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The Price (graphic novel)
Encyclopedia
The Price, published by Eclipse Comics
, is a Dreadstar
graphic novel
featuring Syzygy Darklock
. It is the second part of the Metamorphosis Odyssey
story arc begun in Epic Illustrated
magazine and tells the story of the magician-priest Darklock and his rise to power within the Church of the Instrumentality.
). It was reprinted, with colorized artwork, in Dreadstar Annual #1 (Marvel Comics
, 1983). The graphic novel was repackaged one more time, with the addition of a Vanth Dreadstar
story from Epic Illustrated #18, by Slave Labor Graphics
.
. The Church of the Instrumentality is devoted to "The Twelve Gods", whose leaders hold both spiritual and temporal
authority over half the Galaxy. The priests of the Instrumentality are scholars and magicians. The church is corrupt, and its leaders devoted to power, both temporal and magical. At the start of the story, both superpowers have been engaged in a galactic war for two hundred years.
As the story continues, Darklock's brother is horribly murdered. Darklock investigates and finds out that that his brother was killed by a demon, and sets out to discover who sent it. Before he can investigate, he is called before the Lord High Papal, head of the church, who orders him to abandon the investigation. The official cause of death is ruled "industrial accident".
Darklock seems to accept the ruling, but plans continue his investigation. He reveals this to his familiar, a nun named Sister Marian, and adds that his magical abilities are far more advanced than the church realizes. He was planning to use his power to increase his standing in the church so he could dictate state policy; but now he will use them to find his brother's killer.
Darklock succeeds in learning which demon killed his brother, then raises the demon himself. Forcing answers from the demon with his magic powers, Darklock learns that the demon had been sent by an immensely powerful wizard, a man Darklock could not hope to stand against. However, the demon also reveals that while he was in the wizard's power, the wizard tortured him mercilessly, causing the demon to hate the wizard so greatly, that he is willing to do something he would never otherwise have done: transport Darklock to a dimensional plane where he can absorb godlike magical energy, and become far more powerful than the wizard. Darklock agrees, and receives the power; though the ordeal is so great that his body is all but destroyed. He loses both legs, one arm, his right ear, and his left eye; and what remains of his body is wasted and unnaturally elongated. Using the remnants of his brother's estate, he repairs his body with cybernetic parts, maintaining his existence through his will, his great magical ability, and his powerful sense of self-belief.
He confronts the wizard who ordered his brother's death, only to learn that the wizard did everything precisely to bring about Darklock's ascent to power, so he could meet his destiny. The wizard had had a vision of the future where a great "event" is soon to happen, which will have a great positive effect on humanity. He foresaw that either Darklock or his brother would be prominently involved, so the wizard decided to ensure that the "event" took place and had Darklock's brother murdered to draw him in. Then he deliberately tortured the demon, so it would be angry enough to show Darklock the way to gain the vast power he has gained.
The wizard shows Darklock his vision of the future, thus ensuring it will take place. Furious at being made the wizard's tool, Darklock destroys him. As he dies, the wizard reveals that he knew Darklock would kill him, and welcomes it, since he believes he does not have the strength to face what lies ahead. Darklock must bear the burden of the future now. The wizard warns him that even the great power he has now will not be enough, and tells him of the awful way he can increase his power even further. Convinced now of the necessity of the "event" and his role in bringing it about, Darklock makes a terrible bargain: he sacrifices his familiar, Sister Marian, to be eaten alive by a demon. In return the demon gains him even more magical power (though this time in a form that will not damage him further.) Darklock's power now dwarfs any other individual in the Empirical Galaxy in mystical power leading the Lord High Papal to say "There goes the most powerful force on two legs I've ever encountered. Darklock's might must be nearly equal to that of one of the Gods."
Darklock then resigns from the church (ironically explaining his condition as the result of an "industrial accident") and sets out for a minor planet called Caldor, a planet inhabited by farmers. On Caldor he meets Vanth
, who warns him that he is the protector of the people who live there. Darklock surprises Vanth by revealing that he knows Vanth's history and of the sword of power, and tells him "In certain mystic circles unknown to you, you are referred to as Dreadstar the Starslayer." He tells Vanth of the "event" and of their linked destiny. Vanth initially resists the idea, but accepts Darklock's presence, and Darklock settles down to enlist Vanth in his plan.
At the end of The Price, Darklock gazes up at the stars, and hopes that Sister Marian will forgive him by the time he joins her in the "place reserved for souls that had a purpose in life."
