Orion (comics)
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Orion is a fictional deity in stories published by DC Comics. He first appeared in New Gods #1 (February 1971) and was created by Jack Kirby.
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[edit] Fictional character biography
Orion is the son of Darkseid and Tigra, half brother of Kalibak and Grayven. He is Darkseid's second born son. As a child, he was traded for Scott Free in a peace effort between New Genesis and Apokolips. Raised as the son of Highfather Izaya, he was taught to control his rage and anger, becoming the most powerful warrior the universe has ever known. This in itself was not an easy task given that his heritage boiled with the rage of the brutal and merciless Darkseid. Learning how to control his dark nature consumed much of Orion's youth, but as he grew, his friends among the New Gods helped him direct his anger. Orion counts among his friends Lightray, Metron, Jezebelle, Scott Free, Barda and Forager. He is a hero dedicated to the ideals of New Genesis. His unmatched (defeated Mantis, the greatest Martial Artist in the Universe) fighting skill and stamina have earned him the nickname "The Dog of War".
The 25 issue Walt Simonson series was designed to follow the continuity of the original Jack Kirby's Fourth World series, and was published after John Byrne's "Jack Kirby's Fourth World" series ended. To flesh out the series, characters such as Fourth World stalwarts Lightray, Darkseid, Desaad, and Kalibak, in addition to lesser used characters such as Tigra (early on in the series), Mortalla, and the Newsgroup Legion (an update of the Newsboy Legion) often supplied aid or ill intentions to the quick tempered Orion.
During Walt Simonson's series, Orion was able to obtain the Anti-Life Equation (the source Darkseid was in search of). He then went to Apokolips and confronted Darkseid about his birth, and ended up fighting for control of Apokolips (he refused to use the Anti-Life Equation due to issues of pride and earning his destiny unaided). He defeated Darkseid and gained control of Apokolips. With the anti-life equation, Orion went to Earth to begin creating intergalactic peace. He turned Earth into a utopian like world that began disrupting the balance of the universe. It was revealed that Darkseid, along side Metron, allowed Orion to defeat him, so he could understand the potential of the anti-life equation.
[edit] Powers and abilities
- The beings of New Genesis call themselves Gods and live outside of normal time and space in a realm called the Fourth World. These New Gods have evolved due to their close proximity to the Source, a primeval energy, believed to be one of the ultimate foundations of the Universal Expression of Energy, along with their superior technology, into beings of genetic stability and evolutionary perfection. The denizens of New Genesis are immortal, stronger, faster, and smarter than homo sapiens, despite their resemblance to the same.
- Orion's primary abilities are his superhuman strength, speed, stamina and durability. His physical strength is difficult to gauge accurately due to the fact it can be boosted indefinitely by the Astro-Force, but he has successfully defeated the true Darkseid at least once as well as stalemated Pre Crisis Superman in a contest of strength. He has also been shown, even while weakened by being on Earth, to hold his own against the likes of Captain Marvel, Wonder Woman, and Superman.
- Bolstered by his rage, the Astro-Force and his mother box, Orion is virtually inexhaustible. In addition, Orion also possesses a regenerative Healing Factor ability that can restore him from the most horrible wounds, including molecular disintegration. He is also able to call upon his "Mother Box" to assist in healing injuries or to sustain his life energies.
- Orion is able to use his Astro Harness to project the Astro-Force, an energy that comes directly from the Source and is described by Orion as "the Wrath of the Source". Orion can also channel the Astro-Force through his wristbands for smaller blasts when away from the Harness. Orion's dual nature is crucial to his use of the Astro-Force; only someone like himself, who stands "poised between the ferocity of Apokolips and the compassion of New Genesis", can wield it. If Orion turns away from the Source and its teachings, as has happened in the past, then the Astro-Force can become uncontrollable and the Harness becomes a danger to its wearer. When the Astro-Force is channeled through The Astro-Harness, it can produce a near limitless variety of effects, such as: Creating an impenetrable force field barrier, absorbtion of limitless amounts of energy of any type either from the universe around him or from an attacker. It also has the ability to control and alter the entire E.M Spectrum, slight time/reality control, burn "holes" in reality, alter probability, erase minds, "steal" an enemy's soul, "take" someone's power, emit blasts of various intensity (The Astro-Force once matched the power of a "Galaxy destroying blast"} place an unexcapable "Magna-Lock" on an object from anywhere in the universe; this is similar to a tractor beam, allowing Orion to tow an object from a distance. The Harness can be programmed to fly another person to safety or attack an enemy and then return to Orion. In effect, the power of the Astro-Force that dwells inside Orion's body is meant to have no limits, it is able to do whatever Orion needs it to do at any given time. It's only known limit is it can't act against the wishes of its true creator, The Source.
[edit] Equipment
- The Astro-Harness is an alien artifact of unknown origin even amongst the New Gods. Worn around his waist and slung over his shoulders, with attached stirrup-like footrests, it is capable of several abilities and is used exclusively by Orion. The device makes Orion able to travel at faster than light speeds in space and near light speed while on Earth without harming Orion himself or the surroundings. Like much of the technology of New Genesis, the Astro-Harness is capable of self-repair and will repair itself completely as long as any portion of the device exists. In issue 21 of Orion (cover date Feb. 2002), Orion recreated his wristbands, and from them the complete Astro-Harness. Orion used a link to the Source (due to the fact Orion is empowered by the Source-he is always linked to it) to do this. It was revealed that the Harness and his wristbands are "a part of the Source and cannot be destroyed by mortals. Perhaps not even by gods!"
