Gibborim (comics)
| Gibborim | |
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| Publication information | |
| First appearance | Runaways vol. 1, #13 (March 2004) |
| Created by | Brian K. Vaughan and Adrian Alphona |
| Characteristics | |
| Pantheon | Fictional |
The Gibborim are a group of fictional characters appearing in comic book series, Runaways, published by Marvel Comics. They were created by author Brian K. Vaughan and artist Adrian Alphona. Debuting in Runaways #13 (March 2003), in a flashback sequence, the Gibborim are the last known survivors of an ancient race of six-fingered giants who ruled Earth before humanity's dawn, called "elder gods" by Witchfire, and possibly servants of the Judeo-Christian God. Their apparent goal is to wipe the Earth clean of all humanity and reshape the realm to create a new Eden to make their "holy Father" proud. They were the evil benefactors of the Pride. Averaging a rough height of 100 feet (30 m), the Gibborim despise all humans.
In 1985, the Gibborim call together six couples, who consisted of alien invaders, time-travellers, dark magicians, mad scientists, telepathic mutants and criminals. The Gibborim informed the couples that they wished to turn the world into the same peaceful utopia it had been millions of years before, but did not have the strength. The Gibborim required the six couples' help ("a Pride") to wipe out the entire planet, and when they achieved their goal, six of the twelve who served them the best would be able to rule the world with them, while the other six would perish with the rest of the human race. The couples agreed, and formed The Pride. For 25 years the Gibborim had given The Pride wealth and had their powers enhanced so that they could rule over the entire City of Angels. Every year, The Pride gathered at the Wilder residence, using the excuse of an "annual charity fundraiser", while in reality, they would perform the "Rite of Blood", a ritual sacrifice of an innocent young female victim; the spirit of the victim would then be fed to the Gibborim in the "Rite of Thunder".
It is implied by Alex Wilder that the Gibborim are actually "children" of a far higher and even older power, their "old man", and tried to make this power proud of them by attempting to restore Paradise to Earth. The latest edition of the Official Marvel Handbook, after confirming the Gibborim are indeed "mystical" in nature, says it is unrevealed for how long the Gibborim has ruled the Earth before the dawn of humanity (and how this could be so, due to the presence of the Elder Gods, Celestials, alien visitors, and other beings of any purpose and diversity), and also says it is unclear if there were ever more than three of them. The Gibborim’s power faded over time, and they came to dwell in a "realm of slumber," the very same dimension they fled to after the Pride fell, until they moved underwater to mystically summon the six couples who would comprise the core foundation of their covert group. The Handbook also refrains from openly stating that the Gibborim are not dead, but rather gone to a "Limbo-like dimension," where they met Alex Wilder's spirit.
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