Camelot (DC)

Latest revision as of 15:28, 16 May 2024

Camelot is a place that features in DC Comics.

History

Pre-Crisis

Camelot in Swamp Thing v2 #87.

Camelot

King Arthur came to hold the yearly jousting contest where he placed gems from a golden crown up as the prize. A knight named Lancelot wins every year. Arthur began to suspect that his wife Guinevere was having an affair with the champion. To clear suspicions, Lancelot rode into the hills and, on his way, accepted a gift from Elaine of Astolat with this being an uncrested shield. (New Comics v1 #6) Lancelot entered the last of Arthur's jousts where he used the uncrested shield to disguise himself. After a fierce contest that left him badly wounded, Lancelot won just like every year but left Camelot without claiming his prize. (New Comics v1 #7) Despite his best efforts to go unnoticed, some contestants recognized Lancelot to be the victor of the joust. Arthur came to order Gawain to bring Lancelot, but Gawain abandoned the search when he falls in love with Elaine of Astolat. Meanwhile, Lancelot had been recovering from his wounds in the forest with the help Elaine's brother and a hermit. Elaine visited Lancelot while he recovered, and once he was strong enough whereupon the champion goes back to Camelot, with him being welcomed by his friend King Arthur. (New Comics v1 #8)

In 532 AD, at Caerleon on the River Usk King Arthur dispatched young Sir Justin to northern Britain in order to deal with a dangerous ogre. (Adventure Comics v1 #66)

At one point, Merlin came to turn against King Arthur and stood in opposition to Camelot along with his baleful followers. He was responsible for stealing Excalibur with Arthur attempting to recover his sword. However, he and Lancelot came to be displaced into the 20th century where they came to enlist the aid of Wonder Woman. (Wonder Woman v1 #54)

Around 1,400 years ago, the lands of Camelot came under attack from the Roman Empire that were actually robots under the control of Vandal Savage. (All-Star Comics v1 #64)

During a time study experiment, Zatanna in the future opened a doorway into the era of Camelot with her boyfriend Jeff Sloane accidentally falling into this era. He had to flee two of Arthur's knights and took refuge in Merlin's cottage where he came to disturb some of the wizard's monstrous creations that looked to attack him. It was only through Zatanna's intervention was he saved with the two returning back to their own time. (Supergirl v1 #1)

It then came under siege from Morgaine le Fey and her forces bringing its fall with Merlin summoning the Demon Etrigan to help defend it. As the castle fell, Merlin entrusted the Eternity Book to Etrigan for safekeeping who departed as the kingdom fell to the enemy as he came to change into his mortal form of Jason Blood. (Demon v1 #1)

Camelot came to reside in the realm of Magic-Land which was a duplicate that resided in the magic dimension. (Justice League of America v1 #2)

Camelot and the Magic-Lands began to suffer from lack of rain with the great magician Merlin tasked with crafting a spell so that crops would grow in the lands. Despite his efforts, he was unable to make it rain due to magic being dispelled from the realm due to the spell cast by the kingdoms enemies namely the evil magician Simon Magus, Saturna the Lord of Misrule and the Troll King. The trio had discovered the existence of Earth through a golden doorway they had called forth allowing travel to that world. They then cast a spell that switched the Magic-Land with Earth resulting in their resultant laws of magic and science to be swapped. The result was that magic could no longer be used in the realm allowing the three villains to use their acquisition of science to conquer the kingdom. After plundering Camelot, they fled to their respective lands which was when Merlin was transported to Earth by a summoning spell made by the depowered Justice League. They came to learn the source for the disasters affecting Earth and went to Magic-Land to assist Camelot in defeating the three villainous sorcerers. (Justice League of America v1 #2)

Post-Crisis

Following the Crisis of the Infinite Earths, a new version of reality was created with a different history of events. Camelot

Long ago, it was said that the lands of Camelot were visited by the refugees from sunken Atlantis. They were allowed into the lands of the fairies by King Oberon who accepted them into his court. In time, these became among the Homo Magi of the world where they were known as the Elder Folk who lived separately from primitive humans. (Madame Xanadu v1 #19)

