Sigilverse
Encyclopedia
The Sigilverse, also known as the CrossGen Universe, is a fictional
shared universe
which served as a setting for most titles published by CrossGen
Comics. Except for El Cazador
, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
, and a handful of flashbacks, all CrossGen Universe titles are set in the future (the 900th century to be precise). Recognizing that tightly interconnected shared universes such as the Marvel Universe
and the DC Universe
tended to confuse and alienate new readers, the creators of the CrossGen Universe set most titles on separate planets. That way, characters from different series wouldn't bump into each other on a regular basis (as often happens in other shared universes). Still, there were connections. Some of them were obvious. Others could only be found through careful observation.
CrossGen ultimately published 467 comics set in the Sigilverse (plus a few non-story promotional comics) before bankruptcy ended the company's publishing operations. Disney, which purchased CrossGen's intellectual property
, has expressed little to no interest in reviving the Sigilverse, its settings or characters. However, Disney has licensed reprint rights to several Sigilverse titles to the Checker Book Publishing Group
for publication starting in early 2007.
one-shot and the initial issues of CrossGen Chronicles
, Mystic
, Sigil
, Scion
, and Meridian
. These comics introduced several human-inhabited planets, each very different than the others. For instance, Mystic took place on Ciress
, a world much like Earth during the Jazz Age
, but where magic was common, while Scion was set on Avalon, a feudal society with fantastic technology. None of these worlds were aware of the others' existence.
In CrossGenesis, two unrevealed orange-eyed entities, later dubbed "Creator" and "Mentor," look over these worlds, which Creator claims to have created. She is despondent over what she perceives as stagnation throughout the universe. Mentor advises (or manipulates) Creator into changing a single individual on each world, giving them immense power in the hope that this will destabilize the moribund societies out of their torpor. Creator did this by taking corporeal form and touching a single individual; where she touched, she left her mark, the sigil. This was a red and yellow symbol not unlike the yin and yang
; the CrossGen logo was also based on this sigil. Although these early titles concerned only the sigil-bearers for these four worlds, later CrossGen titles revealed that Creator had empowered dozens more, at least. The identities of Creator and Mentor were revealed much later.
In the following issues, each of these Sigil-Bearers
did develop tremendous powers, although such power manifested in different ways. For instance, Samandahl Rey
of Sigil could morph matter into different shapes while Giselle Villard
of Mystic gained the powers of her world's magical spirits. Later-appearing sigil-bearers introduced in other titles had other powers, such as the ability to convince others to follow their suggestions or to understand any piece of technology merely by looking at it.
The appearance of the sigil-bearers is observed by the entities known as The First
. These are the gods of the Sigilverse, not unlike the pantheons of human mythology. The First are separated into two philosophically-divided groups, House Dexter and House Sinister. They, falsely, believe that they created the Sigilverse and all its worlds, and they are shocked to discover the sigil-bearers, who draw their power from some other, older source. This leads to changes in the First's society as well, as various First try to learn more about the sigil-bearers and use their powers to the First's advantage.
Most of the first year's worth of Sigilverse titles concerns the Sigil-bearers dealing with the changes brought on by their sigils, sometimes assisted or harried by members of the First sent to learn more about them. Each sigil-bearer is also accompanied by a mentor, an orange-eyed companion who, like the Mentor from CrossGenesis, both assists and cajoles the sigil-bearer into pursuing various paths. Each mentor, however, is very different from the others both in appearance and personality. As revealed in later titles, similar mentors exist on many other planets, accompanying not only other sigil-bearers but other important individuals as well.
The history of the Sigilverse begins hundreds of centuries ago on a small blue planet called Earth. Inhabiting this planet was a race of beings known as the Atlanteans
with a long and distinguished history. Atlantean society, at the height of technological and spiritual enlightenment, performed 'transition' and ascended to a higher plane of existence. Staying behind were those that were unworthy to ascend and others who had volunteered to watch over the human race.
