Eye of the Gods
Classification: Alternate Reality (Reality-8116) mystic item (dimensional portal);
existed 1 million years in the future (but perhaps millennia or
hundreds of thousands or even millions of years before that)
Creator: Unidentified gods (perhaps the Gods of the Instrumentality)
Possessors: Unidentified gods
Users: Syzygy Darklock, unidentified gods
Location: It existed as a portal between the 10th level reality known as Nirvana's Gate and an unidentified 11th realityFirst Appearance: "The Price," Eclipse Graphic Album Series#5 (1981) - see comments
Powers/Abilities/Functions: Contained within the 10th level reality known as Nirvana's Gate, the Eye of the Gods was the entrance to the 11th
level of reality in which the gods stored their reserves of mystic
energy.
While the gods had made these energies deadly to demons
to prevent their accessing and stealing it, the gods had neither
foreseen the possibility of a mortal becoming powerful enough to reach
and tap into the Eye nor that a demon would transport a mortal to the
Eye.
A simple spell of access was sufficient to open the iris and that there
were no guards nor traps as the gods had never felt a need for such
precautions.
History:
(Epic Illustrated#9: Metamorphosis Odyssey, Chapter XIII: Doomsday - BTS / "The Price" - BTS) - The Eye of the Gods was presumably created within the 10th level reality known as Nirvana's Gate by gods as the portal to the 11th reality in which they stored their energies.
("The Price" (fb) - BTS) <A few decades before the main story (see comments)> - Dread Veil sorcerer Taurus Killgaren stumbled upon a great future stellar event that would have a tremendous
and very positive effect on
mankind. He further determined that one of the brothers Syzygy or Ajar'l
Darklock of the planet Altarix were critical to this event occurring.
Killgaren chose Syzygy and influenced him into joining the priesthood
of the Instrumentality, the theocracy ruling Altarix. Rising to the position of Lord High Bishop, Syzygy sought to
rule the Instrumentality and put an end the war with the Monarchy. To
this end, Syzygy spent long hours at night
with forbidden tomes and parchments and casting secret spells.
Realizing the amount of power Syzygy would need
to achieve his destiny and that the fiercely loyal Syzygy would have to
sacrifice the soul of the mortal he most loved in the universe to the
demon Slytis to gain that power,
Killgaren plotted to have his demon servant Bialgesuard slay Ajar'l in order to lead
Syzygy to investigate, learn his involvement, and gain the power to
confront him (Killgaren).
("The Price" (fb) - BTS) - Taurus Killgaren abused Bialgesuard, seeking to inspire the demon to betray his master.
("The Price" - BTS) - Bialgesuard and/or one of his agents slew Ajar'l.
("The Price" - BTS) - Darklock determined Bialgesuard's involvement, summoned him, and used the Amulet of Pure White Light to force his compliance, revealing his master to be Taurus Killgaren. After explaining Killgaren's great power, Bialgesuard explained that he could transport
Darklock to Nirvana's Gate, where they would find
the Eye of the Gods, through which he could access the 11th
level of reality in which the gods stored their reserves of mystic
energy.
After Bialgesuard explained that he was allowing
Darklock to gain such power because Killgaren had treated him very
badly and he wished Darklock to slay Killgaren in a most horrible
fashion, Darklock agreed to Bialgesuard 's plan.
("The Price") - The demon Bialgesuard tranported Darklock to Nirvana's Gate and the Eye of the Gods, advising Darklock that
a simple spell of access was sufficient to open the iris and that there
were no guards nor traps as the gods had never felt a need for such
precautions, a conceit they would regret after this day.
Darklock then instructed Bialgesuard to depart.
("The Price" - BTS) - Darklock found that, as
Bialgesuard had told him, the iris opened with a simple spell, and he
was soon bathed in power.
