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Fathom (comics)
Encyclopedia
Fathom is a comic book
created by Michael Turner and originally published by Top Cow Productions
. It debuted in 1998
and was Michael Turner's first creator-owned comic book series. Fathom is currently published by Turner's own company, Aspen MLT
.
and was abruptly halted in 2002
when it was discovered that Turner had been diagnosed with cancer
. During the period of inactivity on the main series, comic book artist Talent Caldwell
drew a miniseries titled Fathom: Killian's Tide. After Turner's cancer went into remission, he left Top Cow and launched his own company, Aspen MLT Inc.
During this period there was a legal conflict between Turner and Top Cow as to who owned the rights to Fathom.
In 2004
, Turner restarted the Fathom series and had a preview of its premiere in his company's first comic, Michael Turner Presents: Aspen. After that, a Fathom miniseries titled Fathom: Dawn of War was produced and, shortly after that, the series Fathom: Cannon Hawke was started. The second volume in the Fathom series was drawn by artist Koi Turnbull
. The third Fathom series was drawn by artist Ale Garza
and inked by Sal Regla.
' s popularity and originality led to it getting a green light in 2002 as a feature film. The film was to be made by director James Cameron
and his production company Lightstorm Entertainment; but nothing developed. In the past, Fathom had been considered as an animated film by Top Cow Productions and Fox Studios, but that also fell through.
There has been conflict with NBC's Surface
television show. The TV show was named "Fathom" originally, but due to copyright infringement on the comic book name, the producers changed it at the last minute to the title "Surface". There are resemblances to note in the show; some point out that it parallels Fathom considerably.
Fathom begins as the cruise ship Paradise arrives in San Diego 10 years after it was reported to have disappeared. A military quarantine is established to cross-examine the crew and passengers; however, no one on board knew that they had been missing. Compounding the mystery was a girl discovered by the crew while the Paradise was still at sea. The girl could only remember that her name was Aspen
. Aspen is taken from the ship by a vacationing naval officer, Captain Matthews, who adopts her and raises her as his own. Aspen has a strange attraction to water, and spends much of her youth swimming, eventually making the US Olympic team for the 1988 Seoul games. She wins the gold, but has her medal taken away after she gives an abnormal response to a drug test. Afterwards, Aspen attends UC San Diego and receives a degree in Marine Biology. She is then invited to study at a top-secret underwater science facility known as the DMD, or Deep Marine Discovery. The DMD is a joint project between the United States
and Japan
. The facility was built over a strange underwater craft of unknown origin which both nations study to determine its origin. However, the Americans and Japanese no longer trust each other and rely on an intermediary named Cannon Hawke
to share research data. Aspen is also introduced to a mysterious man who somehow entered the DMD and requested to be placed into a tube filled with water. He requires no air, leading the DMD to deduce that, despite his appearance, he is not human.
A US Navy test pilot named Chance Calloway is testing an experimental amphibious fighter plane for Admiral Maylander, who heads Naval Intelligence. Maylander is also the man who oversaw the quarantine of the Paradise. Chance's wingman is killed by a craft resembling the one at the DMD. Violating orders Chance pursues the craft, first in the air and then underwater. Disobeying orders, he fires a torpedo at the craft only to have it dissolve into the water before the torpedo reaches its target. Without a target, the torpedo locks onto the generator at the DMD and destroys it, severely damaging the facility. Before she drowns, Aspen is rescued by the man in the tube who springs to life and attempts to take her with him. He begins to dissolve into the water, just like the alien craft, and Aspen begins to dissolve as well. Naval rescue teams arrive and the man flees: Aspen is rescued, but not before Calloway sees her in a half-dissolved form. He goes AWOL to try to find Aspen and figure out what he saw. He eventually finds Aspen, who cannot explain her abilities. Before she can find out any more, she is abducted by government personnel and brought to Killian who is held in the DMD. He tells Aspen that she is a member of a race of aquatic humanoids called the Blue who possess the ability to control water.
Before Killian can accomplish this Aspen is convinced by her new friend Kyla to leave Killian and escape with Cannon Hawke
, a member of the Blue himself, who has been following Aspen for years to prevent Killian from using her to activate the Blue Sun. Kyla is an agent of Cannon's who was placed into Killian's group to collect intelligence on him. Killian nonetheless manages to get his plan in motion but not before Kyla reveals herself to Killian and helps Aspen escape, dying in the process. Aspen, Cannon and Chance follow Killian to Chanarnay where Cannon fights Killian to buy time for Aspen to stop the Blue Sun. Cannon is wounded and Killian throws Aspen into a light beam and thinks he has killed her. Aspen in fact has gained near god-like abilities from the raw energy of the beam. She then kills Killian and destroys the beam.
