When Dungeons and Dragons started as a game, it was an amazing thing and amazing things have a tendency to get caught up in a lot of frenetic energy, and eventually you find the obsessed.  This happens with Teen Idols, TV Shows, Sports Stars.. but lets focus on D&D for just a half a second.

The idea of heroes brandishing a sword and vanquishing a dragon was hardly new.  Don Quixote jousted with windmills.  King Arthur had his Knights.  Beowolf’s sword went snicker snack.  Even the Biblical David went toe to toe with a Giant.

However, when people got obsessed with Dungeons and Dragons went into this inner world of game playing, obsession became a bad thing.  The most upsetting of these cases resulted in accusations of demon worship or even suicide.  Hardly the end result of a game most of us would want to play.

So, why are we obsessed with the world of swords and sorcery?  What is it about that genre of fantasy that calls us to it?  Unlike the scientific trappings of science fiction where all the fantastical things occurring are explained away by science, in fantasy one can have a race of talking trees, beings that wield powerful spells, and almost always a quest with a fantastical end goal in sight.

Here are some of DC’s most famous forays into the world of Fantasy…

Amethyst is the rightful heir to the throne of Amethyst in the mystical Gemworld which is found in its own dimension.  Her parents were betrayed and overthrown by the evil Dark Opal and Amethyst was taken by her Nanny, Citrina, to Earth to live life protected from her pursuers.  As Amy turned 13, she received an amethyst necklace for her birthday which opened a portal beckoning her back to Gemworld.

When Amy passes through the portal she becomes a grown woman of 21 and while she is learning she seems naturally adept to her new purple powers.  Amethyst’s goal is to save Gemworld and the remaining ruling houses from the tyrannical rule of Dark Opal.

Arak, the Son of Thunder, is an Indian brave kidnapped by Vikings to go back to Europe in order to serve as a fierce warrior in the Viking’s.  Arak fought hard and brave and some guess that his tomahawk was mystical in nature and certainly he did not fight the normal foe in Europe.

Arak eventually was killed in battle and reincarnated later as a shaman.  Perhaps he could be a modern day Apache Chief character?

Arion is the Lord of Atlantis thousands of years prior to its sinking.  Arion fought against his brother Garn Daanuth and the encroaching ice age to preserve Atlantis and its people from a frozen death.  Supported by a royal court of supporting characters he shares that in common with our next hero on the list.

Arion’s magicks are quite powerful and he will step up and be part of DC’s most famous cross over ever at its very inset.

Warlord is Travis Morgan, an Air Force Lieutenant Colonel who was flying his plane above the Arctic Circle only to have his plane be sucked into a dimensional hole which took him to the inner world of Skartaris.  A world of fascinating fantasy.

Travis acquires a wife named Tara, who begats a daughter, Jennifer and along with their allies Machiste and Shakira, the Warlord fights to free Skartaris from the evil Deimos and his minions of mutated lizard men.  The world of Skartaris has more dangers than just Deimos however, and that is what makes the Warlord’s world a great place to visit.

Travis is quite adept at most weaponry including guns, swords, axes, and knives.  Naturally charismatic, he is a great leader and tactician.

Next Up:  We’re going to do a few super-teams.. First up.. The Seven Soldiers of Victory!