King Arthur (DC Comics)
Encyclopedia
King Arthur is a fictional character
, a comic book
King
published by DC Comics
. Arthur debuted in New Comics #3, (February 1936), and was created by Rafael Astarita. The character is based on the mythical ruler King Arthur
whose earliest recorded appearances were in the Annales Cambriae
, the Historia Brittonum, and the Y Gododdin
. The character of King Arthur was made popular by Geoffrey of Monmouth
's second major work, the Historia Regum Britanniae
(History of the Kings of Britain),
. This was also one of the earliest appearances of a recurring character in a DC Comics title, and predates Superman
's debut in 1938.
, his friend Merlin
, Sir Lancelot
, and Gareth
.
uses his "Time-Ray Machine" device to send Batman and Robin back in time using "time travel hypnosis" to Arthur's court at Camelot.
a magical suit of armor (which protects its wearer from all forms of harm), a sword (capable of cutting any substance except the aforementioned suit), and a winged horse
(pterippus) named Victory. The Shining Knight later delivers the Holy Grail
to King Arthur at Camelot in Swamp Thing
vol. 2 #87 (June 1989).
.
. Doc and Fatty meet the King and are told that they need to kill a Dragon
in order to earn a seat at the Round Table
. They later pilot a robot dragon and attempt to scam King Arthur.
Green Arrow
and Speedy
travel to the jungle planet of Tropicus in World's Finest Comics vol. 1 #52, there Green Arrow meets both King Arthur and Daniel Boone
in a story titled "A Sword, A Rifle And A Bow". Green Arrow, King Arthur and Daniel Boone are forced to duel in an alien arena against the best Tropican swordsmen, riflemen and archers. At the end of this implausible story, both heroes are inexplicably returned to Earth, as the capital city of Tropicus is destroyed by a volcanic eruption.
King Arthur also appears in World's Finest Comics
vol. 1 #162, a story in which both Superman
and Batman
are dragged through time to Camelot through the use of a "Time Mist", by a race of nameless purple skinned shapeshifting aliens, who trick Batman and Superman into helping them overthrow Camelot. The disguised aliens state that Arthur, Merlin and the Knights of the Round Table are actually alien imposters. With their help Arthur and the Knights are defeated, during the fight Superman is stunned by King Arthur wielding Excalibur
, and Batman is wounded by Sir Galahad's magic spear. Batman and Superman later aid in their rescue when the deception is revealed, and with the help of magically empowered knights like Sir Bors' ring of fire, Sir Bohart's super speed, Sir Kay
's cloak of invisibility
and growing powers, Sir Lancelot
's invulnerable
armor and super strength, and Merlin's magic spells, the aliens are ousted from Camelot. At story's end Superman and Batman are knighted by King Arthur.
her army of demons, and Arthur's son Mordred
. Later in The Demon vol. 2 #16-20 Merlin set Sir Percival the Golden Knight
to guard the earthly exit from the Region Beyond, which is located in England
. The Region Beyond is where King Arthur had Merlin banish all the dangerous mystical entities native to Great Britain
.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
, a comic book
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...
King
King
- Centers of population :* King, Ontario, CanadaIn USA:* King, Indiana* King, North Carolina* King, Lincoln County, Wisconsin* King, Waupaca County, Wisconsin* King County, Washington- Moving-image works :Television:...
published by DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
. Arthur debuted in New Comics #3, (February 1936), and was created by Rafael Astarita. The character is based on the mythical ruler King Arthur
King Arthur
King Arthur is a legendary British leader of the late 5th and early 6th centuries, who, according to Medieval histories and romances, led the defence of Britain against Saxon invaders in the early 6th century. The details of Arthur's story are mainly composed of folklore and literary invention, and...
whose earliest recorded appearances were in the Annales Cambriae
Annales Cambriae
Annales Cambriae, or The Annals of Wales, is the name given to a complex of Cambro-Latin chronicles deriving ultimately from a text compiled from diverse sources at St David's in Dyfed, Wales, not later than the 10th century...
