Sorcerers' World

Sorcerers' World
Map of Sorcerers' World, from Action Comics #886, artist Cafu
Notable characters	Mordru White Witch
First appearance	Action Comics (vol. 1) #301 (June 1963); reintroduced in Adventure Comics (vol. 1) #369 (June 1968)
Publisher	DC Comics

Sorcerers' World, also known as Zerox is a fictional planet, a comic book location appearing in titles published by DC Comics. Sorcerers' World first appeared as Zerox, the Sorcerers' Planet, in Action Comics vol. 1 #301 (June 1963), and was created by Leo Dorfman and Jim Mooney.^[1] It was reintroduced as Zerox, the Sorcerers' World, in Adventure Comics vol. 1 #369 (June 1968), by Jim Shooter and Curt Swan.

Publication history

There have been many versions of Sorcerers' World over the years. In Post-Crisis DC continuity, Gemworld later became the Sorcerers' World.^[2] In Legion of Super-Heroes (vol. 4) #3 the Sorcerers' World was destroyed and its refugees resettled on the planet Tharn.^[3] In the current version as seen in Action Comics #886, Sorcerers' World is both a planet and a dimension which is the center and source of all magic.^[4]

History

Ancient History

As explained in Action Comics #301, centuries ago, the ancestors of the current inhabitants of Zerox were persecuted on Earth as witches and warlocks, so they decided to leave Earth. Using black magic, they migrated through space, taking with them the last of several mythological creatures, and settled on Zerox, where magic and sorcery are commonplace.^[1]

20th Century

Zerox is ruled by Prince Endor, who once befriended Superman. Since Zerox is under a red sun, Superman once traveled there in a space-suit, and Prince Endor helpfully transported him back to Earth instantaneously through magic. Later, Superman sends Supergirl and Comet the Super-Horse there on a mission, where they save Prince Endor's rule from being overthrown by the plotting of his nephew Lord Nomed, who is next in line to the throne. A grateful Prince Endor grants Comet his fondest wish, which is to become a man, and occurs whenever a comet passes in the vicinity of Earth.^[1] In the Post-Crisis DC Universe, the established pre-30th century history of Zerox is ignored, and Sorcerers' World is instead amalgamated with Gemworld.

21st Century

According to Action Comics #886, the 21st Century Sorcerers' World is the universal focus of all magic, and the perpendicular touchpoint for all so called magical dimensions including Gemworld, Ifè, the 5th Dimension, Myrra, Skartaris, Hell, Jejune Realm, Land of the Nightshades, The Dreaming, Azarath, Limbo, Faerie, the Red, the Grey, and the Green.^[4] Members of the Shadowpact explained its significance to Captain Atom.^[4] It would later be known as "Zerox" in the 30th and 31st centuries.

31st Century

A large number of magic-users, mystics, wizards and other arcane practitioners settled on Sorcerers' World, then known as Zerox, during the millennium before the 30th century. There, they practiced and refined their art, and were generally acknowledged as the most advanced users of magic in the known galaxy. The Legionnaire White Witch, from the planet Naltor, learned her sorcery on Zerox. The most famous sorcerer to arise from Zerox is undoubtedly Mordru. In a mystical coup, he seized control of the planet, gaining control of most of the other sorcerers on the planet. He then lead Zerox on a series of conquests that gained control of over half the galaxy, maintaining his capital on Zerox. When Mordru was finally defeated, a benign council of sorcerers assumed control of the planet.

During the Great Darkness Saga storyline, the Sorcerers' World played a major role. First, the White Witch was attacked by the Servants of Darkness there, and later all five servants and their master Darkseid fought the Legion there, which though defeated, did manage to keep them away from the council, which had been working a ritual seeking a way to defeat Darkseid. The result of this ritual was a child, who turned out to be Izaya, aka the Highfather. Other noted planets with heavy magic use were Orando and Avalon.

Other versions

• During an event known as the Magic Wars, magic started to suddenly become more commonplace throughout the universe. Figuring the Sorcerers' World might shed some light on this, the Legion found it in the grasp of a being called the "Archmage". It was revealed he had been imprisoned at the heart of Zerox and was also the source of its magic. In defeating the Archmage, Zerox was destroyed and the refugees resettled on Tharn.
• In the alternate timeline setting of the post-Zero Hour Legion of Super-Heroes, the Sorcerers' World was reintroduced when Mordru attempted to recreate his empire. Following Mordru's defeat it was where Dragonmage was trained by the White Witch.

In other media

• In the Legion of Super-Heroes animated series episode "Child's Play", the Sorcerers' World is introduced under the name Zerok. Phantom Girl must ask the planet's ruling council to stop a young sorcerer attacking Earth. Until the events of the episode, there has been no contact between the UP and Zerok since a diplomatic mission by Phantom Girl's mother went badly. Everything on Zerox is controlled by complex and arcane rules. It is explained that, without strict rules, a planet of magic-users might do anything.

References

External links

• Grand Comics Database: Action Comics vol. 1 #301
• DC Database: Adventure Comics vol. 1 #369
• Comicvine: Books of Magic vol. 1 #3