Baron Mordo

Template:Short description Template:Infobox comics character 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 appeared in Strange Tales #111 (August 1963). Baron Mordo is a gifted magician, especially adept in the black arts of magic, including summoning demons.

Karl Mordo was studying the magic arts under the Ancient One in Tibet when Dr. Stephen Strange arrived. Strange foiled Mordo's plot to kill the Ancient One, leading to Mordo being cast out and Strange eventually becoming Sorcerer Supreme. Mordo has since clashed several times with Dr. Strange, at times with the backing of the demon Dormammu, briefly even impersonating Dr. Strange.<ref>Template:Cite book[1]</ref>

The Baron Mordo character has appeared in other forms of media, such as animated television series, films, and video games. Chiwetel Ejiofor portrays the character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Doctor Strange (2016)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and an alternate universe version in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022).<ref name="ScreenRant">Template:Cite web</ref>

Publication history

Baron Mordo first appeared in Strange Tales #111 (August 1963), and was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref>

Fictional character biography

A Transylvanian nobleman (born in Varf Mandra), Karl Amadeus Mordo became a student of the Tibetan sorcerer known as the Ancient One.<ref>Strange Tales #115 (Dec. 1963)</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> When Mordo plotted to kill his teacher, Dr. Stephen Strange learned of the plot. Mordo was forced to cast restraining spells to prevent Strange from warning the Ancient One. In desperation, Strange decided to accept the Ancient One's offer to take him on as his mentor in magic to have some hope of stopping Mordo. The Ancient One, however, was fully aware of Mordo's plot and of Strange's desire to warn him. Pleased at Strange's unselfish decision, the Ancient One's magical teachings immediately freed the doctor and explained the full situation. Thus informed in the face of his recent experiences, Strange agreed to become the Ancient One's apprentice despite the requirement that he abandon his former life. The Ancient One trained him to be a formidable opponent of Mordo. Eventually Mordo was exiled by the Ancient One.<ref>Strange Tales #111. Marvel Comics.</ref> Mordo's abilities were similar to those of Doctor Strange, but Mordo was particularly skilled at astral projection and hypnosis, as well as mesmerism. He was more than willing to use powerful black magic and invoke demons, both of which Strange was reluctant or unable to do. Mordo's use of these darker arts would sometimes backfire.

The evil Mordo became an open foe of Doctor Strange. He sent his astral form to hypnotize the Ancient One's servant into poisoning his food, hoping the old man would reveal his secrets of magic.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite web</ref> However, Strange tricked him into returning to his physical body after engaging in astral contact with him, thus breaking his hold over the servant, who helped the Ancient One to recover. Mordo disguised himself as Sir Clive Bentley, and trapped Doctor Strange with a drugged candle that paralyzed him, but Strange was able to use his mental powers to call a local girl to free him.<ref>Strange Tales #114. Marvel Comics.</ref> He opposed Doctor Strange's discipleship to the Ancient One.<ref>Strange Tales #115. Marvel Comics.</ref> He set a series of new traps for Strange in a bid to wrest magical secrets from the Ancient One.<ref>Strange Tales #117. Marvel Comics.</ref> Mordo took Strange's body while Strange was astral projecting for a threat he sensed that Mordo had caused, and cast a barrier around it, knowing that if his astral form was out for 24 hours it would die.<ref name=":1" /> Strange found it in a wax museum, but was unable to enter. However, Strange took control of a wax model in the last minute, distracting Mordo and enabling Strange to return to his body.<ref>Strange Tales #121. Marvel Comics.</ref> He imprisoned the Ancient One, but was again defeated.<ref>Strange Tales #125. Marvel Comics.</ref> Mordo made a deal with his new master, the demonic Dormammu of the Dark Dimension, to amass additional power to defeat Doctor Strange.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" /><ref>Strange Tales #130. Marvel Comics.</ref> He dispatched agents, other evil magicians around the World and Spirit wraiths, to search for the incognito Strange,<ref>Strange Tales #131. Marvel Comics.</ref> and then banished him from the Earth.<ref>Strange Tales #132. Marvel Comics.</ref> He fled from Strange,<ref>Strange Tales #134. Marvel Comics.</ref> and then dispatched agents to kill Strange.<ref>Strange Tales #135-136. Marvel Comics.</ref> He engaged in personal combat with Strange.<ref>Strange Tales #139. Marvel Comics.</ref> Mordo was exiled to the Dimension of Demons by Dormammu.<ref>Strange Tales #141. Marvel Comics.</ref> He battled Doctor Strange once more at Stonehenge, but was ultimately banished from Earth.<ref>Strange Tales #159-162. Marvel Comics.</ref>

