BYFREXIAN raceReality-8116
BYFREXIAN race
Reality-8116
Classification: Humanoid
extraterrestrial race;
Reality-8116
Location/Base of Operations: Byfrexia (also known as Vega to those from other planets), an outer planet of the Vega star system, Milky Way galaxy
Known Members: Lawt, Nimsu, Vanth (aka Dreadstar, aka the Cold Man), Vanth's unidentified parents;
the Snow Bears were native to Byfrexia;
all save Vanth were destroyed in the
Earth year 1980 AD
Affiliations: None;
the Byfrexians knew nothing of the nature of their destruction as the hands of Aknaton,
Vanth Dreadstar, Juliet, Whis'par, and Za; they were apparently saved
from a fate worse than death, although I doubt they would have
appreciated that.
Enemies: Zygotean
A-Team mercenary squad (including Xam/cat-person, Bazkar/Zygotean?, a
cyborg, and a trio of Nultorian iron men, among others);
see affiliations
Significant Locations: Ice Demon's Lantern, caverns housing their air force, Zygotean encampment
First Appearance: (Planet, unidentified) Epic Illustrated#1 (Spring, 1980);
(Byfrexians, identified)
Epic Illustrated#3 (Fall, 1980)
Powers/Abilities: Byfrexians did not demonstrate any superhuman abilities. They used conventional means to survive their world's frigid climate, although they may have had certain adapations that enhanced their resistance to the cold.
A Byfrexian highly skilled in the
tricks of survival could survive for short periods of time in the
wilderness, but an untutored youth would likely not last a day.
They had cities, although much of their world seemed to be frozen tundra.
They had an uncertain number of "jumpships," which could escape the planet; whether they could achieve instellar travel is unrevealed.
At least as guided by Vanth, they possessed an air force.
Vanth specifically equipped equipped the Byfrexian fleet with photonic drives; while unable to match the Zygotean firepower, they could outrun their enemies.
Traits: Byfrexian youths were taught of their world's limited technology and conditioned to withstand the rigors of the hostile and frigid planet.
Type: Bilaterally symmetric humanoid bipeds
Eyes: Two (on head; only Vanth's eyes were seen, with blue irides)
Fingers: Four (plus opposing thumb)
Toes: Presumably five
Skin color: Pink
Average height: Approximately 5'10"?
History:
(Epic
Illustrated#1/7 (fb)) - As part of a plot to prevent the galaxy from
succumbing to a slow-death at the Zygoteans' hands, Aknaton traveled to
the world that would become known as Byfrexia, an outer planet of Vega,
Aknaton left a Sword of Icy Fire, knowing that someday one would come
to claim it.
(Epic Illustrated#3/3 (fb)) - The young Vanth observed his parents being devoured by a pair of snow bears.
Vanth's mind snapped, and he wandered far into the wilds where he eventually took refuge in a holy place known as the Ice Demon's Lantern.
(Epic Illustrated#3/3 (fb)) - For years thereafter, Vanth avoided people, but was occasionally spotted roaming the hills, usually naked.
One day, Vanth returned to civilization
just long enough to outfit himself with enough hunting gear to hold off
a small army. Seeking to avenge his parents, he nearly decimated (see comments) the entire region's snow bear population.
As snow bears with their main food source, the people "took on a hanging mood"; Vanth stole a jump ship and departed Byfrexia.
(Epic Illustrated#3/3 (fb)) - At some point thereafter, the genocidal Zygoteans initiated an assault on Byfrexia, devastating its people.
(Epic Illustrated#3/3 (fb)) - Vanth returned, armed with off-world weapons, paranormal strength, his sword, and his "blazing killer rage" and singlehandedly setting the Zygotean invasion back months.
(Epic Illustrated#3/3 (fb)) - Vanth's previous actions were swiftly forgiven, and soon after he was appointed supreme commander of all Byfrexian defenses.
(Epic
Illustrated#3/3 (fb) - BTS) - Vanth discovered the great caverns in
which the Byfrexians hid and operated their air force. He also geared
their ships with photonic drive; while unable to match the Zygotean
firepower, they could outrun their enemies.
