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Meridian (comics)
Encyclopedia
Meridian was a comic book
series
published by CrossGen Comics
. It was written by Barbara Kesel
, and penciled by a number of artists including Joshua Middleton
and Steve McNiven
. Meridian ran for 44 issues, from July of 2000
to April of 2004
.
. At some point in the world's history, a great natural cataclysm threw massive chunks of earth into the sky, creating the current system of floating islands. The islands, as well as the airships crucial to trade and transport, defy gravity due to the mysterious properties of a certain 'ore' which is not named. Each island is headed by a Minister, who has more or less monarchic power over their respective island, and while many communities still survive on the surface, contact and trade between the surface and the islands is rare.
The main character of the series is Sephie
, the daughter of Turos
, the Minister of Meridian. Her father dies at the beginning of the series, and Sephie becomes Minister of Meridian, acquiring at the same time a mysterious Sigil, a mark upon her forehead, which grants her an array of powers. Gradually, she learns to use it to allow her to fly, to heal others, to repair things, and in a handful of other ways. However, her Uncle Ilahn, Minister of Cadador, another of the floating island city-states, has a Sigil as well, which allows him to destroy things and teleport. He attempts to use his powers, and his significant political influence, to seize Meridian from Sephie's control, and to create an economic and industrial empire, demanding tribute from other islands, if not conquering them outright.
Sephie sets out to stop him, and eventually, after learning more about her powers and her family's past, acquiring equipment and support, and meeting new friends and allies, she sets about perpetrating piracy upon her uncle's trade routes, and fights him directly on a number of occasions.
As with most of the core CrossGen titles, Meridian crosses over into the other titles to some extent, and into the underlying 'uberplot' that connects all the core titles together. While not fully central to the conflict between Sephie and her uncle Ilahn, there are appearances by members of The First
who are the Gods of the CrossGen universe, as well as by Samandahl Rey, the main hero of the title Sigil
, and others. In the end, Sephie and Ilahn join the heroes (and villains) of the other core titles to fight an enemy called "the Negation" in a limited series called Negation War
, which was never finished due to CrossGen's bankruptcy in the middle of 2004.
The background of the series is expanded upon in CrossGen Chronicles
#3, which concerns the early life of Turos and Ilahn.
.
The next three collections were solicited, but never published. They would have been:
There was also a small 5.5in x 8in "Traveller" edition of Volume 1 released.
and roleplaying game. While CrossGen titles were included in WizKids
' Indy HeroClix
miniatures tabletop game, none of the cast of Meridian appear in it.
Meridian was also one of the primary texts in CrossGen's educational programs, which encouraged elementary school teachers to use it to help teach students to read, and later, to teach about literary devices.
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...
series
Ongoing series
The term "ongoing series" is used in contrast to limited series , a one shot , a graphic novel, or a trade paperback...
published by CrossGen Comics
CrossGen
Cross Generation Entertainment, or CrossGen, was an American comic book publisher that operated from 1998 to 2004.CrossGen Comics, Inc. was founded in 1998, by Tampa, Florida-based entrepreneur Mark Alessi who sought to create a comic book universe that was uniquely varied but also connected by a...
. It was written by Barbara Kesel
Barbara Kesel
Barbara Randall Kesel is an American writer and editor of comic books; her bibliography includes work for DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Crossgen, Image Comics and Dark Horse Comics.-Biography:...
, and penciled by a number of artists including Joshua Middleton
Joshua Middleton
Joshua Middleton is an artist and designer working in the animation, film, comics, and book industries...
and Steve McNiven
Steve McNiven
Steven "Steve" McNiven is a Canadian comic book artist. He first gained prominence on CrossGen's Meridian, before moving onto books such as Ultimate Secret, New Avengers and Civil War.-Career:...
. Meridian ran for 44 issues, from July of 2000
2000 in comics
-February:*Strange Adventures vol. 2, #4, final issue cover-dated February - January :* January 5: Goseki Kojima, co-creator of Lone Wolf and Cub, dies at age 71.* January 6: Mad magazine fixture Don Martin dies at age 68....
to April of 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....
.
Storyline details
Meridian, the series' namesake, is one of many island city-states upon the world of DemetriaDemetria
Demetria may refer to:*Demetria , a feminine given name * Alternative form of Demeter , Greek goddess of harvest*Demetria, a fictional planet in the CrossGen comics Sigilverse-See also:*D...
. At some point in the world's history, a great natural cataclysm threw massive chunks of earth into the sky, creating the current system of floating islands. The islands, as well as the airships crucial to trade and transport, defy gravity due to the mysterious properties of a certain 'ore' which is not named. Each island is headed by a Minister, who has more or less monarchic power over their respective island, and while many communities still survive on the surface, contact and trade between the surface and the islands is rare.
The main character of the series is Sephie
Sephie of Meridian
Sephie of Meridian is a fictional character, the chief protagonist in CrossGen Comics' comic book series Meridian. Her name is a contraction of "Persephone".*Sigil Location: Forehead-Plot synopsis:...
