Anthony Druid (Earth-616)

Doctor Druid
Name	Anthony Druid (Name legally changed from Anthony Ludgate)
Current Alias	Doctor Druid
Aliases	Anthony Ludgate, Dr. Anthony Droom, Guntag Borghelm, Master of the Unknown, Midnight Eye, Scott
Affiliation and Relationships
Group Affiliation	A.I.M., servant of Belasco Formerly Monster Hunters Avengers Secret Defenders Bureau 18 Legion of the Unliving Shock Troop
Relatives	Ancestors: Amergin Glúingel (10th century ancestor, deceased) Children: Sebastian Druid (son)
Marital Status	Single
Physical Characteristics
Gender	Male
Height	6′5″ (1.96 m)
Weight	311 lbs (141.07 kg).
Eyes	Irises: Green
Hair	Black
Origin and Living Status
Origin	Human magician
Living Status	Alive; formerly deceased
Reality	Earth-616
Place of Birth	United Kingdom
Cause of Death	Killed by Dracula (resurrected by Death) Shot by Nekra (revived by Chaos King)
Personal Information
Identity	Public
Citizenship	British, American
Occupation	Occult expert, lecturer, author, adventurer, doctor; former psychiatrist, explorer
Education	MD from Harvard, degree in psychology
Base of Operations	Doctor Druid's Sanctum, Boston, Massachusetts Formerly Mobile Avengers Mansion, Manhattan, New York City, New York
Creators and Appearances
Creators	Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, Jack Kirby
First	Tales to Astonish #12 (May, 1960) (Retroactively) Amazing Adventures #1 (March, 1961) (First actual appearance) (As Doctor Droom) Weird Wonder Tales #19 (September, 1976) (As Doctor Druid)
First	Tales to Astonish #12 (May, 1960) (Retroactively) Amazing Adventures #1 (March, 1961) (First actual appearance) (As Doctor Droom) Weird Wonder Tales #19 (September, 1976) (As Doctor Druid)

Ludgate! I'm not kowtowing and cuddling up to you bloody colonials any more! My name's Anthony Ludgate!

—Doctor Druid[source]

Doctor Anthony Druid is the master of unknown, who uses his dark and mysterious supernatural abilities to explore existence and gain knowledge for himself. As a British psychiatrist scholar of ancient druid descent, Druid became fascinated with the occult arts and travelled to the Himalayas, where he was mentored by the Ancient One and gained enhanced psychic sensibility to the obscurities of the world. Doctor Druid deployed his abilities to operate as a detective to solve bizarre mysteries. In his arrogance, Doctor Druid interacted with the super-heroes of Earth, manipulating them to serve his purposes in different occasions.

More prominently, he ended up joining Earth's Mightiest Heroes, the Avengers, after assisting them drive out the Masters of Evil from their Mansion. This granted him full membership in the team. However, he proved to be a disastrous addition to the team, since he tampered with their minds to serve his interests and sabotaged the group eventually rising to the position of chairman. In fact, Doctor Druid's actions were machinated by Kang Nebula, who ultimately caused the end of the Avengers and Doctor Druid to be lost in the timestream.

Recovered from this disgraceful incident, Doctor Druid was trusted by Doctor Strange to lead the Secret Defenders, Believing himself to be unfit for the task, Druid deceived his teammates to end the initiative. This was followed by Doctor Druid being murdered as the consequence of a plan envisioned by Daimon Hellstrom and executed by Nekra. After his death, being banned from Earth's plane, Doctor Druid resurfaced in the peculiar realm of Weirdworld, where he cunningly gained influence as a secret ruler. He has ultimately managed to return to Earth, where he forged an ordinary life as the director of the McCarthy Medical Institute. In this situation, once again he crossed paths with Strange and was forced to manifest his occult powers.

History

Early Adventures

Anthony Ludgate was born and raised in the United Kingdom. He left to further his studies in the United States of America where he attended Harvard University. He earned a MD from Harvard, degree in psychology and became a psychiatrist. When he discovered that he was a descendant of the druid Amergin Glúingel, Anthony became obsessed with learning about the ancient druidic religion. Since druidry was only passed down orally, Anthony began travelling the world seeking out those who could teach him. While travelling through Tibet he met the Ancient One, whom took him in as a pupil. Anthony learned many things from the Ancient One, but eventually both mutually parted ways.

In his first recorded adventure as Dr. Druid, he was hired to investigate a missing ocean liner, the S.S. Luxuria and discovered “The Lost City of Atlantis” and a race of "Atlanteans" (technically Aquaticans, not Homo Mermanus). Here he found the missing ship and hypnotized the entire city into believing that there was no human population on the surface in order to protect humanity and rescue the ship. He also foiled invasion attempts by a few alien species including, Zamu who was attempting to become governor, an unknown alien race who Druid managed to convince through telepathy that the human race were in fact derricks and too powerful for them to conquer, and Krogg who used matter-transporter technology to steal houses and hold them for ransom to raise money to try and plunder the Earth of its resources.

