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Solus (comics)
Encyclopedia
Solus was an American comic book
series
written by Barbara Kesel
and illustrated by George Pérez
. It was published by CrossGen Entertainment from April to December 2003
. It ran for eight issues until it was cancelled when Crossgen went bankrupt in 2004
. Solus was a late comer to the Crossgen line-up but was a pivotal title within the overall Sigilverse
history.
The main character, Solusandra
, was the creator of the Sigil-Bearers
. She was an Atlantean
who had undergone transition. She was allowed to "play" in a part of the galaxy and she used her powers to create The First
, demi-gods with great powers. The strongest of these demi-gods and her special friend was Altwaal
. She gave Altwaal seven weapons, called Altwaals Weapons
, which seem to be the most powerful artifacts in the galaxy. Not long after she created the First, she left them (for reasons never explained) and so when she returned (in Solus #5) she was not recognized.
More recently, Solusandra was convinced by Danik
to work with him in creating Sigil-Bearers
. These modified humans were given great power (the ability to control and use the universal cosmic power). The purpose of the Sigil-Bearers was (eventually) to free Solusandra and defeat the other fully ascended Atlanteans. There were some disagreements between Danik and Solusandra in creating the Sigil-bearers. For example, Danik did not approve of Mordath
as a Sigil-bearer, but Solusandra overruled him.
The other ascended Atlanteans figured out that Solusandra was doing something dangerous to them, so they attacked her. Unfortunately, their attack resulted in disaster. They all died, and Solusandra was nearly killed as well. She lost all of her memories and "died" on a dead planet, leaving Danik as the only "God". However, after some years Solusandra revived and found her world filled with life and many glowing, floating bubbles containing her sign, the sigil. With her memory gone, she touched a sigil-bubble and was transported to the location of one of the sigil-bearers, a computer game designer named Lindy Karsten
.
When Solusandra touches Lindy's sigil, suddenly Solusandra gains a portion of her memories back (and Lindy loses her Sigil and her powers). Lindy is very distressed to lose her sigil powers and so she follows Solusandra back through the portal onto Solusandra's world. The remaining episodes show Solusandra visiting other sigil-bearers (Brath Mac Garen
, Mikos of Abyelos, Kellra Tuskin, and Giselle Villard
). Each time, Solusandra gains more memories, except for Kellra Tuskin: she nearly drives Solusandra insane (#7). Solusandra also visits Elysia
, home of The First
to take back some of Atlwaal's weapons (the weapons also give Solusandra some memories back).
Early on, Solusandra destroyed Lindy Karsten's mentor (a fragment of Danik) called Infoe. This death told Danik that something powerful was awake but nothing more. So Danik created a hound (looking like a huge skeleton of a dog made of flame - see the cover of Solus #2). This hound chased Solusandra through several worlds, finally Solusandra destroyed (?) the hound and directly notified Danik of her location.
In the last episode (#8) Solusandra meets with Danik, her one-time ally, who restores all (?) her memories. Solusandra then sends Lindy Karsten away and swears that she will fight the Negation
.
books that would collect the Solus series but these books were never published due to CrossGen's bankruptcy.
American comic book
An American comic book is a small magazine originating in the United States and containing a narrative in the form of comics. Since 1975 the dimensions have standardized at 6 5/8" x 10 ¼" , down from 6 ¾" x 10 ¼" in the Silver Age, although larger formats appeared in the past...
series
Ongoing series
The term "ongoing series" is used in contrast to limited series , a one shot , a graphic novel, or a trade paperback...
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 illustrated by George Pérez
George Pérez
George Pérez is a Puerto Rican-American writer and illustrator of comic books, known for his work on various titles, including Avengers, Teen Titans and Wonder Woman.-Biography:...
. It was published by CrossGen Entertainment from April to December 2003
2003 in comics
-January:* January 2: Kid Colt artist Jack Keller dies at age 80.- April :* Action Comics #800: Double-sized anniversary issue, "A Hero's Journey," by Joe Kelly, Pascual Ferry, and Duncan Rouleau...
. It ran for eight issues until it was cancelled when Crossgen went bankrupt 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....
. Solus was a late comer to the Crossgen line-up but was a pivotal title within the overall Sigilverse
Sigilverse
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...
history.
Plot synopsis
Solus told a story which was integral to the Sigilverse.The main character, Solusandra
Solusandra
Solusandra is a character created by CrossGen Entertainment. She is perhaps the most essential character to the "Big Picture" storyline, as she is the orange eyed being who created the Sigil-Bearers. She was exclusively found in the comic Solus and appeared in every Crossgen Comic that concerned...
, was the creator of the 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...
. She was an Atlantean
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...
who had undergone transition. She was allowed to "play" in a part of the galaxy and she used her powers to create 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...
