Spear of Destiny (DC)
The Spear of Destiny is an artefact that features in DC Comics.
Contents |
History
Pre-Crisis
The Spear of Destiny
The ancient, mystical artifact was seized by Adolf Hitler during the annexation of Austria in the early stages of World War II to serve as the ultimate supernatural asset for the Third Reich. The dictator utilized the weapon's immense cosmic power to establish a massive magical barrier across Europe, creating an absolute sphere of influence that prevented Allied superheroes from intervening in the conflict. Any magic-based or exceptionally powerful hero who attempted to cross into Axis territory would immediately fall under Hitler’s complete mental control. Near the conclusion of the global war, a desperate Captain Nazi retrieved the relic from the regime's storage to launch a direct assault against the Spectre, nearly destroying the cosmic entity and bringing about the end of the world. Before the bunker fell to Allied forces, Hitler enacted a dark, sacrificial ritual to taint the weapon with his own malice, ensuring that any future individual who attempted to wield it would eventually be corrupted by absolute greed and powerlust. Following the war, the artifact was recovered by American forces and placed within a heavily classified government vault to prevent its apocalyptic capabilities from being unleashed again. (Weird War Tales v1 #50)
Post-Crisis
Following the Crisis on Infinite Earths, a new version of reality was created with a different history of events.
Its importance came when a Roman centurion tortured Christ with the Spear on Golgotha with God himself punishing the torturer for their sins. The Spear became an item of arcane power with it ending in the hands of various kings and warriors over the ages. (Day of Judgment Secret Files and Origins v1 #1)
After the Spectre was driven insane, the Sentinels of Magic were summoned in order to decide the fate of the Spear of Destiny with them contemplating either using it against the Spirit of Vengeance or guarding it due to its corrupt power. They ultimately decided to seal it away but during the attempt they discovered that Zatanna was actually the Wizard in disguise who took possession of the Spear. After defeating the villain, they used their magic to enchant the Spear and send it into the Sun for safekeeping. (Day of Judgment Secret Files and Origins v1 #1)
Captain Marvel attempted to use the spear when Neron sought to lay claim to the Spectre's power for himself. He failed and the demon lord took the Spear in order to weaken the Spectre. However, he failed and the Spectre bonded with Hal Jordan who threw the Spear of Destiny far away so that others could not find it. (Day of Judgement v1 #5)
By the 100th century, the Spear had been completely cleansed of the evil taint within it. In this era, it was discovered by a mortal named Ava who became the superhero named Avatar who used its power for good until she was captured by the forces of the tyrant Nevlor who separated the spear from her. (Legionnaires Annual v1 #3)
Post-Flashpoint
Following the Flashpoint, a new version of reality was created with a different history of events.
It was at some point recovered and brought to the Black Room that was overseen by A.R.G.U.S. who oversaw the site that served as a vault for mystical relics. (The New 52: FCBD Special Edition v1 #1)
At some point, the Spear was re-acquired and safely hidden among other magical relics in a chamber in the Hall of Justice. (Justice League Dark v2 #15)
Overview
In appearance, the Spear of Destiny was a compact, ancient polearm weapon crafted to serve as an absolute symbol of conqueror authority and a devastating countermeasure against divine entities. It possessed a highly reactive, tainted magical structure that naturally resonated with the dark ambitions of its user, maintaining a corrupting influence that slowly dismantled the moral alignment of anyone who held it. The weapon functioned as an absolute reality-shaping anchor, ensuring that its bearer remained entirely invincible in standard physical combat while operating completely outside the conventional boundaries of mortal law. Its physical design focused on channeled piercing efficiency and close-quarters handling, allowing a single disciplined warrior to threaten even omnipotent cosmic spirits. Regarding its construction and visual traits, the weapon was uniquely structured as a short spear measuring roughly four feet in total length, completely avoiding the oversized profile of a traditional military lance. The spearhead was seamlessly forged onto the main shaft without any physical separation lines, maintaining a dark, antiqued metallic finish that bore subtle engravings along its tapered edges. This distinct, non-traditional geometry gave the relic a highly solemn, menacing aesthetic that projected an immediate image of ancient, forbidden authority. (Weird War Tales v1 #50)
It was noted as being a dangerous weapon that was the only armament capable of harming the Spectre and was able to raze reality. (Day of Judgment Secret Files and Origins v1 #1)
The ancient relic known as the Spear of Destiny demonstrated an exceptional suite of reality-warping, anti-divine, and absolute compliance capabilities upon its introduction to the global stage. It exhibited the primary supernatural power of absolute invincibility, meaning that whoever physically possessed and wielded the weapon was granted total military victory and could not be defeated by conventional armies. For defensive purposes, it utilized an absolute mystical barrier, generating an expansive regional grid that automatically neutralized outside superhero interventions and bent god-like intruders to the bearer's will. It displayed a localized property of severe spiritual disruption, enabling an ordinary mortal with no inherent magical training to pierce the defenses of cosmic entities and nearly execute the Spectre. Their offensive capabilities were absolute; a single targeted thrust could reshape the fabric of reality itself, raze entire nations, or rewrite history according to the wielder's specific whims. The spear also functioned as an absolute psychological compass, slowly projecting telepathic corruption into the mind of its master to match the megalomaniacal legacy of its previous owners. Additionally, it demonstrated a profound metaphysical locking mechanism, as its immense power was bound by a historic curse that caused it to constantly heal itself from conventional damage, ensuring it remained completely intact across eras. (Weird War Tales v1 #50)
After Hitler wielded it, the Spear was filled with a malignancy after it was branded with Adolf's hatred. It was due to this event that the Spear was corrupted and in fact corrupted anyone that used it. (Day of Judgment Secret Files and Origins v1 #1)
Users
- Adolf Hitler :
- Vandal Savage :
- Avatar : Ava was a female blonde haired mortal from the 100th century who found the Spear on Almeer-5 and used it to be a superhero that opposed the tyrant Nevlor. (Legionnaires Annual v1 #3)
Notes
- The Spear of Death was created Steve Englehart and Dick Ayers where it made its first Weird War Tales v1 #50 (February, 1977).
- It was based on the Holy Lance that plays a critical role in Christian beliefs.
In other media
Television
- In Legends of Tomorrow, the Spear of Destiny appeared in the live-action television series second season set in the Arrowverse. It was sought out by Eobard Thawne who intended to use its power to rewrite reality and escape his own nature as a time-aberration as his existence had been erased by the death of his ancestor. He formed the Legion of Doom to find the scattered pieces of the Spear whilst avoiding the pursuit of the Black Flash.
Films
- In Constantine, the Spear of Destiny appeared in the 2005 live-action film. It was shown as being a divine relic of great power that was used during World War II. After the conflict, it was taken away and hidden in a church in Mexico where it was discovered by the modern day. A conspiracy between Hell and Heaven sought to use the relic to bring about the Apocalypse on Earth.
Appearances
- Weird War Tales v1:
- Legionnaires Annual v1:
- 52 v1:
- The New 52: FCBD Special Edition v1:
- Trinity of Sin v1:
External Links
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