Eclipse Comics
Eclipse Comics was an American comic book publisher, one of several independent publishers during the 1980s and early 1990s. In 1978, it published the first graphic novel intended for the newly created comic book specialty store market...
, is a Dreadstar
Dreadstar
Dreadstar was the first comic series published by American publisher Epic Comics, an imprint of Marvel Comics, in 1982. It was centered on Vanth Dreadstar, sole survivor of the entire Milky Way galaxy, and an ensemble cast of crewmates, including cyborg sorcerer Syzygy Darklock, and their struggle...
graphic novel
Graphic novel
A graphic novel is a narrative work in which the story is conveyed to the reader using sequential art in either an experimental design or in a traditional comics format...
featuring Syzygy Darklock
Syzygy Darklock
Syzygy Darklock is a fictional character in the space opera comic book series Dreadstar created by Jim Starlin. He first appeared in the 1981 graphic novel The Price, which was originally published in black and white in Eclipse Graphic Album Series #5 . It was reprinted, with colorized artwork, in...
. It is the second part of the Metamorphosis Odyssey
Metamorphosis Odyssey
The Metamorphosis Odyssey is a lengthy allegorical story told in several distinct parts in several formats, from illustrated magazines to graphic novels to comic books. It is the work of writer/artist Jim Starlin. Notably, the story introduces Vanth Dreadstar, who first appears in Epic Illustrated...
story arc begun in Epic Illustrated
Epic Illustrated
Epic Illustrated was a comics anthology in magazine format published in the United States by Marvel Comics. The series lasted for 34 issues, from Spring 1980 to February 1986....
magazine and tells the story of the magician-priest Darklock and his rise to power within the Church of the Instrumentality.
Publication history
The story was originally published in black and white in Eclipse Graphic Album Series #5 (19811981 in comics
-January:* Capital Comics makes its entree into publishing with the release of Nexus #1.*Frank Miller takes over full writing duties on Daredevil with issue #168, and creates Elektra....
). It was reprinted, with colorized artwork, in Dreadstar Annual #1 (Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
, 1983). The graphic novel was repackaged one more time, with the addition of a Vanth Dreadstar
Vanth Dreadstar
Vanth Dreadstar is a fictional comic book character created by Jim Starlin. According to the new Overstreet Price Guide, Dreadstar was originally introduced in Epic Illustrated magazine #3 . His first "solo" appearance was in Epic Illustrated #15 . Dreadstar's sword's first appearance was in Epic...
story from Epic Illustrated #18, by Slave Labor Graphics
Slave Labor Graphics
Slave Labor Graphics is an independent American comic book publisher, well-known for publishing darkly humorous, offbeat comics.-Company history:...
.
Synopsis
The story begins with a description of the Empirical Galaxy and the two cosmic superpowers that rule it; The Monarchy and the Instrumentality, who have been engaged in a war for two hundred years. The Monarchy is a twelve-century old dynasty founded and maintained by a Royal familyRoyal family
A royal family is the extended family of a king or queen regnant. The term imperial family appropriately describes the extended family of an emperor or empress, while the terms "ducal family", "grand ducal family" or "princely family" are more appropriate to describe the relatives of a reigning...
. The Church of the Instrumentality is devoted to "The Twelve Gods", whose leaders hold both spiritual and temporal
State (polity)
A state is an organized political community, living under a government. States may be sovereign and may enjoy a monopoly on the legal initiation of force and are not dependent on, or subject to any other power or state. Many states are federated states which participate in a federal union...
authority over half the Galaxy. The priests of the Instrumentality are scholars and magicians. The church is corrupt, and its leaders devoted to power, both temporal and magical. At the start of the story, both superpowers have been engaged in a galactic war for two hundred years.
As the story continues, Darklock's brother is horribly murdered. Darklock investigates and finds out that that his brother was killed by a demon, and sets out to discover who sent it. Before he can investigate, he is called before the Lord High Papal, head of the church, who orders him to abandon the investigation. The official cause of death is ruled "industrial accident".
Darklock seems to accept the ruling, but plans continue his investigation. He reveals this to his familiar, a nun named Sister Marian, and adds that his magical abilities are far more advanced than the church realizes. He was planning to use his power to increase his standing in the church so he could dictate state policy; but now he will use them to find his brother's killer.
