#wyynde
They’re a family
Arion, Lord Of Atlantis
Arion, Lord of Atlantis started as a back-up feature in the Warlord (issue #55 to be exact) back in 1982. Apparently, then-editor Laurie Sutton mentioned to Paul Kupperberg in passing that Dragonsword(the Warlord’s current back-up feature) wasn’t going to last forever and they were going to need a new back-up feature to run. The only requirement for something to be a back-up feature in the Warlord was that it had to be of the sword and sorcery/fantasy genre. Kupperberg suggested a story about a young mage and Sutton requested that it be set in Atlantis - and that, my friends, is the origin of Arion, Lord of Atlantis. The hardest part of the whole creation process was coming up with a name for Arion (which was finally decided at the last possible minute) - other potential names included Orion, Atlan and Tynan. Arion was ultimately created by Kupperberg (writer) and Jan Duursema(artist).
TheArion, Lord of Atlantis back-up feature ran from Warlord #55to#62 (1982). The back-up feature was alright and focused heavily on myth and magic and cosmic blah blah blah, but I found the language was very ‘Old English’ (i.e.: 'nay’, 'ye’, 'verily’,…) and that took away from my enjoyment of the series*. Nevertheless, it still set up the premise of a plot and some interesting story elements/characterization and it was enough to please fans. By the time the back-up feature ended, Arion had his own ongoing series the following month - which is relatively unheard of for a back-up feature. Although we shouldn’t dismiss the power of a back-up feature… Legion of Super-Heroes started as a back-up feature and look how they turned out. Conquerors of the Barren Earth then replaced Arion as the Warlord’s back-up feature once Arion got his own
ongoing series.
In the early 70s, the sword-and-sorcery genre was experiencing a revival. The most notable example of this was Marvel Comics’Conan the Barbarian published in 1970. In an attempt to cash in on this trend, DC comics rolled out a few sword and sorcery titles during the 70s: Sword of Sorcery,Tor,Claw the Unconquered,Kong the Untamed,Stalker,Beowulfandthe Warlord. Of all the DC sword and sorcery titles released, only the Warlord managed to survive into the 80s. In 1982, the Conan the Barbarian film was released and it gave the sword and sorcery genre another surge of popularity. Keeping this in mind, in the early 80s, DC comics was publishing at least seven sword and sorcery titles: the Warlord,Arak,Amethyst,Masters of the Universe,Camelot 3000,Conquerors of the Barren Earth, and Arion, Lord of Atlantis.
Arion, Lord of Atlantis #1 picks up where the back-up feature from the Warlord dropped off, and the reader is thrown into the middle of a story. Kupperberg was continuing his previously established storyline and Jan Duursema resumed pencilling chores on the ongoing series. Fans were already accustomed to Duursema’s pencils, as she had previously pencilled a few issues of the Warlord. I’d probably argue that Duursema’s pencilling got better as the series progressed, but that just may be me getting used to the art as it seemed to be a nice fit for the atmosphere and mood of the story.
It needs to be noted that while the series was named after Arion, his three comrades-in-arms (the oriental Lady Chian, the Native American Wyynde and the teenaged Mara) were just as popular as Arion was. I’d probably argue that Lady Chian was MORE popular with the fans than Arion - eventually Lady Chian received her own back-up feature in the series. Kupperberg is known for writing strong, self-sufficient women (ex: Supergirl and Powergirl) and Lady Chian was no exception. It was later revealed the Lady Chian was loosely based on Mariko from the Shogun series, and I’m going the guess that Wyynde was inspired by Chief Bromden from 1975’s One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. Mara was named after Kupperberg’s wife and was mainly inserted as a comic relief character to contrast the other three stoic serious characters.
