Umar () is a
supervillain
A supervillain, supervillainess or supercriminal is a major antagonist and variant of the villainous stock character who possesses Superpower (ability), superpowers. The character type is sometimes found in comic books and is often the primary ...
appearing in publications by the
American publisher Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics is a New York City–based comic book publishing, publisher, a property of the Walt Disney Company since December 31, 2009, and a subsidiary of Disney Publishing Worldwide since March 2023. Marvel was founded in 1939 by Martin G ...
. The character usually appears in stories featuring
Doctor Strange
Dr. Stephen Vincent Strange is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Steve Ditko, the character first appeared in ''Strange Tales'' #110 (cover-dated July 1963). Doctor Strange serves as ...
, for whom she serves as an adversary. Created by writer
Roy Thomas
Roy William Thomas Jr."Roy Thomas Checklist" ''Alter Ego'' vol. 3, #50 (July 2005) p. 16 (born November 22, 1940) is an American comic book writer and editor. He was Stan Lee's first successor as editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics and possibly bes ...
and artist
Bill Everett
William Blake Everett (; May 18, 1917 – February 27, 1973) was an American comic book writer-artist best known for creating Namor the Sub-Mariner as well as co-creating Zombie (comics), Zombie and Daredevil (Marvel Comics character), Daredevil ...
, the character first appeared in ''
Strange Tales
''Strange Tales'' is a Marvel Comics comics anthology, anthology series. The title was revived in different forms on multiple occasions. Doctor Strange and Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (feature), Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. made their d ...
'' #150 (November 1966).
A resident of the "Dark Dimension" of the Marvel Comics
multiverse
The multiverse is the hypothetical set of all universes. Together, these universes are presumed to comprise everything that exists: the entirety of space, time, matter, energy, information, and the physical laws and constants that describ ...
, Umar is a Faltine, a higher-dimensional energy being trapped in human form. She is the sister of
Dormammu
Dormammu () is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, the character first appeared in ''Strange Tales'' #126 (November 1964). He is the extra and inter-dimensional demonic e ...
, a major adversary of Doctor Strange, and the mother of
Clea
Clea is a female given name.
Clea may refer to:
People with the given name
* Clea DuVall (born 1977), actress
* Clea Hoyte (born 1981), West Indies cricketer
* Clea Koff (born 1972), British-born American forensic anthropologist and author
* ...
, through which she has served as recurring enemy of Strange herself. Her powers have been depicted as exceeding those of Earth's sorcerers, including Strange, making defeating her very difficult.
Umar and Dormammu have been historically depicted in a constant battle over the throne of the Dark Dimension, a mystical realm to which they had initially been banished by their people, over which Dormammu typically rules, whereas Umar is usually depicted in a form resembling a human woman.
One of Doctor Strange's "most iconic villains",
the character has been described as "an unpredictable threat",
and "a constantly plotting, wicked woman that would do anything, including betraying her own nigh-omnipotent brother for power". She is noted for her more cool-headed
use of "guile and malevolent intelligence".
Publication history
Umar first appeared in
Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics is a New York City–based comic book publishing, publisher, a property of the Walt Disney Company since December 31, 2009, and a subsidiary of Disney Publishing Worldwide since March 2023. Marvel was founded in 1939 by Martin G ...
' ''
Strange Tales
''Strange Tales'' is a Marvel Comics comics anthology, anthology series. The title was revived in different forms on multiple occasions. Doctor Strange and Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (feature), Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. made their d ...
'' #150, in a
Doctor Strange
Dr. Stephen Vincent Strange is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Steve Ditko, the character first appeared in ''Strange Tales'' #110 (cover-dated July 1963). Doctor Strange serves as ...
story written by
Roy Thomas
Roy William Thomas Jr."Roy Thomas Checklist" ''Alter Ego'' vol. 3, #50 (July 2005) p. 16 (born November 22, 1940) is an American comic book writer and editor. He was Stan Lee's first successor as editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics and possibly bes ...
