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The Vegan
Star System |
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| The Omega Men |
| The Psions |
| The Citadel |
| The Gordanians |
| The Warlords of Okaara |
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The star Vega is the 5th brightest in our night sky, about 26 light-years from Earth in the constellation Lyra (The Swan). Vega is about three times the size of earth's sun, but much brighter and hotter.
Billions of years ago, two races evolved here: the peaceful Okaarans, and the violent Branx. The Psions interbred the species, sometimes mixing in elements of Psion heritage, to create many of the now-diverse forms that inhabit most of the Vegan system. The Psions also turned the Okaaran woman X'Hal (see X'HaI) into a powerful energy-being, later worshipped as a goddess. Her power was so overwhelming it destroyed three of Vega's 25 worlds.
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The Omega Men
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The Omega Men aid the Teen Titans in NEW TEEN TITANS #23-25 and ANNUAL #1.
[click on image to enlarge] |
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A group combining diverse rebel forces from 22 worlds in the Vegan Star System, the Omega Men are Vega's finest warriors dedicated to ending tyranny and oppression and promoting freedom and peace. Conceived by Primus during his schooling by the Warlords of Okaara, Primus' dream of a force for good was encouraged by his wife-to-be, Kalista [princess of of Euphorix], who would later serve as the leader of the Omega Men in her own right.
Gathering recruits from schoolmates on Okaara, Primus carried word of his new army to many Vegan worlds, often clashing with the Citadel. Captured and imprisoned, Primus and Kalista escaped from the Citadel's prison planet with more new recruits - The core group of rebels then consisted of feline shape-shifter Tigorr, rock-solid Broot, wing-swift Harpis, and her crafty sister, Demonia, death-spirit Nimbus and godlike Auron, son of X'Hal.
After fleeing for a time to Earth, the Omegans launched a new attack on The Citadel, freeing and recruiting Doc, Shlagen and Felicity. Their plans undermined by the spying and treachery of Demonia, the group seemed cursed by internal doubt, until Demonia's shocking death delivered new conviction to the rebel force. A daring raid on Citadel Homeworld led by Tigorr brought uneasy peace for a time, until a new threat invaded the Vegan system - the Spider Guild. New members gathered to meet these unknown enemies included enigmatic Elu, former Green Lantern The Green Man, and Tamaran Prince Ryand'r, as well as the artificial intelligence Artin, minstrel Oho-Besh, Kalista's cousin, Ynda, the Okaaran Rynoc, his companion Zirral of Tamaran, and the Gordanian Uhlan.
As the Omega Men continued to battle tyranny in the Vegan system, many members came and went. Their leader, Primus, met his death in battle during the Dominator's Invasion of earth. Nonetheless, the Omega Men continue their quest for peace in the Vegan galaxy.
Green Lantern #136-137: First appearance of the Omega Men.
Green Lantern #141-142: The Omega Men return.
New Teen Titans #23-25, New Teen Titans Annual #1 [1982]: Princess Koriand'r's evil sister, Komand'r, captures Starfire and takes the name "Blackfire;" Blackfire seizes control of the Citadel and attempts to usurp control of Tamaran and the Vegan system. The two sisters battle on Tamaran, and the Titans team up with the Omega Men to bring Starfire back to Earth. Robin confesses his love for Starfire. First appearance of Blackfire in issue #23. Starfire is reunited with her parents and brother Ryand'r in New Teen Titans Annual #1. New Teen Titans Annual #1 features the origin of X'Hal. First Appearance of Adrian Chase in issue #23.
Omega Men #1-38 [1982 to 1986]: Omega Men series
Omega Men #10 [1982]: Omega Men vs. Blackfire
Omega Men #26 [1985]: Ryand'r, Starfire's brother, joins the Omega Men.
Omega Men #34-35 [1986]: Guest starring the New Teen Titans. Crosses over with New Teen Titans (second series) #16 and #17. Starfire's sister, Komand'r, tries to take advantage of a civil war on Tamaran to wrest control of the planet. She manipulates the Omega Men in a battle with Nightwing and King Myand'r's supporters. The Omega Men discover her treachery and eventually side with King Myand'r's supporters and Nightwing.
Teen Titans Spotlight On: Omega Men #15 [1987]: Starfire receives a transmission from her brother, Ryand'r, detailing his recent adventures with the Omega Men. Life is not easy for Ryand'r while his sister ruled. She would not allow him to work as either a pilot or in communications, but declared that he was her "plaything". As such, he resolved to make his escape from his sister's clutches. Using a jury rigged subspace communicator he had built from scratch, he sent out a message on the Omega Men's communication channel. He then flew straight up into the stratosphere of Tamaran, hoping that someone had heard his signal and would come for him. He almost flew too high, and was passing out before he awoke to find himself on a ship with a number of his old teammates, including Ynda, with whom he was reunited. After witnessing Ryand'r's mature strength and courage, Starfire realizes her little brother is growing up.
