So many popular (and not so popular) comic book characters have now appeared either in movies or live action programs, it’s becoming difficult to surprise anyone when an obscure character gets a movie or TV show role these days. Let’s face it, if Groot the Tree can have a major role in a successful film series, then all bets are off.
Yet, my curiosity was stoked when I read that DC’s fortune telling mystic Madame Xanadu was set to appear in the upcoming ‘Swamp Thing’ live action show.
‘Swamp Thing’ will be helmed by none other than ‘Aquaman’ director James Wan, who will act as the show’s executive producer for the DC Universe platform. What especially makes me hopeful that this show will be a cut above the CW DC programs (that I’ve more or less stopped watching at this point), is that Wan and his team have promised to respect to the original source material informing the show.
In the case of Madame Xanadu, this hopefully means that they will try to capture the essential weirdness and cosmic scope of this fortune telling immortal mystic.
Tarot cards, crystal balls and magic are Madame Xanadu’s trademark tools, making her a natural ally to other magic based DCU characters, like Zatanna and the Spectre.
However, in the case of Xanadu, she is actually more than a mere magic user.
Actualizing the literary archetype of the blind seer, Xanadu is a supernatural character in regular contact with other supernatural entities in the DCU making her a great addition to the cast of 'Swamp Thing' (where she will be played by 'Walking Dead' actress Jeryl Prescott).
What comics are important regarding this character’s history and backstory?
Doorway to Nightmare #1 (February 1978) – First appearance of Madame Xanadu
Madame Xanadu was created by David Michelinie, Val Mayerik and Mike Kaluta and she first appeared as simply an unnamed host character in this short lived DC mystery/horror comic. There is no doubt, however, that this is Xanadu’s first appearance. We even get her trademark Tarot cards. In Doorway to Nightmare issue #3, we learn the name of her shop: ‘Hokus & Pokus Occult Curioso,’ located on Christy St. in Greenwich Village. This sleeper key might spike once the news gets out about how cool a character Xanadu is. With only 126 of these listed on the CGC Census, and only 16 in 9.8 grade, it currently has a respectable FMV of $325.00 in certified 9.8 grade after 8 sales since 2014. As female heroes begin to increase in popularity, numbers for Xanadu’s first appearance can only go up.
Madame Xanadu Special #1 (April 1981) – Early Xanadu appearance
“Do not look to others for your magic! Look to yourselves... yourselves alone!”
When the Doorway into Nightmare series ended after a mere 10 issues, DC decided to finish off the series in its popular horror title The Unexpected (in issues # 190 -195). But the very last of the Xanadu hosted stories from DIN was released in 1981 as this one-shot special. Returns and numbers on this comic are surprisingly good. A certified 9.8 copy has a FMV of $150.00 with strong returns in almost all grades. And only 58 of these are listed on the CGC Census.
Wonder Woman #292 (June 1982) – Early Xanadu appearance in the wider DCU
Madame Xanadu’s first appearance in a mainstream DC Super-hero comic can be found in Wonder Woman #292. This currently has a FMV of around $42.00 in certified 9.8 grade and has shown positive returns of +56.7% in that grade after 8 sales since 2014.
Swamp Thing Annual #2 (January 1985) – First Cameo Appearance of Justice League Dark
Since her introduction in Doorway to Nightmare, Xanadu has been a team player. She has been a member of the Sentinels of Magic, the Demon Knights, the Spirit Squad and, of course, Justice League Dark. Not surprisingly, therefore, she shows up in the JLD’s first unofficial appearance in Swamp Thing Annual #2. As both a Madame Xanadu and Justice League Dark key, you should have a copy of this book. Although it’s already broken the $100.00 mark in certified 9.8 grade, returns are currently mixed making this a great time to buy.
Madame Xanadu #1 (August 2008) – First ongoing solo comic; Xanadu’s backstory told
Madame Xanadu’s actual identity was eventually connected to the magical sorceress Nimue Inwudu who goes back to the Arthurian mythology popularized by Sir Thomas Malory. As Nimue we get her backstory in this celebrated Vertigo series from 2008. Here we learn of Xanadu’s original battle with Merlin as a result of which she loses her vision. There’s not enough sales data on this book to say what the FMV is. An eBay search shows that the book can still be found in near mint condition for under ten dollars. Yup it’s still a bargain bin book. Get it for the cool cover and potential strong returns if M. Xanadu or Justice League Dark standalone projects ever get green-lighted.