, the Historia Brittonum, and the Y Gododdin
Y Gododdin
Y Gododdin is a medieval Welsh poem consisting of a series of elegies to the men of the Britonnic kingdom of Gododdin and its allies who, according to the conventional interpretation, died fighting the Angles of Deira and Bernicia at a place named Catraeth...
. The character of King Arthur was made popular by Geoffrey of Monmouth
Geoffrey of Monmouth
Geoffrey of Monmouth was a cleric and one of the major figures in the development of British historiography and the popularity of tales of King Arthur...
's second major work, the Historia Regum Britanniae
Historia Regum Britanniae
The Historia Regum Britanniae is a pseudohistorical account of British history, written c. 1136 by Geoffrey of Monmouth. It chronicles the lives of the kings of the Britons in a chronological narrative spanning a time of two thousand years, beginning with the Trojans founding the British nation...
(History of the Kings of Britain),
Publication history
The DC Comics version of King Arthur first appeared in New Comics #3 (February 1936), kicking off a six issue adaptation of the The Tale of Sir Gareth of Orkney by Sir Thomas MaloryThomas Malory
Sir Thomas Malory was an English writer, the author or compiler of Le Morte d'Arthur. The antiquary John Leland as well as John Bale believed him to be Welsh, but most modern scholars, beginning with G. L...
. This was also one of the earliest appearances of a recurring character in a DC Comics title, and predates Superman
Superman
Superman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
's debut in 1938.
New Comics
King Arthur appears in New Comics #3 The Tale of Sir Gareth of Orkney and appears alongside his wife GuinevereGuinevere
Guinevere was the legendary queen consort of King Arthur. In tales and folklore, she was said to have had a love affair with Arthur's chief knight Sir Lancelot...
, his friend Merlin
Merlin (DC Comics)
Merlin, is a fictional character, a comic book magician published by DC Comics. Myrddin debuted in New Comics #3, , and was created by Rafael Astarita...
, Sir Lancelot
Lancelot
Sir Lancelot du Lac is one of the Knights of the Round Table in the Arthurian legend. He is the most trusted of King Arthur's knights and plays a part in many of Arthur's victories...
, and Gareth
Gareth
Sir Gareth was a Knight of the Round Table in Arthurian Legend. He was the youngest son of Lot and of Morgause, King Arthur's half-sister, thus making him Arthur's nephew, as well as brother to Gawain, Agravain, Gaheris, and half brother of Mordred...
.
Batman
King Arthur is present in Batman #36, a possible fantasy entitled "Sir Batman at King Arthur's Court" in which Professor Carter NicholsProfessor Carter Nichols
Professor Carter Nichols is a fictional character, a comic book scientist published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Batman #24 , and was created by Joe Samachson and Dick Sprang.-Fictional character biography:...
uses his "Time-Ray Machine" device to send Batman and Robin back in time using "time travel hypnosis" to Arthur's court at Camelot.
Shining Knight
Arthur reappears in Adventure Comics #66, a tale in which Merlin gives the Shining KnightShining Knight
Shining Knight is the name of three comic book superheroes that have appeared in books published by DC Comics. The original Shining Knight, Sir Justin, was created by Creig Flessel and first appeared in Adventure Comics #66 .-Sir Justin:...
a magical suit of armor (which protects its wearer from all forms of harm), a sword (capable of cutting any substance except the aforementioned suit), and a winged horse
Pegasus
Pegasus is one of the best known fantastical as well as mythological creatures in Greek mythology. He is a winged divine horse, usually white in color. He was sired by Poseidon, in his role as horse-god, and foaled by the Gorgon Medusa. He was the brother of Chrysaor, born at a single birthing...
