is for Madame Xanadu.
Now, this is one of the more obscure (at least to me) characters I've come across and I only, really, chose her because (believe it or not) characters that begin with "X" are sort of scarce. I mean, sure, I could have maybe done the "X"-Men...I did a group for "L"...but with all their movie exposure, Professor Xavier's most gifted of students aren't really that obscure these days.
Anywho....Madame Xanadu debuted in the D.C Comics series Doorway to Nightmare #1 (February,1978) as a "hostess", of sorts, for the last book in D.C.'s "mystery" line of books and was a forerunner to their Veritgo line.
The youngest sister of Arthurian legends Morgaine Le Fay and Viviene (the Lady of the Lake) the family were descendants of the lost tribe of Atlantis....a race known as Homo Magi, due to their affinity for practicing magic. Due to her Atlantean heritage, she was very long lived and traveled the world for many years and becoming the adviser to many rulers. One of these rulers was Kublai Khan and his court at Xanadu...where she took her current name from.
While not strictly an 'adventuring' superhero, per se', Xanadu possesses a vast array of mystical powers.
- Sensitivity to the occult and other mystical phenomena
- Can use tarot cards to sense and interpret the future
- Can banish demons
- Levitate object
- Teleport herself and others.
Xanadu is also immortal after beating Death in a game of cards.
Madame Xanadu has resurfaced in D.C.'s newest continuity as a member of Justice League Dark and, once again, an adviser to the mystical community.
After our day off tomorrow, "Y" not stop back on Monday to see who else I dig up?
38 comments:
Weird, huge DC fan, but I don't think I've ever seen/heard of her.
Also X-man would have worked here, but maybe that is too close to the X-men thing, although less people know of him.
Does this mean she could also levitate people too?
I'm surprised there aren't many x named superheroes. But she seems quite interesting - black magic mixed with working for the good guys. Very unique to me. Writer’s Mark
Wow... she's seriously obscure. Never ever even almost heard of her.
X is a tough word to work with. Cool that she beat death in a game of cards.
Wasn't really into the mystery series, so don't remember her.
What a cool character!
Madame Xanadu, yes, that sounds like perfect name for a card reader service here in Mexico.
Interesting background. :)
Levitation, teleportation and immortality sound like hero traits to me. Pretty cool character!
I really enjoyed her more recent series! It was drawn so exquisitely.
John at The Bathroom Monologues
Congratulations on making it all the way to X and keeping it interesting all month. I've visited before but haven't commented because your subject matter is so new to me I was afraid I'd say something stupid. I have learned a lot this month!
@Brandon: Hey, thanks for dropping by and commenting :) You know, I though of X-Man, but never really cared much for the character, so I went with Xanadu :)
@Cynthia: I think she could, yes :)
@Nancy: There are a few magic types running around...most are good, but some aren't so good :)
@Misha: Yeah, I was never a big horror comics fan, so I've just heard of her by seeing her in other's books. Very obscure!
@Sheena: Not a lot of "X" choices, for sure :)
@Alex: Same here, more heard of her than saw her :)
@Regina: I agree...they should have done more with her.
@Al: Well, you never know where she'll turn up :)
@Tyrean: At least she had some useful abilities :)
@John: I haven't had a chance to check her new series out, but if it had nice art I'd be inclined to give it a look.
@Carolyn: Thank you very much and I always appreciate a comment. I've never gotten one and thought it was stupid, so you're safe here :)
Marvel actually has a good selection of "X" characters, but I'm pretty sure they all have to do with the X-Men. The Madame, here, is not a bad choice and so so so much better than the Whizzer.
She sounds very unique in the comic world.
Interesting character. A little like the Elvira of the comic world?!
How cool that she beat death in a game of cards. Love this one, Madame Xanadu seems awesome. :)
'Xanadu is also immortal after beating Death in a game of cards.'
I *love* this detail.
She could get a guest spot on Supernatural!
