Kent Nelson, also known as Doctor Fate, is a supporting character in the two-part Smallville episode "Absolute Justice". Based on the DC Comics character, he was a founding member of the superhero team known as the Justice Society of America. Nelson wore the Helmet of Nabu, which granted him many mystical abilities, including the power to see the fate of others. However, prolonged use of the helmet took its toll on Nelson's sanity, turning him into a broken, troubled man in his later years. He was portrayed by Brent Stait.
History[]
Early life[]
During the 1970's, Kent Nelson joined Carter Hall and a dozen other individuals with special powers to form the Justice Society of America. For many years, the JSA fought against criminals and the forces of evil, upholding their ideals of truth and justice. However, after the U.S. government discovered the identities of the JSA's members, it demanded that the heroes unmask and begin working under government jurisdiction. When the heroes refused to play along, the government set them up for a number of false crimes. The heroes protected each other in court and none of the convictions stuck, but with the lives of their families put at risk by the exposure of their identities, the JSA were forced to disband.
Having spent a great deal of time donning the Helmet of Nabu, Nelson's exposure to Nabu's vast knowledge drove him to madness. He was institutionalized for some time, but later found himself alone on the streets.
Season 9[]
In 2010, Nelson was brought back to the JSA's old headquarters by their leader, Carter Hall, rambling and scared after the helmet was telling him the fate of the rest of the JSA. Called into the act of duty, he, once again, reunited with the Helmet of Nabu to become the mysterious Doctor Fate as Carter once more became Hawkman to honor Shiera as Courtney Whitmore became Stargirl.
Doctor Fate then went to the original Icicle who was at Metropolis General Hospital in a catatonic state and was drawing knowledge from him when Clark Kent and Chloe Sullivan entered. Doctor Fate realized Clark's destiny and teleported himself and Clark to the JSA's former headquarters. Carter arrived and wondered why Clark was so important and Doctor Fate said that Clark was a different kind of hero, who isn't a hero for pleasure, or revenge, just as he feels it is right. As Green Arrow burst in trying to save Clark, Hawkman and Green Arrow fought as John Jones entered.
The squadron of heroes then stood around the JSA table as Carter explained that the JSA were hunted by the government who wanted to unmask them and tore their lives apart. As the heroes split up to track Icicle, Doctor Fate and Clark stayed behind as Fate revealed to Clark that his destiny was far more important than any, revealing that he would lead the new generation of heroes as Hawkman did his. He said that Clark would defeat Lex Luthor and help the silver age embrace heroes when he revealed himself to the world. When Lois arrived at the museum, Clark fled as Doctor Fate opened the door. Lois entered and Doctor Fate saw her future, and revealing to her that the "saviour" would need her as she would need him. Lois then left and Fate closed the door.
After searching for Icicle with John Jones, Fate was able to sympathize with the Martian for he too had a family. It was then that the two were suddenly attacked by Icicle, who cast a series of icy spikes at them. Before being skewered, Fate managed to restore John's powers. His helmet was stolen by Icicle, but the JSA managed to take it back after battling the young villain at the Watchtower.