Arion is younger twin son of Dark Majistra and Calculha a heroic figure in Atlantean mythology, often hailed as a powerful sorcerer and renown king of ancient Atlantis.
Portrayal[]
Retcons & conflicting histories[]
Arion's status as a Lord of Order[]
According to the original proposal for Arion the Immortal, the related characters in Arion's previous books and in the 1995 mini-series weren't originally connected to the Lords of Order and Chaos as they're represented more famously in Doctor Fate and the eponymous character despite their roles being very similar.[4] However, the JSA: Princes of Darkness storyline, named Arion an explicit Lord of Order.[5] Other sources re-enforces this notion and re-conceptualizes Arion as a agent of order during his time as Lord High Mage.[6][7]
Arion's significance in Atlantean history[]
Both Arion and Atlan's character have shared or very similar historical accounts in both official canons that contradict the histories of the DCU: Atlan was claimed to be the most powerful and influential person in Atlantean history in one source[1] while another source in the Aquaman solo series states that Atlan was nearly as powerful as Arion.[8] More recent sources state Arion to be the greatest mage in Atlantean history.[6]
Biography[]
Origin[]
Falling in love with Dark Majistra, Calculha and the sorceress mated with one another and produced twin sons Ahri'ahn and Garn Daanuth. When their relationship ended due to being of different affinities and their union unbalance, Ahri'ahn was taken by his father and his brother with Majistra. Calculha raised him to to be on the follower of the light.[9]
At a young age, he would accompany his father to one of his meetings, having now met Majistra and Garn for the first time, unaware of their familial connections with both of them. He witnessed his father and mother, fierce rivals, argue on the fate of the Zodiac Crystals after his father sensed a coming dilemma with an individual tampering them and bringing forth calamity upon Atlantis and the world. His father argued to strengthen it's power while Majistra argued to unify all the crystals into a new age of magic. She is unanimously opposed by Calculha and the rest of the Council. Despite this, she later goes ahead with her plot and undoes their protection spells with Garn at her side, gaining power from the Zodia Crystals and spelling doom everywhere.[9]
Despite Calculha's power and Ahri'ahn's efforts, both he and his father is unable to stop Garn and Majistra after she absorbs the power of the Zodiac Crystals. Weakened, he asks his son to sacrifice himself to stop Majistra despite his age. Ahri'ahn willing accepts and intercepts Majistra as she uses the crystal's power. This causes a reaction in which self-destructs her into the Darkworld and converts Ahri'ahn's body into energy. Calculha save his son by having his body merge with a star and his soul moved into the Heart of the Darkworld.[9] While in the world in the Heart of the Darkworld, he meets Jheryl whom becomes his new teacher in magic and mother figure. While studying the arcane arts under her tutelage, he also befriends a dark imp named Ghy.[10] Ahri'ahn spent two decades within the Heart while 100 centuries passed on Earth. Upon completing his training, he's given a piece of the gem by his mentor. Shortly after this, he is abruptly taken back to Earth by his father. In doing so, his memory of his time there is blocked.[11]
Arion, Lord of Atlantis[]
Magic Odyssey[]
Camelot Falls[]
In 1659, when Arion is awakened from a night of debauchery by visions of a cataclysmic future centered around the presence of Superman. Cut off from his natural magicks, Arion employed certain artifacts to propel himself forward to Superman's present. Arriving in Metropolis, Arion subjected Superman and his friends at the Daily Planet to a vision of a possible future where Superman and other alien heroes' involvement in humanity caused people to become dependent on them and ultimately produced an apocalypse. Arion hoped to force Superman to retire and prevent the predictions from coming true.
Superman was given two weeks in which to decide how he'd deal with Arion's request, during which Arion illustrated his point by magically steering a "field trip" of adolescent New Gods, chaperoned by Lightray and Fastbak, to come crashing into Metropolis and go wild with their divine powers, causing untold havoc and general interference with the populace. Superman defused the situation with Lightray's help and deduced Arion's involvement. At roughly the same time, Arion kidnapped Bill Knightley from outside the Oblivion Bar, interrogated him, and nearly killed him. The only thing that saved Knightley was his knowledge of the recently begun "Tenth Age of Magic", a tumultuous change in the world's mystical equilibrium. Knightley claimed to be studying the shift and Arion decided he might have some value alive.
At the end of the two weeks, Arion and Superman met again; the Kryptonian hero chose to remain active as part of Earth's defense and deeply involved with humanity. Arion's vicious response was to cast a powerful mind manipulation spell, with the intent of using Superman as a weapon to remove the threat of other alien heroes, like Superman's ally, the Martian Manhunter. Superman resisted the spell and tracked Arion to his base in Atlantis, Superman confronted him once more, protected from Arion's magics by a mystical shield given to him by the Phantom Stranger - who told him that, while Arion's vision of the future could come to pass, the loss of life and experience that humanity would suffer as a result meant that Superman had to try and find another way - disarming Arion of his magic rings. Now defenceless, Arion retreated back to his time, where he began to plan his next move against Superman.
Arion the Immortal[]
Hawkman[]
Wonder Woman: Lifelines[]
JSA: Princes of Darkness[]
Powers[]
- Official
Arion's powers include immortality and a vast array of magical powers drawn from the extra-dimensional realm and source of Atlantean magic, Darkworld. Able to cast spells and spoken incantations coupled with his Atlantean heritage and centuries of studies, he is considered one of the greatest mages in any era he is in.[1][2][6]
During his period as Lord High Mage, Arion's magical abilities were said to be almost limitless in power, making him unmatched. Among his abilities were size altering abilities, creating energy forces, creating tidal waves, and other nautral disasters. Overtime, his abilities became limited, forcing him to draw from sources such as fire or an earthquake.[3]
Even with his limited powers, he can project illusion from vapor or dust. He also possess a heightened but limited sixth sense[3] and the gift of prophecy that allows him to see into the future. [1] He is also a fair hand-to-hand combatant and accomplished swordsman.[2]
Trivia[]
See also[]
External links[]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 DC Comics Encyclopedia: Updated and Expanded
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Who's Who In The DC Universe Update 'DDU93
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe
- ↑ ARION THE IMMORTAL, The Proposal on Paul Kupperburg's website
- ↑ JSA #48 (July 2003)
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 DC Comics Encyclopedia: All-New Edition
- ↑ DC Adventures Universe
- ↑ Aquaman #14 (1995)
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Arion: Lord of Atlantis #4
- ↑ Arion: Lord of Atlantis #32
- ↑ Arion: Lord of Atlantis #33