Difference between revisions of "Morpheus"
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During one survey of the cosmos, the new Morpheus discovered the shadow dimension into which Morpheus-Prime (as he came to be known) and the other prisoners of Mystico had been placed. With the aid of Justice International and the Secret Army, the trapped heroes revolted against their captor, and escaped to Earth as the prison collapsed around him. They became the "Prime" heroes, living in semi-retirement and offering assistance to their successors. | During one survey of the cosmos, the new Morpheus discovered the shadow dimension into which Morpheus-Prime (as he came to be known) and the other prisoners of Mystico had been placed. With the aid of Justice International and the Secret Army, the trapped heroes revolted against their captor, and escaped to Earth as the prison collapsed around him. They became the "Prime" heroes, living in semi-retirement and offering assistance to their successors. | ||
| − | Later, the new Morpheus met and fell in love with the superheroine Lumiere, also given mystic power by the Shining Ones. The two worked side-by-side constantly, and eventually were married, shortly after revealing their secret identities to each other. | + | Later, the new Morpheus met and fell in love with the superheroine [[Lumiere]], also given mystic power by the Shining Ones. The two worked side-by-side constantly, and eventually were married, shortly after revealing their secret identities to each other. |
'''Personality''' | '''Personality''' | ||
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Dr. Gannon is a frail and meek man in normal life, but as Morpehus he's the classic bold and daring pulp adventurer, aggressive and hot-tempered. He usually relies on cosmic-powered fisticuffs and feats of strength, only turning to more elaborate rites when they're needed. | Dr. Gannon is a frail and meek man in normal life, but as Morpehus he's the classic bold and daring pulp adventurer, aggressive and hot-tempered. He usually relies on cosmic-powered fisticuffs and feats of strength, only turning to more elaborate rites when they're needed. | ||
| − | Dr. Pike changes less between his own identity and that of Morpheus- he is a serious and reflective man, who takes a rational and level-headed approach to his work. He is often beset by moral dilemmas and particularly torn by his duties and concern for the safety of Lumiere. | + | Dr. Pike changes less between his own identity and that of Morpheus- he is a serious and reflective man, who takes a rational and level-headed approach to his work. He is often beset by moral dilemmas and particularly torn by his duties and concern for the safety of [[Lumiere]]. |
'''Appearance''' | '''Appearance''' | ||
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Morpheus was created by Alan Grayson for a feature in the first issue of BONANZA COMICS, Star Comics' first all-superhero title (besides CAPTAIN INVINCIBLE). Though known best for writing the more down-to-Earth adventures of Professor Hawk, Grayson enjoyed the opportunity to do something fanciful, and focused the feature on Morpheus' wild interdimensional travellings. Drawn by various artists, the feature was never wildly popular, but it continued to run until the magazine was cancelled in 1949. | Morpheus was created by Alan Grayson for a feature in the first issue of BONANZA COMICS, Star Comics' first all-superhero title (besides CAPTAIN INVINCIBLE). Though known best for writing the more down-to-Earth adventures of Professor Hawk, Grayson enjoyed the opportunity to do something fanciful, and focused the feature on Morpheus' wild interdimensional travellings. Drawn by various artists, the feature was never wildly popular, but it continued to run until the magazine was cancelled in 1949. | ||
| − | When the Silver Age revival of superheroes got into full swing, Joe Prelutsky assigned the job of revamping Morpheus to TALES OF THE UNKNOWN's regular writer David Denham, known for his prose sci-fi work. Then heavily into Joseph Campbell's "Hero With a Thousand Faces", Denham decided to make the character's story a classic monomyth, at least as much as the episodic format would permit. Irving Ellison, Star's most prolific and praised artist, handled the visuals. More science fiction than fantasy, the new Morpheus' surreal adventures originally had difficulty finding an audience, prompting the creation of the more "street-level" superheroine Lumiere as a backup feature. As the decade wore on, however, the character accumulated a cult following, mostly among college students, and he gradually became one of the most popular characters in Star's stable. In 1965, Denham had Morpheus and Lumiere "team up", and | + | When the Silver Age revival of superheroes got into full swing, Joe Prelutsky assigned the job of revamping Morpheus to TALES OF THE UNKNOWN's regular writer David Denham, known for his prose sci-fi work. Then heavily into Joseph Campbell's "Hero With a Thousand Faces", Denham decided to make the character's story a classic monomyth, at least as much as the