Marie Laveau first appeared in Dracula #2 (April 1973), written by Roy Thomas and drawn by Gene Colan. She was introduced as a powerful sorceress who had survived by using vampire blood potions for centuries. She captured Dracula and used his blood to restore her youth, but he escaped with the help of Quincy Harker and Rachel Van Helsing.

Marie Laveau returned in Doctor Strange #62 (December 1983), written by Roger Stern and drawn by Dan Green. She was manipulated by the Silver Dagger, a fanatical enemy of Doctor Strange, to lure him into a trap. However, she betrays Silver Dagger and stabs him in the back, earning Doctor Strange’s respect.

Marie Laveau was significant in Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme #17-18 (March-April 1990), written by Roy Thomas and Jean-Marc Lofficier and drawn by Larry Alexander. She discovered that Doctor Strange’s brother Victor had been partially vampirized by his failed healing efforts. She kidnapped him and used him to perform the Vampiric Verses spell, which resurrected Varnae, the first of vampires. She hoped to control Varnae, but he broke free and spread vampirism worldwide. Doctor Strange, Brother Voodoo, and other heroes managed to stop Varnae and reverse the spell.

Marie Laveau appeared again in Blade: The Vampire Hunter #1-3 (July-September 1994), written by Ian Edginton and drawn by Doug Wheatley. She teamed up with vampire Deacon Frost to take over New Orleans, but Blade and Brother Voodoo opposed them. Marie Laveau invoked the Loa, the Voodoo gods, to empower her zombie legions, but Brother Voodoo convinced the serpent-god Damballah that she did not respect him. Damballah seemingly crushed her to death.

Marie Laveau has not been seen since then in Marvel Comics, but she has a descendant attending Strange Academy, a school for young magic users founded by Doctor Strange. Her name is Zoe Laveau, and she seems to have inherited some of her great-great-grandmother’s talents. She is one of the main characters of Strange Academy (2020), written by Skottie Young and drawn by Humberto Ramos.

Marie Laveau is based on a historical figure living in New Orleans in the 19th century. She was a Creole woman who practiced Voodoo and became a leader of the black community. She was known for her charitable works, influence on politics and religion, and mysterious powers. She had several children with her husband, Christophe Glapion, one of whom was also named Marie Laveau and continued her legacy as a Voodoo priestess. She died in 1881, but her tomb at St. Louis Cemetery became a shrine for Voodoo practitioners and tourists alike.

Marie Laveau has also appeared in other media, such as the television show American Horror Story: Coven (2013-2014), where Angela Bassett portrayed her. She was depicted as an immortal rival of witch Fiona Goode (Jessica Lange) and an ally of Cordelia Foxx (Sarah Paulson). She also had a feud with Delphine LaLaurie (Kathy Bates), a sadistic enslaver who tortured her lover Bastien (Ameer Baraka).