Chondu the Mystic
{{Multiple issues|
{{Notability|date=May 2023}}
{{Primary sources|date=May 2023}}
}}
{{Infobox comics character
|image=Harvey Schlemerman (Earth-616) from Doctor Strange Vol 4 5 001.jpg
|caption=
|character_name=Chondu the Mystic
|full_name=Harvey Schlemerman
|species=
|publisher=Marvel Comics
|debut=Tales of Suspense #9 (May 1960)
|creators=Doug Wildey
George Evans
Monstrous form:
Steve Gerber
Sal Buscema
|alliances=Headmen
A.I.M.
Circus of Crime
|aliases=Nighthawk
Bambi
Chondu the Magician
|powers=*Expertise in mysticism
In monstrous form:
- Superhuman strength, durability, and speed
- Flight
- Constriction
- Natural weaponry
}}
Chondu the Mystic, sometimes known as Chondu the Magician, is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.
Publication history
Chondu the Mystic first appeared in Tales of Suspense #9 and was created by Doug Wildey and George Evans while his monstrous form was created by Steve Gerber and Sal Buscema. His name likely derives from Chandu the Magician, a radio drama character who also served as an inspiration for Marvel's Dr. Strange.{{cite book|last = Daniels|first = Les|authorlink = Les Daniels|title = Marvel: Five Fabulous Decades of the World's Greatest Comics|publisher = Harry N. Abrams|year = 1991|location= New York|page = 114|isbn = 978-0810938212|quote= Inspired by the Mutual Network radio show Chandu the Magician, which [Stan] Lee had enjoyed during his childhood, Dr. Strange was in fact a more impressive character than Chandu.}}
Fictional character biography
Chondu had previously worked in a sideshow as a magician before beginning a career as a criminal. In his first appearance, he lectured on yoga and sent an escaped convict to Limbo.Tales of Suspense #9
Chondu later joins the Headmen.The Defenders #21{{Cite web |last=Trinos |first=Angelo Delos |date=September 29, 2022 |title=10 Marvel Teams Readers Have Forgotten About |url=https://www.cbr.com/marvel-teams-readers-forgotten/ |access-date=October 8, 2024 |website=CBR |language=en}} Arthur Nagan transplants Chondu's brain into Nighthawk's body as part of an attempt to use the Defenders. Doctor Strange defeats him in a fight and mystically traps Chondu's consciousness in a fawn's body. Meanwhile, Nagan and Ruby Thursday transform Chondu into a chimeric monster with an artificial brain. Chondu attempts to kidnap a construction worker to use in a brain transplant, but encounters Valkyrie and is arrested.The Defenders #31-33, 35
The Headmen later hire Mysterio to capture the She-Hulk, and place Chondu's head on a clone of her body, which he does not appreciate.{{Cite web |last=Gaudreau |first=Jared |date=February 23, 2022 |title=The Top 15 She-Hulk Villains, Ranked |url=https://www.cbr.com/she-hulk-greatest-villains/ |access-date=October 8, 2024 |website=CBR |language=en}} She-Hulk and Spider-Man battle the Headmen and decapitate Chondu, but he survives due to life-support equipment attached to his head.The Sensational She-Hulk #1-3
In All-New, All-Different Marvel, Chondu appears as a bartender at the Bar with no Doors, a tavern frequented by various mystics.Doctor Strange (vol. 4) #1
Powers and abilities
Chondu can perform intermediate magic as he is skilled in the mystic arts. In his monster form, he has immense physical attributes, winged flight, the ability to constrict people or objects with his tentacle-like arms, and razor-sharp weapons.Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z #2 (May 2008)
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.marvel.com/characters/chondu-the-mystic Chondu the Mystic] at Marvel.com
{{Defenders}}
{{She-Hulk}}
{{Marvel Mystic}}
{{Steve Gerber}}
Category:Characters created by Sal Buscema
Category:Characters created by Steve Gerber
Category:Comics characters introduced in 1960
Category:Fictional characters from Rhode Island
Category:Marvel Comics characters who can move at superhuman speeds
Category:Marvel Comics characters who can teleport
Category:Marvel Comics characters who use magic
Category:Marvel Comics characters with superhuman durability or invulnerability
Category:Marvel Comics characters with superhuman strength
Category:Marvel Comics male supervillains