Mordo would return eventually to continue to bedevil Doctor Strange. He impersonated Doctor Strange during Strange's brief retirement, but was soon vanquished.<ref>Marvel Feature #1. Marvel Comics.</ref> Mordo discovered the Book of Cagliostro, and battled Strange in 18th-century Paris. He then accompanied Strange and Sise-Neg to the dawn of time.<ref>Marvel Premiere #13-14. Marvel Comics.</ref> After suffering a mental breakdown, he was placed in Doctor Strange's care, but later escaped.<ref>Doctor Strange #10. Marvel Comics.</ref> Mordo transformed the dead Lord Phyffe into Azrael, angel of death, and dispatched him against Strange.<ref>Doctor Strange #40. Marvel Comics.</ref> He sent the Man-Thing to kill Strange, and assembled thirteen people for human sacrifice to the Chaos Demon. Mordo was defeated by Strange, Jennifer Kale, and the Man-Thing.<ref>Man-Thing Vol. 2 #4; Doctor Strange #41. Marvel Comics.</ref> He attacked Strange, and escaped into the 1940s, but was manipulated by Dormammu.<ref>Doctor Strange #49-50. Marvel Comics.</ref>

Mordo later sold his soul to both Mephisto and Satannish for power, gaming that Strange would save him. He was trapped with Sara Wolfe, and later rescued her.<ref>Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme #5-8. Marvel Comics.</ref> Mordo himself was later imprisoned, and Sara Wolfe freed him from imprisonment. Mordo battled Dormammu to defend the Earth. He was defeated, and pretended to ally himself with Dormammu, and then allied himself with Umar to defeat Dormammu.<ref>Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme #22-23. Marvel Comics.</ref>

Umar and Mordo were eventually deposed by Clea.<ref>Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme #48. Marvel Comics.</ref> Mordo eventually contracted terminal cancer as a side effect of his use of black magic, and renounced evil just before his death.<ref name=":0" /><ref>Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme #87 (March 1996). Marvel Comics.</ref> He later returned to life.<ref>The Amazing Spider-Man #500. Marvel Comics.</ref> He later allies with Terrax, Tiger Shark and Red Hulk as the "Offenders", to be opposed by his old rival and newly costumed Doctor Strange, aided by the other three original Defenders.<ref>Hulk #10. Marvel Comics.</ref><ref name=":0" />

Mordo appeared in X-Factor vol. 3 #203, where it is revealed that he kidnapped politician Cartier St. Croix to lure his daughter Monet St. Croix into a trap.<ref>X-Factor vol. 3 #203. Marvel Comics.</ref>

During the "Dark Reign" storyline, Quasimodo researched Baron Mordo for Norman Osborn and recommends offering him small favors in exchange for his magical expertise.<ref>Dark Reign Files #1. Marvel Comics.</ref>

Mordo appears to be deceased in Uncanny Avengers #6.

Mordo returns during the aftermath of the Last Days of Magic arc.<ref>Doctor Strange vol. 4 #11. Marvel Comics.</ref> Mordo forces a family to leave their residence, but lets the mother stay as his servant. Dormammu incinerates the woman's body as he possesses her to chastise Mordo for delaying his plans. Mordo heads to the Sanctum Sanctorum and attacks Wong with Doctor Strange confronting him and the two briefly battle before the latter is taken by Nightmare.<ref>Doctor Strange vol. 4 #12. Marvel Comics.</ref> Mordo, angered that his foe was taken by another, is confronted by Dormammu again (in the form of a swarm of rats) who proceeds to attack Mordo causing him to leave.<ref>Doctor Strange vol. 4 #13. Marvel Comics.</ref> He later catches up to Doctor Strange when he is attacked by Orb, until Dormammu arrives. He then helps Doctor Strange in banishing Dormammu directly to Shuma-Gorath.<ref>Doctor Strange vol. 4 #15-16. Marvel Comics.</ref>

During the "Secret Empire" storyline, Baron Mordo becomes the caretaker of Manhattan after it is surrounded by Darkforce following Hydra's takeover of the United States. He uses the Sanctum Sanctorum as his residence and has the Elder God Pluorrg guard it.<ref>Doctor Strange vol. 4 #21. Marvel Comics.</ref> He later catches Daredevil, Luke Cage, Cloak and Iron Fist when they are attempting to fight him. Mordo is then defeated by Doctor Strange, Spider-Woman, Ben Urich, and Kingpin.<ref>Doctor Strange vol. 4 #22-24. Marvel Comics.</ref>

In the "Death of Doctor Strange" storyline, Mordo is accused of killing Doctor Strange.<ref>Death of Doctor Strange #1 - 5. Marvel Comics.</ref>

Powers and abilities

Baron Mordo has vast magical abilities derived from his years of studying black magic and the mystic arts. He can manipulate magical forces for a variety of effects, including hypnotism, thought-casting, and illusion casting. He can separate his astral form from his body, allowing him to become intangible and invisible to most beings. He can project deadly force blasts using magic, can teleport inter-dimensionally, and can manipulate many forms of magical energy. He can tap extra-dimensional energy by invoking entities or objects of power existing in dimensions tangential to Earth's through the recitation of spells. He can also summon demons, but often does not have enough power to force them to do what he wants them to do.