episodic format would permit. Irving Ellison, Star's most prolific and praised artist, handled the visuals. More science fiction than fantasy, the new Morpheus' surreal adventures originally had difficulty finding an audience, prompting the creation of the more "street-level" superheroine [[Lumiere]] as a backup feature. As the decade wore on, however, the character accumulated a cult following, mostly among college students, and he gradually became one of the most popular characters in Star's stable. In 1965, Denham had Morpheus and [[Lumiere]] "team up", and developed a romance between the two characters. Finally, in 1970, he followed through on his original plan, finishing his run with a climactic battle between Morpheus and archenemy Dr. Faustus, in an issue which concluded with Morpheus and [[Lumiere]]'s wedding. |
Following Denham's departure, TALES OF THE UNKNOWN was renamed MORPHEUS, THE DIMENSION LORD, and writer Bruce Rodriguez, working with artist Bill Lincoln, again re-emphasized the character's occult side, putting him up against more traditional mythological and horrific menaces (the latter becoming predominant after the 1971 revision of the Comics Code, which allowed the use of vampires, werewolves, etc.) Their run ended in 1975, and since then, the title has gone back and forth between various combinations of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Morpheus remains one of Star Comics' most popular heroes, and he also has the distinction of being the only character not to be completely rebooted by 1983's END OF TIME crossover. (Wanting to preserve some continuity, the editors had Morpheus remember how things used to be.) | Following Denham's departure, TALES OF THE UNKNOWN was renamed MORPHEUS, THE DIMENSION LORD, and writer Bruce Rodriguez, working with artist Bill Lincoln, again re-emphasized the character's occult side, putting him up against more traditional mythological and horrific menaces (the latter becoming predominant after the 1971 revision of the Comics Code, which allowed the use of vampires, werewolves, etc.) Their run ended in 1975, and since then, the title has gone back and forth between various combinations of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Morpheus remains one of Star Comics' most popular heroes, and he also has the distinction of being the only character not to be completely rebooted by 1983's END OF TIME crossover. (Wanting to preserve some continuity, the editors had Morpheus remember how things used to be.) | ||
Latest revision as of 21:11, 11 September 2006
Morpheus, the Dimension Lord[edit]
PL:11
Alternate Identities: Dr. Carl Gannon (Golden Age), Dr. Joseph Pike (Silver Age); ID: Secret; Base of Operations: Private Laboratory, Upstate New York; First Appearance(s): BONANZA COMICS July-August 1940 (GA), TALES OF THE UNKNOWN Oct. 1960; Gender: Male
Abilities
Strength 13 (+1), Dexterity 13 (+1), Constitution 15 (+2), Intelligence 19 (+4), Wisdom 17 (+3), Charisma 15 (+2)
Saving Throws
Toughness +12 (+2 Con, 10 Force Field); Fortitude +5 (+2 Con, +3 Base); Reflex +4 (+1 Dex, +3 Base); Will +7 (+3 Wis, +4 Base)
Defense: 20 (+10 Base)
Initiative: +1 (Dex)
Base Attack Bonus: +11
Powers
Super Movement 5: Dimensional 3, Permeate, Trackless, Progression 1, Alternate Powers: Space Travel 10, Flight 5
Cosmic Energy Control 11: Alternate Powers: Boost (physical traits, 2 pp) 11, Disintegration 5, Healing 11, Snare 11
Immunity 12: Life Support, Starvation, Thirst, Need for Sleep
Force Field 10
Feats
Quick Change 2; Equipment 1 (Headquarters: Super Movement 3, Dimensional (Dimensional Doorway); Concealed, Lab, Library, Communications, Size: Diminuitive/Huge, Toughness: 15)
Skills
Knowledge (Dimensional Science) +20 (+4 Int, 16 Ranks), Knowledge (Occult) +20 (+4 Int, 16 Ranks), Intimidate +17 (+2 Cha, 16 Ranks), Craft (Structural) +20 (+4 Int, 16 Ranks), Language - Sumerian, Notice +19 (+3 Wis, 16 Ranks)
Drawbacks
Normal Identity- No Powers, Free Action. Morpheus' powers can only manifest, and his costume appear, when he speaks the word "Anshar". This word was written in psuedo-cuneiform in the comics.
Background
Dr. Carl Gannon, noted occult researcher, was the first to decipher the true meaning of a famous mystical text, "The Book of Doors". He found it contained instructions for the creation of a Dimensional Doorway, the building of which required the use of rare metals welded into strange patterns. Building it, and reading an incantation, he was surprised to find the Doorway actually worked, and opened into a mysterious heavenly realm. Entering it, he was granted magic powers by mysterious entities of light, and dubbed "Morpheus, the Dimension Lord", charged with protecting the innocent in all universes from dark mystical forces. Gannon fought sinister forces on Earth and in other realms for several years. When Nazi occultist Baron Mystico began adding magic to the Reich's arsenal, Morpheus joined with several other Allied heroes under the banner of "Allied Justice". At the end of the war, fearing capture, Baron Mystico trapped the heroes in a mirror dimension, and they faded from human memory.