The ramifications of 'transition' were cataclysmic, leaving the remaining Atlanteans suspended in stasis and Atlantis in ruins at the bottom of the ocean. The Atlanteans, in stasis, could not watch over the human race as they had intended.
Humankind developed free of Atlantean guidance, at its own pace and in its own direction. 300 centuries later, humanity attempted a technology-based 'transition' initiated by Robert Charon
and Nathan Appolyon
; rather than a higher plane of existence, this threw most of humanity into the universe known as the Negation.
This did not necessarily initiate an era of calm spirituality.
Fictional universe
A fictional universe is a self-consistent fictional setting with elements that differ from the real world. It may also be called an imagined, constructed or fictional realm ....
shared universe
Shared universe
A shared universe is a fictional universe to which more than one writer contributes. Work set in a shared universe share characters and other elements with varying degrees of consistency. Shared universes are contrasted with collaborative writing, in which multiple authors work on a single story....
which served as a setting for most titles published by CrossGen
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...
Comics. Except for El Cazador
El Cazador
El Cazador was a CrossGen comic book title set in the Sigilverse, CrossGen's shared universe. However, whereas most Sigilverse titles were set in the far future, El Cazador took place on Earth during the Golden Age of Piracy of the 17th century...
, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (comics)
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is an American comic book series published by CrossGen Entertainment from February to June 2004. It ran for five issues before it was forced to end by the bankruptcy of CrossGen in 2004....
, and a handful of flashbacks, all CrossGen Universe titles are set in the future (the 900th century to be precise). Recognizing that tightly interconnected shared universes such as the Marvel Universe
Marvel Universe
The Marvel Universe is the shared fictional universe where most comic book titles and other media published by Marvel Entertainment take place, including those featuring Marvel's most familiar characters, such as Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, and the Avengers.The Marvel Universe is further...
and the DC Universe
DC Universe
The DC Universe is the shared universe where most of the comic stories published by DC Comics take place. The fictional characters Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman are well-known superheroes from this universe. Note that in context, "DC Universe" is usually used to refer to the main DC continuity...
tended to confuse and alienate new readers, the creators of the CrossGen Universe set most titles on separate planets. That way, characters from different series wouldn't bump into each other on a regular basis (as often happens in other shared universes). Still, there were connections. Some of them were obvious. Others could only be found through careful observation.
CrossGen ultimately published 467 comics set in the Sigilverse (plus a few non-story promotional comics) before bankruptcy ended the company's publishing operations. Disney, which purchased CrossGen's intellectual property
Intellectual property
Intellectual property is a term referring to a number of distinct types of creations of the mind for which a set of exclusive rights are recognized—and the corresponding fields of law...
, has expressed little to no interest in reviving the Sigilverse, its settings or characters. However, Disney has licensed reprint rights to several Sigilverse titles to the Checker Book Publishing Group
Checker Book Publishing Group
Checker Book Publishing Group is an independent publisher of comics reprints, from newspaper strips to modern out-of-print titles and collections from defunct publishers.-History:...
for publication starting in early 2007.
Beginnings of the Sigilverse
The basic set-up of the Sigilverse was sketched out in CrossGen's earliest releases, including the CrossGenesisCrossGenesis (comics)
CrossGenesis was the first ever CrossGen comic book. Its purpose was to give readers a first look into the world that would become popularly known as the Sigilverse....
one-shot and the initial issues of 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:...
, Mystic
Mystic (comics)
Mystic is a comic book that was published by the since-defunct, Florida-based CrossGen Comics. Created by writer Ron Marz and artists Brandon Peterson and John Dell, it was one of five flagship titles in the company's Sigilverse shared universe...
, 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...
, Scion
Scion (comics)
Scion was an American comic book published by CrossGen Entertainment from July 2000 to April 2004. It was cancelled due to the bankruptcy of Crossgen Comics Inc in 2004.-Plot synopsis:...
, and Meridian
Meridian (comics)
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....
