Destiny

DESTINY

Real Name: Destiny

Class: Endless

Occupation: Personification of destiny

Group Affiliation: None

Known Relatives: Death (sister), Delirium (sister), Desire (brother/sister), Despair I (sister, deceased), Despair II (sister), Destruction (brother), Dream I (brother), Dream II (brother), Orpheus (nephew, deceased), Miranda Walker (niece), Rose Walker (grandniece)

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Destiny's garden

First Appearance: Weird Mystery Tales #1 (July-August, 1972)

Powers: Destiny was ageless and virtually immortal. He had god-like powers and absolute power over his realm, a garden containing all possible destinies of present, past and future. Destiny was blind but could see the tiniest details throughout the cosmos and see the patterns living beings made on their paths through life. He was chained to the Cosmic Log, or Book of Souls, that contained the history of the universe and every one of its inhabitants from the dawn of creation through the end of time.

History: (Sandman II #48 (fb, BTS)) - <10 billion years ago> Destiny came into existence once sentient lifeforms capable of having a destiny appeared in the universe. Destiny was one of the Endless, personifications of ideas and concepts that were tied to life, and were fated to fulfill their functions until the universe ended and all life disappeared from the cosmos.

(Sandman II #55) - <80,000 years ago> After Despair was murdered Destiny and the Endless went to the necropolis to put her body to rest. The necropolitans had long lost their passion for their job, and didn’t know about the necropolis’ arrangement with the Endless, so they laughed at them when they asked for Despair’s cerements and the book of rituals. Destiny revoked the necropolis’ charter, causing it to be destroyed. The village of Litharge was granted a charter by the Endless and became the new necropolis.

(Sandman II #47 (fb)) - <1695> Destruction called a family meeting of the Endless, and announced to Destiny and the rest of his family that he was abandoning his duties as one of the Endless and taking his leave of them for good. Destiny was unsurprised at this turn of events.

(Dreaming #6) - <1776> The founding fathers declared their independence and created the United States of America. Thomas Jefferson struggled to come up with a seal for the new nation, and while out on a walk Destiny appeared, and handed it to him. The seal was an eye in a pyramid, and Jefferson would entrust it to Mad Hettie, who was instructed to return it to Destiny centuries hence.

(Dreaming #5) - <1827> Lady Constantine stole the key to Jefferson's seal, and after stealing it back Hettie sent it into the future with architect Brian Salmon. Destiny watched these events unfold.

(Sandman II #7) - Destiny read about the battle between his brother Dream and Dr. Destiny in his Book of Souls, and almost hesitated to turn to the next page.

(Sandman II #21) - Destiny called a gathering of the Endless, telling them a meeting with the Fates made him aware that he had to call the family gathering to set in motion a chain of events that would cause change and upheaval. During the course of conversation Desire got under Dream’s skin by reminding him of Nada. Dream was indignant, but Death said she agreed with Desire, sending his lover to Hell for spurning him was an awful thing to do. Dream vowed to make amends by journeying to Hell and saving Nada’s soul. Destiny told his brothers and sisters that his task was accomplished and the family meeting was at an end.

(Sandman II #28) - Destiny read about the end of the events he set in motion in his cosmic log. Lucifer abandoned Hell, and gave the key to Hell to Dream. It was voluntarily taken from Dream by the angels Remiel and Duma, who ruled Hell under the direct command of the Creator.

(Sandman II #47) - Dream and Delirium asked for Destiny’s advice on finding their lost brother Destruction. Destiny told Dream that he should drop this business, as it would lead to his death, but Destiny knew he would continue his search for Destruction despite this advice, so he advised him to seek out the oracle Orpheus.

(Dreaming #6) - As per her arrangement with Jefferson Mad Hettie brought the seal to Washington, D.C., where Destiny took it, signaling the end of the current era of the USA. Destiny bestowed it on Cain, as a mystery it was rightfully his now. He showed Hettie the new seal that would usher in a new era, and asked her if she would be its guardian for the next few centuries. Hettie agreed, saying it was something to do, and was pleased to know she still had some life left, it would give her time to make long term plans.

Comments: Created by Marv Wolfman & Berni Wrightson

Destiny received a profile in Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe #6.

There were pin-ups of Destiny in The Endless Gallery.