One of the strong points of this series is that Kupperberg inserts a lot of characterization into the storyline which results to a lot of characters/interpersonal relationships growing and constantly changing. Kupperberg intentionally set it up so that Arion was introduced as a snobbish, anxious, unlikable person with cosmic-like powers just so that Kupperberg had something to work with (ex: allow him to grow as a person and become more human and compassionate). One of the hurdles Kupperberg had to cross was that Arion began the series as an all-powerful mage, and the problem with all-powerful characters is that it’s pretty easy for them to battle any foe and solve any problem. If a character is never really in danger, then the element of excitement is never there. Kupperberg solves this by having Arion lose his magical powers sporadically throughout the series and Arion trying to regain his lost powers is a recurring theme of the book. Another recurring theme is Arion’s conflict with his evil brother (which fans got tired of halfway throughout the series). The series also deals with magic vs science, as science was slowly being introduced to Atlantis and this caused friction amongst the population.
TheArion, Lord of Atlantis series is notable for the creators (KupperbergandDuursema) following through the series from beginning to end. There were a few exceptions of course: Kupperberg left for other projects and Doug Monech took over writing chores from issues #4 to #11, and Cara Sherman Tereno filled in for Duursema from issues #24 to #29. For anyone who didn’t know: Jan Duursema is married to artist Tom Mandrake (and I believe he was inking over her pencils for the first ~12 issues). Editors changed several times throughout the life of the series - it went from Ernie Colon (#1 to #8) to Joe Kubert and finally ended with Karen Berger (#27 - finale).
This series lasted 38 issues and a double-sized finale - not bad for what began as a back-up feature. In 1983, advanced sales of Arion led every other DC comic book with a November cover date - which gives you some indication that it was a popular title during the first year of it’s run. Arion’s sales began to decline as interest in the sword and sorcery genre began to decline - so I’m guessing somewhere around summer of 1984. Around this time, the series began to heavily borrow elements from science fiction… I’m just going to say it: at this point in this series his primary weapon is a flame sword (which acts very similar to a light saber) and in issue #22 he battles something that looks like the Sarlacc pit - these are two big nods to 1983’s Return of the Jedi (intentional or unintentional?). I’m not sure if Kupperberg was aware that the series was being cancelled as new supporting characters and storylines were being introduced right until the bitter end. In 1992, Kupperberg tried to revive a modern-day version of the series (Arion the Immortal), but it only lasted 6 issues. Kupperberg finally concluded the Arion story he set out to tell in his Two Tales of Atlantise-book.
WhileArion, Lord of Atlantis may have been cancelled in 1985, that did not prevent the series from having some sort of impact on the DCU. The Atlantis in pre-Crisis Arion universe was not the same Atlantis as seen in pre-Crisis Warlord universe (even though one title debuted in the other). I’m not even sure if it was the same Atlantis that Aquaman inhabited. The Crisis On Infinite Earths (in an effort to add cohesion to the DCU) retconned that. It was revealed that Arion’s Atlantis was the same as Aquaman’s Atlantis (as explained in the 1986Aquamanmini-series), and that Arion was actually Power Girl’s grandfather and that Power Girl was not a Kryptonian (as previously believed) and was actually an Atlantean. Kupperberg was writing Power Girl at the time, so it all worked out (also: Kupperberg tends to run a tight ship in regards to characters he writes). The Dark World that appeared in Arion also played heavily into Amethyst’s Gemworld mythos (edited by Karen Berger) and I think there’s some sort of connection whereas the inhabitants of Atlantis came from Gemworld or something. There’s a 1990 mini-series called Chronicles of Atlantis that deals with all of this.
Arion Lord of Atlantis was an enjoyable series with solid writing. The characters are well-written and they grow on you. The locale is set in 45,000 BC, so don’t expect any interaction with any other modern-day DC characters (exception: DC Comics Presents #75 where Arion teams up with Superman - written by Kupperbeg). It wasn’t a ground-breaking series, but it definitely filled the void for a sword and sorcery title and had it’s moment in the sun. Kupperberg did fun things like hold a reader-based costume submission contest in which Arion would wear one lucky reader’s costume for several issues. KupperbergandDuursema were really cool about interacting with the readers.
*When Mara is introduced in Arion, Lord of Atlantis #1 she was a jive-talker using 80s slang (ex: “buster”, “old man”, etc.). Apparently Mara was cast as a street-tough Atlantean kid, and was written to speak like she was from Brooklyn. It was a mistake made before Ernie Colon started editing. Doug Monech phased it out.
