SSSTH race SSSTH race
Classification: Humanoid extraterrestrial race
Location/Base of Operations: Sszardil, second from the sun in Sslirteep star system, Milky Way galaxy;
Sszardil had a mostly semi-tropical to tropical climate, 77% covered by water;
Gravity is 130% of Earth's, with an atmosphere that is 74% nitrogen and 22% oxygen;
a number of Sssth associated with Sssthgar were based on the Golden Star planet for a period of time (see comments)
Known Members: Gorney, Higila, Sssthgar ("ruler of Sssth"), unidentified dissolving Sssth; unidentified auctioned Sssth (if that actually occurred, see comments)
the population of the Sssth on or off Sszardil is reportedly 4.3 billion
Affiliations: The Sssth associated with
Sssthgar were formerly partnered with a group of Vrellnexians and were
briefly allied with Thor and his allies (Fandral, Hildegarde, Hogun, Silas Grant, Tana Nile) under false pretenses;
at least in the pasts, some Sssth rode steeds for various purposes
Enemies: The Sssth associated with Sssthgar were enemies of the Asgardians (notably Fandral, Hildegarde, Hogun, Odin, Thor), Silas Grant, Tana Nile, and the Vrellnexians associated with Golden Star, other races enslaved and sold on Golden Star;
at least primitive Sssth hunted large, horned creatures in the past
First Appearance: Thor I#212 (June, 1973)
Powers/Abilities: As reptilians, the Sssth were likely poikilothermic ("cold-blooded"), with their metabolism controlled by the ambient temperature; however, this was not confirmed in-story, and the presence of hair in some of their natives may indicate that the Sssth do not match all reptilian features.
Their reptilian scales likely afforded them some degree of enhanced durability, although Asgardian strength and weapons still affected them.
As gravity on Sszardil was 130% of that of Earth, the Sssth were likely significantly stronger than humans, although existing on other worlds with lower gravity for an extended period of time may have reduced their strength.
One of the Sssth disintegrated
upon dying. We didn't see other Sssth do that, but we may not have had
clear deaths shown, either.
Level of Technology: Moderately advanced warp-drive starships
The Sssth wielded swords and spears in combat.
The Sssth of Golden Star used drugged food to render their captives docile.
Cultural Traits: Those associated with Sssthgar were treacherous, cunning, tyrranical.
The Sssth shown on Sszardil seemed to live in a style comparable to perhaps 17th century England.
Government: Dictatorship under Sssthgar;
apparent monarchy on Sszardil
Type: Bilaterally symmetric semi-humanoid reptilian bipeds
Eyes: Two (on head; red irides with darker, red to almost black sclera)
Fingers: Two (plus opposing thumb)
Toes: Three
Skin color: Green (scaled)
Hair color: Red, yellow, and orange shown (despite their otherwise reptillian nature); many have no hair on their heads
Average height: Approximately 6' (see comments)
Other distinguishing features: Sharp teeth, forked tongues, digits ending in talons/claws, long/thick tail
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(Thor I#212 (fb)) - <According to Sssthgar; see comments> - The Sssth evolved from lizards, initially hunting the great horned beasts who inhabited their dismal swamps. As the ages passed, the Sssth learned to use their opposing thumbs to make tools and build huts. Gradually and painfully they became civilized, fighting jousting contests. The Sssth formed societies, institutions of privileges and allegiance, with towns, mayors, and kings. One late summer evening, the Sssth were stunned by the arrival of spaceship carrying the insectoid alien Vrellnexians, who sought to take them alive to sell them on the auction block on the Golden Star as gladiatorial slaves. Although the Sssth put up a valiant struggle, the advanced weaponry of the Vrellnexians -- the likes of which they had never seen -- brought them down like lambs to the slaughter. |
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Sssthgar then led his "brothers" to the attack, urging them to fight for the land, for their lives, and for the love of their lord and lady.
Nonetheless, the warriors fell by
the hundreds without a chance, and the Vrellnexians carried them aboard
their ship.
|
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(Thor I#213 (fb)) - The Sssth were partnered with the insectoid Vrellnexians as slave-traders.
The fleet of Sssth and Vrellnexians traveled to the planet Golden Star where the ship flew through its atmosphere raining carnage and devastation across its surface.
