| “ | You see, I'm what you might call a "mentalist" or "psychic". | „ |
| ~ Madame Xanadu. |
| “ | Within the symbols of the Tarot, I endeavored to express the sum and breadth of intelligent life, from cradle to grave and even… beyond! | „ |
| ~ Madame Xanadu. |
| “ | I am an ancient sorceress who has faced and defeated some of the darkest threats ever to have existed. I am Madame Xanadu. | „ |
| ~ Prime Earth Madame Xanadu. |
Madame Xanadu (real name Nimue Inwudu) is a fictional superheroine and sorceress who debuted in DC Comics Doorway to Nightmare. Born during the times of King Arthur's reign, Nimue became immortal and taught how to wield magic, and later became an advisor who helped others against supernatural threats. Madame Xanadu has been an ally of Jim Corrigan's Spectre, and member of the Sentinels of Magic, and founding member of the Justice League Dark.
She was created by David Michelinie, Val Mayerik, and Michael William Kaluta, and first appeared in Doorway to Nightmare #1 in February of 1978.
History[]
Nimue lived around the time of King Arthur she is the sister of Morgana (Morgaine le Fey) and Vivienne Lady of the Lake. Nimue was in love with Merlin before she imprisoned he manipulated Camelot and history for his own gain. Merlin had the last laugh though by taking away her magic. She gained her immortality back that she lost to Merlin by beating Death in a card game. Later Nimue opened an occult shop to help people who are troubled by the supernatural.
Biography[]
Early Life[]
Nimue Inwudu is the daughter of Atheron and Staegys, and sister to Morgaine le Fay and Vivienne, and later learned how to use magic due to being a descendant of gypsies. Nimue once casted a spell on Merlin, but the wizard succeeded in striping her magic from her, causing her to wander across the world. She decided that she wanted to atone for her actions, and helped those who were troubled with the supernatural by operating as a fortune teller. Nimue eventually regained her immortality by besting Death in a game of cards, and would help clients by conquering supernatural forces and containing them in jars to prevent them from causing more trouble.
Advising the Spectre[]
Madame Xanadu aided the Spectre after his powers were diminished by the Presence, she used her psychic abilities to locate the avatar of the Spectre until he returned to Earth. When Nimue learned of the Spectre's human host, Jim Corrigan, was dead, she preserved his body until the Spectre returned. After aiding the Spectre in returning to his human host, Nimue became his advisor due to his powers being reduced, and her powers increased to his presence. During her time with the Spectre, the two developed a somewhat romantic relationship, as both of their consciousnesses connected in a "mystic intercourse". Madame Xanadu later attended a mystical attending organized by Spectre after the invasion of the Manhunters.
The magical entities on Earth that attended agreed to continue protecting mankind from supernatural threats, and Nimue was attacked by the Cult of the Blood Red Moon after the event. The cult had learned that Nimue was the Spectre's advisor and wanted to kill her, but they were stopped by the Spectre and Corrigan. Later on, Nimue assisted Deadman in locating Corrigan's body after he was attacked by a demon, and they managed to save him and thwart the demon's plans.
Hero Career[]
Though Nimue preferred to work alone, she would often help other heroes or individuals when asked for or when needed, such as consulting the Suicide Squad on how to deal with the Enchantress. Madame Xanadu later helped Timothy Hunter when he was becoming a sorcerer, and also confronted Hunter's ally John Constantine when she accused him of stealing a magic artifact from her. Nimue then became a member of the Sentinels of Magic, a group of mystical people who were called to stop Asmodel from usurping Hell. In addition, she bartered her soul to a demon named Neron, who gave her three demons to do what she commanded, and she managed to control them.
Eventually, Madame Xanadu became blind after the Spectre disabled her eyes due to becoming unstable and thinking that magic equaled evil. Nimue attempted to regrow her eyes to regain her sight, but they were burned out every time to her powers not being greater than the Spectre. Despite losing her sight, Nimue managed to train Daena, an adept to read her cards for her, and the curse inflicted upon her rallied the Phantom Stranger, Zatanna and Nabu to confront the Spectre. With theh elp of Daena, she saw the destruction of the world by the Spectre, and Nabu began his offense against the Spectre as well as his strategy to restore the Rock of Eternity. During the "One Year Later", Madame Xanadu assisted the Shadowpact when they were temporarily blinded by the villains known as the Congregation, and later advised Mary Marvel to avoid Gotham City.
Prime Earth[]
On Prime Earth, Nimue Inwudu is the daughter of Ingraine le Fay, and sister to Morgaine le Fay, Tui, six unnamed sisters, and Arthur Pendragon, who was the king of Camelot. Due to being related to King Arthur, she was a princess of Camelot, and was taught how to use magic by Merlin. When King Arthur was killed during an attack on Camelot, Nimue and other apprentices were ordered to travel with his corpse to the afterlife called Avalon. While on the ship, Nimue jumped off at the lost moment and became a nomad, travelling across the land as an outcast due to her sorcery. Nimue quickly realized that she had stopped aging, possibly due to her near death experience or from being on the ship, and later encountered her love-interest Jason of Norwich. She learned that he survived the attack due to Merlin trapping the demon Etrigan inside him, and the demon became jealous of Jason's love for Nimue. Seeing that the demon wouldn't stop his rampage, Nimue decided to become his lover to stop the demon and control him. However, Nimue and Jason would work together to stop Merlin's father, Belial, after he usurped Lucifer and became the king of Hell. After Etrigan defeated Belial and Lucifer, Nimue and Jason decided to start traveling.
Portrayals[]
Television[]
- In Young Justice, she wasn't magic, but a fortunetelling-themed con artist. She was voiced by Cree Summer, who also voiced Abigail Lincoln in Codename: Kids Next Door, Susie Carmichael in the Rugrats series, Penny Gadget in Inspector Gadget, Madame Web in the Marvel Animated Universe, Kim in The Care Bears Movie, Mary Melody in Tiny Toon Adventures, and Penelope Young in Batman: Arkham Asylum.
- In Swamp Thing, she was portrayed by Jeryl Prescott.
Trivia[]
- Though Madame Xanadu can help others by advising them, she is prohibited by unknown powers to actively assist her clients until they have personally taken action.
