Born in Haiti and initially dismissive of his family’s voodoo traditions, Jericho Drumm forged a successful path as a psychologist in America. However, a plea from his dying brother drew him back to his roots, compelling him to embrace the ancient practices he had long avoided. This pivotal moment transformed him into Doctor Voodoo, a powerful houngan and eventually, the Sorcerer Supreme of Earth. This exploration delves into the captivating history, powers, adversaries, and allies of Doctor Voodoo, highlighting his significant role in the Marvel Universe.
The Genesis of Brother Voodoo: A Legacy Forged in Mysticism
The saga of Brother Voodoo traces back to the 17th century, to Laurent, an enslaved man who became imbued with extraordinary abilities. Bestowed with power by Legba, a prominent Voodoo deity, and aided by Gaea, the earth goddess, Laurent performed a profound ritual. This spell bound the spirit of his deceased brother, Alexandre, to his own soul, giving rise to Alexandre as the Lord of the Loa, a formidable entity created to combat zombies. Laurent, known as Brother Voodoo, joined forces with the French privateer Captain Tyger. Over centuries, his legend grew, inspiring a lineage of successors who also adopted the mantle of Brother Voodoo. Notably, an early 18th-century Brother Voodoo encountered the enigmatic immortal sorcerer Cagliostro, further weaving the mystic tapestry of this lineage.
In more contemporary times, Jericho Drumm was raised in Haiti amidst a culture steeped in the occult. Despite this upbringing, Jericho chose a different path, relocating to the United States to pursue psychology. Meanwhile, his brother Daniel remained in Haiti, dedicated to mastering the ancestral ways of voodoo. Jericho earned a Ph.D. in Psychology, establishing himself in his chosen field. After twelve years, a desperate summons brought Dr. Drumm back to Haiti. He found Daniel on the brink of death, a victim of a Zobop, a man possessed by a demon. Daniel implored Jericho to embrace voodoo, continuing the family legacy. Initially, Jericho resisted, attempting to confront the Zobop through conventional means, a decision that nearly cost him his life.
This near-fatal encounter served as a turning point. Resolved to avenge his brother through mystical means, Jericho sought the tutelage of Papa Jambo, an esteemed elder in voodoo practices. He underwent rigorous training, finally accepting Daniel’s spirit to merge with his own as a spiritual ally. United, Jericho and Daniel confronted and vanquished the Zobop. From this triumph, Jericho Drumm emerged as Brother Voodoo, the new Lord of the Loa, dedicating his life to championing the oppressed and battling supernatural threats.
The Mystical Arsenal: Powers and Abilities of Doctor Voodoo
Jericho Drumm, as Doctor Voodoo, is a highly skilled houngan, an adept practitioner of benevolent voodoo magic. His profound command over the Loa grants him a level of mystical prowess that rivals, and in certain aspects, potentially surpasses, many of Earth’s other magic wielders.
As Brother Voodoo, and later Doctor Voodoo, he exhibits a remarkable ability to control various animals, compelling them to obey his commands. He can also summon and manipulate spirits and other mystical entities from different planes of existence for specific purposes. Furthermore, Doctor Voodoo has utilized potent artifacts to enhance his powers, including the Eye of Agamotto, mystical medallions, enchanted staffs, and cloaks. These items have augmented his abilities, granting him teleportation, flight, enhanced insight, and protection.
Doctor Voodoo possesses significant immunity to magical assaults. While exceptionally powerful beings have occasionally breached his defenses, his deep knowledge of voodoo spells provides him with a vast repertoire of offensive and defensive mystical techniques. His connection to the Loa and mastery of voodoo rituals make him a formidable force against supernatural threats.
Enemies of Doctor Voodoo: Confronting Darkness
Doctor Voodoo’s path as a defender against evil has led him to amass a considerable number of adversaries. His rogues’ gallery includes notable villains such as Vlad Dracula, the infamous vampire lord, also known as Dracula; Josué Pétion, the sinister Doctor Friday; the malevolent voodoo queen Marie Laveau; the terrifying Baron Samedi; Desmond Drew, the menacing Black Talon; the enigmatic Moondog; and even the powerful cosmic entity Agamotto himself.
Despite facing such formidable foes, Doctor Voodoo does not have one single archenemy in the same vein as many other costumed heroes. His battles are often against a diverse range of supernatural threats, reflecting the breadth of his mystical domain.
Allies and Friends: Bonds Forged in Mystical Battles
While Doctor Voodoo often operates in solitude, a select few have become trusted friends and allies throughout his journey.
Chief among these is his brother Daniel, who, even in spirit form, remains his closest confidant and mystical partner. However, despite years of collaboration, a rift eventually forms between the brothers, adding complexity to their bond.