. These comics introduced several human-inhabited planets, each very different than the others. For instance, Mystic took place on Ciress
Ciress
Ciress is a fictional planet, situated in CrossGen comic's fictional universe, the Sigilverse. It features primarily in the American comic book series Mystic.-Geography:...
, a world much like Earth during the Jazz Age
Jazz Age
The Jazz Age was a movement that took place during the 1920s or the Roaring Twenties from which jazz music and dance emerged. The movement came about with the introduction of mainstream radio and the end of the war. This era ended in the 1930s with the beginning of The Great Depression but has...
, but where magic was common, while Scion was set on Avalon, a feudal society with fantastic technology. None of these worlds were aware of the others' existence.
In CrossGenesis, two unrevealed orange-eyed entities, later dubbed "Creator" and "Mentor," look over these worlds, which Creator claims to have created. She is despondent over what she perceives as stagnation throughout the universe. Mentor advises (or manipulates) Creator into changing a single individual on each world, giving them immense power in the hope that this will destabilize the moribund societies out of their torpor. Creator did this by taking corporeal form and touching a single individual; where she touched, she left her mark, the sigil. This was a red and yellow symbol not unlike the yin and yang
Yin and yang
In Asian philosophy, the concept of yin yang , which is often referred to in the West as "yin and yang", is used to describe how polar opposites or seemingly contrary forces are interconnected and interdependent in the natural world, and how they give rise to each other in turn. Opposites thus only...
; the CrossGen logo was also based on this sigil. Although these early titles concerned only the sigil-bearers for these four worlds, later CrossGen titles revealed that Creator had empowered dozens more, at least. The identities of Creator and Mentor were revealed much later.
In the following issues, each of these Sigil-Bearers
Sigil-Bearers
The Sigil-Bearers are characters in CrossGen Comics' fictional universe, the Sigilverse. The metaplot strung across all of CrossGen's titles centered on the Sigil-Bearers, and many of the titles' main characters were Sigil-Bearers, especially in the company's early days.-Overview:The Sigil is a...
did develop tremendous powers, although such power manifested in different ways. For instance, Samandahl Rey
Samandahl Rey
Samandahl "Sam" Rey is the main character in the American comic book Sigil published by CrossGen Entertainment.-Character details:Sam was just an ordinary soldier who moved up to be squad leader. He was sent on a suicide mission but survived and consequently mustered out of the Army with his friend...
of Sigil could morph matter into different shapes while Giselle Villard
Giselle Villard
Giselle Villard is the main character in the American comic book Mystic, published by CrossGen Entertainment. She is one of the many Sigil-Bearers seen throughout the CrossGen Comics.-Fictional character biography:...
of Mystic gained the powers of her world's magical spirits. Later-appearing sigil-bearers introduced in other titles had other powers, such as the ability to convince others to follow their suggestions or to understand any piece of technology merely by looking at it.
The appearance of the sigil-bearers is observed by the entities known as 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...
. These are the gods of the Sigilverse, not unlike the pantheons of human mythology. The First are separated into two philosophically-divided groups, House Dexter and House Sinister. They, falsely, believe that they created the Sigilverse and all its worlds, and they are shocked to discover the sigil-bearers, who draw their power from some other, older source. This leads to changes in the First's society as well, as various First try to learn more about the sigil-bearers and use their powers to the First's advantage.
Most of the first year's worth of Sigilverse titles concerns the Sigil-bearers dealing with the changes brought on by their sigils, sometimes assisted or harried by members of the First sent to learn more about them. Each sigil-bearer is also accompanied by a mentor, an orange-eyed companion who, like the Mentor from CrossGenesis, both assists and cajoles the sigil-bearer into pursuing various paths. Each mentor, however, is very different from the others both in appearance and personality. As revealed in later titles, similar mentors exist on many other planets, accompanying not only other sigil-bearers but other important individuals as well.