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Omega Men: The Series
Omega Men #1 to 38, 1982 to 1986
Marv Wolfman started the saga of the Vegan Galaxy in the pages of Green Lantern. First glimpsed in GREEN LANTERN #136-137, and later in GREEN LANTERN #141-142, which featured the introduction of the Omega Men.
Wolfman noted: "Joe [Staton] drew those first three stories, I actually sketched out cover designs for all three - the first two were used - and were given to George Pérez to draw, And that is how it went.. three issues of Green Lantern were over and we all spent more time on them than we were expected to, but sometimes you do that when you've come up with something you're proud of. The stories were finished and we forgot about our group... until the comics finally appeared and the mail reaction poured in - virtually all of it unanimous raves, Several months after that sales figures came in - all three issues of Green Lantern leaped in sales, You don't have to hit us on the head to have realized we had something... but what? Well, I was already in love with these new characters - and I had wanted them involved in an intricate storyline which would tie them in with THE NEW TEEN TITANS as the Titans headed to the Vegan star system in search of a kidnapped Princess Koriand'r. And, to make things even more interesting, I decided to tie in my current storyline in ACTION COMICS [Action Comics #536]."
The Omega Men were very popular with fans and were launched in a series of their own in 1982. Marv Wolfman noted: "What Joe Staton and I created is now being continued under the incredible talents of Roger Slifer, Keith Giffen and Mike DeCarlo. I look forward to their work with eager anticipation, it's like watching your baby growing up, evolving, becoming not exactly the mirror-image of yourself, but something unique, something special. THE OMEGA MEN is a book I am very proud to be part of, Frankly, I think their best days are just beginning."
The series ran 38 issues from 1982 to 1986. Ryand'r, Starfire's brother, joined the Omega Men in issue #26 and remained a member until the series cancellation with Omega Men #38. The New Teen Titans guest starred in Omega Men #34-35.
With Omega Men's run coming to an end in issue #38, writer Todd Klein plans to wrap up as many of the plotlines as possible, while also leaving some options open for potential future development. Among some of the wrap-ups: many of the Omega Men will end up in a colony on a peaceful planet. "Everyone who wants to start over again gets transported there, even the prisoners on Harry Hokum's prison planet it's a kind of resolution to what the Omega Men can do to help the people of Vega. and that is to help them start over" In #38, Elu. who has remained with the spaceship intelligence Artin, gathers up the real of the scattered crew - Dec. Shlagen, Felicity - and goes to spread the word of this new colony. As for the rest of the Omega Men: Broot's fate is revealed in issue #36: Ryand'r will be popping up in Teen Titans; Ynda will have to decide whether to slay with Ryand'r or loin the others on the new colony; and the Green Man may make an appearance in Green Lantern. Primus and Kalista decide in issue #37 to return to Euphorix and do something about the Spider Guild, but, says Klein, "their fate will be up in the air. We won't be sure what happens to them." Of his experience writing Omega Men. Klein says, "I had a great time doing I, I'm glad I had the chance to do it and I'm sorry it didn't last longer. I imagine the characters will appear again somewhere, but I don't know where." One possibility mentioned is a mini-series featuring the heroes - but they'll have to moulder in the grave a bit before being resurrected.
Short List of Notable Appearances
Green Lantern #141-142
New Teen Titans #23-25
New Teen Titans Annual #1
Action Comics #536
Omega Men #1-38
Invasion! #1-3
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The Psions
Origins
Billions of years ago, on one of the first planets in our universe to support life, a crew of human-like immortals (who would later become the Guardians of the Universe) increased their store of knowledge by studying and experimenting with animal specimens, such as the small green lizards they captured outside their cities. Thus was begun the evolution of the creatures called Psions.
Millions of years afterward, the Psions were sufficiently evolved to take residence in the near-Indestructible cities of their creators, and began to puzzle out the strange machinery and tools the immortals had left behind. Raising themselves from savagery to civilization through this study, the Psions dedicated themselves to intense experimentation, suppressing other aspects of their nature until their minds divided into different levels, with all emotion and bodily functions relegated to the control of a lower brain unremembered by their conscious minds.
The Guardians of the Universe learned of this evolution and were displeased. They banished the Psions to a distant space-sector. Humiliated, the Psions took residence on a world on their sector near the Vegan star-system, and subsequently used its life-forms as the focal point of their evolutionary experiments. One early Psion laboratory played a crucial role in Vegan history.