, and illustrated by
Bill Everett
William Blake Everett (; May 18, 1917 – February 27, 1973) was an American comic book writer-artist best known for creating Namor the Sub-Mariner as well as co-creating Zombie (comics), Zombie and Daredevil (Marvel Comics character), Daredevil ...
under the editorial eye of
Stan Lee
Stan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber ; December 28, 1922 – November 12, 2018) was an American comic book author, writer, editor, publisher, and producer. He rose through the ranks of a family-run business called Timely Comics which later bec ...
. In the final panel of the previous month's ''Strange Tales'' #149 (written by
Denny O'Neil
Dennis "Denny" Joseph O'Neil (May 3, 1939 – June 11, 2020) was an American comic book writer and editor, principally for Marvel Comics and DC Comics from the 1960s through the 1990s, and Group Editor for the Batman family of titles until h ...
), however, her debut appearance was foreshadowed under a different name.
NEXT MONTH... The dramatic defeat of ''Kaluu
Kaluu is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.
Publication history
The character first appeared in the story "From the Nameless Nowhere Comes... Kaluu!" in ''Strange Tales'' #147 (Aug. 1966). The fi ...
'' -- and the introduction of the intriguing and totally unforgettable villainess of all time -- KARA Can you ''afford'' to miss it!
The cover of #150, however, ran the teaser "Exit Kaluu... enter Umar!" with her initial rendering. Appearing within on the final (tenth) page, Umar then spends most of issue #151 as a narrative tool, recapping the events which occurred during her banishment, for the benefit of the returning and new readers alike.
She has served as a major adversary Earth's Sorcerer Supreme, Doctor Strange. Her family ties would lead her to cross paths with Doctor Strange many times during the course of her publication history, during which she would work with her brother against Strange, and was not above exploiting Strange's romantic relationship with Clea to manipulate the sorcerer.
[
In 2005 Marvel published the miniseries ''Defenders: Indefensible'', by ]Keith Giffen
Keith Ian Giffen (November 30, 1952 – October 9, 2023) was an American comics artist and writer. He was known for his work for DC Comics on their ''Legion of Super-Heroes'' and ''Justice League'' titles as well as for being the co-creator of ...
, J.M. Dematteis
John Marc DeMatteis (; born December 15, 1953) is an American writer of comic books, television and novels.
Biography
Early career
J. M. DeMatteis's earliest aspirations were to be a rock musician and comic book artist. He began playing in ban ...
and Kevin Maguire, in which the Defenders
Defender(s) or The Defender(s) may refer to:
* Defense (military)
* Defense (sports)
** Defender (association football)
Arts and entertainment Film, television, and theatre Film
* ''The Defender'' (1989 film), a Canadian documentary
* ''The D ...
reunited to confront Umar and Dormammu.
In ''The Defenders'' (vol. 2) #3 (November 2005), Umar uses her magic to enchant the Hulk in order to seduce him and take advantage of him sexually, but is frustrated that the act of copulation with him lasts only six minutes, and angered when he reverts to his human form of Bruce Banner. The scene that drew criticism for its treatment of what was an act of non-consensual sex
Consent occurs when one person voluntarily agrees to the proposal or desires of another. It is a term of common speech, with specific definitions used in such fields as the law, medicine, research, and sexual consent. Consent as understood in ...
.
Umar later uses this tactic again in ''The Incredible Hulks'' #633 (September 2011).
Fictional character biography
Origins
Umar was born a Faltine, a race of immortal beings made of pure magical energy that reside in their own universe. Umar is the daughter of Sinifer and the sister of Dormammu
Dormammu () is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, the character first appeared in ''Strange Tales'' #126 (November 1964). He is the extra and inter-dimensional demonic e ...
,[ who is usually depicted in a demonic form.][ When Faltine spawn, they usually take the duplicate form of their parents, but she and her brother Dormammu expressed individual distinctiveness from their parents.][ After they murder one of their fellow Faltines, they are banished from that universe.]
