The Possessors originally possessed advanced technology, including the ability to open portals to other worlds. They later turned to magic to accomplish the same feats.

The Possessors could cover themselves or others with a dense, rock-like substance created from their psychic energy that resisted most forms of attack, including magic and mental energy.

Traits: The Possessors are scornful of other forms of life, and are more than willing to sacrifice them to accomplish their goals. They seek to enter and take over all life on Earth. Their abilities were initially based in technology, but later they turned to magic.

Most Possessors lack individuality and exist in a similar fashion to a hive mentality. However, the Lord Leader developed his own personality and powers greater than the others, and established himself as their leader.

History: (Strange Tales I#118/2) - The Possessors are a race of unknown age. Initially acting solely as invaders and conquerors, they managed to open a portal to the dimension of Earth, near a small village in the Bavarian Alps. Seeking to test the defenses of humanity on this village, they found it simple to enter and control the villagers. However, before they could expand their operations any further, their presence was revealed to Dr. Strange by his Orb of Agamotto. Strange investigated the town and uncovered the nature of the invasion. One of the Possessors battled Strange in single combat and was narrowly defeated. Fearing his power, the Possessors fled back to their realm, after which Strange closed down their portal, preventing them from using the same means to return to Earth.

(Dr. Strange III#27 (fb)) - The Possessors fell into a state of despair, as their technology had never failed them before. In addition, their world was dying, having had its resources drained by the past technology. The Possessor who had battled Strange managed to bring himself to the position of Lord Leader, taking control of his people. As technology had failed, the Lord Leader directed them to turn to the forces of magic. He then plotted to make a second invasion of Earth, to allow the Possessors to escape their dying realm and start anew.

(Dr. Strange III#26) - The Lord Leader led a group of his people to Colorado, where they began a series of cattle mutilations, using the energy gained from the ritual carvings to improve the stability of their magical portal. Jack Russell, the Werewolf, investigated the slaughters, and was fought off by a group of hunters armed with silver bullets. Meanwhile, the empath Topaz had become possessed by a demon named Ullikumus. In order to complete the spell necessary to free her, one of the requirements was the hair of a werewolf. She read about the slaughters in Colorado which were suspected to be of werewolf origin. Topaz sought out Dr.Strange for assistance, and she, Strange, and his apprentice, Rintrah, journeyed to Colorado. Shortly after meeting up with Russell and learning that he was innocent, all four were ambushed and imprisoned by the Possessors, who had been the ones controlling the hunters that had shot Russell before.

(Dr. Strange III#27) - The Possessors then took over the forms of Rintrah, Strange, and Russell, but were unable to take over the already possessed Topaz. The Lord Leader led the other Possessors to gather for the Ultimate Blood Sacrifice, which would open their portal for all times. However, Strange had released his astral form before he had been possessed and took over the form of a Possessor who had been left to guard them. Strange located his possessed form and allies, and forced the Lord Leader out. He then cast a spell to close the portal for all times. Fearing being trapped on Earth, the Possessors fled once again back to their own realm. The Lord Leader hesitated a moment before deciding to return as well and was apparently destroyed by the energies released as the portal closed.

(Nextwave#11 - BTS) - The Beyond Corporation somehow created duplicates of the Possessors and unleashed them on Nextwave when they invaded their State 51 base, but Nextwave made short work of them.

Comments: Created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko.

In Marvel: The Lost Generation#5, Ralph Macchio reported that Roger Stern believed that all of Dr. Strange's adventures through to Strange Tales I#122 actually occurred in the pre-modern era, which would place the Possessors in that era.

The Possessors have an entry in Marvel Legacy: The 1960s Handbook.