Evil Alliances
The results of the mating between the Goddess X'Hal and the fearsome Branx warrior resulted in the birth of the Citadel Empire, an empire which at one time extended its control over all twenty-five Vegan planets. . The First Citadelian forcibly ejected his Psion allies (making war even on them) and used their machines to clone himself, creating the Citadel race - so the Citadel Empire grew, overtaking world after world, and terrorizing those they could not conquer.
This made the Psions ancient alien enemies of the Citadel. They would remain enemies for centuries.
Much later, an evil version of Raven tried to destroy her good self (which lay dormant in the body of Starfire). To ferret out Starfire, evil Raven incited a conflict in the Vegan star system. The attack by the Psions led to the core of Tamaran imploding, destroying the entire planet.
The H'San Natall Connection
The H'San Natall is a very powerful and dangerous race, bent on conquering wherever they can. Their sphere of conquered planets numbered in the thousands. To this end, they use all sorts of tactics in invasion - including bio-engineering their own warriors. Years ago, the H'San Natall enslaved a group of Psion scientists. The Psions performed a number of experiments, including bioengineering the bounty hunter known as Jugular.
Years ago, the H'San Natall abducted nine women - which the Psion scientists experimented on. Each were brought aboard a ship and subjected to scientific testing and impregnation. All but one of these women (Prysm's mother, who would later become Queen) were released with their memories wiped clean. Nine months later, on June 21st, the H'San Natall/human hybrids were born. These children were a new breed of sleeper agents. Their powers lay dormant until their sixteenth birthdays. The agents included members of the Teen Titans: Risk, Argent, Joto, Prysm, and Fringe.
The Psions maintain vast floating laboratories where studies continue. Despite long years of research, the Psions have learned little about themselves. Whenever they get too close to the truth, It proves so painful that it must be suppressed. The Psions are locked in an endless cycle of self-deception, yet their cold compulsions and advanced science make them some of the deadliest creatures in the universe.
Tales of the New Teen Titans #4 [1982]: 4-issue mini series. As the Titans take a break on a camping trip, the new members reveal their origins. The origin of Starfire.
New Teen Titans #23-25, New Teen Titans Annual #1 [1982]: Princess Koriand'r's evil sister, Komand'r, captures Starfire and takes the name "Blackfire;" Blackfire seizes control of the Citadel and attempts to usurp control of Tamaran and the Vegan system. The two sisters battle on Tamaran, and the Titans team up with the Omega Men to bring Starfire back to Earth. Robin confesses his love for Starfire. First appearance of Blackfire in issue #23. Starfire is reunited with her parents and brother Ryand'r in New Teen Titans Annual #1. New Teen Titans Annual #1 features the origin of X'Hal. First Appearance of Adrian Chase in issue #23.
New Titans #127-130 [1995]: After Changeling escapes from S.T.A.R. Labs, the team is reunited with Victor Stone, now a computer form known as Cyberion. The Titans aid Starfire, who is danger from evil Raven (now resurrected once more). Evil Raven is trying to destroy her good self (which lay dormant in the body of Starfire). To ferret out Starfire, evil Raven incites a conflict in the Vegan star system. Tamaran is destroyed, killing many inhabitants including Starfire's parents. A general in the Tamaranean fleet named Ph'yzzon aids the Titans and reveals he and Starfire are married. The Titans are able to destroy evil Raven utterly, and restore good Raven into a new spiritual golden body. Starfire decides to rebuild her culture on a new planet; many Tamaraneans were off-world during the explosion – enough to settle on a new planet dubbed New Tamaran. First Appearance of General Ph'yzzon in issue #127. Reveals he married Starfire in issue #129. Raven tells Starfire she is with child in issue #130, although this is never acknowledged in the future. Death of King Myand'r and Queen Luand'r, and most of the inhabitants of Tamaran in issue #128, where Tamaran explodes.
Teen Titans #1-3 [1996]: This new ongoing series takes off at full speed with "Titan's Children," Parts 1-3: A sinister alien experiment reaches its climax as five human teenagers all go "meta" at once -- living weapons in a fiendish plot to conquer Earth. Only the rejuvenated Atom can break the aliens' hold on Prism, Risk, Argent, and Joto, forging them into a cohesive fighting machine to battle the extraterrestrial threat. After avoiding capture, these teenagers are taken in by Loren Jupiter and the mysterious Omen and become the new Teen Titans. First appearance of Argent, Risk, Joto & Prysm in issue #1. First appearance of H'San Natall in issue #1.
