"Madame Xanadu" comic.
A Madame Xanadu poster.
Madame Xanadu is a comic book in the Smallville universe. It is unknown if the comic book is based around a fictional character, or inspired by a (in-universe) real person (see Notes).
Appearances[]
- Warrior - Zatanna Zatara and Clark Kent meet up at MetCon in Metropolis. They have a conversation, and go to a stand, which has several Madame Xanadu comic books, and even a poster of her.[1]
Notes[]
- It is unknown if Madame Xanadu exists as a real person within the universe of Smallville, or just as a (fictional) comic book character. The Season Seven episode Action had featured several action figures (based on DC Comics characters) in Ben Meyers' apartment. Many of them (ex. Hawkman, Hourman, Sandman, Parallax (Hal Jordan), and Black Canary) were later revealed to have existed as real people within this universe.[2][3][4] It is unknown if (in-universe) someone based the comic book shown in Warrior on an actual woman in the universe of Smallville. The comic convention blurs the line between what is fiction and reality (in this universe). On the one hand, there is stuff relating to in-universe fictional elements like Warrior Angel (which the episode establishes that the publisher had stolen the idea of from another source, rather than having made it up on their own). On the other hand, there is a poster ad for Zatanna Zatara, a Green Arrow cosplayer, several women (including Lois Lane) cosplaying in costumes resembling the Wonder Woman suit, and a merchant selling Blur (Superman) merchandise.[1] There is a Black Lightning comic book at the convention,[1] while Jefferson Pierce is shown to be an actual person in Smallville: Continuity.[5] In Harbinger, Dream's Helm is shown in John Constantine's collection of mystical items.[6] Dream's Helm was introduced in Neil Gaiman's Sandman series, issues of which can be seen on display at the comic convention.[1]
Madame Xanadu (Volume 2) #10.
- The comic book featured in the episode Warrior is Madame Xanadu (Volume 2) #10 (June, 2009). The real-world comic book issue features John Zatara as a supporting character. In the comics, Madame Xanadu and John Zatara were lovers in the 1940s.
- Clark Kent mentions that Fantasy Comics stole the idea for Warrior Angel from a friend of Zatanna's father.[1] Given their close connection in the comics, it is possible that this friend was Madame Xanadu. The story in the cursed comic heavily mirrors the events that Alec Abrams goes through (right down to turning into Warrior Angel, from reading a comic book; his flight with Chloe; and turning evil after feeling that a blond woman betrayed him).[1] Similarities that could be explained if John Zatara's friend possessed precognition (like Madame Xanadu).
- The poster featured in the episode Warrior is the cover for Madame Xanadu (Volume 2) #1 (August, 2008). (See In the Comics)
- Madame Xanadu is based on the stereotypical Romani fortune-teller.
- In the comics, Madame Xanadu is bisexual.
- In the Season Eight episode Identity, Lois Lane mentions a visit to a fortune teller (indicated to possess precognition), who told Lois that she "was destined to fall for a guy who flies a lot and likes to wear tights".[7] It is possible that this fortune teller was Madame Xanadu.
In the Comics[]
Nimue Inwudu/Madame Xanadu.
Madame Xanadu first appeared in Doorway to Nightmare #1 (February, 1978). In the series, Madame Xanadu ran a shop in Greenwich Village, where she would give visitors a tarot card reading. At that time, Madame Xanadu was the star of the horror anthology series, but the stories were centered around her visitors (rather than Madame Xanadu herself). Though, Madame Xanadu was an active participant in the stories, and would use her mystical powers to aid the ones who came to her shop. The character would later evolve into one of the more notable magic-users in the DC universe, and be a member of superhero teams the Sentinels of Magic, and Justice League Dark (a branch of the Justice League). She is of Romani heritage.
Her 2008-2011 Vertigo series established her background, and that her name is Nimue Inwudu. She is the immortal sister of witch Morgaine Le Fey.