, a crazy old man shows up at Aspen's door. The man brings her aboard the Spelunker, a strange submarine-like vessel, and in a very Moby-Dick
like fashion they hunt down the creature named "Big Moe".
Aspen ends up killing two of the unknown sea creatures after finding Big Moe to be their parent. Big Moe gets away and the old man and Aspen part ways. The old man has since appeared in a single issue of Aspen Seasons as a possible foreshadow for his and the Spelunkers eventual return to the series.
finds himself on his yacht with Lara Croft
, an archaeologist and adventurer. While relaxing, he is attacked and kidnapped by Biranha, the brother of Taras. Lara goes unnoticed and contacts her friend Sara Pezzini
, a New York detective and wielder of the Witchblade
, for help.
Cannon awakes in an underwater city in the Atlantic. He is being held hostage by Vana, leader of the Arctic Blue, and mother of Biranha and Taras. The Arctic Blue are a separate sect of the Blue living in the freezing cold north and have adapted abilities to control ice. Vana wants revenge on Cannon for the near death of her son. It turns out that Taras was not actually killed in the Blue Sun but rather evaporated to a large degree. Vana uses a machine to try to place Taras' remains into Cannon so that Taras might live again in Cannon's body.
Meanwhile, Sara and Lara begin searching for clues as to where Cannon might have been taken when they run into Aspen
at the same time as he is being targeted by Biranha's men. Aspen and Sara end up working together only to be knocked out and kidnapped. They awaken in the underwater city below the Atlantic ocean. It turns out Vana also blames Aspen for what has happened to her son and wishes to see Aspen dead. Thankfully Lara is still free and on the way to rescue the women having followed Biranha's team home.
Vana's experiment comes to a saddening end when Cannon absorbs all of Taras and turns into a horrible abomination, a mere shadow of a man that can barely speak. Vana intends to kill this haunting image of Cannon, believing her son fully lost, until Taras' mind bleeds through, forcing Cannon to say "I learned to walk before I could crawl". Realizing Taras is still in Cannon's body, Vana tries to undo the experiment, hopefully getting things right this time. As this is going on, Lara sneaks in and frees Aspen and Sara. The trio of women leave the base only to return, realizing they must free Cannon at all costs.
This time, Vana's experiment works, bringing Cannon back to his normal self as well as recreating Taras' body. However when Sara and Lara break in to the chamber, a fight ensues. During this, Sara is in her own fight, facing and killing Biranha. Vana and Aspen exchange blasts of ice and water until Vana shoots one directly at Aspen. Rather than dodge it, Aspen reflects the blast by turning her arms into a form of hard water. The blast ricochets off Aspen's arms and blows up the capsule Taras was in, killing him. The girls grab Cannon and run as Vana makes a desperate suicidal final move. It is a race against time for them to get out of the enemy base as Vana explodes her body into hundreds of long sharp icicles. The group manages to escape to Cannon's yacht, and they relax after such a dangerous adventure.
Cannon did not leave Vana's headquarters without cost. As he looks in the mirror he sees Taras smiling back at him as he is now stuck in the deep recesses of his subconscious
.
This was the last storyline of the first volume of Fathom, as well as the last Fathom story to be published through Top Cow Productions.
and Witchblade
, The Fathom, Vol. 1: The Definitive Edition contains a re-engineered version of this story which removes the characters of Lara
and Sara
, and re-focuses the story on Aspen's character only.
Dawn of War emphasizes Kiani's loneliness and character development. It also introduces audiences further to the underwater world of the Blue.
Fathom Prelude showed Aspen's teenage life and her journey with the USA Olympic Swimming team. The story sheds some light on why she was stripped of her gold medal and includes a possible appearance by the Unknown.
Fathom Beginnings shows Aspen's first appearance on the cruise ship Paradise. More clues are given as to the identity of the Unknown and the reasons for his physical state.
magazine announced that a movie adaptation of Fathom was under development by Fox Atomic
, with Megan Fox
signed up to play the role of Aspen Matthews and as a producer on the film. It has also been announced that English actor Matthew Tate will portray Chance Calloway. Screenwriter and video game creator Jordan Mechner
will write the script. Michael Turner, who created the series, is to be credited as the film's Executive Producer.