After the planet was in flaming ruins, the ships landed, and the Sssth and Vrellnexian crews emerged and gathered the residents and placed them in their slave pens.
(Thor I#213 (fb) - BTS) - Those not taken were left to scrounge in the gutters for food.
(Thor I#212 (fb) - BTS) - The Sssth partnered with the Vrellnexians on the planet Golden Star.
(Thor I#212 (fb) - BTS) - When the Vrellnexians passed near Asgard, they overwhelmed the Asgardians with their numbers and weaponry.
<According to Sssthgar> - The Sssth escaped the Vrellnexian ship and hid out in Asgard while the Vrellnexians loaded the Asgardians into their ship.
(Thor I#213 (fb) - BTS) - The captured Asgardians were rendered docile and submissive by drugs in their food.
(Thor I#212 (fb) - BTS) - Seeking to confront Odin over their exile to Earth (and suspicion over Odin's involvement in his ally Balder's recent bout of madness), the Asgardian Thor led fellow Asgardians Fandral, Hildegarde, and Hogun, as well as the Blackworld native Silas Grant, and the Rigellian Tana Nile to Asgard.
(Thor I#212) - Thor and his allies found Asgard to be absent of its citizens, after which they were ambushed by one of the Sssth, whom Hildegarde hurled against the wall; dying, the creature discorporated into ashes. Sssthgar, backed by his massive army, then introduced himself, noting that the Asgardian must pay for the murder of one of his legion and that he would take it from their pale, pink hide.
When Thor asked where the lizard
people came from and what they had done with Odin and the Asgardians,
Sssthgar told him that they were both victims of the same evil, which
he offered to gladly explain over a mug of rich ale. Sssthgar
accompanied the gods and their allies to the Odinkeep / Palace Royal,
when another member of the Sssth served food and drink while Sssthgar
explained that they were an old, and thus proud people, after which he
related the Sssth's history and noted how they had arrived in Asgard,
noting that he wished they could have helped the Asgardians, but could
not.
At Thor's request, Sssthgar agreed
to lead him and his allies to the Golden Star, noting that they, too,
had a reason for revenge.
Aboard the Spacejammer, Sssthgar marveled at how the ship traveled through airless space without a sail and allowed them to breathe.
Eventually they reached the Golden
Star, and Sssthgar guided them to a port where they found Odin being
auctioned off. Thor and his allies attacked the Vrellnexians (who were aided by their mercenary agents), while
Sssthgar informed his allies that with their former partners on the run, they would become the masters of the Golden Star and that he would rule, as was fit for the "Lord of the Lizards."
After Thor and his allies defeated
the Vrellnexians, the Sssth surrounded them and Sssthgar called his
opponents "slaves" before revealing that the Vrellnexians had been
their partners before marooning them on Asgard.
(Thor I#213)
- Thor and his allies refused to surrender despite Odin's urging that
to fight would doom them all and despite Sssthgar's noting that they
outnumbered them a hundred-to-one and that if the Asgardians
surrendered, the Sssth would let them live as slaves.
Nonetheless, the Sssth ultimately overwhelmed and captured Thor and the rest of the new arrivals; Sssthgar defiantly held his own against Thor until Higila knocked out Thor by dropping a large rock on his head from above. As the new captives were taken away, Sssthgar thanked the drugged Odin's whose continued pleas to surrender distracted the Asgardians and prevented a more costly victory.
(Thor I#213 (fb) - BTS) - Fandral, Hogun, and other captives consumed the drugged food and became submissive.
(Thor I#213)
- After Thor recovered and tried to rouse Fandral to struggle, one of
the Sssth silenced him and then sent another slave to feed him drugged
gruel. When Thor refused to consume any of it, Fandral urged him he
needed to eat it to survive, and Thor realized that the food must be
drugged. When Thor kicked away the servant, the Sssth guard approached
him and told him he would eat the food that was now on the floor, but
Thor grabbed the lizard-man with his legs and smashed him against the
granite wall, knocking him out.