(pterippus) named Victory. The Shining Knight later delivers the Holy Grail
Holy Grail
The Holy Grail is a sacred object figuring in literature and certain Christian traditions, most often identified with the dish, plate, or cup used by Jesus at the Last Supper and said to possess miraculous powers...
to King Arthur at Camelot in Swamp Thing
Swamp Thing
Swamp Thing, a fictional character, is a plant elemental in the created by Len Wein and Berni Wrightson. He first appeared in House of Secrets #92 in a stand-alone horror story set in the early 20th century . The Swamp Thing then returned in his own series, set in the contemporary world and in...
vol. 2 #87 (June 1989).
Silent Knight
Arthur reappears in Brave and the Bold #1 a story where Merlin acts as a guide to young squire Brian Kent, who later becomes the Silent KnightSilent Knight
The Silent Knight is a fictional medieval hero appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in The Brave and the Bold #1 , and was created by Robert Kanigher and Irv Novick...
.
World's Finest Comics
In World's Finest Comics vol. 1 #42 comic figures Doc and Fatty travel back to King Arthur's court using a unique device called a "Time-Typer" which is basically a souped up typewriterTypewriter
A typewriter is a mechanical or electromechanical device with keys that, when pressed, cause characters to be printed on a medium, usually paper. Typically one character is printed per keypress, and the machine prints the characters by making ink impressions of type elements similar to the pieces...
. Doc and Fatty meet the King and are told that they need to kill a Dragon
Dragon
A dragon is a legendary creature, typically with serpentine or reptilian traits, that feature in the myths of many cultures. There are two distinct cultural traditions of dragons: the European dragon, derived from European folk traditions and ultimately related to Greek and Middle Eastern...
in order to earn a seat at the Round Table
Round Table
The Round Table is King Arthur's famed table in the Arthurian legend, around which he and his Knights congregate. As its name suggests, it has no head, implying that everyone who sits there has equal status. The table was first described in 1155 by Wace, who relied on previous depictions of...
. They later pilot a robot dragon and attempt to scam King Arthur.
Green Arrow
Green Arrow
Green Arrow is a fictional superhero that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Mort Weisinger and George Papp, he first appeared in More Fun Comics #73 in November 1941. His secret identity is Oliver Queen, billionaire and former mayor of fictional Star City...
and Speedy
Roy Harper
Roy Harper is an English folk / rock singer-songwriter and guitarist who has been a professional musician since the mid 1960s...
travel to the jungle planet of Tropicus in World's Finest Comics vol. 1 #52, there Green Arrow meets both King Arthur and Daniel Boone
Daniel Boone
Daniel Boone was an American pioneer, explorer, and frontiersman whose frontier exploits mad']'e him one of the first folk heroes of the United States. Boone is most famous for his exploration and settlement of what is now the Commonwealth of Kentucky, which was then beyond the western borders of...
in a story titled "A Sword, A Rifle And A Bow". Green Arrow, King Arthur and Daniel Boone are forced to duel in an alien arena against the best Tropican swordsmen, riflemen and archers. At the end of this implausible story, both heroes are inexplicably returned to Earth, as the capital city of Tropicus is destroyed by a volcanic eruption.
King Arthur also appears in World's Finest Comics
World's Finest Comics
World's Finest Comics was an American comic book series published by DC Comics from 1941 to 1986. The series was initially titled World's Best Comics for its first issue; issue #2 switched to the more familiar name...
vol. 1 #162, a story in which both Superman
Superman
Superman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
and Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
are dragged through time to Camelot through the use of a "Time Mist", by a race of nameless purple skinned shapeshifting aliens, who trick Batman and Superman into helping them overthrow Camelot. The disguised aliens state that Arthur, Merlin and the Knights of the Round Table are actually alien imposters. With their help Arthur and the Knights are defeated, during the fight Superman is stunned by King Arthur wielding Excalibur
Excalibur
Excalibur is the legendary sword of King Arthur, sometimes attributed with magical powers or associated with the rightful sovereignty of Great Britain. Sometimes Excalibur and the Sword in the Stone are said to be the same weapon, but in most versions they are considered separate. The sword was...