Over 10,000 years ago, an unknown proto-age of Camelot had begun ruled by a King Arthur. During his reign, disease was practically unknown to the people with humans being at an optimum level. At its zenith, even the microscopic races owed their allegiance to Camelot and did not harm to man. (Seven Soldiers: Shining Knight v1 #3)

One threat that emerged in the era of Camelot was that of the Thirst who sought to destroy the world. Merlin himself came and battled the creature to a standstill where he eventually succeeded in imprisoning the entity. Despite this being the case, the damage the Thirst had caused to Camelot was irreparable thus preventing the kingdom from bringing about a golden age to the world. (Aquaman v6 #5) It later came under attack from the forces of the Sheeda who under Queen Gloriana Tenebrae began the Harrowing of Avalon. The Knights of the Round Table gathered to oppose them but ultimately fell alongside King Arthur as the denizens from Summer's End return to their world under the vampire sun. (Seven Soldiers: Shining Knight v1 #1) Thirty years later, the dawn of a terrible new age became as the lands were ruled by Mordredd the Dead with terrible mercy. From lost Ysse under the waves, the survivors of Arthur's Table came forth from the chariot of Sea-Green Mananann who was the master of the ocean deeps. They travelled to the City of the North Wind where the Darrow-Men had constructed a capital in order to use their anvils to forge a weapon. With it, they waged the war to end the world thus leading to the bright Age of Avalon beginning where each of Arthur's knights came to succumb to the evils of the new millennium. (Seven Soldiers: Shining Knight v1 #3)

The Lane family were descendants of Walter Delane who was a court jester for King Arthur. Since that time, they had a hand in shaping events in the world in secret where they were part of the Arcadian secret society that had a hand in the formation of the United States of America. (Freedom Fighters v2 #4)

Post-Flashpoint

Following the Flashpoint, a new version of reality was created with a different history of events.

It was said that the rise and fall of Camelot had occurred many times in history. (Demon Knights v1 #1)

Thus, four centuries ago, King Arthur was mortally wounded and those closest to him took him outside time to Avalon so that he might recover and return one day. Excalibur which was the sword of power was entrusted to the Lady of the Lake whilst Merlin bound the demon Etrigan to his apprentice Jason Blood. In addition, Madame Xanadu decided to not travel to Avalon but remain in the ruined lands of Camelot. (Demon Knights v1 #1)

In the time that followed, the lands fell into a Dark Age after the loss of Camelot and its people to lead them. At some point, the warlord known as the Questing Queen arose with her Horde looking to conquer the land alongside her love Mordru. (Demon Knights v1 #1)

Overview

Locations by the kingdom of Camelot included:

• Castle Camelot : The grand edifice came to house the heroes of the nation. (All-Star Comics v1 #64)
• Tintagel Castle :
• Castle Sinister : a castle located on a lake that was the home of Merlin. (Wonder Woman v1 #54)
• Alba Sarum :
• Little Spring : a town located on the outskirts of the city of Alba Sarum. (Demon Knights v1 #2)
• Arkan Forest : (All-Star Comics v1 #64)

Outside Castle Greystone, there was the woodland of the Forest Perilous. (Brave and the Bold v1 #1) It was noted that Merlin maintained a cottage outside of Camelot where he kept a laboratory for his experiments. (Supergirl v1 #1) Camelot was noted to have had ties to the magical kingdom known as Otherworld. (Seven Soldiers: Shining Knight v1 #3)

Creatures that were known to prowl the region included True Dragons that was the name given to Dinosaurs that survived and still prowled the area. These beasts were noted to be incredibly rare and differed from Heraldic Dragons. (Demon Knights v1 #2)

The champions of Camelot were once the greatest heroes in the world with them being eternals who had sworn the shaping of Britain from nothingness. (Hellblazer v1 #111)