They escaped this banishment, and later conquered the Faltine and the Dark Dimension, which they subsequently ruled with iron fists, expanding their power bases while keeping the Mindless Ones out of that dimension.[ Although the siblings conquer the Dark Dimension together, battling that realm's defenders weakens Umar, who is relegated to the status of Dormammu's subordinate,][ and is forced to take the form of a mortal body.][ Umar meets the disciple of Dormammu named Orini, with whom she bears a daughter named ]Clea
Clea is a female given name.
Clea may refer to:
People with the given name
* Clea DuVall (born 1977), actress
* Clea Hoyte (born 1981), West Indies cricketer
* Clea Koff (born 1972), British-born American forensic anthropologist and author
* ...
,[ but Umar immediately becomes disgusted and disdainful of Orini.][ Clea apparently spends most of her childhood essentially parentless, and would not discover that Umar was her mother until she is an adult.][
Umar grows frustrated with her status in exile,][ and after discovering she can return to her original form, she attacks her brother in rage, but he easily defeats and banishes her][ to a pocket world within the Dark Dimension.][ When Doctor Strange later defeats Dormammu during a subsequent encounter, Umar is freed from her exile and takes control of the Dark Dimension, but her rule is temporary. She later comes into conflict with Strange and his allies on her own in many storylines.][
]
The Dark Dimension
Besides being an unpredictable threat to Doctor Strange, Umar also paves the way for her daughter Clea who becomes a love interest for Strange. Umar has used her daughter as a hostage before to lure Strange into her traps, and conversely, Clea has teamed up with Strange to defeat her mother and knock her off the throne.
In ''Strange Tales
''Strange Tales'' is a Marvel Comics comics anthology, anthology series. The title was revived in different forms on multiple occasions. Doctor Strange and Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (feature), Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. made their d ...
'' #156, Strange is narrowly able to defeat Umar only by summoning Zom, the one entity whose strength rivals her own, though doing this presents a different set of hazards,[ that Strange survives only with the intervention of the ]Living Tribunal
The Living Tribunal is a cosmic entity appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in '' Strange Tales'' #157 (June 1967) and was created by Stan Lee, Marie Severin, and Herb Trimpe.
Publication his ...
.
Clea
One of the Mhuruuks who was not slain was Orini, son of Olnar, being just an untrained boy. In time he aged, while the Faltinians remained the same. Eventually Orini became the chief disciple of Dormammu. In time Umar noticed the adult Orini, and had a tryst with him. Both evidently were virgins, and Umar was initially disgusted with the experience and with Orini himself (she later became a skilled seductor, but her disdain for Orini remained unchanged). In six cycles of the Dark Dimension, Umar gave birth to Clea
Clea is a female given name.
Clea may refer to:
People with the given name
* Clea DuVall (born 1977), actress
* Clea Hoyte (born 1981), West Indies cricketer
* Clea Koff (born 1972), British-born American forensic anthropologist and author
* ...
. This experience changed Umar, and she now was no longer able to return to her Faltinian form.
Her inability to transform angered Umar, and in her frustration she lashed out at Dormammu. Now far stronger than Umar, Dormammu banished her to one of the subjugated pocket dimensions of the Dark Dimension.
Versus Dr. Strange
In time, Dormammu tried to invade Earth's dimension and came into conflict with first the Ancient One
The Ancient One is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics is a New York City–based comic book publishing, publisher, a property of the Walt Disney Company since December 31, 2009, ...
, and then Doctor Strange
Dr. Stephen Vincent Strange is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Steve Ditko, the character first appeared in ''Strange Tales'' #110 (cover-dated July 1963). Doctor Strange serves as ...