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
created by Michael Turner and originally published by Top Cow Productions
Top Cow Productions
Top Cow Productions is an American comics publisher, a partner studio of Image Comics founded by Marc Silvestri in 1992.-History:...
. It debuted in 1998
1998 in comics
-Spring:* Gay Comix , with issue #25, publishes its final issue -October:* Toy Biz buys Marvel Comics* Excalibur is canceled by Marvel with issue #125.-November:...
and was Michael Turner's first creator-owned comic book series. Fathom is currently published by Turner's own company, Aspen MLT
Aspen Comics
Aspen MLT is a California entertainment company founded by artist Michael Turner. It has locations in Santa Monica and Marina Del Rey. Launched in January 2003, the company is best known for producing comic books and figurines.-History:...
.
History
Fathom was created by Michael Turner, who said that he found the inspiration from an issue of National Geographic. The first series began in 19981998 in comics
-Spring:* Gay Comix , with issue #25, publishes its final issue -October:* Toy Biz buys Marvel Comics* Excalibur is canceled by Marvel with issue #125.-November:...
and was abruptly halted in 2002
2002 in comics
-March:* Adventures of Superman #600: super-sized anniversary issue by Joe Casey, Mike Wieringo, and Jose Marzan, Jr. -April:* Batman #600: "Bruce Wayne: Fugitive," part one, 64-page giant, written by Ed Brubaker.-January:...
when it was discovered that Turner had been diagnosed with cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
. During the period of inactivity on the main series, comic book artist Talent Caldwell
Talent Caldwell
Talent Caldwell is a comic book artist best known for his work on the Top Cow Productions character Fathom. He has also drawn for DC Comics' Superman and Marvel Comics' Spider-Man characters.-Biography:...
drew a miniseries titled Fathom: Killian's Tide. After Turner's cancer went into remission, he left Top Cow and launched his own company, Aspen MLT Inc.
Aspen Comics
Aspen MLT is a California entertainment company founded by artist Michael Turner. It has locations in Santa Monica and Marina Del Rey. Launched in January 2003, the company is best known for producing comic books and figurines.-History:...
During this period there was a legal conflict between Turner and Top Cow as to who owned the rights to Fathom.
In 2004
2004 in comics
-February:*February 6: Marvel Enterprises and Electronic Arts announce a multi-year agreement in which EA will develop a new generation of fighting video games pitting Marvel superheroes against a new, original set of EA heroes....
, Turner restarted the Fathom series and had a preview of its premiere in his company's first comic, Michael Turner Presents: Aspen. After that, a Fathom miniseries titled Fathom: Dawn of War was produced and, shortly after that, the series Fathom: Cannon Hawke was started. The second volume in the Fathom series was drawn by artist Koi Turnbull
Koi Turnbull
Koi Turnbull is an American comic book artist, known for his work with DC Comics, Marvel, Aspen MLT's Fathom.-Early life:...
. The third Fathom series was drawn by artist Ale Garza
Ale Garza
Alé Garza is a penciler and comics artist. At the age of 18, he started working for Wildstorm, and quickly moved on to working with writers like Chris Claremont and Judd Winick, lending his art to titles like Gen¹³, Zero, EVE Protomecha, Batgirl and Titans/Young Justice: Graduation Day...
and inked by Sal Regla.
Developments
FathomJames Cameron
James Francis Cameron is a Canadian-American film director, film producer, screenwriter, editor, environmentalist and inventor...
and his production company Lightstorm Entertainment; but nothing developed. In the past, Fathom had been considered as an animated film by Top Cow Productions and Fox Studios, but that also fell through.
There has been conflict with NBC's Surface
Surface (TV series)
Surface is a science fiction television series that premiered on NBC on 19 September 2005. The program aired fifteen episodes before going on hiatus on February 6, 2006 due to NBC's coverage of the 2006 Winter Olympics...
television show. The TV show was named "Fathom" originally, but due to copyright infringement on the comic book name, the producers changed it at the last minute to the title "Surface". There are resemblances to note in the show; some point out that it parallels Fathom considerably.
Fathom (1998–2002)
Aspen Matthews
Aspen Matthews is the main character of Fathom, a comic book series created by Michael Turner.-Introduction:Aspen Matthews is caught between two worlds. During her early adolescence, she could remember nothing from her early childhood. In her earliest memories she is on the cruise ship Paradise,...