In Camelot, yearly jousting tournaments were held with the victorious knight being awarded a prize. (New Comics v1 #6)

One of the inhabitants that resided by the lands of Camelot were the Elder Folk. They were noted for being long-lived and possessing secrets related to anti-aging. (Madame Xanadu v1 #1) Their origins were tied to the sinking of Atlantis where they were Atlantean survivors that became among the races of the Homo Magi. (Madame Xanadu v1 #19)

Tied to Camelot through the Lady of the Lake was a great reservoir known as the Secret Sea. This was not a locale but rather an ocean of commonly shared ideas with those swimming through it experiencing everything that everyone had ever imagined in the world. It was said to consisted of the pure essence of life energy with all beings Earth contributing to it though only a few were aware of its existence. In ancient times, it was more integrated into the everyday lives of peoples existence but over time it moved apart and was forgotten. (Aquaman v6 #5)

Relics linked to the lands were the Seven Imperishable Treasures of the ancient world. (Seven Soldiers: Shining Knight v1 #3)

Inhabitants

• Ygerene :
• King Arthur :
• Queen Guinevere :
• Merlin :
• Sir Lancelot :
• Sir Galahad :
• Sir Justin :
• Sir Bors :
• Sir Gawain :
• Sir Bedivere :
• Sir Percival :
• Brastius :
• Gareth :
• Ulfius :
• Geraint :
• Walter Delane : a male human in the time of King Arthur who was a court jester whose descendants became the Arcadians that had a dream of shaping the world. Chief among them was the Lane family that helped shape much of the United States of America's history including its formation. (Freedom Fighters v2 #4)
• Carados :
• King Lot :
• King Morganore :
• King Urien :
• Morgaine le Fey :
• Nimue Inwudu : a dark haired female member of Elder Folk and sister of Morgana where she came to take the name of Madame Xanadu by modern times. (Madame Xanadu v1 #19)
• Vivienne :
• Etrigan :
• Mordred :
• Sir Justin :
• Ystin :
• Brian Kent :
• Al Jabr :
• Exoristos :
• Horsewoman :
• Lady of the Lake :
• Questing Queen :
• Blunderbore : the Ogre was a club-wielding giant who came from the frozen northland. (Adventure Comics v1 #66)
• Sparrow Hawk : Edryn (New Comics v1 #5)
• Dark Knight of Arkan : a feared armored black knight who preyed on travellers and claimed to be the strongest of warriors. (All-Star Comics v1 #64)

Notes

• Camelot was created by Rafael Astarita where it made its first appearance in New Comics v1 #3 (February, 1936).
• It was based on the mythical Camelot of Arthurian Legends.
• In Magog v1 #5 (2010), a mysterious other realm known as Blighted Albion appeared that had mysterious ties to Camelot. It was ruled by Alba who claimed to be the mother of Magog and stated that their land had been trapped by the actions of Gog.

