Garryn Bek
Encyclopedia
Garryn Bek of the planet Cairn is a fictional extraterrestrial character published by DC Comics. Created by Keith Giffen
, Bill Mantlo
, and Todd McFarlane
, the character first appeared in Invasion!
#1 (Jan. 1989), and went on to become a founding member of L.E.G.I.O.N.
.
, Alan Grant, and Kevin Maguire returning several issues later in the followup series R.E.B.E.L.S. '94 (October 1994) through R.E.B.E.L.S. '96 (March 1996) by Tom Peyer
and Arnie Jorgensen. Bek makes two minor unnamed appearances in Infinite Crisis
#1 (December 2005) and Rann-Thanagar War: Infinite Crisis Special #1 (April 2006).
teammates participate in a riot and successfully escape the prison.
, Dox's homeworld. Through the manipulations of Dox, the group assists in his liberation of Colu from the control of the ruling computer tyrants. On the heels of this victory, Dox unilaterally decides to take the troupe to Beks' homeworld, Cairn, which is ruled by drug lords. It is here, after empowering the police force of Zalman City, installing himself as commissioner and overthrowing (and killing many of) the world's drug lords, that Dox's growing organization is dubbed Licensed Extra-Governmental Interstellar Operatives Network (L.E.G.I.O.N.
), with the former inmates as officers and the Coluan forces as rank-and-file.
The first Cairn drug lord killed is Kanis-Biz, father of Bek's estranged wife, Marij'n Bek. Marij'n, enlisted to clone Dox after he is killed by Stealth, leverages her importance to the organization to exert control over Bek in hopes of re-establishing a romantic connection with him. Uninterested and seemingly disgusted by Marij'n's large size, Bek does all he can to avoid spending time with her.
While orbiting the planet Rista, Bek encounters the Emerald Eye of Ekron, a sentient mystical object of near unlimited power. The Eye chooses Bek as its new “beholder”, and it quickly becomes unclear which of the two is in control. Under the influence, Bek slays two innocent L.E.G.I.O.N. employees. The Eye soon chooses Marij'n as a “co-beholder”, but shortly abandons them both in reverse succession. Marij'n, physically slimmed by the powers of the Eye rebuffs Bek's new-found affections and the two do not rekindle a romantic relationship.
They do continue working as colleagues, often getting into more trouble such as when murderous infiltrators attacked the headquarters. This came after the group's clients were overrun with the rumour the entire place was closing down. Another infiltration attempt goes awry despite Bek's direction of the security forces. Bek spent some time neglecting his duties when he snuck off a to a jungle planet. He succeeds in his purpose, interrupting Captain Comet romancing his ex-wife Marij'n.
When Dox's son Lyrl usurps control over L.E.G.I.O.N., Bek joins Dox's newly formed opposition group R.E.B.E.L.S.
After Lyrl is defeated, Bek and his comrades once again assume control of L.E.G.I.O.N. Separately, Bek is involved in an effort to stop his old comrade Lobo from killing the earthman Mike Carlin. Since that time, Bek continues to serve as a capable administrator for the organization, most recently appearing unnamed in the of events of Infinite Crisis
.
Through his connection with the Emerald Eye of Ekron, Bek had access to near limitless power. Responding to (and also affecting) Bek's will, the Eye exhibited abilities to produce force fields, emit energy blasts, and manipulate the mind.
crossover. He recruits a band of former L.E.G.I.O.N. members. It ends badly.
Keith Giffen
Keith Ian Giffen is an American comic book illustrator and writer.-Biography:Giffen was born in Queens, New York City....
, Bill Mantlo
Bill Mantlo
Bill Mantlo is an American comic-book writer, primarily at Marvel Comics, best known for his work on two licensed toy properties whose adventures occurred in the Marvel Universe: the Eagle Award-winning Micronauts and the long-running Rom. An attorney, he also worked as a public defender...
, and Todd McFarlane
Todd McFarlane
Todd McFarlane is a Canadian cartoonist, writer, toy designer and entrepreneur, best known for his work in comic books, such as the fantasy series Spawn....
, the character first appeared in Invasion!
Invasion! (DC Comics)
Invasion! was a three issue comic book limited series and crossover event published in late 1988-early 1989 by DC Comics. It was plotted by Keith Giffen, and ties up a great many plotlines from various Giffen-created DC series, including Omega Men, Justice League International, and Legion of...
#1 (Jan. 1989), and went on to become a founding member of L.E.G.I.O.N.
L.E.G.I.O.N.
L.E.G.I.O.N., is a team of fictional extraterrestrial superheroes, a science fiction comic book published by DC Comics. They first appeared in Invasion! #1, and were created by Keith Giffen, Bill Mantlo and Todd McFarlane...
.
Publication history
As a member of the titular group, Garryn appeared in L.E.G.I.O.N. '89 (February 1989) through L.E.G.I.O.N. '94 (September 1994) by Keith GiffenKeith Giffen
Keith Ian Giffen is an American comic book illustrator and writer.-Biography:Giffen was born in Queens, New York City....
, Alan Grant, and Kevin Maguire returning several issues later in the followup series R.E.B.E.L.S. '94 (October 1994) through R.E.B.E.L.S. '96 (March 1996) by Tom Peyer
Tom Peyer
Tom Peyer is an American comic book creator and editor.He is probably best known for his 1999 revisioning of Golden Age super-hero Hourman, as well as his work on the Legion of Super-Heroes in the 1990s. An editor at DC Comics/Vertigo from 1987 to 1993, he served as assistant editor on Neil...
and Arnie Jorgensen. Bek makes two minor unnamed appearances in Infinite Crisis
Infinite Crisis
Infinite Crisis is a 2005 - 2006 comic book storyline published by DC Comics, consisting of an eponymous, seven-issue comic book limited series written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Phil Jimenez, George Pérez, Ivan Reis, and Jerry Ordway, and a number of tie-in books...
