DORMAMMU
A maniacal, malevolent cosmic being with a diabolical desire to conquer and rule, Dormammu uses his extra-dimensional abilities to invade and attack realms and worlds across all planes of existence. With malicious minions always at his disposal, Dormammu remains a constant enemy of Earth and those—good or evil—who would defend it against galactic terrors. He lords over the Dark Dimension, forever plotting new ways to overtake our world, subjugate humanity, and augment his power.
OMNIPOTENT ORIGINS
Thousands (or perhaps even millions) of years before Dormammu ever knew of Earth, or desired to rule it, he and his sister Umar were beings of energy known as Faltines. After killing off their progenitor Sinifer, Dormammu and Umar were driven from their home dimension. Assuming material forms, they explored the multi-verse before settling in the Dark Dimension—a mystical realm containing multiple realities magically merged into a single domain.
At the time of their arrival, the Dark Dimension’s diverse denizens had been at peace for almost 28,000 years and the region was in the third millennium of the rule of King Olnar. Dormammu cunningly ingratiated himself to Olnar before, ultimately, dispatching the king and seizing control for himself. While ruling, Dormammu absorbed the Dark Dimension’s power and became a being of pure energy once more. As king, he made both allies and enemies and waged wars against realms while also creating pacts with others.
After teaming with Odin of Asgard and the embodiment of Eternity to banish an occult juggernaut called Zom to a netherworld amphora, Dormammu turned his attention to Earth - participating in the creation of Earthly demon-lord Satannish. His plot, however, was thwarted by Agamotto, the first Sorcerer Supreme, using the immensely powerful Eye of Agamotto amulet and the mysterious Staff of One.
After giving birth to Clea, Umar would go mad. Banishing his distressed sibling to a pocket dimension, Dormammu would take both Clea and her father Orini, King Olnar’s son, into his dark service.
POWERS UNLEASHED
As a Faltine, Dormammu is an immensely powerful mystical being capable of maintaining massive levels of magic. He is beatable but immortal, capable of dissipating his physical form and adopting one of pure energy.
Among Dormammu’s vast abilities are energy projection, protective shields, time travel, teleportation, telepathy, soul manipulation, life-force absorption, dimensional portal creation, elemental control, and the creation of artificial beings. In fact, a rundown of things Dormammu CAN’T do might be the shorter list. With all the power at his command however, it is Dormammu’s arrogance and poorly controlled temperament that usually lead to his downfall rather than the overwhelming force of a superior sorcerer.
Dormammu can call upon the mystical energies of the entire Dark Dimension, as well as his own innate power, however his abilities are somewhat limited when he’s physically present in another universe.
COSMIC COHORTS
Despite Dormammu’s insatiable thirst for conquest and domination, he is able to recognize allies and remain loyal to allegiances. He also, at one point, vowed to never attack Earth again after Dr. Strange helped save the Dark Dimension—recognizing that he was in debt to his arch-enemy. It’s a promise that he spends much time afterward trying to find a loophole around.
Dormammu may have little tolerance for other living beings, but he still manages to operate under his own warped version of a personal code. Once, his sense of nobility even leads him to berate Baron Mordo for interfering during an arranged duel with Strange.
Throughout his conquests however, Dormammu has been less interested in partnerships and more compelled to find beings to control and possess. Even his own sister was banished so that he could be the one ruler of the Dark Dimension. Dormammu considers himself superior to all other beings—even ones as powerful as Odin and Eternity, whom he once sided with.
What Dormammu has in spades, of course, are minions; either those he has subjugated or beings he’s created. Baron Mordo, Ast the All-Seeing, the Mindless Ones, the Guardian, and the Unknown Knight have all obeyed Dormammu’s orders and been sent to pick off his foes.
ETERNAL ENEMIES
Dormammu has clashed with many beings over the course of his existence, both cosmic and Earthly. It’s the Ancient One and his disciple, Doctor Strange, who have invoked the Dread One’s wrath the most however. Constantly repelling his attempts to overwhelm Earth, Strange easily overtook his mentor as Dormammu’s chief adversary after his numerous victories insulted Dormammu’s pride.
Dormammu’s greatest enemies have always been those of a mystical and magical nature, but while in physical form he’s capable of holding his own against most any Super Hero, including the Hulk. Dormammu’s plots to invade and conquer Earth have brought him toe-to-toe with the likes of the Avengers, the Defenders, and the Guardians of the Galaxy.