("The Price" (fb) - BTS) - As Darklock's body began to suffer
damage from the energies of the realm of the gods, Bialgesuard remotely
closed the Eye (so that Darklock would survive to slay Killgaren), but -- seeking vengeance for Darklock's disciplining --
not before Syzygy had lost both legs, most of his left arm, and his left eye, and
suffered third degree burns over 80% of his body.
("The Price" - BTS) - Sister Marian found Darklock's severely injured form and delirious form.
("The Price" - BTS) - After recovering with the
aid of bionic implants, Darklock confronted Killgaren, whose advice led
Darklock to reluctantly accept his destiny, but not before slaying
Killgaren.
Comments: Created by Jim Starlin.
Dreadstar was a licensed
character/title created by Jim Starlin starting way back with the
Metamorphosis Odyssey in Epic Illustrated#1 in the Spring of 1980. The
Metamorphosis Odyssey started around the modern era and affected Earth,
but then swiftly destroyed the entire Milky Way galaxy and then moved
on to a million years in the future. Dreadstar eventually got his own
series under the Epic imprint, but Starlin later took the whole shebang
over to First Comics. And in 1994, it was published under the imprint
of Bravura, a creator-owned division of Malibu comics. He appeared
sometime later in issues #5-7 of the Breed III series. And, there's
been talk of a Dreadstar television show...
Still that earlier Marvel connection allows
me to place this reality in the fringes of the Marvel Megaverse.
Peter David took over the writing around issue#31 or so, but
Starlin remained the owner. At any rate, from start to finish, it is the best
series I've ever read, period! I'd love to see it continued, by Starlin, David,
or both!
This profile represents coverage of the second part of the Metamorphosis Odyssey, the origins
of Syzygy Darklock. It is noteworthy to consider that the very end of
the Metamorphosis Odyssey and everything thereafter (including the
Price) takes place 1 million years after Aknaton used the Infinity Horn to destroy the entire Milky Way galaxy to eliminate the threat of the Zygoteans.
According to Epic Illustrated#9: Metamorphosis Odyssey, Chapter XIII: Doomsday, there are fifteen known power levels or dimensions of mystical existence:
The first level is mortal existence as we know it,
including the stars, the planets, and all plant and animal life,
including humans.
The second level holds energies easily
accessed by mortals, including atomic, electrical, magnetic, photon,
etc.
Dimensions 3-9 are mystical planes, and only highly skilled
first-levelers, such as wizards and priests, can make use of these
forces;
Levels 10-12 are the natural habitat of creatures of great
power, such as demons, spirits, elementals, angels, and dread veil
sorcerers; few first-levelers ever venture here;
The 13th and 14th panes are the provinces of the gods;
The 15th level is the sole domain of a being of omnipotent force
and many names. His plane of power is without end. His is the reality
of infinity.
The Price was originally published in black and white in Eclipse
Graphic Album Series #5 (1981). It was reprinted, with colorized artwork, in Dreadstar
Annual#1 (1983) by Epic (the licensed characters/stories division of Marvel)
Profile by Snood.
