Wednesday, September 4, 2019

Who's Who: Teachers of Sorcerers' World

Teachers of Sorcerers' World
by Russell & Siskoid


Members: Master Star, no others named
Super-Power(s): Magic
Planet of Origin: Various, base of operations on Zerox
Relationship to Legion: Mentors to White Witch

Legion Log
The Sorcerers' World is first mentioned in Legion history as the home planet of Mordru the Mystic. When Mordru returned to plague the Legion, Mon-El told of how Mordru came to power on Zerox and then set his sights on other United Planet member-worlds. Eventually he faced off against the Legion of Super-Heroes on Earth. The Legion eventually imprisoned Mordru, and the Sorcerers' World was forgotten.

Chronologically, however, Zerox played a part in the Legion's history before the rise of Mordru. Because the White Witch had a troubled upbringing on the planet Naltor, she decided to emigrate to Zerox and study magic there. Although she initially faced rejection and treachery from Mordru during his eventual rise to power, she eventually earned her place there as an acolyte.

Several years later, the Sorcerers' World was thrust into the spotlight again by Darkseid and his minions, who attempted to absorb all magical abilities from Zerox and the Teachers. During the Legion's first official visit to Zerox, they met the five members loosely assembled as the Teachers. However, during the defense of Zerox two of the Teachers were killed.

After joining the Legion, the White Witch returned to the Sorcerers' World to participate in a cleansing ceremony for Mordru. At this time, several Teachers were shown. It is presumed that after the deaths during the Great Darkness, some acolytes and apprentices were promoted to the rank of Teacher. At this time three Teachers are recognizable as being the same individuals from before. In fact, they ask the White Witch to remain and join their ranks as a new Teacher. She respectfully declines.

The White Witch returned to Zerox after she quit the Legion after a moral disagreement. She is then shown to be tutoring a young Khundian acolyte named Harlak. He asks to be officially assigned to her, and she agrees. So it is presumed that she took the Teachers up on their offer to join their ranks after all.

When the Great Mage breaks free from its prison on Zerox and begins the Great Magic War, the Teachers open a magic portal and leave Zerox en masse. Only the White Witch and Harlak are left behind when Sorcerers' World is destroyed.


No Teachers were ever named except for "Master Star," referred to by name by Harlak during his training.

Though Sorcerers' World has been seen in other continuities, the Teachers were not referenced.

After Infinite Crisis, the Teachers of Sorcerers' World's original history has presumably been more or less restored. They were not seen again in the restored original continuity, even after Mysa, as the Black Witch, became ruler of the planet.

Important Teachers of Sorcerers' World stories:

Adventure Comics #369
(reprinted in The Legion of Super-Heroes Archives Vol. 8
and Showcase Presents: The Legion Vol. 4)
First mention of Zerox, the Sorcerers' World

Legion of Super-Heroes (v2) #292
The debut of the Teachers of Zerox, 
and subsequent death of two of them
 
Tales of the Legion of Super-Heroes (v2) #315-316
Several Teachers (including Mordru!) are shown in a flashback 
telling how the White Witch came to live on Zerox 

Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #27
The Teachers assemble to free Mordru

Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #55
White Witch is asked to become an official Teacher

Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #63
The last appearance of the Teachers before the destruction of Zerox

3 comments:

  1. I love the image of the White Witch's face from the final photo (9-grid, panel 3). That's how I always picture here. The Sean McManus drawing, with the weasel-ish cast to her face, (LoSH v3 #27), not so much.

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  2. And what ARE those things coming off of her eyes?

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    Replies
    1. Part of her uniqueness. I love the White Witch.

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