Dark Circle
Encyclopedia
The Dark Circle is a fictional criminal organization in publications from DC Comics
.
group planning to conquer the United Planets
in the 30th century. It was composed of only five people and armies of clones created from those five people. The Dark Circle remained mostly shrouded in mystery, even with its defeat by the Legion of Super-Heroes
.
They launched a direct invasion of Earth during the Legion's Adventure Comics
run, following an attack by the Fatal Five
that had left the Legion and Earth's defenses devastated, and were in the process of overwhelming both when Brainiac 5
discovered the Miracle Machine
and used it to repulse the attack, returning all the Dark Circle soldiers to their homeworlds.
They then sought to invade Earth indirectly through others, most notably the Khund
s and Dominators
whom they manipulated into what became known as the Earthwar
. As part of their machinations, they also released Mordru
, hoping to use him against the Legion. This proved to be a mistake, however, as Mordru instead gained control of the Dark Circle. This was not immediately apparent, though, as he continued with the plans they had already drawn up. Eventually Mordru and the Circle were defeated.
The Dark Circle was referenced during the Giffen-Bierbaum continuity. Members were depicted wearing hoods with a prominent dark circle (zero) over the face. In Legion of Super-Heroes Annual #2, they were said to have existed for millions of years, even before New Genesis
and Apokolips
. They had little influence over events and were outmaneuvered by other factions who were prominent during this period. The Legion member Tellus
joined the Dark Circle during this time.
Instead of five individuals cloned, now they were formed primarily from five worlds.
The Circle here was portrayed as more of a philosophical or quasi-religious movement, one which specifically turned aside from intellectual knowledge, and instead focused on emotions, primarily those termed "blood" emotions such as anger and fear. They did maintain a high level of technology however, with a renegade Dominator world supplying most of the tech. Their primary foe, as depicted in LSH Annual #2 (v4) was Valor
, who not only opposed them physically, but philosophically as well. The influence of Valor on many worlds was the main obstacle to their plans.
When the Dominators
conquered the earth, the Dark Circle secretly aided the resistance movement, hoping to gain control of the planet themselves. However, the group was ultimately betrayed by its ally, Universo
.
reboot of the Legion, in which it was the secret power behind the Affiliated Planets (a rival political grouping to the United Planets) and was run by Brainiac 4
. Other members of the Circle included Tyr
, and the leaders of the Khunds, the Gil'Dishpan, the Dominators, and the Sklarian Raiders
. All were killed by Brainiac 4 when they realized the level of her insanity.
: Superman's Reign series, a version of the Dark Circle is briefly seen. This version is a necromancer cult, with such members as Etrigan, Bane
and Sargon
.
's adversary in Phantom Stranger #20 (July-August 1972). This organization, in which operated also the alchemist/sorcerer named Tannarak, was under the demonic sorceress named Tala
's control.
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
.
Fictional history
The Dark Circle first appeared in Adventure Comics #367 as an insurgentInsurgency
An insurgency is an armed rebellion against a constituted authority when those taking part in the rebellion are not recognized as belligerents...
group planning to conquer the United Planets
United Planets
In the , the United Planets is a fictional governing body, traditionally depicted as active in the 30th and 31st century.-History of the published versions of the United Planets:...
in the 30th century. It was composed of only five people and armies of clones created from those five people. The Dark Circle remained mostly shrouded in mystery, even with its defeat by the Legion of Super-Heroes
Legion of Super-Heroes
The Legion of Super-Heroes is a fictional superhero team in the 30th and 31st centuries of the . The team first appears in Adventure Comics #247 , and was created by Otto Binder and Al Plastino....
.