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✨Probably my 4th piece of Young Justice fan art since the show started, which is weird cause I LOVE that show so much as it’s one of my favorite DC Comics animated series. Here’s Kaldu'ahm and Wyynde✨ #youngjustice #dccomics #aquaman #oceanmaster #hbomax #atlantis #atlantean #wyynde #kaldurahm #mistajonz #drawingwhileblack #blackartist #relationships #pride #justiceleague #aqualad (at Cypress, Texas)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CeXZZxRsYd9/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
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Young justice under the sea/pressure of being Aquaman has come to an end
And I thought it was great! Quick run down of the episode and my thoughts:
- When they said they’ve been down there for weeks, I was like La’gaan better not miss his kid’s birth. But then I was like how have they been surviving like where are they sleeping? On the ground in the open? What about food? Water? Ok scratch that last one
- I love the one on one convo with La’gaan and Wyynde about Kaldur and even Conner. I love how La’gaan wants to apologize to him for what happened in the past. Also he’s kinda concern about M’gann. Which makes sense, he at least cares for her as a team mate now.
- I was thinking about this since last week’s drop and I think I figured out why I hated L’gaan and why I was so happy to jump on his poly ship. I think it was because all he was in season 2 was M’gann’s new boyfriend and we really didn’t get to see him outside of that and that whole role was to be a block for Supermartian. So I don’t necessarily think it was hatred for him but more like the situation because that was all his character was in the show. Now with him in a new (positive) relationship, I can enjoy him being in the show because he has at least a bit more of a role than being a wall.
- I love that M’gann is not only helping Orin but also doing it with a mermaid tail. But back to what she’s doing. I like how her powers are being showcased more with doing good things. It’s so easy for other shows to be like oh they have mind powers and can read minds that’s it. I like how there’s a bit more to it. I know this isn’t a recent development and I have thought of this before but I just wanted to say it again.
- Plus she’s doing this when she should be taking a break. Her husband just died a bit ago. Can’t they ask anyone else and let her take a break with her brother (Gar)?
- Also I knew it wasn’t the real Arion. It was just too suspicious, but I wouldn’t have guessed that it was really Orm. Like did not see that coming. I thought Lady Shiva was like this is a disgraced and killed him. But if I remember correctly she did take his body.
- When they found the crown, I was begging for Kaldur not to be the true king. Like for a second I thought they were going to do that because he was so overworked and taking on so many responsibilities so the plot would be like you know what could make this worse?
- As the team was swimming towards the leaders, I was like can someone tell L’gaan that his wife is in labor. Like he has important places to be. Not dealing with this mess.
- When Orm put on the crown, I was like he’s going to die.
- He did.
- His skeleton looked pretty cool.
- I love the “twist” I guess you would call it. I love that Mera was like my husband is you true king. Then he’s like no you are the true king and then just tells her how importaint she is to their people and how strong she is. I love that everyone accepted her! Plus I do love that Orin’s little arc about feeling not being able to be king ended with him not being king. It was kinda refreshing that the ending of that was you are a good king. It was giving up his power and then taking care of his son and supporting his wife and becoming Aquaman again- something that made him happy. I love that it ended with him become a househusband.
- Also Kaldur is taking a much needed break. I wonder if he’ll appear in any other episodes this season or just the finale of the season. I’m so glad that he’s decided to take some time off and spend it with his boyfriend and sister (kinda I guess at least that’s what I’m assuming their relationship is suppose to be or just friends)
- Conner is still stuck. I slightly forgot about that for a hot second that he was struggling with himself and not just chilling.
- Vandal Savage’s plan didn’t go according to plan. This is new. I really thought for some reason that finding the crown and killing Orm was all according to plan. I didn’t know how but it’s him so. Nabu comes specifically to roast him. In my mind, I think Vandal see himself as a lord of order or even a lord of balance.
- Also back to the whole Orm thing and how killing him was a part of the plan. Is Ra’s leaving a part of the plan? I know I bring this up a lot, but I’m absolutely concerned with what he’s up to. Like you don’t leave Ra’s to his own devices.