Hearing approaching voices, Thor broke free from his shackles, smelled the gruel and reaffirmed his belief that it was drugged, and then broke out of the cell. Seeing the door splinter, the Sssth guards noted that the prisoners had released a juggernaut upon them. Thor swiftly subdued the three guards, after which Hildegarde called to him from her shared cell with Tana, neither of whom had consumed the gruel.
(Thor I#213 - BTS) - After Thor broke the two out of their cell, they joined him wandering in the tunnels in search a way into the city proper so they could seek a way off the planet. They eventually were confronted by Gregor, who convinced them to join him in meeting with the Resistance.
Thor, Hildegarde, and Tana jointed
forces with the Resistance, the former invading the Sssth stronghold,
while the latter journeyed to and destroyed the facility in which the
will-sapping drug was manufactured.
A trio of Sssth guards observed
and confronted Thor and his allies as they entered the facility, but
Thor defeated the guards, after which Tana parted ways to free to
imprisoned Asgardians.
Meanwhile, Sssthgar and other Sssth enjoyed a victory celebration, during which Sssthgar proposed a toast to their newest acquisitions, whose sale had made this party possible. As he noted the ex-gods of Asgard to be the finest slaves ever to grace the block of Golden...he was interrupted when Hildegarde, who ambushed him from behind and put a dagger to his throat. Thor then confronted and defeated the other Sssth present, after which Tana arrived with the liberated Asgardians.
Thor then gathered his allies and
traveled to the docks with Sssthgar held hostage. When Hildegarde asked
the location of Thor's lover, Sif, Sssthgar initially told them that
she was not among the others captured, but that it mattered not as they
were all doomed. However, Thor then pointed out the explosions that
signalled the death of their secret drug factories, meaning they could
no longer hold the inhabitants of Golden Star in silent subservience.
Sssthgar then begged Thor and his allies to take him with them (to
prevent the people of Golden Star from slaying him once the drug wore
off), telling them that Sif and her sorceress companion (Karnilla) were
sold to the Miners of the Dark Nebula scant hours before the
Space/Starjammer had arrived on Golden Star.
Thor told Sssthgar there was no room on their craft (or anywhere) for him and advised him to begin running, as far and as fast as he could.
After the Starjammer departed,
Sssthgar dropped to his knees, demanding they come back as they
couldn't do this to him, as he was lord of the lizards...and king...
Comments: Created by Gerry Conway, John Buscema & Don Perlin, and Vince Colletta.
What is the true history of the Sssth?
So, Sssthgar obviously concealed the fact that the Sssth were allied with the Vrellnexians in being slave-traders on Golden Star. How does that reflect on the other information Sssthgar provided? Only the fact that the Sssth were brought to the Golden Star as slaves to be auctioned (from Thor I#212) is directly contradictory to the Sssth fighting alongside the Vrellnexians to conquer the Golden Star (from Thor I#213).
However, in Thor I#212, as the Asgardians fought the Vrellnexians and
their agents, Sssthgar noted that without the Asgardians, they could
"never find revenge." (presumably referring to their humiliating
conquering/capture by the Vrellnexians in the past.
The Sssth looked to be around the equivalent of 17th century England when they were assaulted by the Vrellnexians.
The numbers and continuity were a little crazy in these stories.
Profile by Snood.
CLARIFICATIONS:
The Sssth should be distinguished from:
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Sszardil has a mostly semi-tropical to tropical climate, 77% covered by water
Gravity is 130% of Earth's, with an atmosphere that is 74% nitrogen and 22% oxygen; (Thor I#212 (fb) - BTS / Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe#10: Appendix to Alien Races: Sssth)
<According to Sssthgar; see comments> - The planet Sszardil was born "eons ago,
when the universe was young and the only gods were the lords of fire
and creation." Unnoticed in a corner of the Milky Way galaxy, for 2 billion years Sszardil steamed and grew. (Thor I#212 (fb)) - <According to Sssthgar; see comments> - Sssth society developed progressively.
