TYJORIAN race
Reality-8116

Classification: Alternate reality (Reality-8116) semi-humanoid extraterrestrial race 

Location/Base of Operations: Formerly planet Tyjor, Alpha Centauri star system, Milky Way galaxy, Reality-8116;
    Tyjor was a poor and desolate place, with little water, no mineral wealth (except the blue crystals), plant life or animals, save the Tyjorian race.

Known Members: Za; Za's unidentified mate; Za's unidentified mother; others unidentified (all likely unnamed);
    former population unrevealed, but all save Za were destroyed in the Earth year 1980 AD; and Za ceased to exist in his previous form

Affiliations: None;
    the Tyjorians knew nothing of the Zygoteans, or 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: None (see affiliations)

First Appearance: Epic Illustrated#1 (Spring, 1980)

Powers/Abilities: Large and strong (presumably slightly greater than human), the carnivorous Tyjorians were cannibalistic by necessity as there was no other plants or animals on their world. They rapidly bred and grew to adulthood, and the atmosphere contained some strange nutritional element that enabled them to multiply faster than they could devour each other.

    Za was somehow able to survive on Tyjor's blue crystals, from which he gained far greater than normal Tyjorian strength.

    They had long arms relative to their body, much like a gorilla. Most of their bodies (except their face, hands, and feet) were covered with fur. Their ears projected into a series of points.

Traits: Savage and primitive, the Tyjorians traveled in packs, allow them to attack and feed on others of their race. They remained unclothed and did not use tools, fire, etc. They sometimes took shelters in natural caves.

    Tyjorian males were periodically overcome with the "red lust," which guided them to rape females and then abandon them, otherwise unharmed but with child, so that the people could go on.

    Za was cursed with intelligence and a distaste for cannibalism. He was a gentle soul seeking companionship.

Type:  Bilaterally symmetric semi-humanoid bipeds
Eyes: Two (on head; color not clearly seen)
Fingers: Four (including opposing thumb)
Toes: Unrevealed
Skin color: Pink/orange (possible variations could not be seen in the black and white story)
Fur color: Light purple (possible variations could not be seen in the black and white story)
Average height: Approximately 7'

History:
(Epic Illustrated#1/14 (fb) - BTS) - Tyjor was a poor and desolate place, with little water, no mineral wealth, plant life or animals, save the Tyjorian race.

    Obligate carnivores, the Tyjorians had no choice to survive but cannibalism. They survived largely because the species bred and rapidly grew to adulthood, and because the atmosphere contained some strange nutritional element that enabled them to multiply faster than they could devour each other.

(Epic Illustrated#1/14 (fb) - BTS) - Additionally, the Tyjorian males were periodically overcome with the "red lust," which guided them to rape females and then abandon them, otherwise unharmed but with child, so that the people could go on.

(Epic Illustrated#1/14 (fb) - BTS) - Though the Tyjorian race existed over 30 million years, it barely evolved above its bestial nature; survival left little time for improvement.

(Epic Illustrated#1/14 (fb) - BTS) - The Zygoteans passed over Tyjor, considering the planet worthless and its people not even good to serve as slaves.

(Epic Illustrated#1/7 (fb)) - Aknaton traveled to Tyjor, a harsh world of the Alpha Centauri system populated by cannibalistic brutes, and he introduced the potential to care.

(Epic Illustrated#1/14 (fb)) - Uniquely gifted by Aknaton, the intelligent Za could not stomach his own people's flesh and instead survived on the blue crystals, which granted him great strength. He grew up lonely, and even when he finally found a female companion, she was soon after devoured by other Tyjorians while he was away.

(Epic Illustrated#1/14) - Aknaton returned to Tyjor. He approached Za, telling him the stars had need of a monster with a soul and a mind, and convincing him to accompany him to Earth as part of plot to destroy the Zygoteans. They departed aboard a giant butterfly.

(Epic Illustrated#1/15, 2/6, 5/9, 6/6, 7/6-7, 8/6, 9) - Za accompanied Aknaton in gathering the rest of the group, and Aknaton brought them to Dreamsend, where Za joined Juliet of Earth and Whis'par of the World of Woods in blowing the Infinity Horn, which completely annihilated everything in the Milky Way galaxy.
    Za, Juliet, and Whis'par were converted into a new form of life and transported away, while Aknaton formed a force field that protected he and Vanth and transported them to another galaxy, where they arrived a million years later.

Comments: Created by Jim Starlin.

    The story in Epic Illustrated#1 was in black and white. Although the other issues were in color, Za's eyes were never clearly shown, so it's impossible to say what color they were. 

    If Tyjorians existed in Reality-616, they have not been seen. 

• Perhaps they devoured themselves into extinction
• Or perhaps they were consumed by Galactus or the Ebon Seeker, or one of the many beings that slaughtered "hundreds" or more worlds
• Or perhaps they have just not been encountered yet (and never will be, due to legal issues as they are owned by Jim Starlin, and not Marvel).

    Despite his intelligence, even Za had no concept of names until shortly before meeting Aknaton. Certainly none of the of the other Tyjorians had names.