. Aspen is taken from the ship by a vacationing naval officer, Captain Matthews, who adopts her and raises her as his own. Aspen has a strange attraction to water, and spends much of her youth swimming, eventually making the US Olympic team for the 1988 Seoul games. She wins the gold, but has her medal taken away after she gives an abnormal response to a drug test. Afterwards, Aspen attends UC San Diego and receives a degree in Marine Biology. She is then invited to study at a top-secret underwater science facility known as the DMD, or Deep Marine Discovery. The DMD is a joint project between the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. The facility was built over a strange underwater craft of unknown origin which both nations study to determine its origin. However, the Americans and Japanese no longer trust each other and rely on an intermediary named Cannon Hawke
Cannon Hawke
Cannon Hawke is a fictional character of Fathom, a comic book series created by Michael Turner. He also starred in his own self-titled miniseries in 2005/2006.- History :Cannon is an agent of the Blue to the above world of humans...
to share research data. Aspen is also introduced to a mysterious man who somehow entered the DMD and requested to be placed into a tube filled with water. He requires no air, leading the DMD to deduce that, despite his appearance, he is not human.
A US Navy test pilot named Chance Calloway is testing an experimental amphibious fighter plane for Admiral Maylander, who heads Naval Intelligence. Maylander is also the man who oversaw the quarantine of the Paradise. Chance's wingman is killed by a craft resembling the one at the DMD. Violating orders Chance pursues the craft, first in the air and then underwater. Disobeying orders, he fires a torpedo at the craft only to have it dissolve into the water before the torpedo reaches its target. Without a target, the torpedo locks onto the generator at the DMD and destroys it, severely damaging the facility. Before she drowns, Aspen is rescued by the man in the tube who springs to life and attempts to take her with him. He begins to dissolve into the water, just like the alien craft, and Aspen begins to dissolve as well. Naval rescue teams arrive and the man flees: Aspen is rescued, but not before Calloway sees her in a half-dissolved form. He goes AWOL to try to find Aspen and figure out what he saw. He eventually finds Aspen, who cannot explain her abilities. Before she can find out any more, she is abducted by government personnel and brought to Killian who is held in the DMD. He tells Aspen that she is a member of a race of aquatic humanoids called the Blue who possess the ability to control water.
Blue Sun
Aspen enters the world of the Blue with Killian training her to be a warrior. Aspen has unique powers, even for the Blue, and Killian tricks her into helping him create an enormous weapon. This weapon, later called the "Blue Sun", is a huge ball of energy out in space powered by three underwater stations on Earth. Killian intends to use this weapon to drill a hole in the Earth's crust at a place known to the Blue as Chanarnay, or the "Valley of Stairs". This hole would drain much of the world's oceans although the purpose is not fully known except to Killian.Before Killian can accomplish this Aspen is convinced by her new friend Kyla to leave Killian and escape with Cannon Hawke
Cannon Hawke
Cannon Hawke is a fictional character of Fathom, a comic book series created by Michael Turner. He also starred in his own self-titled miniseries in 2005/2006.- History :Cannon is an agent of the Blue to the above world of humans...
, a member of the Blue himself, who has been following Aspen for years to prevent Killian from using her to activate the Blue Sun. Kyla is an agent of Cannon's who was placed into Killian's group to collect intelligence on him. Killian nonetheless manages to get his plan in motion but not before Kyla reveals herself to Killian and helps Aspen escape, dying in the process. Aspen, Cannon and Chance follow Killian to Chanarnay where Cannon fights Killian to buy time for Aspen to stop the Blue Sun. Cannon is wounded and Killian throws Aspen into a light beam and thinks he has killed her. Aspen in fact has gained near god-like abilities from the raw energy of the beam. She then kills Killian and destroys the beam.
The Spelunker
After the Blue Sun incident Aspen finally gets some rest, or so she thinks. After some strange deaths occur, from the jaws of an unknown sea creatureSea monster
Sea monsters are sea-dwelling mythical or legendary creatures, often believed to be of immense size.Marine monsters can take many forms, including sea dragons, sea serpents, or multi-armed beasts. They can be slimy or scaly and are often pictured threatening ships or spouting jets of water...
