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The fictional island of Atlantis frequently appears in popular culture, especially in comic books. The most notable examples are commonly related to Namor of Marvel Comics and a particular version of Aquaman in DC Comics.
One of the earliest mentions of Atlantis occurs in Action Comics #17, in a "Zatara the Magician" story. [1] The city was visually depicted in the following month's "Zatara" story in Action Comics #18. [2]
In Batman #19, Atlantis is shown to be inhabited by an advanced people ruled by an Emperor. The Nazis have discovered Atlantis and are using it as a naval base. Batman and Robin discover the base and are able to reveal the deception of the Nazis.
A more consistent portrayal began with an "Aquaman" story in Adventure Comics #260, in a story by writer Robert Bernstein and artist Ramona Fradon, based on the real-world mythology of Atlantis. [3]
In DC Comics, several characters, including Aquaman and Lori Lemaris - among others - are said to have come from a sunken Atlantis. Due to a combination of magic and advanced science, they survive with the ability to breathe underwater. There are several Atlantean civilizations in the DC Universe, the most notable being the recently destroyed Poseidonis (home to Aquaman and other humanoid water breathers) and Tritonis (home to Lemaris and other mer-people). Aquaman is from the royal family of Atlantis. Arion is another depicted lord of Atlantis. He is a fictional sword and sorcery hero published by the American company DC Comics. He debuted in Warlord #55 (March 1982), and was created by Paul Kupperberg and Jan Duursema. The history of Atlantis was detailed in The Atlantis Chronicles, a 7-issue miniseries published by DC Comics from March–September 1990. It was written by Peter David, and illustrated by Esteban Maroto. The series focused on a series of Atlantean historical manuscripts, also called The Atlantis Chronicles, and chronicled the rise and fall of Atlantis. Each issue dealt with a separate era or event in Atlantis' past, beginning with its sinking, as told through the royal historian's point of view.
In The Sandman: Brief Lives by writer Neil Gaiman, a chapter called "The People Who Remember Atlantis" speaks of "echo-Atlantises" and (many) other equatable prehistoric civilizations, and explores the theme of the bulk of human history and knowledge being lost to the modern world.
The Atlantean Royal Seal is one of 12 powerful mystical artifacts known as the Zodiac Crystals. The 12 crystals were created by Calcuha and Majistra, the parents of Lord Arion of Atlantis. The 12 artifacts are able to tap into the magical energy of the Earth to perform sorcerous feats and geomancy. The 12 crystals resurfaced in Aquaman (vol. 2) #1, where they were in the possession of Orm Marius, the Ocean Master.
There were also 12 Atlantean Zodiac Coins, which Doctor Zodiac and Madame Zodiac used to power their Zodiac Idol; the coins were last seen in World's Finest Comics #288 (February 1983). [4]
There have been other undersea cities called Atlantis in various DC comics titles. They include:
Atlantis is a fictional location appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. It is based on the mythical island of Atlantis first mentioned in Plato's initial dialogue the Timaeus , written c. 360 B.C. In the Marvel Universe, Atlantis was a small continent (about the same size as modern Australia) with many human settlements. Over 21,000 years ago, an event called the "Great Cataclysm" caused it to be submerged into the sea.
The inhabitants of ancient Atlantis built an enormous glass-like dome over the capital city, also known as Atlantis. When barbarians sent by the Deviant Lemurian empire attacked Atlantis, King Kamuu opened the magma-pits which were the city's means of heating. This caused the continent to sink. [15] Kamuu was warned of the Great Cataclysm by the seer, Zhered-Na. When she refused to recant, he had her exiled to the mainland, where she was later stabbed to death by survivors of the submersion. [16] [17]
The priests and intellectuals of the city Netheria foresaw the Lemurian attack and fortified their city, and thus it sank intact. Netheria still exists today, ruled by Queen Kala. [18] Other ancient Atlanteans survived the sinking of the continent by various methods, including Dakimh the Enchanter, Varnae, and Stygyro.