CLARIFICATIONS:
The Eye of the Gods should be distinguished from:
- I the Great - giant eye that ran Dynamo City but had no will of its own--Silver Surfer III
- Lord I - former potentate of the mutants of Arcturus IV--(Adventure into) Fear#23
- EYES - giant, bloodshot eye-balls with tentacles--Astonishing#30/1
- FLOATING EYES from Venus --Mystic#6
- EYE of AGAMOTTO - one of three power items created by
Agamotto--Strange Tales I#127
- EYE of AGES - power item brought into past by Rama-Tut,
stolen by Baal--Rise of Apocalypse#1
- Eye of Ahriman - magic item used by
Ennis Tremellyn, high priest of Ahriman--Marvel Two-In-One#49
- EYE of ASMODEL - see AUREL EYE of ASMODEL magic item/spell used
by Shadu the Shady--Immortal Iron Fist: Orson Randall and the Green Mist of
Death#1
- EYE of AVALON - see
Evil Eye--Fantastic Four I#54
-
Eye of Bast - gem, allowed the Children of Bast
to take and maintain human form, stolen by Conan for --Conan the Barbarian I#226
-
Eye of Bast - fragment of the Claw of Bast used by
Khafre. unknown connection to the above--Before the Fantastic Four: Reed
Richards#2
- EYE of CAPISTAN - see
Star of Capistan. created
Red Rajah--Defenders I#42
-
Eye of Dagon of the Hyborian era - silver eye
from bird-riders' statue--Conan the Barbarian I#59
- EYE of ERLIK of the Hyborian era - magic
item--Conan and the Sorcerer; Savage Sword of Conan#53
-
Eye of Force - Associated with the Darkdoors used by
Thule's society in an effort to access the Vril--Cloak
and Dagger III#1
-
Eye of Horus - stolen Egyptian artifact,
sought by Scarlet Scarab, recovered by he and Thor--Thor I#326
-
Eye of Ibis - Hyborian era magic item,
held by Rammon in Temple of Ibis, stolen by Conan, used by Natari
to recover the Horn of Azoth from the Crypt of Shadows--Marvel Graphic Novel: Conan: Horn of Azoth
- EYE of KIERROK - magic item of Pilgrim, actually
an eye taken from the demon Kierrok--X-Men II#75
-
Eye of Necros - amulet of Necromon,
enabled him to observe distant events, even across interplanetary
or interdimensional distances, also allowed him to see hearts and
minds of men--Hulk comic#45/2
- EYE of ODIN - actual eye removed by Odin and
given to Mimir in exchange for knowledge, took on life of its
own, told stories of Aesir and Rhinegold, later consumed by Mimir--Thor I#274
- EYE of RA - magic item, used by Horus to spy on Akhenaten--Marvel Universe: The End#2
- EYE of RA - alias of the Lion King (Hathor/Sekmeht)--Avengers I#112
- EYE of TAI-SHAN of the Hyborian era - crystal ball of
Shing Luu--Conan the Barbarian I#251
- EYE of TRUTH NORTH - magic item wielded by Nina the Conjuror--Dr. Strange and the Sorcerers Supreme#6
- EYE of WATOOMB of "Earth-6084" - melted down Wand of Watoomb,
stolen by Warren Traveler of Earth-58163, replaced his own eye--Ms. Marvel II#4
- EYE of YIN - magic item, sought by Mandarin to
increase power of his rings, stopped by Black Bolt--Amazing Adventures II#2
- Eye
of Zartra - Magic item, formerly held in the orbit
of the pre-Cataclysmic Zartra, placed in the hilt of the Sword of Kamuu, removed
by the Sword and given to Dr. Strange by Namor. Granted it immunity to magic, invoked curse that would
destroy its wielder if Atlantean blood were drawn--Sub-Mariner I#63/2
- EYE FLOWER - saved from Skrulls by Fantastic Four--Fantastic Four III#60
- EYES of KRISTALL STARRER - magic eyes given to Clara Menninger--Blaze
II#1
- EYE CUPS - Persian torture device, used by
Inanna's bailiff--Hellstorm#15
- EYE FLOWER - saved from Skrulls by Fantastic Four--Fantastic Four III#60
- EYES of G'BHARR RJINN - Gemstone that were once the eyes of a
pre-Hyborian era god who was destroyed by the Elder Gods of the Hyborian era
after trying to dethrone them; they were stolen by the corsair Bor'aqh Sharaq.