, a crazy old man shows up at Aspen's door. The man brings her aboard the Spelunker, a strange submarine-like vessel, and in a very Moby-Dick
Moby-Dick
Moby-Dick; or, The Whale, was written by American author Herman Melville and first published in 1851. It is considered by some to be a Great American Novel and a treasure of world literature. The story tells the adventures of wandering sailor Ishmael, and his voyage on the whaleship Pequod,...
like fashion they hunt down the creature named "Big Moe".
Aspen ends up killing two of the unknown sea creatures after finding Big Moe to be their parent. Big Moe gets away and the old man and Aspen part ways. The old man has since appeared in a single issue of Aspen Seasons as a possible foreshadow for his and the Spelunkers eventual return to the series.
Resurrection of Taras
Around a year after the Blue Sun event, CannonCannon Hawke
Cannon Hawke is a fictional character of Fathom, a comic book series created by Michael Turner. He also starred in his own self-titled miniseries in 2005/2006.- History :Cannon is an agent of the Blue to the above world of humans...
finds himself on his yacht with Lara Croft
Lara Croft
Lara Croft is a fictional character and the protagonist of the Square Enix video game series Tomb Raider. She is presented as a beautiful, intelligent, and athletic British archaeologist-adventurer who ventures into ancient, hazardous tombs and ruins around the world...
, an archaeologist and adventurer. While relaxing, he is attacked and kidnapped by Biranha, the brother of Taras. Lara goes unnoticed and contacts her friend Sara Pezzini
Sara Pezzini
Sara Pezzini is a fictional comic book superheroine starring in the series Witchblade. Sara also appeared in a Turner Network Television live-action feature film and TV series of the same name, portrayed by Yancy Butler...
, a New York detective and wielder of the Witchblade
Witchblade
Witchblade is an American comic book series published by Top Cow Productions, an imprint of Image Comics, from 1995 until present. The series was created by Top Cow editors Marc Silvestri and David Wohl, writers Brian Haberlin and Christina Z, and artist Michael Turner.The series follows Sara...
, for help.
Cannon awakes in an underwater city in the Atlantic. He is being held hostage by Vana, leader of the Arctic Blue, and mother of Biranha and Taras. The Arctic Blue are a separate sect of the Blue living in the freezing cold north and have adapted abilities to control ice. Vana wants revenge on Cannon for the near death of her son. It turns out that Taras was not actually killed in the Blue Sun but rather evaporated to a large degree. Vana uses a machine to try to place Taras' remains into Cannon so that Taras might live again in Cannon's body.
Meanwhile, Sara and Lara begin searching for clues as to where Cannon might have been taken when they run into Aspen
Aspen Matthews
Aspen Matthews is the main character of Fathom, a comic book series created by Michael Turner.-Introduction:Aspen Matthews is caught between two worlds. During her early adolescence, she could remember nothing from her early childhood. In her earliest memories she is on the cruise ship Paradise,...
at the same time as he is being targeted by Biranha's men. Aspen and Sara end up working together only to be knocked out and kidnapped. They awaken in the underwater city below the Atlantic ocean. It turns out Vana also blames Aspen for what has happened to her son and wishes to see Aspen dead. Thankfully Lara is still free and on the way to rescue the women having followed Biranha's team home.
Vana's experiment comes to a saddening end when Cannon absorbs all of Taras and turns into a horrible abomination, a mere shadow of a man that can barely speak. Vana intends to kill this haunting image of Cannon, believing her son fully lost, until Taras' mind bleeds through, forcing Cannon to say "I learned to walk before I could crawl". Realizing Taras is still in Cannon's body, Vana tries to undo the experiment, hopefully getting things right this time. As this is going on, Lara sneaks in and frees Aspen and Sara. The trio of women leave the base only to return, realizing they must free Cannon at all costs.
This time, Vana's experiment works, bringing Cannon back to his normal self as well as recreating Taras' body. However when Sara and Lara break in to the chamber, a fight ensues. During this, Sara is in her own fight, facing and killing Biranha. Vana and Aspen exchange blasts of ice and water until Vana shoots one directly at Aspen. Rather than dodge it, Aspen reflects the blast by turning her arms into a form of hard water. The blast ricochets off Aspen's arms and blows up the capsule Taras was in, killing him. The girls grab Cannon and run as Vana makes a desperate suicidal final move. It is a race against time for them to get out of the enemy base as Vana explodes her body into hundreds of long sharp icicles. The group manages to escape to Cannon's yacht, and they relax after such a dangerous adventure.