. Eventually Dormammu was defeated, and the spell banishing Umar was broken. Umar was able to stop the invasion of the Dark Dimension by the Mindless Ones, and became ruler of the Dark Dimension. Despite having been banished by him, Umar sought to avenge her brother on Strange. She held Clea hostage in the Dark Dimension, to lure Strange back in. When she first fought Strange, she was the more powerful, but then the entity called Sayge showed Umar an image of Umar's original Faltinian visage. This sight drove Umar almost to madness, and she traveled to Earth to destroy it in revenge. There, she battled the Ancient One. Strange defeated her by summoning another monster; Zom, forcing her to flee. Umar later freed Doctor Strange, enabling him to defeat Dormammu.
Umar attacked Doctor Strange and Clea on Earth, and transported the essence of Dormammu to Earth's core, where he reformed. With Orini, Umar defeated Doctor Strange on Dormammu's behalf. With Dormammu, Umar battled the Scarlet Witch
The Scarlet Witch is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in The X-Men #4 in March 1964, in the Silver Age of Comic Boo ...
, Vision
Vision, Visions, or The Vision may refer to:
Perception Optical perception
* Visual perception, the sense of sight
* Visual system, the physical mechanism of eyesight
* Computer vision, a field dealing with how computers can be made to gain und ...
, and Agatha Harkness. Umar's seduction of Orini resulting in the birth of Clea was then recounted. Umar stole Dormammu's power, using it to battle Doctor Strange and Clea. Umar was defeated when Gaea caused Dormammu's power to return to him. Umar later battled Thor
Thor (from ) is a prominent list of thunder gods, god in Germanic paganism. In Norse mythology, he is a hammer-wielding æsir, god associated with lightning, thunder, storms, sacred trees and groves in Germanic paganism and mythology, sacred g ...
in an attempt to disrupt a chess match between Odin
Odin (; from ) is a widely revered god in Norse mythology and Germanic paganism. Most surviving information on Odin comes from Norse mythology, but he figures prominently in the recorded history of Northern Europe. This includes the Roman Em ...
and Dormammu.
Umar later intervened in Doctor Strange's battle with a deranged Black Knight
The black knight is a literary stock character who masks his identity and that of his liege by not displaying heraldry. Black knights are usually portrayed as villainous figures who use this anonymity for misdeeds. They are often contrasted with ...
. She conjured a sea serpent and water elementals to attack Doctor Strange and the Black Knight on Earth. Umar's origin was finally recounted, and the secret of Clea's parentage was finally revealed to Clea and Doctor Strange. Umar was then deposed as ruler of the Dark Dimension by Clea, and with Orini, Umar was banished to an alien dimension by Doctor Strange and Clea.
Dormammu returned to overthrow Clea, and freed Umar from banishment. Clea and Doctor Strange escaped Dormammu, but met with Umar, who wanted to kill Doctor Strange. Umar noticed that her spell was also affecting Clea. Clea revealed that they had been married and that there now was a mystical link between them. Umar stopped her attack and admitted to Clea that she was unable to kill her own daughter. She assisted Strange and Clea in overthrowing Dormammu. Umar tricked her brother by suggesting that they divide the rulership over the Dark Dimension into two parts. Dormammu agreed and Umar banished him to his part: the domain of the Mindless Ones. Umar made peace with Strange and Clea and would now rule the Dark Dimension with Baron Mordo
Baron Karl Amadeus Mordo (known as Baron Mordo) is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, commonly as an adversary of Doctor Strange. The character was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, and first ...
at her side. Clea returned to Earth with Strange.
Many months later, Clea was approached by another Faltine, who claimed to be her cousin. He informed her that she needed to defeat Umar, who had turned into a dictator. Clea returned, but found out that it was a trick: the other Faltine was Dormammu in disguise and he absorbed Umar and Mordo into his own body, growing gigantic in size and power. Clea remained in the Dark Dimension to battle Dormammu.
Umar was separated from Dormammu again, although the siblings retained a mystic link, and the two collaborated in defeating an avatar
Avatar (, ; ) is a concept within Hinduism that in Sanskrit literally means . It signifies the material appearance or incarnation of a powerful deity, or spirit on Earth. The relative verb to "alight, to make one's appearance" is sometimes u ...
of Eternity
Eternity, in common parlance, is an Infinity, infinite amount of time that never ends or the quality, condition or fact of being everlasting or eternal. Classical philosophy, however, defines eternity as what is timeless or exists outside tim ...
