Soul World

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Soul World is a fictional place appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, and created by writer/illustrator Jim Starlin. Soul World was first alluded to in Strange Tales #179 (1975), and first appeared in Warlock Vol 2 #6 (1983). Soul World is described as a "pocket dimension" contained within the Soul Gem, and is depicted as an idyllic alien landscape inhabited by the souls of characters most commonly associated with Starlin's recurrent fictional protagonist, Adam Warlock. Soul World serves the narrative as a place of purgatory for souls "captured" by Warlock.

Contents

Fictional depiction

Soul World is featured most often in the Marvel Comics cosmic-based tales Jim Starlin helped revitalize in the 1970s with the re-purposing of Adam Warlock, formerly known as Him. [1] [2] Warlock wields the Soul Gem, which contains a pocket universe that he can imprison others in. It is overseen by Devondra, an ancient spider-like creature who can consume souls and has the potential to remake reality using the Soul Gem's power. [3]

In Infinity Wars , Gamora uses the Infinity Gems to fuse every individual in the universe with one another and satiate Devondra to prevent it from destroying the universe. [4] After the Hulk kills Devondra using the Space Stone, Warlock undoes Gamora's actions and preserves the fused individuals in a pocket universe dubbed Warp World. [5] [6]

Narrative function

Starlin initially used Soul World in his stories to serve as a place of exile and purgatory for a supporting cast of characters most commonly affiliated with his protagonist, Adam Warlock. Warlock is portrayed as being the possessor of the Soul Gem, thereby the de facto god of Soul World. Starlin used Soul World as a place of self-exile for Warlock in that character's death and resurrection storyline. [7] In The Infinity Gauntlet , Warlock uses Soul World as a place of exile for villains. [8] Other characters, such as Judge Kray-Tor and Captain Autolycus, inhabit Soul World in a type of purgatory for souls that Warlock deems righteous. [9]

In other media

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References

  1. ↑ "Reading Comics: How Graphic Novels Work and What They Mean," by Douglas Wolk, Da Capo Press, 2008, Chapter 18: "The Dark Mirrors of Jim Starlin's Warlock," pages 304-316
  2. ↑ "Marvel Comics in the 1970s: An Issue-by-Issue Field Guide to a Pop Culture Phenomenon", by Pierre Comtois, TwoMorrows Publishing, 2011, page 180, -Strange Tales #178
  3. ↑ "100 Things Avengers Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die", by Dan Casey, Triumph Books, 2015, pages 88-90
  4. ↑ Schedeen, Jesse (September 13, 2018). "Marvel's Infinity Wars Introduces Bizarre Mash-Up Heroes". IGN. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  5. ↑ Lainez, Kevin (December 24, 2018). "Infinity Wars #6 Spoiler Review". Comic Book Revolution. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  6. ↑ Viswanath, Vinay (January 10, 2019). "Infinity Wars #6 review: Marvel's run-of-the-mill series comes to an end with a disappointing grand finale". Firstpost. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  7. ↑ "Marveleous Myths: Marvel Superheroes and Everyday Faith," by Russell W. Dalton, Chalice Press, 2011, page 188
  8. ↑ "Marvel Graphic Novels and Related Publications: An Annotated Guide to Comics, Prose Novels, Children's Books, Articles, Criticism and Reference Works, 1965-2005," by Robert G. Weiner, McFarland, 2008, page 43
  9. ↑ Newsarama. Interview with Jim Starlin, 2014. "The Birth of Marvel Cosmic: Starlin on Warlock, Gamora, and More, part 2"
  10. ↑ Rosen, Christopher (May 6, 2019). "Katherine Langford Played Tony Stark's Daughter in Cut Avengers: Endgame Scene". TV Guide.
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