigned to the mortal world of Earth, he adopted a human form and descended to Earth from Cilia, and became Nabu the Wise, an advisor to the pharaohs of ancient Egypt. He served as a court magician for various Egyptian pharaohs including Khufu and Ramses.

During his time with Ramses, Nabu tried to warn the pharaoh and subsequently his son against persecuting the escaping Jews, led by Moses. One night, Nabu was visited by the Spectre, who warned that every firstborn Egyptian child would be killed by him except for Hebrew slaves. This horrified the magician and he prepared to fight the Spectre with all of his powers but was defeated despite his preparations. The humiliated mystic returned to the pharaoh who had lost his son and, in despair, agreed to free the Hebrew slaves, but then decided to send his army to kill them to annoy God. Despite his plans, the Pharaoh was killed when the Spectre brought the Red Sea crashing into the Egyptian army after Moses and the Israelites had crossed.

Nabu became the guardian of several powerful talismans, in 2578 BC, when Egypt had fallen under the rule of the Vandal Savage, who had assumed the identity of Pharaoh Khafre. Around this time, Bonnie Baxter of the Masters of Time had come from the 20th century, where Khafre's guards threw her into a prison cell. Nabu appeared before her and led her to safety with his magic and asked for her help in overthrowing the immortal Khafre. He intended to combine magic with the science of the time traveler where she gave him her communicator. By combining the pair, he created the Blue Beetle of Khaji-Da, which Bonnie used to overthrow the pharaoh who was wrapped in bandages to contain him, as his immortality would cause him to rise again. The Beetle was lost for 4,500 years before being rediscovered in the 20th century by archaeologist Dan Garrett, who became the first Blue Beetle.

During the Theban dynasty, Nabu served as an advisor to Prince Khufu Kha-taar, where he served with his ally Teth-Adam. One day, they witnessed a Thanagarian spacecraft crashed and they headed to catch up, they arrived at the scene of the dying pilots where Nabu conjured a spell to translate their alien language that spoke of imminent danger in the far future after this they died. From the ship, they discovered the existence of Nth Metal, which Khufu forged into weapons for his use, and Nabu tried to prepare them, as it was determined that the prince and his fiancée had a role to play in this conflict. During this time, they encountered a traveler who could travel at high speeds and gave him a war glove forged from portions of the Nth Metal called the "Claw of Horus", which they predicted would be instrumental in a battle of thousands of years in the world.

In 1920, archaeologist Sven Nelson and his son Kent go on an expedition to the Valley of Ur. While exploring a temple discovered by his father, Kent opens the tomb of Nabu and revives him from suspended animation, accidentally releasing a poisonous gas which kills Sven. Nabu takes pity on Kent and teaches him the skills of a sorcerer over the next twenty years before giving him a mystical helmet, amulet, and cloak. In 1940, Kent meets Inza Cramer and Wotan in Alexandria, Egypt on his way back to America. After arriving back in the United States, Kent begins a career fighting crime and supernatural evil as the sorcerer and superhero Doctor Fate and sets up a base in a tower in Salem, Massachusetts. Due to Nabu occasionally possessing him, he converted to half of the helm to regain control but at the cost of halving the power.

After Kent's death, Nabu chooses Eric Strauss and his stepmother Linda to be the next Doctor Fate, with Eric and Linda having to merge into one being to become Fate. Nabu goes on to possess Kent's corpse to personally advise them. The three of them are soon joined by a friendly demon called Petey and lawyer Jack C. Small. Eric is killed on Apokolips during a battle with DeSaad, forcing Linda to become Doctor Fate on her own. Linda is killed soon afterwards by the Lords of Chaos. Despite their grim fates, Eric and Linda's souls are reincarnated in the bodies of Eugene and Wendy DiBellia while Nabu reincarnates as their unborn child.