, and using the acquired power to remake the universe in their hellish image, but she eventually betrayed her brother, stole his power, and trapped him in the form of a powerless crippled mutate.
When Dormammu's minion, the criminal gang leader known as Hood questions Satana to learn about his master, the demoness refers to Umar as having been killed by her brother.
Umar is later resurrected along with other villains by the magic of the Wishing Well.
During the " Death of Doctor Strange" storyline, Umar manifested part of her kingdom in Antarctica. Clea later mentioned to Classic Doctor Strange and those present that Umar and the other inter-dimensional warlords are fleeing from the Three Mothers.
Powers and abilities
Umar possesses supernatural strength, stamina, and durability, as well as virtual immortality (even in her humanoid form). Like her brother Dormammu, Umar's magical powers greatly exceed those of all sorcerers from Earth, including Doctor Strange.
In other media
Umar appears as a boss
Boss may refer to:
Occupations
* Supervisor, often referred to as boss
* Air boss, more formally, air officer, the person in charge of aircraft operations on an aircraft carrier
* Crime boss, the head of a criminal organization
* Fire boss, ...
in '' Marvel: Avengers Alliance''.
Critical reception
Umar has been ranked among the most significant enemies of Doctor Strange,[ and is also considered one of the "classic" enemies of the ]Hulk
The Hulk is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in the debut issue of ''The Incredible Hulk (comic book), The Incredible Hulk ...
. Chase Magnett of ComicBook.com placed her as the fourth best Doctor Strange villain described her as similar to her brother Dormammu
Dormammu () is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, the character first appeared in ''Strange Tales'' #126 (November 1964). He is the extra and inter-dimensional demonic e ...
but with more sympathy.
In July 2016, Cat Wyatt ranked Umar #10 on Comic Book Resources
''CBR'', formerly ''Comic Book Resources'', is a news website primarily covering comic book news, comic book reviews, and comic book–related topics involving movies, television, anime, and video games. It is owned by Valnet, parent of publicat ...
's list of "The 10 Worst Enemies Stephen Strange Has Ever Faced".[
The scene in which Umar uses her magic to seduce the Hulk in ''Defenders'' (Vol 2) #3 (November 2005), only to be dissatisfied with his inability to copulate with her for more six minutes, has been mentioned as among critics as a notable encounter between the two adversaries,][ with Anthony Avina, citing it for his inclusion of the pair's relationship in ]Comic Book Resources
''CBR'', formerly ''Comic Book Resources'', is a news website primarily covering comic book news, comic book reviews, and comic book–related topics involving movies, television, anime, and video games. It is owned by Valnet, parent of publicat ...
's 2019 list of the 10 Best Romances Between Heroes And Villains among Marvel characters. Others, however, criticized the scene. In 2013, Rob Bricken of Gizmodo
''Gizmodo'' () is a design, technology, science, and science fiction website. It was originally launched as part of the Gawker Media network run by Nick Denton. ''Gizmodo'' also includes the sub-blogs ''io9'' and ''Earther'', which focus on pop ...
who said that Umar's act was one of rape and ranked it #4 on that website's list of The 9 Least Incredible Adventures the Incredible Hulk Ever Had.[ In 2016 Screen Rant's Mark Zambrano included it in that website's 2016 list of the 11 Biggest WTF Things The Hulk Has Ever Done.][ Another Screen Rant contributor, Nicholas Conley, ranked Umar's relationship with ]Hulk
The Hulk is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in the debut issue of ''The Incredible Hulk (comic book), The Incredible Hulk ...
number 13 on that website's August 2017 list of the "15 Superheroes Who Had Supervillain Lovers".