Eventually a group of Vrellnexians arrived in spaceships and captured a
number of Sssth to be sold and used as slaves. The Sssth evolved from lizards, initially hunting the great horned beasts who inhabited their dismal swamps. As the ages passed, the Sssth learned to use their opposing thumbs to make tools and build huts. Gradually and painfully they became civilized, fighting jousting contests. They formed institutions of privileges and allegiance, with towns, mayors, and kings. One late summer evening, the Sssth were stunned by the arrival of spaceship carrying the insectoid alien Vrellnexians, who sought to take them alive to sell them on the auction block on the Golden Star as gladiatorial slaves. Although the Sssth put up a valiant struggle, the advanced weaponry of the Vrellnexians -- the likes of which they had never seen -- brought them down like lambs to the slaughter. --Thor I#212 |
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(Thor I#212) - On Golden Star, as the Asgardians fought the Vrellnexians and their agents, Gorney noted that the Asgardians fought well, and it was good that they had followed Sssthgar's plan. Sssthgar agreed, noting that they had
really had no choice, as they never could have achieved their goals on
their own.
Note: I don't think it's 100% clear which one of the Sssth is Gorney. It kind of looks like the one in the red shirt is leaning in and talking, but the voice balloon's arrow is very non-specific in to whom it is pointing. It could also be pointing to any of the three Sssth on Sssthgar's far right, or possibly the brown-haired Sssth with his mouth open under Sssthgar's left elbow? |
  Higila may or may not have traveled to Asgard and returned to Golden Star on the Starjammer. (Thor I#213) - As Thor fought Sssthgar in single combat, Gorney dropped a large chunk of masonry on Thor, knocking him out and pretty much ending the Asgardians' resistance against the Sssth.
Note: I'd ASSume that Higila is a play on "gila," for the gila monster lizard. |
 This Sssth arrived in Asgard with Sssthgar's group. (Thor
I#212) - When Thor and his allies arrived in Asgard and found it
seemingly deserted, this Sssth was watching from above, and he made his
presence known first by dropping down on and assaulting Hildegarde.Swiftly overpowering her attacker, Hildegarde hurled him against the wall. Dying, the creature discorporated into ashes (or foam, or something) while making some sort of fizzing sound. Sssthgar, backed by his massive army, then introduced himself, noting that the Asgardian must pay for the murder of one of his legion. --Thor I#212 Note: I'm not sure what to make of the disintegrating Sssth. Do all Sssth disintegrate upon death? We certainly saw a number be rendered unconscious, but I'm not sure if we saw others die. Why would a reptile disintegrate instantly upon death? It makes me wonder if this Sssth wasn't actually some sort of artificial construct sent to test the Asgardians...but if the Sssth had access to something like that, why didn't they use more of them? Maybe Hildegarde had some sort of magic or chemical residual that caused this reaction, but the cause was used up in exposure to this one Sssth? The world may never know... |
These creatures looked to be perhaps 6-8' tall at the shoulder, perhaps 14-16' long in the body, with a spikey tail that was perhaps another 6-8' long.
They appeared to have three digits on a foot,
with an apparent opposing thumb; a small curved horn on the top/tip of
their nose; sharp teeth; and some sort of fin/sail/ridge on the top of
their upper/cranial back
They likely had thick skin, like a pachyderm, athough they could apparently be brought down with spears.
(Thor I#212 (fb)) - <According to Sssthgar; see comments> - The Sssth evolved from lizards, initially hunting the great horned beasts who inhabited their dismal swamps.
--Thor I#212
Note: All we know is that at least in the past, primitive, spear and axe/hammer wielding Sssth hunted and presumably fed upon these large dinosaur-like creatures (and/or utilized their hide and other tissues).
We don't know whether they still exist on Sszardil, or whether they are extinct.
Are they reptilian or mammalian? I'd guess reptilian, and it is possible that I am correct. Or not.
steeds of the Sssth on Sszardil
The Sssth used steeds, vaguely equine in conformation and size, but with webbed feet, rather than toes, and with broad, solid tails.
Some had spots (white with black spots was shown), some had stripes (brown with black stripes was shown).
Sssth used saddles with an indent in the back through which their tails could fit.
(Thor I#212 (fb)) - <According to Sssthgar; see comments> - Gradually and painfully they became civilized, fighting jousting contests.
--Thor I#212
Note: Are they reptilian or mammalian?
I'd guess reptilian, and it is possible that I am correct. Or not.
As noted, the history related by
Sssthgar, at minimum, omits some information, and so some or all of it
may be false.
However, I prefer to not eliminate anything that does not have direct contradictions.