Eventually, Nabu came into conflict with the Spectre when he began hunting down and killing other Lords of Chaos and Order. In Infinite Crisis, Alexander Luthor Jr. revealed that he had sent Superboy-Prime to recover the black diamond and that the Psycho-Pirate delivered it to Loring on Alex's orders and had Eclipso-Loring manipulated the Spectre by convincing him magic was an abomination to God and into breaking down magic into its more raw energy form, in which doing so killed the Lords of Chaos and Order in the process. In doing so, Alexander could use them for his own ends. After killing other Lords of Order including the Wizard Shazam, Nabu was the last one to face him. Nabu put up a valiant fight against the Spectre but knew he would lose this battle and instead, opted to fight at a level for the Presence to take notice. Je was fatally injured but ultimately stopped the Spectre. Nabu, in his final act, passed his Helm of Fate to Detective Chimp and tasked him to find one worthy of the mantle. With his death, the 9th Age of Magic had ended and the 10th Age of Magic begun.

In 2011, "The New 52" rebooted the DC universe. This new iteration of the character featured alterations to his origin story. In the Doctor Fate series, the character's earlier history attributed him to being a servant of Thoth, who created the Helmet of Fate and designated Nabu as the spirit within. The reasons behind this choice remain currently unknown, but Nabu's role was to assist the chosen champion of the Egyptian pantheon, Doctor Fate.

However, an alternative origin was later presented for Nabu in this revised continuity. It depicted his rise to becoming a member of the Lords of Order from a mortal existence. This transformation occurred as a result of his interactions with Hecate, a deity who had suffered abuse from fellow sorcerers, including the notable future practitioner of dark magic, Mordru. As a consequence of the inherent dangers of magic, Nabu's spirit eventually came to reside within the created Helmet of Fate, as his original body deteriorated. While this alternative origin restores his status as the Helm's primary intelligence, it diverges from the traditional depiction of the Lords of Order as energy beings that originated millions of years ago.

In the Doctor Fate series, Nabu assumes a new role as a guide and mentor to Khalid Nassour, the newly chosen Doctor Fate. Nabu assists the inexperienced Khalid in his battles against various adversaries, including Anubis, a necromancer, and the spirit of Julius Caesar. Additionally, Nabu imparts crucial information to Khalid, as well supports Kent Nelson when he resurfaces in Khalid's life after discovering Khalid's destiny as the next Doctor Fate.Nabu is portrayed as a deceased spirit who often communicates in cryptic ways, which fustrates the young Doctor Fate. At times, Khalid dismisses Nabu, likening him to an annoying Jinn. For a period, Kent Nelson would resumed the Doctor Fate mantle while training Khalid Nassour, but Nabu trapped Kent in mystic stasis. Nabu then assumed the role of Doctor Fate, using Kent's connection to manifest through the Helm of Fate. Nabu clashed with Blue Beetle and his scarab Khaji-Da, orchestrated by their shared adversary, Arion. Kent eventually regained control, defeated Arion, and continued training Khalid.

In Justice League Dark, Nabu betrays Kent Nelson, taking control of his body and imprisoning Khalid Nassour. Nabu's goal is to eradicate magic and sacrifice the magical community to eliminate the threat of the Upside-Down Man and Hecate. Khalid, Kent, and the Justice League Dark unite to counter Nabu and Hecate, ultimately leading to Nabu passing on the mantle of Doctor Fate to Khalid. With Nabu's help, Khalid battles Circe, the Injustice League Dark, restores balance to the elemental Parliaments, and faces the Upside-Down Man. Both Nabu and Kent make sacrifices to aid the team. Though surviving, Nabu is no longer the primary intelligence in the Helmet of Fate. Throughout the series, Nabu's manipulative nature is evident, but he gradually learns from his mistakes and gains respect from Khalid. Kent, however, becomes cautious about trusting Nabu, while supporting Khalid as Doctor Fate.

Some time before the battle with Upside-Down Man, Nabu assists Khalid and Superman in battling Xanadoth, a former leader of the Lords of Chaos. After parting ways with Khalid following the fight with Upside-Down, Nabu reappears to help defeat Xanadoth once more alongside the Justice League and Justice League Dark. Eventually, Hauhet replaces Nabu as the patron spirit of the Helmet of Fate, bringing her superior wisdom and perspective. Future State hints at a connection between Nabu and Hauhet, with Hauhet considering herself wiser than Nabu.

