Sargon the Sorcerer

Sargon the Sorcerer
David Sargent Sargon, artist Scott Hampton
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	(John) All-American Comics # 26, (May 1941) (David) Helmet of Fate: Sargon # 1, (April 2007)
Created by	(John) John B. Wentworth (writer) Howard Purcell (artist) (David) Steve Niles (writer) Scott Hampton (artist)
In-story information
Alter ego	- John Sargent David John Sargent
Species	Homo Magi
Team affiliations	(John) All-Star Squadron
Abilities	Accomplished wizard.

Sargon the Sorcerer is a fictional character, a second string mystic, superhero and sorcerer appearing in DC Comics publications during the Golden Age. The original Sargon first appeared in All-American Comics # 26, (May 1941), and was created by John B. Wentworth and Howard Purcell. The modern Sargon first appears in Helmet of Fate: Sargon # 1 (April 2007) and was created by Steve Niles and Scott Hampton. The name Sargon is of Mesopotamian origin, and one king of Akkad and two of Assyria bore this name.

Sargon debuted in All-American Comics #26, with a publication date of May, 1941. He was a stage magician, dressed like a swami complete with turban, to disguise the fact that he wielded true mystical powers, passing off such feats as illusions. As a child, he came into possession of the mystic Ruby of Life which allowed him to control anything he touches (touching the ground lets him erect a wall, for instance).

Taking his professional name from the ancient king of the same name, Sargon has had a checkered career, acting mostly as a hero during the Golden Age aided by his cartoonish fat little comic relief sidekick/manager Maximillian O'Leary as he battled crooks, spies and his azure-skinned archenemy the Blue Lama, Queen of Black Magic, but re-emerging in the Silver Age - as a villain, at least at first. It was later explained that his villainous activities were the result of certain side effects of possessing the Ruby of Life. He was brought back for occasional guest appearances in the Silver Age and was awarded with an honorary membership in the Justice League in Justice League of America #99. Despite this, Sargon was never a major player in the DC Universe, at least in published adventures.