Alternate Versions

• In Fawcett Comics, an alternate version of Camelot appeared which was created by Fawcett Publications and came to reside on Earth-S. In Captain Marvel Adventures v1 #59 (1946), a red armoured knight by the name of Sir Marvel sought the favour of King Arthur and attempted to become the greatest warrior in Camelot.
• In Camelot 3000 v1 (1982), an alternate version of Camelot appeared in a reality within the Multiverse. In the year 3000, a young man named Tom Prentice took refuge in Glastonbury Tor while fleeing from the alien invaders. The aliens followed him in and he retreated deeper into the tunnels, where he stumbled across Arthur's sarcophagus. Tom opened the sarcophagus and Arthur emerged, healed from his wounds. Arthur killed the three aliens, using Tom's mining tool as a sword, although he did not understand what they were. Tom told Arthur the date and who the aliens were, and also revealed that the stories of Arthur and the Knights' exploits were remembered even in the far future, much to his delight. Arthur offered to make Tom his squire and he agreed. They left the Tor, where Arthur killed two other aliens guarding the entrance and Tom was able to take control of the alien's ship. At Arthur's command he flew them to Stonehenge to free Merlin. Tom had told Arthur that all space on Earth had been consumed, but Stonehenge remained untouched, as every attempt to build on it had resulted in unexplainable accidents or failures, proving that Merlin's magic was still strong. Arthur called on Merlin to show himself, but he was answered only by weather spirits who mocked him. In a rage, Arthur struck the ground, freeing Merlin from his prison as he intended when he sent the spirits to antagonise his former student turned king. Merlin revealed that he had sent Tom to wake Arthur, so he could in turn free Merlin and they could face the aliens together. He told Arthur that he must unite the nations of Earth against their common foe, and teleported the three of them to Salisbury Down, which was now a nuclear power plant. At Merlin's command, the Lady of the Lake raised Excalibur from within one of the cooling tanks and threw it towards Arthur. However, the sword disappeared before it reached him.
• In Batman: Dark Knight of the Round Table v1 #1 (1998), an alternate version of Camelot appeared in an Elseworlds reality in the Multiverse. Bruce Waynesmoor who was the Knight of the Bat came to be chosen by Merlin to protect Camelot.
• In Tangent Comics: Batman v1 #1 (1998), an alternate version of Camelot appeared in the Tangent Comics reality designated as Earth-9 in the Multiverse.

In other media

Television

• In Justice League, Camelot appeared in the setting of the animated television series set in the DC Animated Universe. One of its oldest enemies was Morgaine le Fay who came to seduce the knight Jason Blood and caused him to betray the kingdom by opening the gates to her invading forces. This allowed her army to attack where she poisoned Blood after his usefulness had ended but for his treachery he was cursed by Merlin to become the demon Etrigan.
• In Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Camelot appeared in the setting of the animated television series in the episode "Day of the Dark Knight!". Camelot is home associated with King Arthur. Located in Britain, the exact location is unknown. Camelot as stands along a river, downstream from Astolat. It is surrounded by plains and forests, and St. Stephen's Cathedral, the religious center for King Arthur's Knights of the Round Table. Morgaine Le Fay, the former student of Merlin, lusted for power and raised an army to take over Camelot. Le Fey's forces easily stormed the castle and she turned all of its inhabitants into stone. It was said that dark skies emerged over Camelot the day Morgaine Le Fey took the throne. Camelot was restored to glory after her defeat.
• In DC's Legends of Tomorrow, Camelot appeared in the setting of the live-action television series set in the Arrowverse in the episode "Camelot/3000". Sometime during or prior to 507, Stargirl arrived in post-Roman Britannia, tasked with protecting a fragment of the Spear of Destiny. She found the era dangerous and uncivilized, and to better protect her fragment she used its power to bring the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table to life, using advanced science and magic to create an anachronistic kingdom reminiscent of the Arthurian legends, possessing technologies and culture of High and Late Medieval while simultaneously existing dab in the Dark Ages. She adopted the persona of magician and court adviser Merlin to help guide Arthur and his wife, Guinevere, in their rulership. To further keep her fragment of the Spear safe, Merlin hid it within the tip of a sword that she impaled upon a large stone; the sword in the stone was displayed beside the Round Table within Arthur's castle. Among the purest of the knights in Arthur's service was Sir Galahad, who was given a seat of honor at the Round Table for his deeds. Eventually, Merlin fell in love with Arthur, and the ideals of morality by which he lived, though she kept this love a secret from her companions.

Films

• In Justice League Dark, Camelot appeared in the setting of the 2017 live-action film. It was shown that in its time that the kingdom once faced the threat of the sorcerer named Destiny who used the power of the Dreamstone. He was ultimately defeated when Merlin bound the demon Etrigan to Jason Blood.

Appearances

• New Comics v1: (1936)
• All-Star Comics v1:
• Brave and the Bold v1:
• Demon v1:
• Hellblazer v1:
• Aquaman v6:
• Seven Soldiers v1:
• Madame Xanadu v1:
• Demon Knights v1:

External Links

• DC Database Entry

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