Hey Mark,
Firstly, I'm ever so sorry I've not been able to keep up. Here I am, the anti-A to Z, frantically trying to comment on as many blogs as possible.
Anyway, thanks for this one. And now I've got the music from that bloody film "Xanadu", ringing in my head. Xanadu....'Xanadon't!'
If she's from Atlantis, we need to ask her where it sunk.
You've enlightened me on so many obscure superheros. I keep thinking of Olivia Newton John's song, Xanadu.
I like her powers, wish I had some.
Hey Mike! Thanks for the visit to my blog earlier this month; I had to drop out of A2Z, and I only now got around to replying to comments (so sorry about that). I'm real glad you found me to connect via blogs instead of G+ :) I've added yours to my reader, and look forward to staying in touch. Congrats on going the full length of A2Z (almost--but I'm sure you'll make it :D)!
Great post! When I think of Xanadu, I think of Olivia Newton John!
visiting from A~Z
www.wearinglemon.blogspot.com
She sounds pretty cool to me! Happy A-to-Z 2013! ~Angela, Whole Foods Living, http://www.wholefoodsliving.blogspot.com/
Xanadu is also immortal after beating Death in a game of cards. - now that is awesome!
I knew Mandrake's Xanadu. Madame X was a revelation. Gonna revisit for some more info on your earlier posts.
Dropping by from AtoZ
BlogwatiG
Madame Xanadu sounds fun! I didn't know there was a Justice League Dark. Is there a Justice League Lite - like with sidekicks instead of real super-heroes? lol
@Andrew: Yeah, I was looking for something 'not x-men' for my "X", so the pickings were slim :)
@Susan: You're right, she is :)
@Christina: Heh, well, I don't know about that...at least she was never drawn that way :)
@Julie: I know...now that'd be a heck of a game!
@Suze: She must be a pretty good card player, right? :)
@Elizabeth: I agree...she'd make a pretty good character on that show.
@Gary: Heh, no worries at all. I'm always glad to see your comments, regardless of the frequency :) I know, I was thinking of that song, too! :)
@Diane: Great idea, though something tells me she might not be very talkative about that subject :)
@Cahtrina: I know, me too....they'd come in handy!
@Guilie: Oh no problem at all...better late than never, right? :) I'm also looking forward to more of your posts. Sorry you had to drop from A to Z, but I can totally understand.
@Deb: Hey, thank you for stopping by and commenting. I know, I think of that song, too...lol :)
@Angela: She is pretty nifty! :)
@Dee: I'd have to agree with you there :)
@Blogwati: Thank you very much!
@Lexa: LOL...now -that- might be an idea! :D
So that is how you beat death. Damn Sam, by cards, yet. This is a gal I can relate to .....Morgaine Le Fay, Atlantis, Kubla Khan.
I am so not good enough at cards to win against death! Go Mme. Xanadu! I think I read one or two with her in them. I know I've heard of her. Great job on the X day Mark!
She is an interesting character. Of course I have never heard of her, but I like all things "Arthurian," so I wonder if she will turn up on some of these new TV shows that are digging into the lore of King Arthur. That would be interesting.
With your blog title I expected to see Olivia Newton John bouncing around in hot-pink leggings singing Xanadu over and over again!
Phew :)
Immortal because of beating Death? Now that's pretty awesome. Not to mention the levitation and teleportation thing.
Thanks for this eXtraordinary introduction to Madam Xanuda!
Julie
She seems like a very powerful character...and doesn't even have super strength or speed...
Ah, another one I don't remember. Probably because my brother threatened me with death is I touched his collection when we were kids. Also, (hanging head) I was a huge Archie fan. I know, I know!
Very cool. Madam Xanadu might not be an "adventuring" superhero, but she has some very handy powers. Wouldn't we all appreciate being able to levitate objects and indulge in a spot of teleportation from time to time. Her skills with tarot cards would come in pretty useful, too.
Hi Mark .. well done for finding Madame Xanadu .. and knowing of her revival .. good to know there's a woman around ... especially if she can help us with our future .. cheers Hilary
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