Powers and abilities of Nabu

Nabu, a sorcerous entity composed of pure magical energy and a key figure in the Doctor Fate mythology, is widely recognized as one of the most powerful beings on Earth. Among the esteemed members of the Lords of Order, Nabu holds a position of great power and influence. However, his capabilities are rivalled by other notable sorcerers such as the enigmatic Phantom Stranger and Arion, the former who serves as an agent of the Presence and the latter a fellow Lord of Order and a hailed Sorcerer Supreme, respectively. Boasting an immeasurable reserve of magical power, this character possesses the ability to perform virtually any mystical feat. These powers encompass mind reading, interdimensional teleportation, and various others. Additionally, Nabu possesses inherent immortality and a degree of superhuman strength.When residing within the Helm of Fate, Nabu can establish communication with the wearer, provide visions, interface with computers, and even exert influence over the wearer's will.

While Nabu possesses considerable might, his power is surpassed by the Spectre, the embodiment of divine vengeance and justice. The character also suffers from various imposed limitations overtime, with recent stories depicting him been rendered unable to utilize a human host without their consent.

Nabu in other media

• Nabu appears in the Batman: The Brave and the Bold episode "The Fate of Equinox!", voiced by James Arnold Taylor.
• Nabu makes a cameo appearance in flashbacks depicted in Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay. He initially chooses Steel Maxum to become Doctor Fate until the latter loses the "Get Out of Hell Free" card and replaces him with "some chick" according to Maxum.
• Nabu appears in Young Justice, voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson. This version was originally the mortal son of Vandal Savage from ancient Babylon who was killed by Klarion the Witch Boy via Starro. Seeking a means to combat the Lords of Chaos following their sinking of Atlantis, the Lords of Order elevate Nabu's soul to their plane of existence and bind him to the Helmet of Fate. Following this, he must anchor himself to Earth via a physical host, completely controlling their bodies in the process.
• Nabu appears as a character summon in Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.
• Nabu appears in Injustice 2, voiced by David Sobolov. He forces Kent Nelson not to interfere with Brainiac's conquest of Earth to maintain balance between order and chaos on the Lords of Order's behalf until Superman crushes the Helmet of Fate.

Naiad

Main article: Naiad (character)

Jay Nakamura

Jay Nakamura is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics.

Jay Nakamura is the boyfriend of Jon Kent and the person behind the Truth. Furthermore, he operates as the superhero Gossamer, utilizing a Legion flight ring and his metahuman ability of intangibility.

Natas

Main article: Natas (character)

Nebula Man

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Nick Necro

First appearance	Justice League Dark #12 (2012)
Created by	Jeff Lemire & Mikel Janín
Abilities	Powerful mastery over black magic and extensive knowledge of the occult and supernatural
Aliases	Nick Necro

Nicholas Edgar Nolan, known as Nick Necro, is a mystical supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Jeff Lemire and illustrated by Mikel Janin, the character would first appear in Justice League Dark #12,debuting during the New 52 era.

The character is an accomplished sorcerer and former lover of John Constantine and Zatanna. However, his obsession with dark magic leads him to become a villain and adversary of Justice League Dark.

Negative Flash

Main article: Dark Flash

Negative Man

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Nekron

Main article: Nekron

Nemesis

Main article: Nemesis (DC Comics)

Nemesis Kid

Main article: Nemesis Kid

Neon the Unknown

Main article: Neon the Unknown

Nereus

King Nereus
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	Aquman #19 (2013)
Created by	Geoff Johns & Paul Pelletier
In-story information
Alter ego	Nereus of Xebel
Species	Xebellian
Place of origin	Xebel
Team affiliations	Xebellian Royal Family
Partnerships	Ocean Master
Abilities	Xebellian physiology grants abilities including breathing underwater, superhuman strength, superhuman durability, enhanced senses, able to swim at extreme speed. Skilled aquakinetic, politician, and fighter

King Nereus is a fictional character who first appeared in Aquaman (vol. 7) #19 as part of The New 52 reboot and was created by Geoff Johns and Paul Pelletier. The character is depicted in the comics as Xebel's military chief and later ruler after the death of King Ryus, the father of Mera. He was also Mera's former fiancee before Aquaman.

In other media, the character is instead cast as Mera's father in several adaptations such as Young Justice and the DC Extended Universe film Aquaman, where he is played by Dolph Lundgren, and he reprise his role in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.

Fictional character biography

Nereus was initially a Xebel military chief to King Ryus and was to be betrothed to the king's daughter Mera. Before the wedding, Mera were tasked to kill the King of Atlantis as part of their kingdom's revenge for their imprisonment in the Bermuda Triangle by Atlantis centuries ago.