Druid teamed up with the Hulk, and together they fought and defeated the evil wizard Maha Yogi. Believing Ghost Rider to be evil, Druid lured him into Charles Delazny's studio to fight him. Though Ghost Rider initially had the upper hand, Druid was able to transform him back into his human form. Probing Johnny's mind, however, he realized that his opponent wasn't evil and decided to leave him alone. Later, he employed the help of the Avengers to defeat the Fomor in 12th century Avalon. Druid later helped Iron Fist, Luke Cage and Colleen Wing to get to K'un-Lun. He left them to their own adventure while exploring the mystical city. Anthony later briefly assisted some monster hunters that included Makkari against the Deviants.

Joining the Avengers

After joining the Avengers in their fight against the Masters of Evil, Druid turned out to be fairly successful as a super hero and even joined the team's official ranks. However, his arrogance and weakness for women led him to be seduced and manipulated by Ravonna in her guise as Kang Nebula, or the Temptress. Believing he was acting to preserve the Avengers against a future threat only he could stop, Druid continually undermined the Avengers' chairwoman, Captain Marvel, until she suffered serious injuries in battle. He then psychically influenced the Captain and remaining team members into naming him the replacement chairman.

Soon all of the Avengers fell under Nebula's control, and she guided them in a quest to find the Dreaming Celestial's ultimate weapon by piercing the future Time Bubble. Instead, rival Kangs attacked Kang Nebula and her Avengers. The lovesick Druid and Ravonna were sucked out into the wild timestream, left adrift for months.

Shock Troop & Secret Defenders

Druid and Ravonna eventually found their way back into the regular timestream. Anthony finally managed to shake Ravonna's control over him, and even received a new lease on life, restored to a younger and fitter body. Following this, Druid led a group of occult adventurers, the Shock Troop, for a short time.

Doctor Druid while leading the Secret Defenders

Doctor Strange pressed Anthony into commanding the Secret Defenders. He had also made a deal for the life of Shadowoman with the demon Slorioth. Shadwoman joined his team alongside Luke Cage and Deadpool. At the Chicago Museum of Art, Malachi diverted the team by apparently bringing paintings to life; because these apparitions depended on light, Woods easily destroyed them. Malachi found the next, and final, part of the Moebius Stone and used its power to snare Druid and Shadowoman. By turning to shadow, Woods escaped. Malachi inflicted what should have been a killing stroke, but when Woods survived, she began to wonder about her powers. She confronted Druid with her questions about her powers. For answer, Druid sent her into the "Bride of Slorioth," where she met Druid's dark side and finally learned (most of) the truth. Back outside the statue, she confronted Druid again, only to realize that he had had no choice but to do what he did. To mollify her, however, he promised to help her free herself from the Darkforce. Shadowoman, Druid, and the other team members went to the Gates of Perdition to find Slorioth. When the first Defenders appeared, Woods actually held her own against the Silver Surfer. She then learned Druid's final secret: out of love and desperation, he had sold his soul to Slorioth to save her life. The demon took control of Druid to try to return himself to Earth. Eventually Druid grew tired of leading a team and faked his death after summoning Slorioth.

Death

Druid then spent his days drinking and allowing a number of tenants, who happened to be novice magic users, to rent from an apartment he had gained by hypnotizing the previous owner. One of them uttered an incantation from Druid's books. Hellstorm appeared acting as Satan. Druid tried to save the young man, but was beaten and mocked. Humiliated, Druid recited forbidden Druidic rituals that been in his mind since he first met the Ancient One. With his powers increased, he sought to bring about destruction and rebirth as the last Druid. Hellstorm was still unimpressed and sent Nekra to seduce him. She succeeded and eventually betrayed Druid, shooting him with a Breathing Gun, a magical weapon designed to kill other supernatural forces. Hellstorm then ignited Druid's corpse and threw it into the garbage, as he had promised to do earlier.

Revivals

Druid was briefly revived by the Grim Reaper to battle the Avengers, but regained his senses and helped them defeat the Reaper so his spirit could remain at peace. Druid was completely revived when the Chaos King laid siege on all reality, and the gates of the Underworld opened, allowing any heroes there to escape, such as Druid himself, Deathcry, Captain Marvel, Swordsman, and Yellowjacket. They fought valiantly against the Grim Reaper, but they all perished again in the end of the Chaos War.

Weirdworld

Doctor Druid later turned up alive when Nighthawk, Tyndall and Blur were brought to his castle. Doctor Druid revealed to the captives that despite being dead, his soul took on a corporal form when it encountered Weirdworld, and that as long as he remained in the magical realm, he was essentially alive. He furthermore elaborated that Ogeode had built him a massive crystal atop the castle, which amplified his mind control abilities, bringing nearly everyone within this region of Weirdworld under his thrall, though for some reason, possibly related to time travel, Thundra and Tyndall were immune to his grip.