They launched a direct invasion of Earth during the Legion's Adventure Comics
Adventure Comics
Adventure Comics was a comic book series published by DC Comics from 1935 to 1983 and then revamped from 2009 to 2011. In its first era, the series ran for 503 issues , making it the fifth-longest-running DC series, behind Detective Comics, Action Comics, Superman, and Batman...
run, following an attack by the Fatal Five
Fatal Five
The Fatal Five are fictional characters, a supervillain team of the 30th century in the DC Comics universe. They were created by Jim Shooter and first appeared in Adventure Comics #352 as enemies of the Legion of Super-Heroes....
that had left the Legion and Earth's defenses devastated, and were in the process of overwhelming both when Brainiac 5
Brainiac 5
Brainiac 5 is a fictional character who exists in the 30th and 31st centuries of the DC Universe. He is a long standing member of the Legion of Super-Heroes. Brainiac 5 is from the planet Colu...
discovered the Miracle Machine
Miracle Machine
The Miracle Machine is a fictitious device in the DC Comics universe. The machine first appeared in Adventure Comics #367, April 1968.It was created by the Controllers no later than 2960, and given as a gift to the Legion of Super-Heroes in the late 30th century for their work in defeating a...
and used it to repulse the attack, returning all the Dark Circle soldiers to their homeworlds.
They then sought to invade Earth indirectly through others, most notably the Khund
Khund
The Khunds are a fictional alien race in the DC Universe, notable for extreme violence. They first appeared in Adventure Comics #346 , as enemies of the Legion of Super-Heroes in the 30th century.-Fictional history:...
s and Dominators
Dominators
The Dominators, collectively known as the Dominion, are a fictional alien race from the outer cosmos of the DC Universe. They are highly technologically advanced, and live in a rigid hierarchical society, in which one's caste is determined by the size of a red circle on one's forehead...
whom they manipulated into what became known as the Earthwar
Earthwar
"Earthwar" is a story arc that was published by DC Comics, and presented in Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes #241-245 . It was written by Paul Levitz, pencilled by James Sherman and Joe Staton and inked by Bob McLeod...
. As part of their machinations, they also released Mordru
Mordru
Mordru is a fictional character, a supervillain in the DC Comics' main shared universe.Mordru is the most prominent Lord of Chaos who is fated to survive even after the end of the universe, although he is usually shown as a powerful wizard...
, hoping to use him against the Legion. This proved to be a mistake, however, as Mordru instead gained control of the Dark Circle. This was not immediately apparent, though, as he continued with the plans they had already drawn up. Eventually Mordru and the Circle were defeated.
The Dark Circle was referenced during the Giffen-Bierbaum continuity. Members were depicted wearing hoods with a prominent dark circle (zero) over the face. In Legion of Super-Heroes Annual #2, they were said to have existed for millions of years, even before New Genesis
New Genesis
New Genesis is a fictional planet in the . This planet, along with Apokolips, is speculated to be near the constellation Orion...
and Apokolips
Apokolips
In the DC Comics fictional shared Universe, Apokolips is the planet ruled by Darkseid, established in Jack Kirby's Fourth World series. It is also integral to many DC Comics stories. The planet is considered the opposite of New Genesis....
. They had little influence over events and were outmaneuvered by other factions who were prominent during this period. The Legion member Tellus
Tellus (comics)
Tellus is a fictional DC Comics superhero and a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes featured in the 30th century. Tellus was co-created by writer Paul Levitz and artist Steve Lightle.-Fictional character biography:...
joined the Dark Circle during this time.
Instead of five individuals cloned, now they were formed primarily from five worlds.
The Circle here was portrayed as more of a philosophical or quasi-religious movement, one which specifically turned aside from intellectual knowledge, and instead focused on emotions, primarily those termed "blood" emotions such as anger and fear. They did maintain a high level of technology however, with a renegade Dominator world supplying most of the tech. Their primary foe, as depicted in LSH Annual #2 (v4) was Valor
Lar Gand
Lar Gand, known primarily as Mon-El , is a fictional character in DC Comics' universe who is associated with the Legion of Super-Heroes, Superboy, and Superman...
, who not only opposed them physically, but philosophically as well. The influence of Valor on many worlds was the main obstacle to their plans.
When the Dominators
Dominators
The Dominators, collectively known as the Dominion, are a fictional alien race from the outer cosmos of the DC Universe. They are highly technologically advanced, and live in a rigid hierarchical society, in which one's caste is determined by the size of a red circle on one's forehead...
conquered the earth, the Dark Circle secretly aided the resistance movement, hoping to gain control of the planet themselves. However, the group was ultimately betrayed by its ally, Universo
Universo
Universo is the name of a fictional Legion of Super-Heroes supervillain in the 30th and 31st centuries of the DC Comics universe.-Pre-Zero Hour:...