Years later, "The Book of Doors" fell into the hands of scientist Joseph Pike, who specialized in dimension theory. Again deciphering its contents and building the Dimensional Doorway, he was subjected to a series of trials to prove himself worthy of Morpheus' powers. The new Morpheus was as much explorer as defender, seeking out strange new worlds and strange dimensional phenomena.
At one point in his history, Morpheus discovered an ancient prophecy foretelling an invasion of Earth by beings from a chaos realm, and speaking of five heroes called to defend the world. Using this information, Morpheus called together Miniman, Miss Mercury, Jetman, and the Blue Flame to form the original Secret Army.
During one survey of the cosmos, the new Morpheus discovered the shadow dimension into which Morpheus-Prime (as he came to be known) and the other prisoners of Mystico had been placed. With the aid of Justice International and the Secret Army, the trapped heroes revolted against their captor, and escaped to Earth as the prison collapsed around him. They became the "Prime" heroes, living in semi-retirement and offering assistance to their successors.
Later, the new Morpheus met and fell in love with the superheroine Lumiere, also given mystic power by the Shining Ones. The two worked side-by-side constantly, and eventually were married, shortly after revealing their secret identities to each other.
Personality
Dr. Gannon is a frail and meek man in normal life, but as Morpehus he's the classic bold and daring pulp adventurer, aggressive and hot-tempered. He usually relies on cosmic-powered fisticuffs and feats of strength, only turning to more elaborate rites when they're needed.
Dr. Pike changes less between his own identity and that of Morpheus- he is a serious and reflective man, who takes a rational and level-headed approach to his work. He is often beset by moral dilemmas and particularly torn by his duties and concern for the safety of Lumiere.
Appearance
Dr. Gannon is a tall, thin man with black hair, usually well dressed with pale skin. Dr. Pike is of average height and build, with dirty brown hair. As Morpheus, both wear a yellow suit with blue pants, boots and cape; the Golden Age Morpheus wears a grey iron helment which obscures his face, while the Silver Age Morpheus wears blue scarves in a "desert nomad" fashion, with only his eyes and nose visible.
Publishing History
Morpheus was created by Alan Grayson for a feature in the first issue of BONANZA COMICS, Star Comics' first all-superhero title (besides CAPTAIN INVINCIBLE). Though known best for writing the more down-to-Earth adventures of Professor Hawk, Grayson enjoyed the opportunity to do something fanciful, and focused the feature on Morpheus' wild interdimensional travellings. Drawn by various artists, the feature was never wildly popular, but it continued to run until the magazine was cancelled in 1949.
When the Silver Age revival of superheroes got into full swing, Joe Prelutsky assigned the job of revamping Morpheus to TALES OF THE UNKNOWN's regular writer David Denham, known for his prose sci-fi work. Then heavily into Joseph Campbell's "Hero With a Thousand Faces", Denham decided to make the character's story a classic monomyth, at least as much as the episodic format would permit. Irving Ellison, Star's most prolific and praised artist, handled the visuals. More science fiction than fantasy, the new Morpheus' surreal adventures originally had difficulty finding an audience, prompting the creation of the more "street-level" superheroine Lumiere as a backup feature. As the decade wore on, however, the character accumulated a cult following, mostly among college students, and he gradually became one of the most popular characters in Star's stable. In 1965, Denham had Morpheus and Lumiere "team up", and developed a romance between the two characters. Finally, in 1970, he followed through on his original plan, finishing his run with a climactic battle between Morpheus and archenemy Dr. Faustus, in an issue which concluded with Morpheus and Lumiere's wedding.
Following Denham's departure, TALES OF THE UNKNOWN was renamed MORPHEUS, THE DIMENSION LORD, and writer Bruce Rodriguez, working with artist Bill Lincoln, again re-emphasized the character's occult side, putting him up against more traditional mythological and horrific menaces (the latter becoming predominant after the 1971 revision of the Comics Code, which allowed the use of vampires, werewolves, etc.) Their run ended in 1975, and since then, the title has gone back and forth between various combinations of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Morpheus remains one of Star Comics' most popular heroes, and he also has the distinction of being the only character not to be completely rebooted by 1983's END OF TIME crossover. (Wanting to preserve some continuity, the editors had Morpheus remember how things used to be.)