Cannon did not leave Vana's headquarters without cost. As he looks in the mirror he sees Taras smiling back at him as he is now stuck in the deep recesses of his subconscious
Subconscious
The term subconscious is used in many different contexts and has no single or precise definition. This greatly limits its significance as a definition-bearing concept, and in consequence the word tends to be avoided in academic and scientific settings....
.
This was the last storyline of the first volume of Fathom, as well as the last Fathom story to be published through Top Cow Productions.
Legal changes
Due to legal restrictions in using the Top Cow characters from Tomb RaiderTomb Raider (comics)
The Tomb Raider comic book series are based on the character of Lara Croft, from the games produced by Eidos Interactive and Core Design.-Publication history:...
and Witchblade
Witchblade
Witchblade is an American comic book series published by Top Cow Productions, an imprint of Image Comics, from 1995 until present. The series was created by Top Cow editors Marc Silvestri and David Wohl, writers Brian Haberlin and Christina Z, and artist Michael Turner.The series follows Sara...
, The Fathom, Vol. 1: The Definitive Edition contains a re-engineered version of this story which removes the characters of Lara
Lara Croft
Lara Croft is a fictional character and the protagonist of the Square Enix video game series Tomb Raider. She is presented as a beautiful, intelligent, and athletic British archaeologist-adventurer who ventures into ancient, hazardous tombs and ruins around the world...
and Sara
Sara Pezzini
Sara Pezzini is a fictional comic book superheroine starring in the series Witchblade. Sara also appeared in a Turner Network Television live-action feature film and TV series of the same name, portrayed by Yancy Butler...
, and re-focuses the story on Aspen's character only.
Aspen
The Michael Turner Presents: Aspen mini-series marks the final Fathom story drawn by creator Michael Turner. The three-issue series introduces the new characters of Kiani, Casque, Brande, and Siphon. It also introduces "the Black", a brother species to the Blue. At the end of the series, the Black kidnap Aspen and bring her to the bottom of the ocean. This acts as a precursor to Fathom: Dawn of War and the new Fathom series.Dawn of War
Fathom: Dawn of War bridges the gap between the original series and Fathom vol. 2. The story focuses on the Blue warrior Kiani, who is forced to side with the rebellious councilman Marqueses in order to save her master, Casque, from the clutches of human military scientists. Marqueses has engineered the situation in order to kidnap Casque and to secure the older warrior's immense power for an offensive against the humans. Kiani tracks down Marqueses and saves Casque only to find he is part of the Black. The Black come for Casque, and he is forced to rejoin them, leaving Kiani angry and lost.Dawn of War emphasizes Kiani's loneliness and character development. It also introduces audiences further to the underwater world of the Blue.
Fathom Prelude and Beginnings
Fathom Prelude and Fathom Beginnings were two one-shot stories from 2005 that gave glimpses into Aspen's past.Fathom Prelude showed Aspen's teenage life and her journey with the USA Olympic Swimming team. The story sheds some light on why she was stripped of her gold medal and includes a possible appearance by the Unknown.
Fathom Beginnings shows Aspen's first appearance on the cruise ship Paradise. More clues are given as to the identity of the Unknown and the reasons for his physical state.
Fathom vol. 2
Fathom vol. 2 primarily focuses on the developments between the American government and the Blue. Volume 1 revealed that Admiral Maylander knew of the Blue's presence, and this series sees him take action against the underwater race. He does so by a sneak attack on the Blue city of Saba. Aspen, kidnapped by the Black, meets her father, Rahger, and learns that she is also part of the Black.Cannon Hawke
The Fathom: Cannon Hawke mini-series ran parallel with the first few issues of Fathom vol. 2. They detailed Cannon's exile from the Blue as well as his fight with Taras.Fathom vol. 3
Fathom vol. 3 was drawn by Fathom newcomer Ale Garza. This time, the focus is divided between the returning Killian, thought dead in volume 2, his new found allegiance with his abandoned daughter, Kiani, and the rise of the Blue's ancestor race the Black.Fathom: Blue Descent
Fathom: Blue Descent is a 5-issue mini-series published in 2010. The series was written by David B. Schwartz. Art for the zero issue was provided by Scott Clark, with Alex Sanchez stepping in for the art on issues #1-4. Covers were drawn by Clark and Sanchez, and also David Finch, Billy Tan, Joe Benitez, Nick Bradshaw, and Michael Turner. The series reveals Aspen Matthews' secret, formerly hidden past. It introduces new characters in Aspen's parents, Eilah and Abesaloma, and their childhood friend, Zo. It also features many returning characters, such as Aspen, Finn, Cannon, Killian, and the Black.Characters
- Aspen MatthewsAspen MatthewsAspen Matthews is the main character of Fathom, a comic book series created by Michael Turner.-Introduction:Aspen Matthews is caught between two worlds. During her early adolescence, she could remember nothing from her early childhood. In her earliest memories she is on the cruise ship Paradise,...