When King Ryus died and Mera fell in love with Aquaman, Nereus was sworn in as the new King of Xebel. Some years later, Mera returned to Xebel, where Nereus discovered that Mera did not kill Aquaman. When Nereus tried to kill Mera, the enemy in ice that pursued Mera appeared and froze all of Xebel. The frozen enemy introduced himself as Atlan the First King of Atlantis, who had awakened from his slumber and wanted his kingdoms back. Nereus swore his allegiance to the Dead King Atlan. When Aquaman arrived, he and Mera fled from Xebel when Nereus and his men pursued them. Nereus led his forces into invading Atlantis, where Mera was captured. Some months later, Atlan tasked Nereus with finding the other four Atlantean kingdoms.

Nereus in other media

• Nereus appears in the DC Extended Universe, portrayed by Dolph Lundgren. This version is Mera's father.
  • In the first Aquaman film, Orm tricks Nereus into siding with him in his campaign against the surface world while arranging for Mera to be betrothed to him. After Mera helps Aquaman escape, Orm tells Nereus that Mera perished in the escape. Nereus accompanied Orm in his trip to the Kingdom of the Fishermen. When the Fisherman King Ricou turned down Orm's offer, he was killed while Nereus killed the three guards that tried to avenge him. Nereus then watched as Orm persuaded King Ricou's wife Queen Rina and daughter Princess Scales to take the offer. During the attack on the Kingdom of the Brine where Orm became the Ocean Master, Nereus fought the Brine soldiers and told the Ocean Master that they need the Brine King alive. When Aquaman arrives on the back of the leviathan Karathan and summons an army of sea creatures, Nereus is told by Princess Scales that Aquaman is also commanding the Trench, which Nereus considered impossible. Mera finds her father and informs him that Aquaman has King Atlan's trident, causing Nereus to switch sides. He then watches Aquaman's duel with the Ocean Master, where Aquaman is victorious, and even sees Atlanna appear. As Ocean Master is taken away by Atlantean guards, Nereus and the other Atlantean kingdoms accept Aquaman as their leader.
  • Lundgren reprises the role in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. After the attack on Atlantis by Kane, Nereus returns to see his daughter Mera, who was seriously injured. He helps Arthur to give him equipment to go free Orm, being a prisoner in the Kingdom of the Fishermen. Upon meeting with the others, Nereus decides to go help Mera and Arthur, in saving his grandson Arthur Jr. who was kidnapped by Kane, to be sacrificed and free Kordax. At the end of defeating Kordax and Kane, he reunites with them, and also sets Orm free. In the end, he accompanies Arthur and King Brine to the surface in revealing Atlantis' existence at the United Nations and declares his intentions of making the kingdom a member state.
• Ryus Nereus appears in Young Justice, voiced by David Kaye. This version is the ruler of Xebel and a rival of Aquaman.
• Nereus appears in Lego DC Super-Villains as part of the "Aquaman" DLC.

Neutron

Main article: Neutron (DC Comics)

New Wave

Main article: Masters of Disaster (comics)

Carter Nichols

Professor Carter Nichols is a fictional character, a comic book scientist published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Batman #24 (August 1944), and was created by Joseph Samachson and Dick Sprang.

Carter Nichols is a childhood friend of Thomas Wayne who created a method of time travel. In Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne, he is killed by Simon Hurt and the Black Glove.

Carter Nichols in other media

Carter Nichols appears in the Batman: The Brave and the Bold episode "Last Bat on Earth!", voiced by Richard McGonagle.

Nighthawk

Main article: Nighthawk (DC Comics)

Nightmaster

Main article: Nightmaster

Nightrider

Main article: Nightrider (DC Comics)

Nightrunner

Main article: Nightrunner (character)

Nightshade

Main article: Nightshade (DC Comics)

Nightslayer

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Nightwing

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Nite Owl

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Nite-Wing

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Nocturna

Nocturna
"Nocturna" as depicted in Batwoman vol. 2 #32 (August 2014). Art by Jeremy Haun (penciller), and Guy Major (inker).
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	Detective Comics #529 (August 1983)
Created by	Doug Moench Don Newton Gene Colan
In-story information
Alter ego	Natalia Knight
Abilities	Teleportation Pheromone Control

Nocturna (/nɒkˈtɜːrnə/) is a fictional supervillainess character appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, created by Doug Moench and Gene Colan. The storyline involving her began in Detective Comics #529 (August 1983), and her first appearance was in Batman #363 (September 1983).

