Doctor Fate's publication history spans over eight decades, evolving through multiple mantle holders and shifting magical philosophies. Debuting in 1940's More Fun Comics #55 by Gardner Fox and Howard Sherman, Kent Nelson originally possessed energy-conversion powers before establishing his mystic lore. To maintain independence from Nabu's possessive control, Kent adopted a half-helmet in late 1941, operating with reduced magic until regaining the full helmet in later years. In 1987, writers J.M. DeMatteis and Keith Giffen redefined Doctor Fate by passing the mantle to ten-year-old Eric Strauss and his stepmother Linda, who merged into a single entity to show that Fate required a duality of human bond.

Following their deaths, Inza Cramer Nelson took over the mantle in 1991, casting magic sourced from humanity's collective strength rather than cosmic order. The 1990s introduced a radical shift when mercenary Jared Stevens melted the helmet into throwing daggers as the anti-hero 'Fate', before Hector Hall restored the traditional hero role in Geoff Johns' JSA run. Modern DC continuity introduced new generations, including physician Kent V. Nelson, Earth-2's Khalid Ben-Hassin, and current primary Doctor Fate Khalid Nassour. Created in 2015 by Paul Levitz and Sonny Liew, Khalid Nassour—an Egyptian-American medical student—combines Egyptian mythology with modern magic, operating alongside original mentor Kent Nelson in Justice League Dark and DC's mainstream continuity.