In his ongoing fight against darkness, Doctor Voodoo has forged alliances with numerous heroes and champions within the superhero community. These include Marc Spector, the enigmatic Moon Knight; Dr. Stephen Strange, the former Sorcerer Supreme, Doctor Strange; Eric Brooks, the relentless vampire hunter Blade; T’Challa, the noble Black Panther; and even Lilith, the daughter of Dracula, in an unexpected alliance. Furthermore, Doctor Voodoo maintains a strong and supportive relationship with the Avengers, often lending his expertise in mystical matters to the team.
Romance has often remained elusive for Doctor Voodoo, likely due to the demanding and perilous nature of his mystical calling. His dedication to his duties often takes precedence over personal relationships.
Following a period of magical disruption and subsequent restoration, a new institution, the Strange Academy, was established to train the next generation of sorcerers. Named in honor of Doctor Strange, Doctor Voodoo played a crucial role in its founding and shares leadership responsibilities with Strange. He heads the Academy’s esteemed faculty, comprised of exceptional magic users and occult experts, including Zelma Stanton, Yao (the Ancient One), Mindful One, Daimon Hellstrom (Son of Satan), Nico Minoru (Sister Grimm), Wanda Maximoff (Scarlet Witch), Illyana Rasputin (Magik), Michael Twoyoungmen (Shaman), and Agatha Harkness.
Adventures of Doctor Voodoo: A Chronicle of Mystical Quests
After establishing his practice as Brother Voodoo in New Orleans, Jericho Drumm’s early adventures took him back to Haiti, where he confronted Baron Samedi and his technologically enhanced zuvembies. He then returned to Louisiana to rescue Loralee Tate from the combined threat of the Black Talon and Mama Limbo. Subsequently, Papa Jambo was tragically resurrected as a zombie, and the villainous Moondog instigated chaos in New York City, drawing Brother Voodoo into action.
Drumm journeyed to Brazil to assist vampire hunter Frank Drake against Dracula’s schemes and later aided Jack Russell, the Werewolf by Night, in a confrontation with Dr. Glitternight. In the aftermath of this encounter, Brother Voodoo guided Daniel Drumm’s spirit to help Russell manage his lycanthropy. He also collaborated with Benjamin Grimm, the Thing, to quell a dangerous voodoo priest in Africa.
Numerous challenges followed for Brother Voodoo, including being possessed by the Vodu deity Damballah. He teamed up with Moon Knight to battle Doctor Friday and his zombie army and assisted Doctor Strange against the formidable Voudou Priestess Marie Laveau. However, a significant strain emerged in his relationship with Daniel when Jericho attempted to manipulate Loralee Tate’s affections by directing Daniel to possess her, an unethical act that led Jericho to sever Daniel’s spirit from his soul for a time.
Taking a temporary respite from his active crusades, Drumm authored a book on voodoo and embarked on a promotional tour, briefly stepping back from his role as Brother Voodoo. However, destiny called him back when Lilith, Dracula’s daughter, sought his help to control her bloodlust while hunting the undead. Blade, the vampire hunter, also enlisted his aid in a renewed conflict with Marie Laveau.
When Erik Killmonger, Black Panther’s nemesis, was resurrected to threaten the Wakandan monarch, Drumm dispatched Moon Knight to the Realm of the Dead to retrieve T’Challa’s soul. He later assisted the mutant Gambit in laying restless zombies to rest in New Orleans. In his New Orleans base, Doctor Voodoo and Black Panther fought against a vampire threat, and for a brief period, he joined S.H.I.E.L.D.’s supernatural strike force, the Howling Commandos. Despite his reservations, Doctor Voodoo registered under the Superhuman Registration Act and briefly aided Iron Man in apprehending unregistered heroes. Subsequently, Drumm was abducted and placed in stasis by the Skrull, shape-shifting aliens, and replaced by a duplicate as part of their “secret invasion” plot.
Returning to active duty, Drumm acquired the Eye of Agamotto and succeeded Doctor Strange as Earth’s Sorcerer Supreme, adopting the moniker Doctor Voodoo. In this elevated role, he fought alongside the Avengers against Agamotto himself and seemingly sacrificed his life to ensure Agamotto’s defeat. Victor von Doom, Doctor Doom, later resurrected Drumm to counter an “inverted” Scarlet Witch and her destructive campaign against Latveria. Daniel Drumm’s spirit managed to possess the Scarlet Witch, undoing the inversion spell that had wreaked havoc among the heroic community.
Doctor Voodoo joined the Avengers Unity Squad at Captain America’s invitation, and together they confronted the criminal Hand organization. During this conflict, Drumm discovered Daniel’s betrayal when his brother sided with the Hand in their resurrection of the Hulk. After the Hulk’s rampage was contained, Drumm declined the opportunity to resurrect Daniel, acknowledging his brother’s conscious choice.
As Doctor Voodoo, Jericho Drumm continues to serve as a vital ally to the Avengers, Doctor Strange, and anyone requiring his unique occult expertise and mastery. Following the restoration of magic, he has embraced a new role as a teacher at the Strange Academy in New Orleans, shaping the future generation of sorcerers alongside Doctor Strange.