    The main image, the face close-up, and the image perched on the peak are all Za.

    Za will get his own profile soon enough, and I may add a color image to this profile at that time...

Profile by Snood.

CLARIFICATIONS:
The Tyjorians have no known connections to

• other large, anthropoid, cannibalistic races

Za's girlfriend

  (Epic Illustrated#1/14 (fb)) - Za -- a unique Tyjorian gifted or cursed with intelligence and emotions, as well as great strength -- came upon a female Tyjorian; he knew instantly that the feelings he had were more than the "red lust," mating desire of his people. 

    Za began by scavenging food for her; though she feared him, she accepted the food. 

    Her feelings changed when he drove off others who wanted to feed on her. The short time that followed was sheer bliss for Za, and he -- in his own bestial way -- prayed that it would never end.

(Epic Illustrated#1/14 (fb)) - One day while foraging for his mate, Za suddenly sensed as she was being attacked, and he rushed back to her, only to find her dead, her innards consumed by a predatory pack of Tyjorians.

(Epic Illustrated#1/14 (fb)) - Za's loneliness returned worse than ever, along with an overcoming, soul-deep loss.

--Epic Illustrated#1/14

Za's mother

  (Epic Illustrated#1/14 (fb)) - As a newborn, Za (see comments) enjoyed the milk of his mother, who had not yet gotten the idea into her head to eat him.

(Epic Illustrated#1/14 (fb)) - The young Za's good and warm life came to an end when she tried breaking him off of breastfeeding and introduced him to meat. Revolted by its taste and smell, Za ate it because it was expected of him, but a few minutes later, he vomited up the Tyjorean flesh, which he proved unable to tolerate.

(Epic Illustrated#1/14 (fb) - BTS) - Za survived via consuming the bluish crystals found around the world was for him life. 

(Epic Illustrated#1/14 (fb) - BTS) - Soon afterward, Za's mother's maternal instinct overrode her baser hunger, and she abandoned her son to adulthood, avoiding the carnivorous natives that constantly stalked their own.

--Epic Illustrated#1/14

Alpha Centauri

     Presumably as it looked from the surface of Tyjor.

    There's no notation about whether the planet orbits Alpha Centauri A or B.

--Epic Illustrated#1/14

Note: Check out the profiles on the Centaurians and Alpha Centaurians for discussions on Alpha Centauri, etc.

blue crystals

     It is unrevealed whether the blue crystals just developed on Tyjor or whether Aknaton had anything to do with them.

    It is further unrevealed whether any of the Tyjorians could have survived on the blue crystals, but just so enjoyed the taste of Tyjorian flesh it never occurred to them, of whether Za's unique nature is part of what allowed him to metabolize them...

    Or perhaps Za was not unique until he rejected Tyjorian flesh and happened to try the blue crystals...

    The crystals granted Za strength much greater than the other natives of Tyjor.

--Epic Illustrated#1/14

images: (without ads)
Epic Illustrated#1/14, pg. 1 (Za on peak);
        pg. 2, panel 1 (Alpha Centauri);
            panel 2 (pack pursuing prey);
            panel 3 (feasting on prey);
        pg. 3, panel 1 (infant Za with mother);
            panel 2 (toddler Za handed meat);
            panel 4 (toddler Za with blue crystals);
            panel 6 (Za, full);
        pg. 4, panel 1-2 (Za fighting off attackers);
        pg. 5, panel 1 (Za's girlfriend eating);
            panel 2 (Za face);
            panel 3 (girlfriend sitting);
            panel 5 (Za's arm around girlfriend);
        pg. 6, panel 1 (Za's girlfriend dead)

Appearances:
Epic Illustrated#1: Metamorphosis Odyssey chapters I: Aknaton, II: Za!, and III: Juliet (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#5: Metamorphosis Odyssey chapter VIII: Sunrise on Lartoprez (April, 1981) - Jim Starlin (writer, artist), Stan Lee (editor/publisher), Archie Goodwin (editorial director), James Shooter (consulting editor)
Epic Illustrated#6: Metamorphosis Odyssey chapter IX: Absolution (June, 1981) - Jim Starlin (writer, artist), Stan Lee (editor/publisher), Archie Goodwin (editorial director), James Shooter (consulting editor)
Epic Illustrated#7: Metamorphosis Odyssey chapters X: Requiem & XI: Nightfire (August, 1981) - Jim Starlin (writer, artist), Stan Lee (editor/publisher), Archie Goodwin (editorial director), James Shooter (consulting editor)
Epic Illustrated#8: Metamorphosis Odyssey chapters XII: Dreamsend (October, 1981) - Jim Starlin (writer, artist), Stan Lee (editor/publisher), Archie Goodwin (editorial director), James Shooter (consulting editor)
Epic Illustrated#9: Metamorphosis Odyssey, Chapter XIII: Doomsday & XIV: Aftermath (December, 1981) - Jim Starlin (writer, artist), Stan Lee (editor/publisher), Archie Goodwin (editorial director), James Shooter (consulting editor)

First Posted: 09/29/2016
Last updated: 09/29/2016

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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