.
Post-Zero Hour
The Dark Circle also played a part in the post-Zero HourZero Hour (comics)
Zero Hour: Crisis in Time is a five-issue comic book limited series and crossover storyline published by DC Comics in 1994. In it, the former hero Hal Jordan, who had until then been a member of the intergalactic police force known as the Green Lantern Corps, mad with grief after the destruction of...
reboot of the Legion, in which it was the secret power behind the Affiliated Planets (a rival political grouping to the United Planets) and was run by Brainiac 4
Brainiac 4
Brainiac 4 is the name of two fictional characters in the DC Universe.-Pre-Zero Hour:The Silver Age version of Brainiac 4 is Kajz Dox, the father of Querl Dox...
. Other members of the Circle included Tyr
Tyr (DC Comics)
Tyr is a fictional supervillain in the DC Universe. He first appeared in Superboy Vol. 1, #197 , and was created by Dave Cockrum. His name is taken from Týr, the one-handed Norse god of war.- Pre-Zero Hour:...
, and the leaders of the Khunds, the Gil'Dishpan, the Dominators, and the Sklarian Raiders
Sklarian Raiders
Sklarian Raiders are fictional characters appearing in the Legion of Super-Heroes comic books published by DC Comics, notably as a group of all female space pirates...
. All were killed by Brainiac 4 when they realized the level of her insanity.
Other versions
In issue three of the TangentTangent Comics
Tangent Comics was a DC Comics imprint created in 1997–1998, developed from ideas created by Dan Jurgens. The line, formed from various one-shots, focused on creating all-new characters using established DC names, such as the Joker, Superman, and the Flash...
: Superman's Reign series, a version of the Dark Circle is briefly seen. This version is a necromancer cult, with such members as Etrigan, Bane
Bane (comics)
Bane is a fictional character who appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Batman: Vengeance of Bane #1 , and was created by Chuck Dixon, Doug Moench, and Graham Nolan. Bane has been one of Batman's more physically and intellectually powerful foes...
and Sargon
Sargon the Sorcerer
Sargon the Sorcerer is a fictional character, a second string mystic, superhero and sorcerer appearing in DC Comics during the Golden Age. The original Sargon first appeared in All-American Comics # 26, , and was created by John B. Wentworth and Howard Purcell...
.
Phantom Stranger antagonist
An unrelated Dark Circle appeared as Phantom StrangerPhantom Stranger
The Phantom Stranger is a fictional character of unspecified paranormal origins who battles mysterious and occult forces in various titles published by DC Comics, sometimes under their Vertigo imprint.-Publication history:...
's adversary in Phantom Stranger #20 (July-August 1972). This organization, in which operated also the alchemist/sorcerer named Tannarak, was under the demonic sorceress named Tala
Tala (comics)
Tala is a fictional supervillainess in the DC Comics universe. She first appeared as an adversary of the Phantom Stranger, but she is also known for her appearances on Justice League Unlimited....
's control.
Television
- The Dark Circle appears as a terrorist organization seeking to overthrow the United Planets in the Legion of Super HeroesLegion of Super Heroes (TV series)Legion of Super Heroes is an American animated television series produced by Warner Bros. Animation that debuted on September 23, 2006, based on characters appearing in the DC Comics comic book series. The series centers on the young Superman's adventures in the 31st century, fighting alongside a...
episode "In Your Dreams." Their origin is not elaborated upon. The Dark Circle leaders Gullug (voiced by Dave WittenbergDave WittenbergDavid Richard Paul "Dave" Wittenberg is a prolific South African-born American video game and anime voice actor with nearly one hundred titles to his credit. While Wittenberg was born in a hospital in South Africa, he was primarily raised in Boston...
) and Ontirr (voiced by Bumper RobinsonBumper RobinsonBumper Robinson is an American actor and voice artist. Robinson got his nickname because he repeatedly bumped into things while running through his home as a young child.- Life and career :...
) become aware of the Legion of Super Heroes using Dream Girl to their advantage and plan to capture her so that they can use her to their advantage.