Secret history of the Sigilverse
The history of the Sigilverse begins hundreds of centuries ago on a small blue planet called Earth. Inhabiting this planet was a race of beings known as the Atlanteans
Atlantis (CrossGen Comics)
In CrossGen Comics Atlantis is set as the primary point of origin for the narrative events that unfold in the Sigilverse. Many of the popular ideas and beliefs that are associated with Atlantis are used in this iteration such as being an advanced culture and sinking beneath the sea. In the...
with a long and distinguished history. Atlantean society, at the height of technological and spiritual enlightenment, performed 'transition' and ascended to a higher plane of existence. Staying behind were those that were unworthy to ascend and others who had volunteered to watch over the human race.
The ramifications of 'transition' were cataclysmic, leaving the remaining Atlanteans suspended in stasis and Atlantis in ruins at the bottom of the ocean. The Atlanteans, in stasis, could not watch over the human race as they had intended.
Humankind developed free of Atlantean guidance, at its own pace and in its own direction. 300 centuries later, humanity attempted a technology-based 'transition' initiated by Robert Charon
Charon (CrossGen)
Charon is the main antagonist in the comic book universe known as CrossGen or the Sigilverse. He appears most often in Negation but has also had his own limited series Mark of Charon and is mentioned throughout many CrossGen titles...
and Nathan Appolyon
Appolyon (CrossGen)
Appolyon is a comic book character in the Sigilverse, a fictional universe created by CrossGen Entertainment, Inc. He is seen in one issue of Negation. and more regularly in Negation: Lawbringer, Mark of Charon and Negation War. He also appeared in Route 666 in the guise of the Adversary...
; rather than a higher plane of existence, this threw most of humanity into the universe known as the Negation.
This did not necessarily initiate an era of calm spirituality.
Major planets
- Arcadia (RuseRuse (comics)Ruse was a CrossGen comic book title. It ran for twenty-six issues from November 2001 to January 2004 before it was forced to end by the bankruptcy of CrossGen...
) - Avalon (ScionScion (comics)Scion was an American comic book published by CrossGen Entertainment from July 2000 to April 2004. It was cancelled due to the bankruptcy of Crossgen Comics Inc in 2004.-Plot synopsis:...
) - CiressCiressCiress is a fictional planet, situated in CrossGen comic's fictional universe, the Sigilverse. It features primarily in the American comic book series Mystic.-Geography:...
(MysticMystic (comics)Mystic is a comic book that was published by the since-defunct, Florida-based CrossGen Comics. Created by writer Ron Marz and artists Brandon Peterson and John Dell, it was one of five flagship titles in the company's Sigilverse shared universe...
) - Delassia (SigilSigil (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...
) - Demetria (MeridianMeridian (comics)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....
) - Earth (CruxCrux (comics)Crux is an American comic book published by CrossGen Entertainment from May 2001 to February 2004. It was cancelled due to bankruptcy in 2004. Crux was one of the later titles that came first in a sort of second wave of Crossgen titles which included Sojourn and Brath...
, Kiss Kiss Bang BangKiss Kiss Bang Bang (comics)Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is an American comic book series published by CrossGen Entertainment from February to June 2004. It ran for five issues before it was forced to end by the bankruptcy of CrossGen in 2004....
, El CazadorEl CazadorEl Cazador was a CrossGen comic book title set in the Sigilverse, CrossGen's shared universe. However, whereas most Sigilverse titles were set in the far future, El Cazador took place on Earth during the Golden Age of Piracy of the 17th century...
) - Elysia (The FirstThe 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...
) - Erebus (Route 666Route 666 (comics)Route 666 was a comic book series created by CrossGen Entertainment in July of 2002. It was CrossGen's first horror comic venture, and contained a blend of action, menace and humor...
) - Gaia (SigilSigil (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...
) - Han-Jin (The PathThe Path (comics)The Path is an American comic book series published by CrossGen Entertainment from March 2002 to April 2004. It was cancelled due to the company's bankruptcy....