One fired searing bolts of eldritch flame (this one was returned to its sultan
former owner by Conan), the other fired weirdling beams of mystic ice (this one
was kept by the Snow Raven, who may have sold it for profit)--Savage Sword of Conan#107
- EYES of KRISTALL-STARRER - magic eyes of Austrian mystic--Blaze II#1
- EYES of SET - twin jewels traded between Attalus and
Harakht--Conan the Barbarian I#79
- EYES of VALKA - invoked in spell
--Marvel Zombies 4#2 (2009) - EYECLOPS - Eggsmen--Howard the Duck II#4/2
- EYE GLARE of Earth-1136 ( ) - leader of the Mutations--Dead Clown#3
- EYE SCREAM ( ) - mutant, sought revenge on
X-Men for making his power seem goofy. Turn into any flavor ice
cream--Obnoxio vs X-Men#1
- EYE KILLERS - demons of Native American legend, appear as winged snakes with heads of owls and
legs of mountain lions, drain life force of humans, project
mystic bolts--Dr. Strange II#38
- EYE PATCH ( ) of Earth-57780 - had cursed eye, could command others to his will, beaten by Spider-Man--Spidey Super Stories#18/2
- ORB (Drake Shannon) - criminal, former stunt motorcyclist, former business partner of
"Crash" Simpson, badly disfigured in motorcycle accident, wore eyeball helmet, originally supported by
They Who Wield Power--Marvel Team-Up I#15
- ORB ( ) - successor to Shannon, has actual giant eye for head--Ghost Rider VI#26
- ORB ( ) - Neo, generate energy spheres--X-Men Giant-Size#1
- ORB of Earth-88194 - Shadowline, Shadow, agent of Dirk Ravenscore, suggested alliance with Henry Clerk. Project images on face--Critical Mass#1
- ORB of AGAMOTTO
- mystic item, large crystal globe, utilized by Dr. Strange to observe
distant or other dimensional events, detect and locate magic, can be
used to access realm of Agamotto--Strange Tales I#118/2
- ORB of ETERNITY - utilized by Adam Warlock--Warlock & the Infinity Watch#15
- ORB of METALLUM - used against Wolverine in Otherworld--Uncanny X-Force#21
- ORB of OMMENNON - power item of Xhoohx--Defenders I#73 (81-83
- ORB of RA - magic item, used by Rakses, taken by N'Kantu--Bloodstone#3
- ORB of SNNNR - used by Dr. Strange to communicate with the Pitiful One--Dead Girl#1
- OCCULT (Peter Quinn) - see PEEPER. mutant, Resistants; --Captain America I#343
- OCCULTIST ( ) - inexperienced spellcaster and thief, stopped by Spider-Man & Black Cat--Spider-Man: The Root of All Annoyance#1
- OCCULUS - tyrant of Inniverse, former ward of the Gem Guild, brother of
Wildblood--Fantastic Four I#36
- CULT of the HARVESTER of EYES
- associated with Belathauzer, Devil Slayer, and Vera Gemini, but
largely an homage to the Blue Oyster Cult--Marvel Spotlight I#33
- HELLEYES - an eye-covered demon--(Adventure into) Fear#28
- SHUMA-GORATH - one of the Great Old Ones, another eye-type demon--Marvel Premiere I#10
- Mind Master Magna-Volt
- an eye-headed creature with a glowing brain and a lighting-like tail
I made as part of my own "creature creations," back when I was 12 or
so...and likely inspired by the Eye of Odin...not yet appearing in
comics (and probably not ever)
- other disembodied or never-having-had-bodied eyes, or other "Eye," "Orb," "Occult," etc. deals
images: (without ads):
"The Price," story "The Price," story pg. 21, panel 1 (beside Eye of the Gods);
panel 5 (Syzygy opening Eye);
panels 6-9 (Syzygy bathed in energies);
pg. 22, panel 1 (Syzygy overwhelmed by energies);
pg. 23, panel 1 (Marian finding Syzygy's devastated form);
Appearances:
"The Price," Eclipse Graphic
Album Series#5 (1981) - Jim Starlin (writer/artist); I don't know who
edited it; reprinted in Epic's Dreadstar Annual#1 (1983) it credited Jo
Duffy (associate editor) and Archie Goodwin (editor)
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
First posted: 12/12/2021
Last updated: 12/12/2021
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