, demi-gods with great powers. The strongest of these demi-gods and her special friend was Altwaal
Altwaal
Altwaal is a character from the American comic book The First published by CrossGen Entertainment. He was the first god and was the most powerful of all The First. He is shown as a blue-eyed super-human with a commanding face.-Character details:...
. She gave Altwaal seven weapons, called Altwaals Weapons
Altwaals Weapons
The Seven Weapons of Altwaal are a set of weapons and armor which are featured in the Sigilverse. The weapons are found in the books The First, Sojourn, Solus and The Path...
, which seem to be the most powerful artifacts in the galaxy. Not long after she created the First, she left them (for reasons never explained) and so when she returned (in Solus #5) she was not recognized.
More recently, Solusandra was convinced by Danik
Danik
Danik is a character in the Crossgen universe. Found in the books The First, Crux, Sigil, Solus, and Negation: War, Danik is a Transitioned Atlantean who has split off from himself Avatars to watch over and mentor several sentient beings throughout our universe and others.-Origins:Danik of...
to work with him in creating 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...
. These modified humans were given great power (the ability to control and use the universal cosmic power). The purpose of the Sigil-Bearers was (eventually) to free Solusandra and defeat the other fully ascended Atlanteans. There were some disagreements between Danik and Solusandra in creating the Sigil-bearers. For example, Danik did not approve of Mordath
Mordath
Mordath is a character from CrossGen Entertainment's Sigilverse. He appeared in Sojourn comic series as the chief enemy of the main character, Arwyn...
as a Sigil-bearer, but Solusandra overruled him.
The other ascended Atlanteans figured out that Solusandra was doing something dangerous to them, so they attacked her. Unfortunately, their attack resulted in disaster. They all died, and Solusandra was nearly killed as well. She lost all of her memories and "died" on a dead planet, leaving Danik as the only "God". However, after some years Solusandra revived and found her world filled with life and many glowing, floating bubbles containing her sign, the sigil. With her memory gone, she touched a sigil-bubble and was transported to the location of one of the sigil-bearers, a computer game designer named Lindy Karsten
Lindy Karsten
Lindy Karsten is a character from CrossGen Entertainment's Sigilverse. She appeared in the Solus series.-Character details:She is a small, intelligent, somewhat nerdy young woman with a green gem between her eyes. She wears a yellow jump suit with her sigil logo on the front and big metallic gloves...
.
When Solusandra touches Lindy's sigil, suddenly Solusandra gains a portion of her memories back (and Lindy loses her Sigil and her powers). Lindy is very distressed to lose her sigil powers and so she follows Solusandra back through the portal onto Solusandra's world. The remaining episodes show Solusandra visiting other sigil-bearers (Brath Mac Garen
Brath Mac Garen
Brath is a fictional character from the American comic book of the same name published by CrossGen Entertainment Inc.-Character details:Brath was given his sigil by the Stag-god. With his new found powers he was able to bring together the fragmented clans of the Urelands and fight together against...
, Mikos of Abyelos, Kellra Tuskin, and 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:...
). Each time, Solusandra gains more memories, except for Kellra Tuskin: she nearly drives Solusandra insane (#7). Solusandra also visits Elysia
Elysia
Elysia may signify:*Elysia , a deathcore band*Elysia , a genus of gastropods*Elysium, a section of the underworld containing the Elysian Fields*Elysia, pure heart.*Elysia, a gas giant in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption....
, home 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...
to take back some of Atlwaal's weapons (the weapons also give Solusandra some memories back).
Early on, Solusandra destroyed Lindy Karsten's mentor (a fragment of Danik) called Infoe. This death told Danik that something powerful was awake but nothing more. So Danik created a hound (looking like a huge skeleton of a dog made of flame - see the cover of Solus #2). This hound chased Solusandra through several worlds, finally Solusandra destroyed (?) the hound and directly notified Danik of her location.
In the last episode (#8) Solusandra meets with Danik, her one-time ally, who restores all (?) her memories. Solusandra then sends Lindy Karsten away and swears that she will fight the Negation
Negation (comics)
Negation was a comic book series published from CrossGen. Tony Bedard was the writer for the entire run. Paul Pelletier was the artist for most of the issues, with an occasional fill-in artist taking an issue here and there.-Overview:...
.
Collections
CrossGen announced two book titles for future trade paperbackTrade paperback (comics)
In comics, a trade paperback is a collection of stories originally published in comic books, reprinted in book format, usually capturing one story arc from a single title or a series of stories with a connected story arc or common theme from one or more titles...
books that would collect the Solus series but these books were never published due to CrossGen's bankruptcy.
- Solus Volume 1: Genesis
- Solus Volume 2: Radiant