#1 (December 2005) and Rann-Thanagar War: Infinite Crisis Special #1 (April 2006).
Invasion!
For years, Garryn Bek served on the planet Cairn's police force. Imprisoned on the Citadelian-run Starlag prison asteroid during the Dominator-led Alien Alliance's invasion of Earth, Garryn shares a cell with Adam Strange, who mysteriously disappears, and next with Vril Dox II. When Dox masterminds an escape plan, Bek and other inmates, including future L.E.G.I.O.N.L.E.G.I.O.N.
L.E.G.I.O.N., is a team of fictional extraterrestrial superheroes, a science fiction comic book published by DC Comics. They first appeared in Invasion! #1, and were created by Keith Giffen, Bill Mantlo and Todd McFarlane...
teammates participate in a riot and successfully escape the prison.
L.E.G.I.O.N.
Traveling aboard a commandeered ship, the first stop for Bek and other former inmates is ColuColu
Colu is a fictional planet in DC Comics whose primary inhabitants are called the Coluans. Another name given for the planet was "Yod" , which has appeared only once in comics, was later pointed out in a letter by a fan...
, Dox's homeworld. Through the manipulations of Dox, the group assists in his liberation of Colu from the control of the ruling computer tyrants. On the heels of this victory, Dox unilaterally decides to take the troupe to Beks' homeworld, Cairn, which is ruled by drug lords. It is here, after empowering the police force of Zalman City, installing himself as commissioner and overthrowing (and killing many of) the world's drug lords, that Dox's growing organization is dubbed Licensed Extra-Governmental Interstellar Operatives Network (L.E.G.I.O.N.
L.E.G.I.O.N.
L.E.G.I.O.N., is a team of fictional extraterrestrial superheroes, a science fiction comic book published by DC Comics. They first appeared in Invasion! #1, and were created by Keith Giffen, Bill Mantlo and Todd McFarlane...
), with the former inmates as officers and the Coluan forces as rank-and-file.
The first Cairn drug lord killed is Kanis-Biz, father of Bek's estranged wife, Marij'n Bek. Marij'n, enlisted to clone Dox after he is killed by Stealth, leverages her importance to the organization to exert control over Bek in hopes of re-establishing a romantic connection with him. Uninterested and seemingly disgusted by Marij'n's large size, Bek does all he can to avoid spending time with her.
While orbiting the planet Rista, Bek encounters the Emerald Eye of Ekron, a sentient mystical object of near unlimited power. The Eye chooses Bek as its new “beholder”, and it quickly becomes unclear which of the two is in control. Under the influence, Bek slays two innocent L.E.G.I.O.N. employees. The Eye soon chooses Marij'n as a “co-beholder”, but shortly abandons them both in reverse succession. Marij'n, physically slimmed by the powers of the Eye rebuffs Bek's new-found affections and the two do not rekindle a romantic relationship.
They do continue working as colleagues, often getting into more trouble such as when murderous infiltrators attacked the headquarters. This came after the group's clients were overrun with the rumour the entire place was closing down. Another infiltration attempt goes awry despite Bek's direction of the security forces. Bek spent some time neglecting his duties when he snuck off a to a jungle planet. He succeeds in his purpose, interrupting Captain Comet romancing his ex-wife Marij'n.
When Dox's son Lyrl usurps control over L.E.G.I.O.N., Bek joins Dox's newly formed opposition group R.E.B.E.L.S.
R.E.B.E.L.S.
Revolutionary Elite Brigade to Eradicate L.E.G.I.O.N. Supremacy is the name of two separate fictional revolutionary paramilitary groups in the DC Comics Universe. Both incarnations have been L.E.G.I.O.N. adversaries and are led by Vril Dox.-Publication history:R.E.B.E.L.S. '94, R.E.B.E.L.S...
After Lyrl is defeated, Bek and his comrades once again assume control of L.E.G.I.O.N. Separately, Bek is involved in an effort to stop his old comrade Lobo from killing the earthman Mike Carlin. Since that time, Bek continues to serve as a capable administrator for the organization, most recently appearing unnamed in the of events of Infinite Crisis
Infinite Crisis
Infinite Crisis is a 2005 - 2006 comic book storyline published by DC Comics, consisting of an eponymous, seven-issue comic book limited series written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Phil Jimenez, George Pérez, Ivan Reis, and Jerry Ordway, and a number of tie-in books...
.
Powers and abilities
On his own, Garryn Bek has no extra-human abilities and shows lackluster combat skills. He is an exemplary administrator and pilot.Through his connection with the Emerald Eye of Ekron, Bek had access to near limitless power. Responding to (and also affecting) Bek's will, the Eye exhibited abilities to produce force fields, emit energy blasts, and manipulate the mind.
Alternate versions
Bek organizes a resistance cell to Dox's ever increasing tyranny in the Armageddon 2001Armageddon 2001
"Armageddon 2001" was a 1991 crossover event storyline published by DC Comics. It ran through a self titled, two issue limited series and most of the annuals DC published that year from May through October...
crossover. He recruits a band of former L.E.G.I.O.N. members. It ends badly.