In August 2016, a reader poll conducted by ComicsAlliance
ComicsAlliance is an American website dedicated to covering the comic book industry as well as comic-related media, and is owned by Townsquare Media. The site has been nominated for multiple awards including a 2015 Eisner Award win in the categ ...
on the most memorable stories featuring the archenemeses of Dr. Strange included the reunion of the Defenders
Defender(s) or The Defender(s) may refer to:
* Defense (military)
* Defense (sports)
** Defender (association football)
Arts and entertainment Film, television, and theatre Film
* ''The Defender'' (1989 film), a Canadian documentary
* ''The D ...
to confront Umar and Dormammu in the 2005 miniseries ''Defenders: Indefensible''.[
Umar had been advocated as an addition to the films of the ]Marvel Cinematic Universe
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is an American media franchise and shared universe centered on List of Marvel Cinematic Universe films, a series of superhero films produced by Marvel Studios. The films are based on characters that appe ...
(MCU) from before the release of the 2016 ''Doctor Strange
Dr. Stephen Vincent Strange is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Steve Ditko, the character first appeared in ''Strange Tales'' #110 (cover-dated July 1963). Doctor Strange serves as ...
'' feature film.[ The success of that film prompted speculation and suggestions on which villains should have been selected for that film's sequel. That November, Den of Geek! published a list of characters desired for the second ''Doctor Strange'' film. Contributor Marc Buxton included Umar, whom he named as the "nastiest" of Strange's enemies, comparing her to Cersei Lannister of the '' Song of Ice and Fire'' novel series. Buxton observed that while Dormammu represents raw power, Umar exhibits "guile and malevolent intelligence" and suggested that making her a film's antagonist would provide for an "epic" story.][ In March 2019, Ben Sherlock, writing for ]Comic Book Resources
''CBR'', formerly ''Comic Book Resources'', is a news website primarily covering comic book news, comic book reviews, and comic book–related topics involving movies, television, anime, and video games. It is owned by Valnet, parent of publicat ...
, included Umar in that website's list of "9 Powerful Doctor Strange Villains We Hope To See In The MCU". Sherlock argued that the use of Dormammu in the 2016 '' Dr. Strange'' film would make appearances by his sister easy. Sherlock suggested that Strange's defeat of Dormammu at the end of that film would provide a revenge motive for Umar, and might lend itself to a personal and more intimate conflict than the one in the 2016 film. Sherlock also pointed out that this would increase address the dearth of female villains in the series, and that setting such a story in an otherworldly realm would avoid the question that occurs in MCU solo movies of why the protagonists do not contact their Avengers allies for assistance. Other outlets have called for the introduction of Umar into the film series as well, including Digital Spy
Digital Spy (DS) is a British-based entertainment, television and film website and brand and is the largest digital property at Hearst UK. Since its initial launch in 1999, Digital Spy has focused on entertainment news related to television pro ...
, and CinemaBlend, which stated that Umar's introduction would also provide an avenue for the introduction of Clea
Clea is a female given name.
Clea may refer to:
People with the given name
* Clea DuVall (born 1977), actress
* Clea Hoyte (born 1981), West Indies cricketer
* Clea Koff (born 1972), British-born American forensic anthropologist and author
* ...
.[ That same year, ]Marvel Studios
Marvel Studios, LLC, formerly known as Marvel Films, is an American film and television production company. Marvel Studios is the creator of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), a media franchise and shared universe of films and television ser ...
producer Kevin Feige
Kevin Feige ( ; born June 2, 1973) is an American film and television producer. He has been the president of Marvel Studios and the primary producer of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) franchise since 2007. The films he has produced have a co ...
stated that glimpses of the Dark Dimension would be a part of the plot to that sequel.[
]
References
External links
Umar
at Marvel.com
{{Marvel Mystic
Comics characters introduced in 1966
Characters created by Bill Everett
Characters created by Roy Thomas
Fictional characters who can change size
Fictional characters who can manipulate time
Fictional characters with elemental transmutation abilities
Fictional characters with energy-manipulation abilities
Fictional characters with weather abilities
Fictional exiles
Marvel Comics characters who can teleport
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