– Main protagonist. Aspen is a Blue/Black hybrid before being adopted by humans (which were unaware of her non-human origins). She eventually became a marine biologist. Aspen has discovered her origins and struggles to find a sense of normalcy while dealing with warlike leaders and conspiracies. Because of her mixed heritage, she finds that she has larger control over water than regular Blue; she ultimately uses her Black abilities to defeat Ragher. - Chance Calloway – A fighter pilot in the US Navy and Aspen's boyfriend.
- Admiral James Maylander – An admiral in the US Navy and considers the Blue a threat to both the USA and to mankind. He became a member of a secret group of government officials in a conspiracy to destroy the Blue. Ultimately Maylander led a secret underwater task force to attack a Blue city and attempted to destroy it with a massive bomb but was defeated by Aspen. Maylander survived but was forced to retire by his former associates. He was later asked to return by the government, and worked, however reluctantly, with the Blue to defeat the Black invasion.
- Killian – A rogue Blue leader and ardent enemy of mankind. He formed a dissident organization and manipulated Aspen for his own ends. Following Maylander's attack on a Blue city, Killian resurfaces with his group's ranks swelled (due to the increased xenophobia), and Killian planned to openly invade the Earth. Killian's attacks prompt the Black to surface and begin their own invasion, and the mass destruction and death prompt the Blue council to approach the human governments to offer peace before total war begins. Killian, despite his earlier stance not to give up and rebuild with the Blue and let the humans go unpunished, finally loses his thirst to fight when he learns from Anya, his secret lover and mother of his daughter, Kiani, that she is pregnant with their second child. Now faced with the thought of what kind of world would exist if he continued his war, Killian stood down and surrendered himself to the Blue; although Kiani refused, and ultimately was destroyed by Aspen. Killian was, apparently, forgiven for his crimes and swore to Anya they would raise their child together, and he would not make the same mistakes that resulted in Kiani's death.
- Anya - The secret lover of Killian and mother of Kiani. She knew Killian from an early age, and the two have been lovers for years. Although when Kiani was born, due to Killian's militant ways, they parted ways and gave Kiani up to another family, a decision that haunted Anya forever. Anya was able to keep their relationship going, and Anya ultimately found she was expecting Killian's second child, a revelation that made Killian give up his ways for their child's sake. The two finally reunited following the defeat of the Black and death of Kiani, and Killian swore to Anya they would raise their child together, and he would not make the same mistakes that resulted in Kiani's death.
- Cannon HawkeCannon HawkeCannon Hawke is a fictional character of Fathom, a comic book series created by Michael Turner. He also starred in his own self-titled miniseries in 2005/2006.- History :Cannon is an agent of the Blue to the above world of humans...
– Watched over Aspen during her tentative earlier years and later aided her during her adventures. He is the commander of the Elite Council Defense Strike Force; the intelligence organization of the Blue. He was killed by Kiani in the final stages of the Black invasion; prompting Aspen to retaliate and destroy Kiani. - KianiKianiKiani is a supporting character of Fathom, a comic book series created by Michael Turner as well as one of the partners of KIANI & SPRINGORUM Patent- und Rechtsanwälte a law firm specialised in patent litigation located in Düsseldorf Germany one of the major patent litigation places in the world...
– A member of the Elite Council Defense Strike Force. She is headstrong, violent and completely immoral, although Cannon's mentoring helped make her a better person. She was haunted by the death of her parents until it was later revealed to her she was the secret daughter of Anya and the rogue Blue leader Killian. Following Maylander's attack on a Blue city, Kiani, her violent nature over-powering due to a desire for vengeance against the humans, joined Killian's attacks on the Earth, and continued on after Killian stood down upon learning of Anya's second pregnancy. Kiani refused to listen to reason and continued on, ultimately leading her to kill Cannon and battle Aspen. Ultimately, Aspen defeated Kiani, whereby she disentegrated, apparently dying. - Siphon – A member of the Elite Council Defense Strike Force and son of ex-Council member Kinzin. Siphon takes his father's place on the Council.