, Way of the RatWay of the RatWay of the Rat is an American comic book series published by CrossGen Entertainment in the wuxia sub-genre of martial arts adventure. Written by Chuck Dixon, with artwork by Jeff Johnson and Tom Ryder, the series ran for a total of twenty-four issues before its publication was stopped due to...
, BrathBrath (comics)Brath was an American comic book published by Crossgen Entertainment from February, 2003 to June, 2004. It ran for 15 issues before it was forced to end by the bankruptcy of CrossGen in 2004....
) - Serevan (ChimeraChimera (CrossGen)Chimera is an American comic book published by CrossGen Entertainment from March to July 2003. It is a mini-series that ran for four issues. Chimera is most notable for its artwork...
) - QuinQuin (Sigilverse)Quinn is a fictional planet, situated in CrossGen comic's fictional universe, the Sigilverse. It features primarily in the American comicbook series Sojourn.-Geography:...
(SojournSojourn (comics)Sojourn was a CrossGen comic book series about the adventures of Arwyn and her friend Gareth as they traveled in a fantasy world with dragons, trolls, and magic. Starting in 2001, it ran for 35 issues before it was forced to end by the bankruptcy of CrossGen in 2004...
) - Tanipal (SigilSigil (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...
) - Tcharun (SigilSigil (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...
)
Major political groups
- The Chimeran Imperium (ChimeraChimera (CrossGen)Chimera is an American comic book published by CrossGen Entertainment from March to July 2003. It is a mini-series that ran for four issues. Chimera is most notable for its artwork...
) - House Dexter and House Sinister (The FirstThe 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...
) - The Five Lands (SojournSojourn (comics)Sojourn was a CrossGen comic book series about the adventures of Arwyn and her friend Gareth as they traveled in a fantasy world with dragons, trolls, and magic. Starting in 2001, it ran for 35 issues before it was forced to end by the bankruptcy of CrossGen in 2004...
) - The Island State of Cadador (MeridianMeridian (comics)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....
) - The Heron Dynasty (ScionScion (comics)Scion was an American comic book published by CrossGen Entertainment from July 2000 to April 2004. It was cancelled due to the bankruptcy of Crossgen Comics Inc in 2004.-Plot synopsis:...
) - The Empire of Nayado (The PathThe Path (comics)The Path is an American comic book series published by CrossGen Entertainment from March 2002 to April 2004. It was cancelled due to the company's bankruptcy....
) - The Planetary Union (SigilSigil (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...
) - The Raven Dynasty (ScionScion (comics)Scion was an American comic book published by CrossGen Entertainment from July 2000 to April 2004. It was cancelled due to the bankruptcy of Crossgen Comics Inc in 2004.-Plot synopsis:...
) - The Saurian Hegemony (SigilSigil (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...
) - The Seven Guilds of Ciress (MysticMystic (comics)Mystic is a comic book that was published by the since-defunct, Florida-based CrossGen Comics. Created by writer Ron Marz and artists Brandon Peterson and John Dell, it was one of five flagship titles in the company's Sigilverse shared universe...
) - The August Empire of Shinacea (The PathThe Path (comics)The Path is an American comic book series published by CrossGen Entertainment from March 2002 to April 2004. It was cancelled due to the company's bankruptcy....
)
Sentient races of the Sigilverse
- AnkharansAnkharansAnkharans are a fictional alien race featured in Sojourn, a CrossGen comics series.-Characteristics:Ankharans are tall, dark-skinned humanoids with large, functional wings protruding from their backs. They are an ancient race, possibly the oldest on the planet, and hold tradition in high regard...
- Atlanteans
- "Collectors"
- Dragons
- Demons
- The FirstThe 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...
- Gargoyles
- Indigoes
- Human Beings
- "Lesser Races"
- Saurians
- TenguTenguare a class of supernatural creatures found in Japanese folklore, art, theater, and literature. They are one of the best known yōkai and are sometimes worshipped as Shinto kami...
- Trolls
- Transcendent Atlanteans