- Orion was granted a Mother Box that can calm his temper, give him mental abilities such as Telepathy, language deciphering, and temporarily change his appearance to something more handsome or to mimic someone else. Orion's mother box expends much of its energy keeping Orion's rage in check. When she is not doing that she is maintaining Orion's link to the Source and directing the energies of his Astro Harness.
[edit] Weaknesses
- Orion and all of the New Gods are vulnerable to a substance called Radion. Its source is unknown and its effects are toxic only in sustained amounts or after explosive exposure. The average New God can be slain by an application of Radion from a Radion blaster or bomb.
- Orion's second weakness is a psychological one. He struggles to reconcile his destructive nature with the more gentle teachings of New Genesis.
[edit] 2000 Series
Orion was a series pencilled and written by Walt Simonson, centered around Jack Kirby's Fourth World character, Orion. It was lettered by John Workman. Bob Wiacek would provide the inks on occasion, while Simonson would do the bulk of the inking. Colors were provided by Tatjana Wood and Sherilyn Van Valkenburgh. In the publishing continuity of Jack Kirby's Fourth World, it was published after John Byrne's "Jack Kirby's Fourth World" series ended.
[edit] Publishing History
Orion ran for 25 issues, from June 2000 to June 2002. Issues #15 and #25 were oversized and priced at $3.95 instead of the usual $2.50.
Sales of the title would see a gradual decline in preorders, averaging under 14,000 copies mark during the second half of the book's run. Sample sales are 14,372 copies for issue #15, and 11,891 for the last issue, #25. [1] [2]
John Byrne filled in as penciller for the main stories in issues 13 and 14, though Simonson did provide writing and pencilling duties on backup stories in both of those issues (although not under the banner of Tales of the New Gods), with Wiacek inking. [3]
[edit] The Gates of Apokolips
Issues 1-5 were reprinted by DC Comics in the trade paperback The Gates of Apokolips. Also included as reprints were portions from the Secret Origins of Super-Villains 80-Page Giant, issue #1 and the Legends of the DC Universe 80-Page Giant, issue #2.
[edit] Tales of the New Gods
A backup that ran consistently in the Orion book was Tales of the New Gods. Simonson invited fellow artists and, on occasion, writers to provide a short story often supplementing the issue's main action.
[edit] Other media
- In Superman: The Animated Series, Orion (voiced by Steve Sandor) comes to Metropolis in the episode Apokolips...Now! to warn Superman of Darkseid's oncoming invasion. He helps fend off some of the Apokoliptian-technology-enhanced Intergang criminals, and then goes back to New Genesis. He convinces Highfather to place Earth under New Genesis' protection, and they arrive on Earth just in time to stop Darkseid from beginning all-out war with humanity (under the terms of the truce between Apokolips and New Genesis, an act of war on Earth will now be considered an act of war on New Genesis and a breaking of the truce). This incarnation is quite true to the comic version, in origin, weaponry, and demeanor - Orion is portrayed as having a controlled but short temper, one that particularly gets focused towards his biological father Darkseid.
- In Justice League, Orion appears again in the episode Twilight (this time, voiced by Ron Perlman). The return of Darkseid to Superman's attention (Superman having developed a severe hatred of the tyrant due to his murder of Dan Turpin and his brainwashing of Superman against Earth) caused Superman to ask Batman and Wonder Woman to seek out Orion's help. The mention of Darkseid, however, causes Orion to go against Highfather's wishes and heads off to confront the menace directly (this may have been what Superman wanted all along). After this, Orion has joined the expanded Justice League — as seen on Justice League Unlimited — although given his previous focus on events pertaining directly to New Genesis, his membership in the League seems odd.
- Orion has a significant supporting role in the episode Flash and Substance. When Batman learns of a plot to kill Flash, he comes with Orion to Central City to protect both Flash and any innocents during the grand opening of the Flash Museum. Orion is plainly irritated and uncomprehending of Flash's lighthearted attitude and affinity for talking to his enemies, instead of opting immediately for battle. He even calls Flash a fool for having compassion for the Trickster, who is not innately evil but suffers from psychological problems. Batman's hunch was correct and Captain Boomerang, Mirror Master and Captain Cold all make appearances to fight. Orion's flying harness is destroyed by Captain Cold's ice attack, prodding him to fight on foot. He sustains punishment from explosives and ice attacks, yet once freed he is not noticeably injured. At the end of the story, he mistakenly believes that Flash's lighthearted attitude is meant to hide "a warrior's pain". Flash and Batman have little recourse but to let Orion believe this; it is clear that powerful, polarized emotions and concepts are Orion's way of life and he cannot easily comprehend diplomacy, mercy, and empathy.
[edit] See also
- Jack Kirby
- New Gods
- New Genesis
- Apokolips
- Darkseid
- Highfather Izaya
- The Fourth World
- Mother Box
- List of New Gods
[edit] External links
[edit] Notes
- ^ Orion #15 sales. Last accessed March 11, 2007
- ^ Orion #25 sales. Last accessed March 11, 2007
- ^ Orion Credits. Last accessed Feb 09, 2007
| New Gods | |
|---|---|
| Creators: | Jack Kirby |
| New Genesis: | Highfather • Orion • Mister Miracle • Lightray • Forever People |
| Apokolips: | Darkseid • Kalibak • Desaad • Granny Goodness • Parademon • Steppenwolf |
| Other Characters: |
Metron • Black Racer • Forager • Big Barda • Mantis |
| Concepts and Items: | The Source • Source Wall • Anti-Life Equation • Mother Box • Boom Tube |