(Epic Illustrated#3/3 (fb) - BTS) - The Byfrexians checked the Zygoteans advancement with guerilla tactics, but nonetheless found no way to defeat or drive off their foes.
(Epic Illustrated#2/6 - BTS) - Aknaton told Juliet, Whis'par, and Za -- a trio of agents he recruited in his plot to end the Zygoteans -- he would take them to a mineral poor planet the Zygoteans had already passed (see comments), on which they would await his return. He was going to Vega to gather a man powerful enough to protect them so they could accomplish their goal.
(Epic Illustrated#3/3 (fb) - BTS) - Aknaton arrived on Vega (which natives called Byfrexia).
(Epic
Illustrated#3/3) - On Byfrexia's frigid mountains, Aknaton
encountered Lawt who mistook him for a Zygotean. Subduing Lawt,
Aknaton learned from him of Vanth, but they were detected by Zygoteans,
who sent an A-Team mercenary squad after them.
Mystically entrancing Lawt, Aknaton forced him to lead the way and share Vanth's history and abilities, until Lawt was abruptly slain by a blast from Xam of the Zygotean A-Team mercenary squad. Aknaton was stunned by a blow to the back of the head before observing Vanth's arrival on the ledges above.
(Epic
Illustrated#3/10) - As Vanth picked off a few of the mercenaries,
Aknaton slew a few others and then ran for the woods as Vanth took out
a pair of Nultorian iron men. When a third Nultorian ambushed and
knocked down Aknaton, Vanth slew the Nultorian and then summoned his
sword, with which he finished off the rest of the A-Team. The presence
of the sword confirmed Vanth was the one he was seeking, and Aknaton
introduced himself and revealed he was the sword's creator. Sharing his
plans to rid the galaxy of Zygoteans, Aknaton asked Vanth's aid, as
neither of them could stop the Zygoteans without the other.
Comments: Created by Jim Starlin.
Dreadstar / Reality-8116 primer
There may well be a lot more information on Byfrexia, the Byfrexians, Vanth's parents, etc. in the 70+ stories after the Metamorphosis Odyssey arc in Epic Illustrated#1-9. I'm working my way through everyone as they appear in each issue, so if/when more info becomes available, I'll add it in here.
Additionally, Byfrexia, Lawt and the Snow Bears could each have their own profiles at some point.
AND...I think the images could be improved in quality if taken from Dreadstar: The Beginning...
Profile by Snood.
CLARIFICATIONS:
The Byfrexians have no known connections to
(Epic Illustrated#1/7 (fb)) - As part of a plot to prevent the galaxy from succumbing to a slow-death at the Zygoteans' hands, Aknaton traveled to the world that would become known as Byfrexia, an outer planet of Vega, Aknaton left a Sword of Icy Fire, knowing that someday one would come to claim it.
(Epic Illustrated#3/3 (fb)) - After the young Vanth observed his parents being devoured by a pair of snow bears, Vanth's mind snapped, and he wandered far into the wilds where he eventually took refuge in a holy place known as the Ice Demon's Lantern.
(Epic Illustrated#3/3 (fb) - BTS) - Therein Vanth apparently at some point found the Sword of Icy Fire, which granted him great power. All the people of Byfrexia knew is that he had some sort of incredible experience.
-- Epic Illustrated#3
Note: Looks a bit like Stonehenge to me...
The son of Nimsu, Lawt was one of the resistance fighters against the Zygoteans.
(Epic Illustrated#3/3) - On Byfrexia, Aknaton appeared before the native Lawt (son of Nimsu; one of the resistance fighters against the Zygoteans) in the frigid mountains; mistaken for a Zygotean, Aknaton formed a shield to deflect Lawt's blaster fire and then stunned Lawt with an energy bolt. Though his non-lethal force convinced Lawt he was not Zygotean, and Lawt recognized the man Aknaton was seeking as Vanth, Lawt nonetheless refused to take Aknaton to Vanth, fearing he was too powerful to trust; meanwhile, the pair was detected by the Zygoteans, who sent an A-Team mercenary squad after them.