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The Citadel
Growing as a fierce race of people in the Vegan System, the Psions kidnapped the Okaaran X'Hal and mated her with a fearsome, brutal Branx warrior. From this came the birth of two children: a horribly mutated being who became the first Citadelian, and the human child, Lambien. The Psions tried to mate X'Hal a second time, but she slew the Branx warrior even as he killed her. The Psions took her lifeless body and, in a vicious experiment, converted her into a being of pure energy. At the moment, she became the goddess X'Hal; Lambien shared much of her power and later metamorphosed into the near-God Auron.
X'hal's other son, the being who had become the first Citadelian, joined with his creators, the lizard-scientist Psions, and together they conquered Vega's twenty-five worlds before the sole Citadelian turned on his allies and claimed power for himself alone. The First Citadelian forcibly ejected his Psion allies (making war even on them) and used their machines to clone himself, creating the Citadel race-but the clones were imperfect and retarded. The First Citadelian directed them in concert with his other armies, and so the Citadel Empire grew, overtaking world after world, and terrorizing those they could not conquer.
This made the Psions ancient alien enemies of the Citadel. They would remain enemies for centuries.
The Citadelians themselves were demented madmen who held power through brute force and fear. From the barren, rocky world of Changralyn to the tropical paradise of Tamaran, nothing slipped through their iron grip. Still, their time would be limited and the great Citadel empire would one day crumble, just as the results of the great Citadel Wars would one day reach the shores of Earth and bring with it one of our most powerful heroines, Starfire.
Though the back of the empire was broken, but many of the weapons, machines, and warriors remained. The Citadelians remain a brutal, conquering force in the galaxy.
Tales of the New Teen Titans #4 [1982]: 4-issue mini series. As the Titans take a break on a camping trip, the new members reveal their origins. The origin of Starfire.
New Teen Titans #23-25, New Teen Titans Annual #1 [1982]: Princess Koriand'r's evil sister, Komand'r, captures Starfire and takes the name "Blackfire;" Blackfire seizes control of the Citadel and attempts to usurp control of Tamaran and the Vegan system. The two sisters battle on Tamaran, and the Titans team up with the Omega Men to bring Starfire back to Earth. Robin confesses his love for Starfire. First appearance of Blackfire in issue #23. Starfire is reunited with her parents and brother Ryand'r in New Teen Titans Annual #1. New Teen Titans Annual #1 features the origin of X'Hal. First Appearance of Adrian Chase in issue #23.
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The Gordanians
Origins
The lizard-Iike Gordanian race rose to civilized society in the southern or Gordane continent of the Vegan planet Karna, also home to two other intelligent species: Karnan felines, and the sea-dwelling Ssilithiss. The Gordanian society thrived on obedience to authority and strong military leadership. Their culture grew by the labors of the many slaves their legions captured, a type of exploitation in which they excelled. In time, slavery became their main vocation other than warfare.
Some hundreds of cycles ago, The Citadel came in contact with the Gordanians, and quietly annexed them in exchange for a steady supply of weapons and technology. As a further incentive to cooperation, The Citadel allowed the Gordanians to not only plunder the worlds of their enemies for the slave market, but to set up Gordanian colonies on Citadel. In exchange for these privileges, the Gordanians were subject to periods of service in Citadel armies, and turned over a percentage of their slaves to Citadel service. Portions of any monetary profits the Gordanians made in such industries as their slave-labor asteroid mines were paid as tribute to The Citadel.
Enemies of Freedom
Some of the most notorious escaped captives of Gordanian slavers became members of the Omega Men. Another is Tamaran's Princess Koriand'r. A group of Gordanians once came to Earth to abduct her, but were foiled by the assembled New Teen Titans.
When the old Citadel fell to an attack by the Omega Men, the Gordanians continued to ally themselves with the remnants of that empire. As the years passed, they found the slave trade to be less and less profitable in a more civilized galaxy.
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Kory relates her troubled childhood in
NEW TEEN TITANS #3 [1981] |
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Shared Homeworld
A group of Tamaraneans survived the destruction of their world, and sought a new home. To this end, the Tamaraneans invaded the planet Karna, home of the Gordanians. Prince Ryand'r eventually enlisted the aid of his sister, Starfire. Starfire duped the Titans into believing that the Gordanians were the invaders, knowing they would not understand or agree had they known all the facts. As the battle progressed, the Titans discovered that the Gordanians. weren't the invaders – the Tamaraneans were.