, and Batman is wounded by Sir Galahad's magic spear. Batman and Superman later aid in their rescue when the deception is revealed, and with the help of magically empowered knights like Sir Bors' ring of fire, Sir Bohart's super speed, Sir Kay
Sir Kay
In Arthurian legend, Sir Kay is Sir Ector's son and King Arthur's foster brother and later seneschal, as well as one of the first Knights of the Round Table. In later literature he is known for his acid tongue and bullying, boorish behavior, but in earlier accounts he was one of Arthur's premier...
's cloak of invisibility
Invisibility
Invisibility is the state of an object that cannot be seen. An object in this state is said to be invisible . The term is usually used as a fantasy/science fiction term, where objects are literally made unseeable by magical or technological means; however, its effects can also be seen in the real...
and growing powers, Sir Lancelot
Lancelot
Sir Lancelot du Lac is one of the Knights of the Round Table in the Arthurian legend. He is the most trusted of King Arthur's knights and plays a part in many of Arthur's victories...
's invulnerable
Vulnerability
Vulnerability refer to the susceptibility of a person, group, society, sex or system to physical or emotional injury or attack. The term can also refer to a person who lets their guard down, leaving themselves open to censure or criticism...
armor and super strength, and Merlin's magic spells, the aliens are ousted from Camelot. At story's end Superman and Batman are knighted by King Arthur.
Etrigan
Arthur makes a tangental appearance in The Demon vol. 1 #1, a story where Merlin enlisted the demon Etrigan in the defense of Camelot, against the coming of Morgaine le FeyMorgaine le Fey (DC Comics)
Morgaine le Fey is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain published by DC Comics. She debuted in The Demon vol. 1 #1, , and was created by Jack Kirby...
her army of demons, and Arthur's son Mordred
Mordred
Mordred or Modred is a character in the Arthurian legend, known as a notorious traitor who fought King Arthur at the Battle of Camlann, where he was killed and Arthur fatally wounded. Tradition varies on his relationship to Arthur, but he is best known today as Arthur's illegitimate son by his...
. Later in The Demon vol. 2 #16-20 Merlin set Sir Percival the Golden Knight
Golden Knight
The Golden Knight is a fictional character, a comic book knight published by DC Comics. He first appeared in The Demon vol. 3, #20 , and was created by Alan Grant and Val Semeiks...
to guard the earthly exit from the Region Beyond, which is located in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The Region Beyond is where King Arthur had Merlin banish all the dangerous mystical entities native to Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
.
Other versions
- An alternate version of Arthur appears in the 1982 maxi-series Camelot 3000Camelot 3000Camelot 3000 is an American twelve-issue comic book limited series written by Mike W. Barr and penciled by Brian Bolland. It was published by DC Comics from 1982 to 1985 as one of its first direct market projects, and as its first maxi-series.-Plot:...
, where he sleeps beneath Glastonbury TorGlastonbury TorGlastonbury Tor is a hill at Glastonbury, Somerset, England, which features the roofless St. Michael's Tower. The site is managed by the National Trust. It has been designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument ....
, but is awakened in the year 3000 to stave off an alien invasion spearheaded by his sister Morgaine le FeyMorgaine le Fey (DC Comics)Morgaine le Fey is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain published by DC Comics. She debuted in The Demon vol. 1 #1, , and was created by Jack Kirby...
. - An alternate Arthur also appears in the 1992 mini-series Batman: Dark Knight of the Round Table.
Brief bibliography
- New Comics #3,4,5,6,7,8 (February-September 1936)
- Adventure ComicsAdventure ComicsAdventure Comics was a comic book series published by DC Comics from 1935 to 1983 and then revamped from 2009 to 2011. In its first era, the series ran for 503 issues , making it the fifth-longest-running DC series, behind Detective Comics, Action Comics, Superman, and Batman...
#66 (September 1941) - SupermanSupermanSuperman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
vol. 1 #38 (February 1946) - All-American ComicsAll-American ComicsAll-American Comics was the flagship title of comic book publisher All-American Publications, one of the forerunners of DC Comics. It ran for 102 issues from April 1939 to October 1948, at which time it was renamed All-American Western. In 1952, the title was changed again to All-American Men of...