Aknaton then mystically entranced Lawt, forcing him to lead the way and share Vanth's history and abilities, until Lawt was abruptly slain by a blast from Xam of the Zygotean A-Team mercenary squad.Lawt was comparable in height to the roughly 6'3" Aknaton
-- Epic Illustrated#3
Nimsu was the father of Lawt
Nothing else is known about him.
-- Epic Illustrated#3
 Immense bears dwelling in the
frozen tundra, they were carnivorous and very willing to feed on the
Byfrexians humanoids.
Additionally, the Snow Bears served as the main source to the Byfrexians. |
|
Vanth's mind snapped, and he wandered far into the wilds where he eventually took refuge in a holy place known as the Ice Demon's Lantern. (Epic Illustrated#3/3 (fb)) - For years thereafter, Vanth avoided people, but was occasionally spotted roaming the hills, usually naked. |
|
Seeking to avenge his parents, he nearly decimated (see comments) the entire region's snow bear population. As snow bears with their main food source, the people "took on a hanging mood"; Vanth stole a jump ship and departed Byfrexia. -- Epic Illustrated#3 |
As was the standard, they taught their young son, Vanth, of his world's limited technology and conditioned to withstand the rigors of the hostile and frigid planet.
They were eventually devoured by a pair of snow bears, and Vanth was traumatized by witnessing this from a distance.
Vanth's mind snapped, and he wandered far into the wilds where he eventually took refuge in a holy place known as the Ice Demon's Lantern.
-- Epic Illustrated#3
-- Epic Illustrated#3
images: (without ads)
Epic Illustrated#3/3: Metamorphosis Odyssey chapter V: Vanth, story pg. 1, panel 1 (Aknaton confront Lawt on Byfrexian mountains);
pg. 2, panel 1 (Lawt fires blaster at Aknaton);
pg. 3, panel 1 (Zygotean encampment on Byfrexia);
pg. 4, panel 3 (Lawt attacks Aknaton with dagger);
pg. 5, panel 2 (Byfrexian city);
panel 3 (Snow Bears devour Vanth's parents);
panel 4 (Vanth wanders into Ice Demon's Lantern);
panel 5 (Vanth wandering naked)
pg. 6, panel 1 (wiping out Snowbears);
panel 2 (Vanth flees in jumpship);
panel 3 (Zygoteans attack Byfrexia);
panel 4 (Vanth returns to Byfrexia);
panel 5 (Vanth sets back Zygotean invasion);
panel 6 (Vanth appointed supreme commander);
#3/10: Metamorphosis Odyssey chapter VI: The Meeting, pg. 5, panel 1 (Vanth first draws the sword)
#15, pg. 8 (2nd part, pg. 2), panel 3 (bear face; profile);
panel 4 (bears devouring Vanth's parents)
Appearances:
Epic Illustrated#1: Metamorphosis Odyssey chapter I: Aknaton (Spring, 1980) - Jim Starlin (writer, artist), Stan Lee
(editor)
Epic Illustrated#2: Metamorphosis Odyssey chapter IV: Whis'par (Summer, 1980) - Jim Starlin (writer, artist), Stan Lee
(editor/publisher), Archie Goodwin (editorial director), James Shooter (consulting editor)
Epic Illustrated#3: Metamorphosis Odyssey chapter V: Vanth & VI: The Meeting (Fall, 1980) - Jim Starlin (writer, artist), Stan Lee
(editor/publisher), Archie Goodwin (editorial director), James Shooter (consulting editor)
Epic Illustrated#15/4: Dreadstar (December, 1982) - Jim Starlin (writer, artist), Stan Lee
(editor/publisher), Archie Goodwin (editorial director), James Shooter (consulting editor), Jo Duffy (associate editor)
First Posted: 05/05/2017
Last updated: 11/01/2024
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
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(Epic
Illustrated#3/3 (fb) / Epic Illustrated#15/4 (fb)) - The young Vanth observed his parents being devoured by a pair of snow bears. 
One day, Vanth returned to civilization
just long enough to outfit himself with enough hunting gear to hold off
a small army. 