(Thor I#212 (fb)) - <According to Sssthgar; see comments> - As the ages passed on Sszardil, the Sssth learned to use their opposing thumbs to make tools and build huts.
--Thor I#212
Note: The limited text says all we know.
The point was that their develop paralled humanity's to some degree.
As noted, the history related by
Sssthgar, at minimum, omits some information, and so some or all of it
may be false.
However, I prefer to not eliminate anything that does not have direct contradictions.
(Thor I#212 (fb)) - <According to Sssthgar; see comments> - As the ages passed on Sszardil, the Ssth formed institutions of privileges and allegiance, with towns, mayors, and kings.
--Thor I#212
Note: A village of this society can be seen in this picture.
As noted, the history related by
Sssthgar, at minimum, omits some information, and so some or all of it
may be false.
However, I prefer to not eliminate anything that does not have direct contradictions.
images: (without ads)
Thor I#212, pg. 5, panel 4 (disintegrating Sssth assaulting Hildegarde);
panel 6 (thrown against wall);
pg. 6, panel 1-2 (Sssth disintegrating);
panel 4 (Sssth
and others confronting Thor and allies in Asgard - main image);
pg. 8, panel 2 (Sszardil from orbit);
panel 3 (Sszardil, primeval);
panel 4 (vs. great horned beast);
panel 5 (huts);
panel 6 (jousts);
panel 7 (royal society);
pg. 9, panel 1 (Vrellnexian ship arrives);
panel 2 (Vrellnexians exiting ship);
panel 3 (Vrellexians taking down Sssth);
panel 4 (Sssth loaded into Vrellnexian ship);
pg. 10, panel 1 (Vrellnexians taking down cavalry);
panel 2 (Vrellnexians announcing victory);
panel 3 (Sssth imprisoned in Vrellnexian ship);
panel 4 (Sssth auctioned on Golden Star);
panel 5 (Vrellnexian ship assaulting Bifrost);
pg. 11, panel 1 (Vrellnexians confronting Asgardian army);
panel 3 (Vrellnexians as they battle Asgardians (not shown);
panel 4 (Asgardians loaded into Vrellnexian ship);
pg. 16, panel 5 (Gorney);
pg. 20, panel 2 (orange-maned Sssth with Sssthgar and others) -
#213, pg. 5, panel 2-3 (Higila);
pg. 15, panel 3 (Sssth and Vrellnexians assaulting Golden Star);
Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe#10: Appendix to Alien Races: Sssth
Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition#15: Appendix to Alien Races: Sssth
Appearances:
Thor I#212
(June, 1973) - Gerry Conway (writer), John Buscema & Don Perlin
(pencilers), Vince Colletta (inker), Roy Thomas (editor)
Thor I#213
(July, 1973) - Gerry Conway (story), Len Wein (scripter), John Buscema & Don Perlin
(pencilers), Vince Colletta (inker), Roy Thomas (editor)
Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe#10: Appendix to Alien Races: Sssth
Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition#15: Appendix to
Alien Races: Vrellnexians (March, 1987) - Mark Gruenwald
(writer/producer), Peter
Sanderson (writer/researcher), Kyle Baker (penciler), Josef Rubinstein
(inker), Gregory Wright (assistant editor), Marc McLaurin (editorial
assistant)
First posted: 09/02/2020
Last updated: 10/31/2020
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
Non-Marvel Copyright info
All other characters mentioned or pictured are ™ and
© 1941-2099 Marvel Characters, Inc. All Rights Reserved. If you
like this stuff, you should check out the real thing!
Please visit The Marvel Official Site at: http://www.marvel.com
Special Thanks to www.g-mart.com for hosting the Appendix, Master List, etc.!
Back to Racesred irides with darker, red to almost black sclera
(Thor I#212 (fb) - BTS / Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe#10: Appendix to Alien Races: Sssth)
<According to Sssthgar; see comments> - The planet Sszardil was born "eons ago,
when the universe was young and the only gods were the lords of fire
and creation" (see comments). 
Sszardil is the second planet from the sun in Sslirteep star system, in the Milky Way galaxy
Gorney was presumably one of the Sssth who traveled to Asgard and then returned to the Golden Star aboard the Starjammer.
