Place of Birth: Unrevealed
Aliases: Anthony Droom, Doctor Droom, Guntag Borheim, the Midnight Eye, Master of the Unknown
First Appearance: Amazing Adventures #1 (1961)
Becomes an Avenger: Avengers vol. 1 #278 (1987)
Best Moment: Aiding the Avengers during a brutal siege on their mansion by Baron Zemo in Avengers vol. 1 #278 (1987).
Worst Moment: Going insane and turning on his allies before being killed and tossed into a garbage can in Druid #4 (1995).
Background: Dr. Anthony Ludgate Druid was a gifted psychiatrist and frequent adventurer who used skills like telepathy, telekinesis and mesmerism. Druid was taught by The Ancient One in an effort to find a “backup” in case Dr. Strange fell through (Avengers Spotlight #37, 1990).
After receiving his training, Druid disappeared for some time before returning to help aid The Hulk and The Avengers against mystical enemies such as The Fomor (Avengers vol. 1 #225, 1982).
Druid eventually joined the team after helping them battle Baron Zemo. Zemo had led his Masters of Evil in an attempt to take over Avengers Mansion, but thanks to Druid’s help the attack was repelled (Avengers vol. 1 #278, 1987).
After applying and successfully joining their ranks, Druid fought many battles with the team. In one particular adventure, his mind was taken over by the villainous Nebula, leading him to manipulate the team and disappear with Nebula into Limbo (Avengers vol. 1 #297, 1988).
When Druid returned, he became obsessed with enhancing his power. After making a pact with dangerous demi-gods, Druid became insane and eventually battled and was killed by Hellstorm, Son of Satan (Druid #4, 1995).
Though he briefly returned with his fellow dead Avengers during the Chaos War, Druid has been MIA for the majority of the last decade.
Analysis: Doctor Druid is one of Stan Lee’s earliest creations, pre-dating even the Fantastic Four. Though he has a historical relevance to comics, Druid has ultimately always lurked in the shadow of the much more popular Dr. Strange.
Willie’s Avenger Rating: 5 out of 10