The pre-Crisis incarnation of Nocturna appeared in the first season of the live-action Arrowverse series Batwoman, portrayed by Kayla Ewell.

Biography of Nocturna

Pre-Crisis

Natalia Knight was a homeless child who was adopted by Charles Knight. While working at the Gotham City Observatory, she was struck by a radioactive laser, which gave her pale skin and sensitivity to light. She then meets Charles' son Anton, who becomes a lover and ally to her.

Post-Crisis

Post-Crisis on Infinite Earths continuity introduced a new incarnation of Nocturna. This version is Natalie Metternich, a former astronomer and member of the Injustice League who can secrete a pheromone that causes those around her to become emotional and lose their inhibitions.

Nocturna battles her former friend the Spoiler in Gotham Gazette: Batman Alive? #1 (July 2009), art by Guy Major.

Natalia Mitternacht on the cover of Robin (vol. 2) #103 (August 2002), by Michael Lopez.

The New 52

In September 2011, The New 52 rebooted DC's continuity. Nocturna is re-introduced as Natalie Mitternacht, an inmate of Arkham Asylum and member of the Secret Society of Super Villains.

Infinite Frontier

In Infinite Frontier, an alternate universe variant of Nocturna known as Natalia Metternich appears as a member of the Suicide Squad.

Nocturna in other media

Television

• Nocturna was intended to appear in an episode of Batman: The Animated Series. However, it was canceled after Fox Network censors objected to the storyline, which would have involved Batman being transformed into a vampire and craving human blood.
  • When asked about Nocturna appearing in the series' continuation, The New Batman Adventures, producer and writer Paul Dini stated that they wanted to use her, but The WB also objected to vampires.
• The Natalia Knight incarnation of Nocturna appears in the Batwoman episode "Drink Me", portrayed by Kayla Ewell. This version suffers from a unique form of porphyria which makes her photosensitive. After her adoptive father Charles dies from a heart attack, Natalia is forced to obtain blood transfusions on her own, leading her to assume a vampiric persona and receive fang-like dental implants.
• The Natalia Knight incarnation of Nocturna, renamed Natalia Night, appears in the Batman: Caped Crusader episode "Nocturne", voiced by Mckenna Grace. This version is a teenager and sister of inventor Anton Night who can drain energy from living organisms and grant herself enhanced strength.

Video games

The Natalia Knight incarnation of Nocturna appears as a character summon in Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.

Miscellaneous

An unidentified Nocturna makes a cameo appearance in The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #12. This version's design borrows from Bruce Timm's unused concept for Batman: The Animated Series.

Non

Main article: Non (comics)

Noose

Noose is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. He is a member of Moxie Mannheim's Intergang branch who died in the 1940s before being revived in a clone body in the present day, gaining extendable, tentacle-like fingers. In 52, he is killed by Black Adam.

Noose in other media

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

Northwind

Main article: Northwind (character)

Nuclear Man

Nuclear Man is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Superman IV: The Quest for Peace before crossing over into the comics.

Superman IV: Quest for Peace

Nuclear Man first appeared in Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, portrayed by Mark Pillow and voiced by Gene Hackman. He is an artificial being who is based on Superman and possesses similar abilities to him. He battles Superman before being dropped into a nuclear reactor and destroyed.

Comics

In the main comics continuity, Nuclear Man is depicted as an inmate of the Phantom Zone.

Nuklon

Nuklon is the name of two different characters appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics.

Albert Rothstein

Main article: Atom Smasher (DC Comics)

Gerome McKenna

Gerome McKenna is one of the first official subjects for Lex Luthor's "Everyman Project". Luthor's project grants super-powers to McKenna, who is given the codename Nuklon after Luthor buys the rights to Infinity Inc. from the Pemberton Estate.

After Luthor deactivates his powers, Gerome gains the ability to create an evil clone of himself. He kills the original before being killed by DeSaad.

Nyxlygsptlnz

Main article: Ms. Gsptlsnz