The Titans were able to settle the conflict peacefully when Tempest proposed a treaty. The Gordanians would allow them to stay; In exchange, the Tamaraneans would teach them new trades outside of slavery, and bolster their reputation in the galaxy. Both races agreed to these terms.
Our Worlds At War
Shortly afterward, tragedy struck. During the "Our Worlds At War" crisis, a series of Imperiex probes destroyed Karna.
New Teen Titans #1 [1980]: After invading his dreams, the mysterious empath Raven incites Dick Grayson to form the New Teen Titans for the eventual purpose of defeating her demonic father, Trigon; Kid Flash joins only after Raven uses her powers to make him fall in love with her; Raven, Robin, Kid Flash, Wonder Girl, Changeling (formerly Beast Boy) and Victor "Cyborg" Stone unite to save Princess Koriand'r (soon to be known as Starfire) from Gordanian slavers.
Tales of the New Teen Titans #4 [1982]: 4-issue mini series. As the Titans take a break on a camping trip, the new members reveal their origins. The origin of Starfire.
New Teen Titans #23-25, New Teen Titans Annual #1 [1982]: Princess Koriand'r's evil sister, Komand'r, captures Starfire and takes the name "Blackfire;" Blackfire seizes control of the Citadel and attempts to usurp control of Tamaran and the Vegan system. The two sisters battle on Tamaran, and the Titans team up with the Omega Men to bring Starfire back to Earth. Robin confesses his love for Starfire.
Titans #17-19 [2000]: Starfire and the team head into space to help her people, the Tamaraneans, settle a new world and wind up mixed up in a major star war. The Titans realize they're backing the wrong side by allying themselves with Starfire's people. Tempest is able to organize a peace between the Tamaranean and Gordanian outer-space armadas. Starfire quits the team to lead her people on their new shared homeworld, Karna. Meanwhile, back on earth, Arsenal learns some shocking secrets about Damage - that Grant was abused as a child by his foster father. Damage quits the team and begins emotional healing at the reservation Arsenal grew up in. Plus, Dick Grayson reveals his identity to Jesse in an attempt to persuade her to rejoin the team. Starfire and Damage leave the team.
Superman: Our Worlds At War Secret Files #1 [2001]: The destructive force known as Imperiex begins to wreak havoc on untold numbers of worlds. Karna - the Tamaranean/Gordanian shared homeworld - is destroyed by series of Imperiex probes. Starfire joins the alien alliance.
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The Warlords of Okaara
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The Warlords trained Starfire, Blackfire and
the Omega Men - as seen in TALES OF THE
TEEN TITANS (mini-series) #3 [1982] |
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One of the two oldest races in the Vegan star-system, the Okaarans developed a gentle, life cherishing civilization eons ago on what was then an Earthlike planet. Okaara, 13th from Vega. Their peace was shattered by the arrival of the Psions, who abducted and experimented on one of their citizens, X'Hal. Soon the Okaarans, seduced by X'Hal's evil son, made war on each other, until their planet became a nuclear holocaust.
Those who survived tunneled deep into the barren soil, making their homes in vast chambers and tunnels. Radiation changed the forms of the blue-skinned species, making them the stocky, fang-toothed Okaarans of the present time.
Their civilization survived, and even though they vowed to fight no more wars, the Okaarans studied and perfected the arts of combat. They used their science to capture X'HaI - now a creature of pure energy - and for long millennia kept her prisoner inside Okaara, eventually coming to worship her as a living goddess.
As civilization spread through the Vegan system, the Okaarans observed and sent emissaries, often establishing their X'Hal worshipping religion on other worlds. Okaara became known as a place of learning, and favored students from many worlds came to pursue both physical and mental excellence in their university. Okaaran combat training was particularly valued when the evil Citadel rose to power in the Vegan system. Some of the best-known students of the Warlords of Okaara are Starfire, Blackfire, Primus, Kalista, Ryand'r, and Elu.
Tales of the New Teen Titans #4 [1982]: 4-issue mini series. As the Titans take a break on a camping trip, the new members reveal their origins. The origin of Starfire.
New Teen Titans #23-25, New Teen Titans Annual #1 [1982]: Princess Koriand'r's evil sister, Komand'r, captures Starfire and takes the name "Blackfire;" Blackfire seizes control of the Citadel and attempts to usurp control of Tamaran and the Vegan system. The two sisters battle on Tamaran, and the Titans team up with the Omega Men to bring Starfire back to Earth. Robin confesses his love for Starfire. First appearance of Blackfire in issue #23. Starfire is reunited with her parents and brother Ryand'r in New Teen Titans Annual #1. New Teen Titans Annual #1 features the origin of X'Hal. First Appearance of Adrian Chase in issue #23.
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