DARKLENS
Real Name: Darklens
Identity/Class: Extradimensional (Weirdworld God)
Occupation: Evil god
Group Membership: None
Affiliations: Night-Fangers, Nightgaunt, Swamp Serpents, Zarthon
Enemies: Mud-Butt, Savage Elves, Tyndall, Velanna, "White Wolf"
Known Relatives: None
Aliases: None
Base of Operations: Weirdworld
First Appearance: Marvel Super Special#12 (August, 1979)
Powers/Abilities: Darklens was a powerful god of significant might; he created creatures such as the Swamp Serpents, and the Night-Fangers were made from the remnants of his soul. Portions of his life-force dwelled within the Darklens gems and under proper ritual conditions could revive him. He was observed to have powers of flight, to conjure mystical destructive energy, and to wield telekinesis.
History: (Marvel Super Special#13 (fb)) - In the distant past, the wicked god Darklens clashed with his fellow gods and lost; as a result of their duel, the planet of Weirdworld was created, and Darklens was stranded upon its surface. Determined to reclaim his worthiness among his fellow gods, Darklens suspended an island of earth into the air. From the Region of Shadow beneath the island he conjured forth monsters and other dark entities. However, before Darklens could complete his scheme a white comet (sent by the god known only as "the white wolf") smashed through the floating island and crushed Darklens. The floating island, now with a hole in its center, became known as Klarn.
Eons later, the five Dark Riders - created from fragments of Darklens' soul - gathered five shards from the comet which slew Darklens and from them made the Darklens gems by placing the gems upon his skeletal remains to absorb what remained of his life-force. They transported Darklens' body to the Tomb of Limbo and began prepartions to one day resurrect him at the coming solstice.
(Marvel Super Special#12 - BTS) - The Darklens gems came into the possession of Tyndall, Velanna and Mud-Butt. They learned of the sorcerer Zarthon, and planned to bring the gems to him. That evening, moonlight shone through the gems as they lay by a window, and the reflection of Darklens' soul manifested silver elemental wraiths, but the wraiths were driven off by the white wolf. The next day, the trio brought the gems to Zarthon, who identified their name and purpose.
(Marvel Super Special#13) - The three heroes brought the Darklens gems and Key of Illumination to the Tomb of Limbo with instructions from Zarthon on how to destroy Darklens' bones. They accessed the crypt and unearthed Darklens' skeleton, but Zarthon was corrupted by the power of Darklens and claimed the gems for himself, absorbing Darklens' power into him. As Zarthon began to transform into Darklens, he was assaulted by the Dark Riders, incensed at the desecration of their master. The "white wolf" finally intervened and slew Zarthon/Darklens to save Weirdworld.
Comments: Created by Doug Moench, John Buscema and Rudy Nebres.
by Prime Eternal
CLARIFICATIONS:
Darklens should not be confused with:
The Darklens gems were five fragments of the white comet which the "White Wolf" used to slay Darklens. They contained the life-force of Darklens. The Savage Elves sought to banish the gems, but their member who guarded them was eventually hunted down and slain by the Night-Fangers. Zarthon used the gems to fashion the Key of Illumination, which could open the Tomb of Limbo where Darklens' body resided. However, Zarthon was unable to resist the lure of Darklens' power, and placed the five gems upon his brow, then claimed all of Darklens' power.
When bathed in moonlight, the gems could release reflections of Darklens' soul, manifesting as silver elemental wraiths. When bathed in sunlight, the gems could bring forth images of the past. They were also the only means to permanently destroy Darklens' bones by emitting fire. By being arranged into a rectangular shape, the gems could create the Key of Illumination.
--Marvel Super Special#12-13
Images taken from:
Marvel Super Special#12, page 38 (numbered)
Marvel Super Special#13, page 28 (numbered), panel 3
gems- Marvel Super Special#12, page 36 (numbered), panel 4
Last updated: 11/26/06
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
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