- Brande – A member of the Elite Council Defense Strike Force and best friend of Siphon and Kiani. He dies during Maylander's attack.
- Taras – A male "Arctic Blue" warrior, brother of Biranha, and Killian's lieutenant.
- BiranhaBiranhaBiranha is a fictional character of Fathom, a comic book created by Michael Turner.-History:Biranha is a warrior of the Arctic Blue, a Blue splinter group represented on the Elite Council by Biranha's mother, Vana...
– A male "Arctic Blue" warrior and brother of Taras. - Vana – Leader of the "Arctic Blue" and mother of Taras and Biranha. She also goes after Aspen and Cannon. Vana was the only member of the Blue council to represent the Arctic Blue and her death ends their representation in the council.
- Akiko Nigata – Cannon's personal assistant and friend.
- Tyler – Aspen's roommate and a television news anchor.
- Thassalar – Leader of the recently bombed city of Saba — Thassalar has helped Cannon and the Council Strike force to oppose Biranha.
- Mysterious Blue/Finn – A translucent Blue stuck in a semi-water state and Aspen's older brother.
- Casque – Friend of Cannon and Kiani's mentor.
- Ragher – Biological father of Aspen and leader of the Black — a more powerful underwater race than that of the Blue. Ragher met Aspen, but was unable to convince her to join his people's efforts to destroy mankind. Undeterred, he continued his war preparations hoping that Aspen will eventually join him. His invasion fails when Aspen stands against and defeats him.
Collected editions
| Title | Material collected | Publication date | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fathom Collected Editions, Vol. 1 | Fathom #0-1; Fathom Preview | March 1999 | |
| Fathom Collected Editions, Vol. 2 | Fathom #2-3 | March 1999 | |
| Fathom Collected Editions, Vol. 3 | Fathom #4-5 | November 1999 | |
| Fathom Collected Editions, Vol. 4 | Fathom #6-7 | December 1999 | |
| Fathom Collected Editions, Vol. 5 | Fathom #8-9 | April 2000 | |
| Fathom, Vol. 1 | Fathom #1-9 | May 2002 | |
| Aspen: The Extended Edition (From the Depths They Rise) | Michael Turner Presents: Aspen #1-3 | January 2005 | |
| Fathom: The Definitive Edition | Fathom: Preview; Fathom #½, 0-11; excerpts from Fathom #12-14; Fathom Swimsuit Special #1-2; Aspen: The Extended Edition | November 2008 | |
| Fathom: Dawn of War: The Complete Saga | Fathom: Dawn of War #0-3; Fathom: Cannon Hawke: Dawn of War #1 | June 2004 | |
| Fathom, Vol. 2: Into the Deep | Fathom Beginnings; Fathom vol. 2, #0-11 | June 2008 | |
| Fathom: Kiani, Vol. 1: Blade of Fire | Fathom: Kiani #0-4 | June 2009 | |
| Fathom, Vol. 3: Worlds at War | Fathom Prelude; Fathom vol. 3, #0-10 | June 2008 |
Film
On March 3, 2009, VarietyVariety (magazine)
Variety is an American weekly entertainment-trade magazine founded in New York City, New York, in 1905 by Sime Silverman. With the rise of the importance of the motion-picture industry, Daily Variety, a daily edition based in Los Angeles, California, was founded by Silverman in 1933. In 1998, the...
magazine announced that a movie adaptation of Fathom was under development by Fox Atomic
Fox Atomic
Fox Atomic was a production label of film studio 20th Century Fox created in 2006 to generate comedy and genre films.In 2008, Fox Atomic scaled back its production operations and shut down all marketing divisions...
, with Megan Fox
Megan Fox
Megan Denise Fox is an American actress and model. She began her acting career in 2001 with several minor television and film roles, and played a regular role on Hope & Faith. In 2004, she launched her film career with a role in Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen...
signed up to play the role of Aspen Matthews and as a producer on the film. It has also been announced that English actor Matthew Tate will portray Chance Calloway. Screenwriter and video game creator Jordan Mechner
Jordan Mechner
Jordan Mechner is an American video game designer, screenwriter, author, and filmmaker, best known for creating the Prince of Persia video game franchise.- Life and career :Mechner was born in New York City...
will write the script. Michael Turner, who created the series, is to be credited as the film's Executive Producer.