Darklock succeeds in learning which demon killed his brother, then raises the demon himself. Forcing answers from the demon with his magic powers, Darklock learns that the demon had been sent by an immensely powerful wizard, a man Darklock could not hope to stand against. However, the demon also reveals that while he was in the wizard's power, the wizard tortured him mercilessly, causing the demon to hate the wizard so greatly, that he is willing to do something he would never otherwise have done: transport Darklock to a dimensional plane where he can absorb godlike magical energy, and become far more powerful than the wizard. Darklock agrees, and receives the power; though the ordeal is so great that his body is all but destroyed. He loses both legs, one arm, his right ear, and his left eye; and what remains of his body is wasted and unnaturally elongated. Using the remnants of his brother's estate, he repairs his body with cybernetic parts, maintaining his existence through his will, his great magical ability, and his powerful sense of self-belief.
He confronts the wizard who ordered his brother's death, only to learn that the wizard did everything precisely to bring about Darklock's ascent to power, so he could meet his destiny. The wizard had had a vision of the future where a great "event" is soon to happen, which will have a great positive effect on humanity. He foresaw that either Darklock or his brother would be prominently involved, so the wizard decided to ensure that the "event" took place and had Darklock's brother murdered to draw him in. Then he deliberately tortured the demon, so it would be angry enough to show Darklock the way to gain the vast power he has gained.
The wizard shows Darklock his vision of the future, thus ensuring it will take place. Furious at being made the wizard's tool, Darklock destroys him. As he dies, the wizard reveals that he knew Darklock would kill him, and welcomes it, since he believes he does not have the strength to face what lies ahead. Darklock must bear the burden of the future now. The wizard warns him that even the great power he has now will not be enough, and tells him of the awful way he can increase his power even further. Convinced now of the necessity of the "event" and his role in bringing it about, Darklock makes a terrible bargain: he sacrifices his familiar, Sister Marian, to be eaten alive by a demon. In return the demon gains him even more magical power (though this time in a form that will not damage him further.) Darklock's power now dwarfs any other individual in the Empirical Galaxy in mystical power leading the Lord High Papal to say "There goes the most powerful force on two legs I've ever encountered. Darklock's might must be nearly equal to that of one of the Gods."
Darklock then resigns from the church (ironically explaining his condition as the result of an "industrial accident") and sets out for a minor planet called Caldor, a planet inhabited by farmers. On Caldor he meets Vanth
Vanth
Vanth is a chthonic figure in Etruscan mythology shown in a variety of forms of funerary art, such as in tomb paintings and on sarcophagi. Vanth is a female demon in the Etruscan underworld that is often accompanied either by additional Vanth figures or by another demon, Charun . Both Vanth and...
, who warns him that he is the protector of the people who live there. Darklock surprises Vanth by revealing that he knows Vanth's history and of the sword of power, and tells him "In certain mystic circles unknown to you, you are referred to as Dreadstar the Starslayer." He tells Vanth of the "event" and of their linked destiny. Vanth initially resists the idea, but accepts Darklock's presence, and Darklock settles down to enlist Vanth in his plan.
At the end of The Price, Darklock gazes up at the stars, and hopes that Sister Marian will forgive him by the time he joins her in the "place reserved for souls that had a purpose in life."
See also
- DreadstarDreadstarDreadstar was the first comic series published by American publisher Epic Comics, an imprint of Marvel Comics, in 1982. It was centered on Vanth Dreadstar, sole survivor of the entire Milky Way galaxy, and an ensemble cast of crewmates, including cyborg sorcerer Syzygy Darklock, and their struggle...
- Vanth DreadstarVanth DreadstarVanth Dreadstar is a fictional comic book character created by Jim Starlin. According to the new Overstreet Price Guide, Dreadstar was originally introduced in Epic Illustrated magazine #3 . His first "solo" appearance was in Epic Illustrated #15 . Dreadstar's sword's first appearance was in Epic...
- Syzygy DarklockSyzygy DarklockSyzygy Darklock is a fictional character in the space opera comic book series Dreadstar created by Jim Starlin. He first appeared in the 1981 graphic novel The Price, which was originally published in black and white in Eclipse Graphic Album Series #5 . It was reprinted, with colorized artwork, in...
- WillowWillow (Dreadstar)Willow is a fictional character in the space opera Dreadstar, created by Jim Starlin. She was introduced in the first issue of Dreadstar's regular series and had her origin told in issue 2.-Character history:...
- Dreadstar (graphic novel)Dreadstar (graphic novel)The Dreadstar graphic novel, published in 1982, was the third in a series of Marvel Graphic Novels. This graphic novel is also the third part of the Metamorphosis Odyssey, and was printed in color from paintings by Jim Starlin.-Synopsis:...