About 8,000 years ago, a group of Homo mermanus nomads discovered the ruins of the city of Atlantis. They made the ruins of the human settlements in Atlantis their home and went on to develop a society there, using as much of the material as they could salvage from the wreckage. These people are thus often referred to as "Atlanteans", as it is in the city of Atlantis that their first complex society emerged.[ volume & issue needed ]
Five hundred years after the settlement of Atlantis, another group of Homo mermanus left Atlantis to find their own city; this time in a part of the ruins of Lemuria, another continent submerged during the Great Cataclysm. These "Lemurians", as they now call themselves, discovered the Serpent Crown in the ruins of their city. The Serpent Crown had been crafted by ancient Atlantean alchemists as a vessel empowered by the demonic Elder God Set. Through their leader Naga's exposure and extensive use of the ancient mystical device, they became more serpent-like in appearance than their Atlantean cousins.[ volume & issue needed ]
Atlanteans have had little or no contact with their human cousins for millennia. However, the two races came into sustained contact, often hostile, beginning in the 20th century. On occasions, Atlanteans have invaded the surface world.[ volume & issue needed ] The current Prince, Namor the Sub-Mariner, was initially hostile to the surface world, but fought in alliance with the Allied Powers against the Axis Powers during World War II.[ volume & issue needed ] Namor defends Atlantis against villains like Attuma and the warlord Krang, who plot to overthrow him and take over Atlantis.[ volume & issue needed ]
The city of Atlantis was damaged when the supervillain Nitro exploded, taking with him Namor's traitorous son, Kamar. [19]
Following Namor's attack on Wakanda during Avengers vs. X-Men , the two nations engaged in a violent conflict. After much bloodshed, Namor reached out to the Black Panther and extended a peace offering to Queen Shuri. [20] Despite this, Wakanda launched an all-out strike on Atlantis, destroying the city and killing a number of Namor's soldiers in the process. [21]
Namor McKenzie, also known as the Sub-Mariner, is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer-artist Bill Everett for comic book packager Funnies Inc., the character first appeared in Motion Picture Funnies Weekly #1 (uncirculated). Namor first appeared publicly in Marvel Comics #1. It was the first comic book from Timely Comics, the 1930s–1940s predecessor of Marvel Comics. During that period, known to historians and fans as the Golden Age of Comic Books, the Sub-Mariner was one of Timely's top three characters, along with Captain America and the original Human Torch. Moreover, Namor has also been described as the first comic book antihero.
Aquaman is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger, the character debuted in More Fun Comics #73. Initially a backup feature in DC's anthology titles, Aquaman later starred in several volumes of a solo comic book series. During the late 1950s and 1960s superhero-revival period known as the Silver Age, he was a founding member of the Justice League. In the 1990s Modern Age, writers interpreted Aquaman's character more seriously, with storylines depicting the weight of his role as king of Atlantis.
Lori Lemaris is a mermaid in DC Comics, and a romantic interest for Superman. She is from Tritonis, a city in the undersea lost continent of Atlantis, and first appeared in Superman #129. She was created by Bill Finger and Wayne Boring. Lori is one of several Superman characters with the alliterative initials "LL", including Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, Lana Lang, Lyla Lerrol, Luma Lynai and Lucy Lane.
Root races are concepts in the esoteric cosmology of Theosophy. As described in Helena Petrovna Blavatsky's book The Secret Doctrine (1888), these races correspond to stages of human evolution, and existed mainly on now-lost continents. Blavatsky's model was developed by later theosophists, most notably William Scott-Elliot in The Story of Atlantis (1896) and The Lost Lemuria (1904). Annie Besant further developed the model in Man: Whence, How and Whither (1913). Both Besant and Scott-Elliot relied on information from Charles Webster Leadbeater obtained by "astral clairvoyance". Further elaboration was provided by Rudolf Steiner in Atlantis and Lemuria (1904). Rudolf Steiner, and subsequent theosophist authors, have called the time periods associated with these races Epochs.
Dolphin is a fictional character, a superheroine in the DC Comics universe. Created by writer-artist Jay Scott Pike, she debuted in Showcase #79.
Aquagirl is the alias used by several superheroes appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, typically depicted as supporting characters of Aquaman originating from the realm of Atlantis. The first two incarnations of the character, Lisa Morel (1959) and Selena (1963), were introduced as one-offs.
The Serpent Crown is a fictional mystical power object appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. It was created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Marie Severin, and first appeared in Sub-Mariner #9.
Naga is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Naga was created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Marie Severin and first appeared in Sub-Mariner #9.
The legendary island of Atlantis has often been depicted in literature, television shows, films and works of popular culture.