- Also the ending with Kaldur taking to I think Dinah about how basically every bad thing that has happened in the last 10 years was because Dick, Wally and him were reckless kids making a team after freeing Conner. I was like Kaldur no death was always going to follow you because your a (dc) superhero like there was no way out of it
- Side note I could not get into his words after he mentioned the deaths of Conner and Jason (and Wally) because like we know Conner and Jason aren’t dead (at least not anymore in Jason’s case) but I get what he’s saying. It was still impactful but my mind was trying to be like no Jason is alive and I was like quiet Kaldur’s finally getting therapy
- I can’t wait for next week. I think it’s going to be Rocket’s because I feel like Dick’s going to be the finale because it’s Dick Grayson. I don’t know a lot about Rocket but I’m excited to watch the arc.
- By the way we have not really seen Dick at all besides I just non speaking roles (I think) and also Artemis after her arc. I really hope they have an importaint role this season too. And by that I mean Artemis is in the story outside of her arc.
- Also what is happening with Bart and the Legion teens like are we not going to talk about it?
Young Justice Season 4 second half premiere
I got busy there with school and finished the 1st part during the break but didn’t blog but you probably don’t care. Anyways, I’m so excited it’s back!
***Also spoilers***
Episode 14:
- Ok first I love that we’re getting more into Atlantis and Aquaman lore. I don’t know much about it but I am interested in how this arc is going to go.
- I love how they do mention that Kaldur has been working really hard from going undercover to becoming Aquaman without anytime to breathe
- I like that they’re including more of Dolphin and more on the culture of Atlantis
- I love how they brought up Wyynde’s past. I only knew about what happened from you guys, so I’m glad it was included so everyone’s on roughly the same page of who he is. Plus the fact about how people change their beliefs on what’s right is great.
- Also I love how it’s getting a bit on the politics side of Atlantis. Call me a weirdo but I like learning stuff about that because I like the parallels in our world.
- They dropped more on Kaldur’s backstory with his adoptive dad. I love that Kaldur stated that it doesn’t matter who his bio dad is, all that matters is the one who raised him.
- Also like I said I’m not 109% familiar with Aquaman’s lore but why is Mera’s dad not caring?
- So we see La’gaan playing with Arthur which was really cute. Then he has a moment with his wife, and I was like ok he’s moved on from M’gann and is happy good to know. I’m glad we got an update on him. But then during the fight scene Coral was like I have to help my husband. I was so confused I was like was this an accident or something. Then La’gaan was like my wife and husband are in danger. And I started screaming. I was not expecting a poly relationship. Like I’m so happy but the fight was going on so I was like can you guys calm down for a sec I’m fangirling here. I love how it’s really casual. That’s the representation I love.
- Also Atlanteans are doing great in representation: Adoptive families, Same sex couples, Poly relationships… like I’m so happy I can’t communicate sorry
- Ok next is Conner’s part. I like that he’s not completely freaking out and he’s trying to help the girl in a coma. He’s all alone but he’s talking to her is just something I would do in that situation. I’m not excatly sure what’s going on but I’m excited yo find out.
- Halo’s part… OMG I’m so happy. Like I love this representation of Islam culture and also immigrants from Islam. Troia gave them visas and Madia who is a doctor is having trouble finding work at her level is just heartbreakingly real.
- I do appreciate the interest Halo has about learning who they are as a person not Gabrielle. I love the conversation about should they wear the hijab because of religion and even gender. I feel like I now know a bit more about wearing a hijab. If anyone who does wear a hijab, was this an accurate portrayal?
- The talk about God and Granny Goodness… like that is such a good explanation on why worship a god and who to worship in general. You could apply that to anyone: a god or a person.
- Halo talking about discovering their gender and what pronouns are meant to be at the end is just great.
- I feel like people are going to mention how it was scattered because of the three plots together, but I kinda liked it because it wasn’t like we had to sit through a political meeting or Conner having a one way conversation for 20 minutes. It was evenly distributed between the three more or less.
- Overall was not expecting poly relationship and Islamic faith representation but I’m all for it. Can’t wait to watch the next one to see the Kaldur arc continue.
Episode 15
- Ok so first off, I laughed so hard when Clark was trying to pretend he wasn’t Superman and Saturn Girl looked at him and was like ok?