Baron Mordo has some knowledge of a karate-like martial art form, and has an extensive knowledge of magical lore.

Other versions

Mutant X

An alternate universe variant of Baron Mordo from Earth-1298 appears in Mutant X #32.

2099

Baron Mordo's descendant, Martin Hargood, appears in Secret Wars.<ref>Secret Wars 2099 #2. Marvel Comics.</ref><ref>Secret Wars 2099 #5. Marvel Comics.</ref>

Wastelanders

An alternate universe variant of Baron Mordo from Earth-21923 appears in the one-shot Wastelanders: Doom. This version is the leader of a village in the Presidential Quarter before being killed by Doctor Doom.<ref>Wastelanders: Doom #1. Marvel Comics.</ref>

In other media

Television

• Baron Mordo appears in Spider-Man: The Animated Series, voiced by Tony Jay.<ref name="btva">Template:Cite web A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.</ref>
• Baron Mordo appears in The Super Hero Squad Show, voiced by Dave Boat. This version was imprisoned in a magic soda can sometime prior to the series. In his most notable appearance in the episode "Invader from the Dark Dimension!", Wong recycles Mordo's prison into the eponymous realm. When Iron Man accidentally ends up in the Dark Dimension, Mordo possesses him and escapes. Dubbing himself the "Iron Menace", Mordo takes over Stark Industries and uses technology to brainwash most of the Super Hero Squad and Lethal Legion until the Defenders, Doctor Doom, and MODOK join forces to free their allies, exorcise Mordo from Iron Man, and send the former back to the Dark Dimension.
• Baron Mordo appears in Ultimate Spider-Man, voiced by Danny Jacobs.<ref name="btva" />
• Baron Mordo appears in the Avengers Assemble episode "The Eye of Agamotto", voiced by Phil LaMarr.<ref name="btva" /> This version is an ally of Hydra and resembles his MCU counterpart.
• Baron Mordo appears in the Spider-Man (2017) episode "Amazing Friends", voiced by Leonard Roberts.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite episode</ref> This version is an ally of Advanced Idea Mechanics.

Film

File:Chiwetel Ejiofor as Karl Mordo.jpg

Chiwetel Ejiofor as Karl Mordo in Doctor Strange (2016)

• Baron Mordo appears in Doctor Strange: The Sorcerer Supreme, voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson.<ref name="btva" /> This version is a warrior-like sorcerer who seeks victory in combat above all else, even going as far as killing innocent children, for which the Ancient One rejected him as a candidate for becoming the Sorcerer Supreme. Seeking revenge, Mordo sides with Dormammu and kills the Ancient One, but is later defeated by Doctor Strange and eaten by Dormammu for his failure.
• Karl Mordo appears in films set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), portrayed by Chiwetel Ejiofor.
  • Introduced in Doctor Strange (2016),<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> this version is a member of the Masters of the Mystic Arts who trains Stephen Strange, wields the Staff of the Living Tribunal, and is noted by the Ancient One as being unable to recognize the need for moral flexibility and compromise.
  • An alternate universe variant of Mordo from Earth-838 appears in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.<ref name="ScreenRant"/> This version is a member of the Illuminati who replaced Strange as the Sorcerer Supreme after he was executed for using the Darkhold.

Video games

• Baron Mordo appears in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, voiced by Philip Proctor.<ref name="btva" /> This version is a member of Doctor Doom's Masters of Evil and serves as one of his lieutenants.
• Baron Mordo appears as a boss and unlockable character in Marvel: Avengers Alliance.
• Baron Mordo appears in Lego Marvel's Avengers via the "All-New All-Different Doctor Strange" DLC pack.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Baron Mordo appears in Marvel: Future Fight.<ref>"An Epic Quest Brings Doctor Strange to Marvel Future Fight," Marvel. Retrieved December 21, 2016</ref>
• Baron Mordo appears as a playable character in Marvel: Contest of Champions.
• Baron Mordo appears as a playable character in Marvel Puzzle Quest.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Baron Mordo, based on the MCU incarnation, appears as a playable character in Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Baron Mordo appears in Marvel Future Revolution.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="btva" />

External links

• Template:Marvelwiki
• Baron Mordo at Marvel Directory