#72 (April 1946) - BatmanBatmanBatman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
vol. 1 #36 (September 1946) - World's Finest ComicsWorld's Finest ComicsWorld's Finest Comics was an American comic book series published by DC Comics from 1941 to 1986. The series was initially titled World's Best Comics for its first issue; issue #2 switched to the more familiar name...
vol. 1 #42 (October 1949), - World's Finest ComicsWorld's Finest ComicsWorld's Finest Comics was an American comic book series published by DC Comics from 1941 to 1986. The series was initially titled World's Best Comics for its first issue; issue #2 switched to the more familiar name...
vol. 1 #52 (July 1951) - Brave and the Bold #1 (August 1955)
- SuperboySuperboySuperboy is the name of several fictional characters that have been published by DC Comics, most of them youthful incarnations of Superman. These characters have also been the main characters of four ongoing Superboy comic book series published by DC....
vol. 1 #75 (September 1959) - Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #53 (June 1961)
- SuperboySuperboySuperboy is the name of several fictional characters that have been published by DC Comics, most of them youthful incarnations of Superman. These characters have also been the main characters of four ongoing Superboy comic book series published by DC....
vol. 1 #103 (March 1963) - World's Finest ComicsWorld's Finest ComicsWorld's Finest Comics was an American comic book series published by DC Comics from 1941 to 1986. The series was initially titled World's Best Comics for its first issue; issue #2 switched to the more familiar name...
vol. 1 #162 (September 1966) - The Demon vol. 1 #1 (August 1972)
- All-Star Comics #65 (April 1977)
- Camelot 3000Camelot 3000Camelot 3000 is an American twelve-issue comic book limited series written by Mike W. Barr and penciled by Brian Bolland. It was published by DC Comics from 1982 to 1985 as one of its first direct market projects, and as its first maxi-series.-Plot:...
#1-12 (December 1982-April 1985) - Swamp ThingSwamp ThingSwamp Thing, a fictional character, is a plant elemental in the created by Len Wein and Berni Wrightson. He first appeared in House of Secrets #92 in a stand-alone horror story set in the early 20th century . The Swamp Thing then returned in his own series, set in the contemporary world and in...
vol. 2 #87 (June 1989) - The Demon vol. 2 #16 (1992)
- Batman: Dark Knight of the Round Table #1-2 (December 1998-January 1999)
- HellblazerHellblazerHellblazer is a contemporary horror comic book series, originally published by DC Comics, and subsequently by the Vertigo imprint since March 1993, the month the imprint was introduced, where it remains to this day...
vol. 2 #113-114 (June-July 2008) - Madame XanaduMadame XanaduMadame Xanadu is a fictional character, a comic book mystic published by DC Comics. The character is identified with Nimue, the sorceress from Arthurian mythology made popular by Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur.-Publication history:...
vol. 2 #1 (August 2008) - TrinityTrinity (comic book)Trinity is the title of an American weekly comic book limited series published by DC Comics that debuted during the first week of June, 2008. It ran for 52 issues.-Conception and production:...
#21 (October 2008) - Demon KnightsDemon KnightsDemon Knights is a DC Comics title launched as part of its New 52 event in 2011. It is a team title featuring Etrigan, Enchantress, Shining Knight and others. It's main difference to other team titles, such as the Justice League, is that this team is based in the Medieval period of the DC Universe...
#1 (November 2011)
External links
- DCU Guide: Merlin
- DCU Guide: Shining Knight
- DCU Guide: Silent Knight
- Cosmic Teams: The Demon
- Toonopedia: The Demon
- Torregrossa, Michael A. "Camelot 3000 and Beyond: An Annotated Listing of Arthurian Comic Books Published in the United States c. 1980-1998 (Revised Edition, May 2000)." The Arthuriana / Camelot Project Bibliographies. U of Rochester, n.d.