- So with the thing about Superboy being there either it’s still wrong because technically he’s not in the same dimension or something where ever he is and they will go back to their time or possibly it’s the wrong Superboy and it’s Jonny because in 10 years that’s around the time he pick up the mantle and all that but this one is unlikely because how can you make that kind of mistake?
- Also Bioship!
- On Kaldur’s childhood, I love how he thinks of his parents in a good light even though their life wasn’t good. They were bad parents but they’re good people because they gave him love. Like they weren’t “abusive”, but were unable to take care of a kid. I’m glad that they do admit their faults in raising him and how he got to where he is today by taking on too much. I like how they are proud but are more worried about him as a person and not his achievements
- I feel like King Authur is feeling like he isn’t a hero or who he was when he was Aquaman and he wants to go back and be more “useful” I wonder if we’ll see more of it.
- So things about the two big reveal:
- The son of Vandal Savage, first king of Atlantis, lord of order, Arion has appeared and… I think he’s not the rightful ruler. I feel like he’s going to go to Vandal at the end of the arc or something. But I’m getting the feeling it’s going to be Arthur (king or jr) or Kaldur. I just can’t trust him. There’s something off. He’s probably not working for Orm but like there’s something off.
- And finally OH MY GOD they need to talk to Bart?!? I’m so scared like what’s going to happen. I kinda don’t want him to be taken to the further with them but also I kinda do? Like I think it would be interesting but also no?
Episode 16:
- Ok so let’s talk about Conner’s visions to motivate him to keep jumping. This is probably his subconscious telling him to keep going and where ever he is can manifest thought or just has a connection with the mind. So I found the M’gann part so cute. It was her at different points in her life. I also forgot to mention that I really like the part about a happy and calm memory got the monster away because he stopping being angry which comes to play in the third person he sees. I was like aww then oh my god! I think it was Match or what Conner believes what he could be/been. That caught me off guard though.
- Also Wally… they keep name dropping him and all this other stuff. I understand that it doesn’t mean he’s coming back but… there’s been a bit more of here then season 3 if I remember correctly or just feels like it. I don’t know maybe they’re messing with us.
- Ok let’s now talk about Beast boy and his on going battle
- I really love Jaime and Virgil how they had it all planned out and were trying to help. I just really liked how it was kind of how it would be realistically with your friend. I don’t know, I just love the energy they were giving off when they did that.
- I think the one that really hit me was Cliff because it was just so moving. He was asking Gar to get help and let him help him because he was there when the Doom Patrol died. By the way, I want more of an explanation on what happened, but that’s not the point right now. To me his part just seemed so real. It’s not like the other weren’t, it’s just this seemed different from the others and I’m not sure why.
- Ok before I going on about how I was right to have bad feelings about Arion, let’s talk about everything else in Atlantis
- So I love the poly marriage La’gaan got with the baby on the way! But the whole we don’t say good bye thing is a big red flag. Someone’s dying next episode like no playing.
- It could be Arthur that does but more on that later.
- I love Wyynde. Wyynde trying to convince Kaldur that he’s pushing himself. My favorite part is when after he was like telling Dolphin to ask for help and she asked him who will help you and Wyynde shouts “Thank you!” I laughed so hard
- King Arthur is doing his best to be “useful” or what I really mean is being Aquaman again. I love the sharks he called in to back him up. He is still on his game. It’s kinda sad that he visited the prison 16 times but never went in.
- To be honest, I wasn’t thinking clone but I don’t really know what I was thinking when I knew his head was cut off by Lady Shiva. Maybe oh he just got better? I’m so dumb
- I have no idea who Arion is. I have a feeling he’s not the real him but then again he could be because we know he at least had immortality at one point but I’m pretty sure he’s an imposter trying to take the throne and maybe crown.
- I have a feeling that Arthur might die and Kaldur who has had to take on many roles has to decide if he wants to be in charge, since they are focusing heavily on that side of his character- taking a lot of responsibility when he’s struggling.
- Also what is happening with Bart. I need that answered next please! I’m worried…
I’m so excited for next Thursday!!!
