#ComicBytes: Meet Nightmare, the rumored villain of 'Doctor Strange 2'
The creators of the movie Dr. Strange have previously talked about bringing Marvel villain, Nightmare into MCU. Since the upcoming movie, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, is the first attempt of MCU in the horror genre, it is most likely that Marvel will finally bring Nightmare into the timeline. So in case, we see him on-screen, here's what you need to know.
Nightmare's Dream Dimension and his survival on fear
Nightmare was an abstract entity, born in the Everinnye dimension. While serving Shuma-Gorath (another rumored Doctor Strange 2 villain), Nightmare realized that his powers didn't require him to serve anyone and escaped into the Splinter Dimension. Here, he ruled the Nightmare Realm within the Dream Dimension, where his powers grew with every mortal 'nightmare' he caused. This made his survival dependent on mortal fear.
How does the rivalry between Nightmare, Doctor Strange begin?
As Nightmare feasted on mortal nightmares, he once haunted the dreams of a corrupt businessman. But when Dr. Strange entered these dreams, Nightmare attempted to trap him so that his physical body can be attacked by the businessman, who was afraid that his crimes had been found out. Strange, however, escaped with the help of the Ancient One. This started their entire rivalry.
He fought against many other Marvel heroes as well
Nightmare kept infusing fear in humans to attack his number one foe, Dr. Strange. He even teamed up with his rival entities, the Fear Lords, to attack humans, but was defeated. Some of the notable obstacles in his way were Spider-Man, Ghost Rider, Daredevil, Doctor Doom, Wolverine, Captain America, and Black Panther. But interestingly, Nightmare was able to send Hulk and Cloak on rampages.
This Class Three Demon has many powers and weaknesses
Like Dormammu and Shuma Gorath, Nightmare is a Class Three Demon. He can trap a sleeping person's astral form in his realm to torture them. Often seen riding a horse called Dreamstalker, Nightmare can summon a number of lower beings like Succubi to do his bidding. Also, Nightmare is weaker outside his realm, and would cease to exist, if humans stop dreaming.
Essential reading list to understand the horse-riding supervillain
If you want to see Nightmare in full action before he appears in the movies, here are the comic issues you should definitely read: Strange Tales #116, Return to the Nightmare World (1951). Doctor Strange #170, To Dream - Perchance to Die! (1968) Doctor Strange #10, Alone Against Eternity... (1974) Doctor Strange #32, The Dream Weaver! (1974) Morbius: The Living Vampire #8-9 (1992)