Ocean Master is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by Bob Haney and Nick Cardy and debuted in Aquaman #29. While the character is depicted as the half-brother and one of the most enduring and recognized adversary of Aquaman, Ocean Master has been subjected to numerous revisions to his origin stories throughout his history.
Mera is a superheroine appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Jack Miller and Nick Cardy, the character first appeared in Aquaman #11.
Queen Clea is a supervillain appearing in DC Comics publications and related media, commonly as a recurring adversary of the superhero Wonder Woman. The ruthless dictator of Venturia, a remote kingdom on the sunken continent of Atlantis, she first appeared in 1944's Wonder Woman #8, written by Wonder Woman creator William Moulton Marston and illustrated by Harry G. Peter. After several clashes with Wonder Woman, she became a member of Villainy Inc., a team consisting of several of Wonder Woman's Golden Age foes, including the Cheetah, Giganta, and Doctor Poison. She appeared periodically during Wonder Woman's Silver and Bronze Age adventures, and would be re-introduced during DC Comics' Post-Crisis era as the leader of Villainy Inc.
Kala is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.
Atlantis is a fictional location appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. It is based on the mythical island of Atlantis first mentioned in Plato's initial dialogue the Timaeus, written c. 360 BC. In the Marvel Universe, Atlantis was a small continent with many human settlements. Over 21,000 years ago, an event called the "Great Cataclysm" caused it to be submerged into the sea.
Atlantis, sometimes also called the Kingdom of Atlantis or the Atlantean Empire, is a fictional civilization appearing American comic books published by DC Comics based upon the mentioning of the island within Plato's works Timaeus and Critias. First appearing in More Fun Comics #87, the setting is often associated with the hero Aquaman. Within the DC Universe, Atlantis houses various aquatic-based human lifeforms whose biological adaptations often originate from both environmental changes when Atlantis sunk in a cataclysmic event within its history and influence from its magical origins. A nation considered a superpower, it is often stated to be among the oldest and most sophisticated civilization within the fictional universe throughout its collective history and possess significant technological and magical capabilities. Historically a hereditary monarchy, many stories involving Atlantis as a setting focuses on conflicts regarding its succession of leaders, diplomatic relations with the global world, and its fictional cultural heritage.
Nuidis Vulko, or simply Vulko, is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character is a recurring supporting character of Aquaman within the realm of Atlantis's politics. In his original portrayal, he often served under Aquaman as Atlantis's Chief Science Advisory, considered known for his loyalty, leadership and brilliant mind that enabled him to later serve as Aquaman's regent. Following the 2011 New 52 continuity reboot, Vulko is reintroduced as the chief royal advisor under Queen Atlanna. After Atlanna's supposed death, Vulko falls from grace when he claims her son, Orm Marius, is responsible. Cast out in disgrace, Vulko seeks to avenge her death by helping Arthur Curry, Atlanna's half-human elder son, gain the throne over Orm. However, Vulko's actions betray Aquaman's trust, making him a criminal and a reluctant ally for a period of time.
The Trench is the name applied to both a fictional kingdom, and its inhabitants as a group, that escaped the destruction of Atlantis in DC Comics.
Justice League: Throne of Atlantis is a 2015 direct-to-video animated superhero film featuring the DC Comics superhero team the Justice League, which is the 22nd film of the DC Universe Animated Original Movies and the fourth film in the DC Animated Movie Universe. The film is loosely based on the "Throne of Atlantis" story arc from The New 52 written by Geoff Johns and serves as a standalone sequel to 2014's Justice League: War. In the film, Arthur Curry, a half-Atlantean prince, discovers his heritage and aids the Justice League in preventing a war between the surface dwellers and the Atlanteans orchestrated by his half-brother Ocean Master. The film was released for download on January 13, 2015 and was released on Blu-ray and DVD formats on January 27.
Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Aquaman – Rage of Atlantis is a 2018 American animated superhero comedy film, based on the DC Comics and Lego brands featuring the character Aquaman. The film features the voice of Dee Bradley Baker as Aquaman, who loses the throne of Atlantis and must escape from the Red Lantern Corps to save the Justice League and the planet. Directed by Matt Peters, written by Jim Krieg and Jeremy Adams, and produced by DC Entertainment, the Lego Group, and Warner Bros. Animation, it is the eighth film in the Lego DC Comics Super Heroes series. Troy Baker, Grey Griffin, and Nolan North also star in the film.