Return to Earth

Some time later, Doctor Druid returned to the primary Earth and took a role as a hospital administrator at the McCarthy Medical Institute. When confronted about his return to life by Doctor Strange, who has returned to medicine after his hands were healed, Druid, now going by his given name Anthony Ludgate, refused to explain how he had been returned to life. Instead, he simply explained that he no longer wished to be a superhero and wanted to focus on medicine and gardening. After assisting Strange with a booby-trapped surgery, Druid joined him in investigating a magical weapons arms ring that had been stealing magic materials and weapons from Strange's Mystic Forge. Druid and Strange ultimately discovered that Madame Masque was responsible for the thefts. Druid assisted Strange in defeating her, though she ultimately escaped, and the two sorcerers returned to Earth.

To settle a debt with Doctor Druid, the Scarlet Witch, accompanied by Joseph, traveled to the Endless Desert and went hunting for the Lamp of Lucifer, which Druid claimed was hidden in the belly of a Sand Shark. She then returned the Lamp to Druid at the Bar With No Doors who offered to tell her her future, but she declined.

Attributes

Power Grid

Powers

As Droom, he presented himself as possessing "the wisdom of a lama, the skills of a yogi, the powers of a mystic".

• Druidic Magic: Druid possessed extensive knowledge of ancient ritual magic practiced by his Celtic ancestors. He was also fluent with Oriental mysticism passed on to him by the Ancient One.
  • Plant Manipulation
  • Animal Manipulation
  • Fire Generation
  • Fire Immunity: By using both concentration and faith, Druid was able to walk over hot coals without getting burnt.
  • Light Generation: Druid can create glowing orbs of light.
• Oriental Mysticism: Powers include voice manipulation (to appear somewhere else) and movement at the "speed of thought."
  • Superhuman Reflexes: By moving at the speed of thought Doctor Druid can react to threats almost instantly.
• Magic Detection: Druid could innately sense magic.
• Psychic Powers
  • Mesmerism/Hypnotism: Druid could control what others see, hear, and do as long as their minds were less adept than his own.
  • Illusions: Doctor Druid is able to generate extremely realistic illusions.
  • Mind Control: By concentrating Doctor Druid can take control of the minds of others.
  • Telekinesis: Druid was capable of levitating himself or other objects.
  • Astral Projection: Druid could release his astral form to secretly spy on his fellow Avengers.
• Body Control: Through yoga like practices, Druid could control his body functions to a high degree, such as tightening his muscles to better resist bullets.
• Teleportation: Druid was able to magically transport himself and others to K'un-Lun.
• Flight: Druid could propel himself magically through the air.
• Invisibility: Druid can turn himself and others invisible.

Abilities

Anthony has extensive knowledge of the ancient Druids, Celts, and astrology. He was a veteran medical doctor and psychiatrist. He was well versed in yogic practices. Druid was also a skilled Judo martial artist and is proficient in staff combat.

Medical Knowledge: Anthony received his doctorate from Harvard in medical studies and has demonstrated theoretical and practical knowledge in various fields of medicine. He is currently director of the hospital where Doctor Strange works.

Indomitable Will: He has absolute control of his body thanks to an iron will, he is capable of overcoming any attempt at physical or mental submission thanks to his simple will. He even managed to command the cells of his body with his thoughts.

Multilingual: Apart from English, he also knew Swahili, though his was "a bit rusty".

Weaknesses

Druidic magic was disrupted by iron.

Paraphernalia

Equipment

• Gold medallion for hypnotism.
• Lamp of Lucifer, which is used for scrying.

Transportation

Formerly Avenger's Quinjet, Monster Hunter vehicles.

Notes

• The original version of Doctor Druid appeared as Dr. Droom in the inaugural issue of Amazing Adventures in 1961. He appeared in each issue until the comic was rebranded as Amazing Adult Fantasy, making Dr. Droom Marvel's first recurring Silver-Age character. Dr. Droom was a white man who received mystical powers by being physically transformed into an Asian man.
• When this story was reprinted in 1975, the racial aspect of his origin was edited out, and Dr. Droom was renamed "Dr. Druid," so as to avoid confusion with Dr. Doom.
• Druid had a condominium in Boston, Massachusetts which appeared contemporary. But upon entrance, visitors viewed that it was replete with arcane artifacts and devices.
• Anthony Druid was a Buddhist.

Trivia

• When he had Doctor Druid join the Avengers, writer Roger Stern intended him to "fill the group's Pain-in-the-Ass Quotient," playing a role similar to the character Charles Emerson Winchester III in the TV series M*A*S*H by acting like an "erudite wise-ass."

See Also

• 150 appearance(s) of Anthony Druid (Earth-616)
• 19 appearance(s) in handbook(s) of Anthony Druid (Earth-616)
• 16 minor appearance(s) of Anthony Druid (Earth-616)
• 25 mention(s) of Anthony Druid (Earth-616)
• 13 mention(s) in handbook(s) of Anthony Druid (Earth-616)
• 108 image(s) of Anthony Druid (Earth-616)
• 6 quotation(s) by or about Anthony Druid (Earth-616)
• 2 item(s) used/owned by Anthony Druid (Earth-616)

Links and References

• Anthony Druid on Marvel.com