, the daughter of Turos
Turoš
Turoš is a type of cheese made from cattle's milk. It is a traditional food in the north Croatian region of Međimurje.Turoš is made by cone-shaping chunks of cottage cheese, with the addition of salt and red paprika. Because it is spiced with red paprika, the cheese is usually light orange or...
, the Minister of Meridian. Her father dies at the beginning of the series, and Sephie becomes Minister of Meridian, acquiring at the same time a mysterious Sigil, a mark upon her forehead, which grants her an array of powers. Gradually, she learns to use it to allow her to fly, to heal others, to repair things, and in a handful of other ways. However, her Uncle Ilahn, Minister of Cadador, another of the floating island city-states, has a Sigil as well, which allows him to destroy things and teleport. He attempts to use his powers, and his significant political influence, to seize Meridian from Sephie's control, and to create an economic and industrial empire, demanding tribute from other islands, if not conquering them outright.
Sephie sets out to stop him, and eventually, after learning more about her powers and her family's past, acquiring equipment and support, and meeting new friends and allies, she sets about perpetrating piracy upon her uncle's trade routes, and fights him directly on a number of occasions.
As with most of the core CrossGen titles, Meridian crosses over into the other titles to some extent, and into the underlying 'uberplot' that connects all the core titles together. While not fully central to the conflict between Sephie and her uncle Ilahn, there are appearances by members of The First
The First (comics)
The First are a group of fictional gods who appear in a self-titled comic as well as other various comic books published by CrossGen. Styled after the Greek gods in many ways, the First represent very powerful, nearly immortal beings, who are each based on a certain emotion.The full powers of The...
who are the Gods of the CrossGen universe, as well as by Samandahl Rey, the main hero of the title Sigil
Sigil (comics)
Sigil is an American comic book series published by CrossGen Entertainment from July 2000 to December 2003, ending at issue forty-two. Sigil was one of the publisher's first four titles , a science fiction space opera, originally created by Mark Alessi and Gina M. Villa...
, and others. In the end, Sephie and Ilahn join the heroes (and villains) of the other core titles to fight an enemy called "the Negation" in a limited series called Negation War
Negation War (comics)
Negation War was a comic book series published by CrossGen Comics, and serving as a culmination of the metaplots of nearly all of CrossGen's other titles. It only ran for two issues, in Spring 2004, before the company declared bankruptcy and ended production on all their titles...
, which was never finished due to CrossGen's bankruptcy in the middle of 2004.
The background of the series is expanded upon in CrossGen Chronicles
CrossGen Chronicles
CrossGen Chronicles was an American comic book published by CrossGen Entertainment from June 2000 to July 2002. Each issue told a story from one of the different worlds in the Sigilverse, usually a historical narrative of some aspect.-Issue #1:...
#3, which concerns the early life of Turos and Ilahn.
Collections
Meridian had 4 trade paperbacks released before the bankruptcy of CrossgenCrossGen
Cross Generation Entertainment, or CrossGen, was an American comic book publisher that operated from 1998 to 2004.CrossGen Comics, Inc. was founded in 1998, by Tampa, Florida-based entrepreneur Mark Alessi who sought to create a comic book universe that was uniquely varied but also connected by a...
.
- Meridian Volume 1: Flying Solo - Collected issues #1-7
- Meridian Volume 2: Going to Ground - Collected issues #8-14
- Meridian Volume 3: Taking the Skies - Collected issues #15-20
- Meridian Volume 4: Coming Home - Collected issues #21-26
The next three collections were solicited, but never published. They would have been:
- Meridian Volume 5: Minister of Cadador - Issues #27-32
- Meridian Volume 6: Changing Course - Issues #33-38
- Meridian Volume 7: The Mystery of Sheristan
There was also a small 5.5in x 8in "Traveller" edition of Volume 1 released.
Other media
There were, for a time, plans to make Meridian into a feature film, or perhaps a cartoon series; these were presumably scrapped when CrossGen went under, along with a number of other plans, including a CrossGen Collectible card gameCollectible card game
thumb|Players and their decksA collectible card game , also called a trading card game or customizable card game, is a game played using specially designed sets of playing cards...
and roleplaying game. While CrossGen titles were included in WizKids
WizKids
WizKids, Inc. is an American New Jersey-based company that first made its mark in the game industry producing collectible miniatures wargames. WizKids was purchased by and is a subsidiary of National Entertainment Collectibles Association. The company was founded in 2000 by Jordan Weisman, a...
' Indy HeroClix
HeroClix
HeroClix is a collectible miniatures game that uses the Clix system. Originally designed and produced by WizKids, it is now owned and marketed by NECA. Players construct teams of comic book heroes, villains, and other characters from popular video games such as Street Fighter, Gears of War, and Halo...
miniatures tabletop game, none of the cast of Meridian appear in it.
Meridian was also one of the primary texts in CrossGen's educational programs, which encouraged elementary school teachers to use it to help teach students to read, and later, to teach about literary devices.