ARMECHADON
Official Name: Armechadon (changed from Arqa)
Nature: Extraterrestrial world (just beyond a white dwarf star)
Natives: Blackwulf (Pelops), Blackwulf (Lucian), Blackwulf (unidentified; Underground of Armechadon), Hept-Supht, Id, Kulkulk, Talon, Tantalus, unidentified child of Tantalus and Nirvana (see comments);
unidentified Undergrounders and Peacekeepers
Non-native inhabitants: Khult, Nirvana,
Population: Unrevealed
Capital City: Unrevealed
Government: Unrevealed
Tantalus was absolute ruler, and in his absence the
world was divided into various provinces ruled by provincial leaders
Languages: Unrevealed
National Defense: Unrevealed
Places of Interest: Tower of Tartarus,
Visitors: Korath the Pursuer, Peacekeepers (Bristle, Lady Trident, Schizo, Skrull pilot, Wraath), Shatterax, Ultimus, Underground ( Dr. Caitlin Maddox, Mammoth, Prime Skrull, Sentry #459, Sparrow/H.R. O'Damia, Touchstone, Toxin, Wildwind)
First Appearance: (Mentioned) Blackwulf I#7 (December, 1994);
(seen) Blackwulf I#8 (January, 1995)
History:
(Blackwulf I#9 (fb) - BTS) - Arqa was homeworld to Tantalus.
(Blackwulf I#9 (fb) - BTS) - Tantalus conquered Tebbel.
(Blackwulf I#9 (fb)) - Khult and Nirvana accompanied Tantalus when he departed Tebbel and returned to his homeworld, Arqa, which he remade for Nirvana and renamed Armechadon.
(Blackwulf I#8 (fb) - BTS) - Tantalus designed a force field to protect his citadel, the Tower of Tartarus.
(Blackwulf I#9 (fb)) - As the
centuries passed, Tantalus conquered four more worlds for Nirvana. On
the eve of each conquest, Nirvana conceived a child with Tantalus, who
also sought to create an heir free from the Deviant taint on
instability. 
However, each consecutive child was more genetically
unstable than the last, and their fourth child, Lucian, bore the
birthmark of his father's black legacy. Enraged, Tantalus blamed
Nirvana and struck her to the ground.
On the eve of Tantalus' departure
for Earth, Nirvana took her own life rather than face the prospect of
creating another abomination.
(Blackwulf I#8 (fb) - BTS / Blackwulf
I#9 (fb)) - When Tantalus discovered Nirvana's corpse, he enshrined her
in a preservative "black legacy" force field and stood her atop the
tower balcony, a symbol of his eventual return.
(Blackwulf I#8 (fb) - BTS) -
Tantalus specifically protected the doors to his bedroom, which
contained Nirvana, with a spell of chastity.
(Blackwulf I#8 (fb) - BTS / Blackwulf I#9 (fb)) - <25,000 years ago> - Tantalus left Armechadon alongside his children, the Peacekeepers, and Khult aboard the Vimana, heading to Earth.
(Blackwulf I#9 (fb) - BTS) <Centuries later> - Via a ritual of magic and Deviant technology, Khult returned to Armechadon..
(Blackwulf I#9 (fb)) - Khult his
magics to resurrect Nirvana but found that her body and mind had
already begun to decompose, and he revived a living corpse.
(Blackwulf I#9 (fb) - BTS) - Over
the centuries, many princely suitors attempted to remove the black
legacy force field, instead meeting gruesome fates from their efforts.
By some means, this led to the origination of the Blackwulf rebellion.
(Blackwulf I#9 (fb) - BTS) - At some point, the Celestials exiled Tantalus, preventing him from returning to Armechadon.
(Blackwulf I#7 - BTS) -
Pursuing Tantalus through space and through a stargate, the Underground
(Blackwulf/Lucian, Dr. Caitlin Maddox, Mammoth, Prime Skrull, Sentry
#459, Touchstone, Toxin, Wildwind, ) encountered Ultimus, Shatterax,
Korath the Pursuer of the Kree Starforce.
When both groups realized they were each seeking Tantalus, Ultimus offered to use his homing instinct, which would lead them to Tantalus' homeworld, Armechadon. Hearing that the Prime Skrull (the only surviving member of the non-Deviant Skrulls) spoke his first words to the group, "Armechadon...N-No!"
(Blackwulf I#8) - Tantalus'
starship the Vimana -- carrying Tantalus and the Peacekeepers (Bristle,
Lady Trident, Schizo, Wraath) emerged from hyperspace near Armechadon
and landed soon after. As natives gathered, Hept-Supht told provincial
ruler Kulkulk, that the ship was the Vimana, the legendary starship of
Lord Tantalus. Kulkulk, however, silenced Hept-Supht, noting that
Tantalus was just a myth/legend. Hearing this, Tantalus approached,
asking if his realm was in such disarray because the people didn't
believe in him.
While others knelt, bowed, and hailed Lord Tantalus,
Kulkulk tried to maintain some order, shouting, "Now see here!"
Tantalus countered that he saw and was not impressed; calling Kulkulk
"toad," he asked if Kulkulk ruled in his absence. Kulkulk noted that he
ruled this province, but that the "Dark Lord" ruled the world from the
Tower of Tartarus. Kulkulk continued, arguing that "Tantalus" would not
unseat the Dark Lord with his little sham and that legend told of how
Tantalus could kill a man with but a touch, "If you truly were the
dreaded one--" And Tantalus proved his identity by killing Kulkulk with
a touch.
Announcing that today was the day
of his long ago-proclaimed return, Tantalus instructed the denizens of
Armechadon to gather their forces to his side, and they would storm
this "Dark Lord" together. He urged haste as their true enemies were
not far behind.
The Underground, alongside Ultimus and Korath, emerged from hyperspace in their own ship and soon arrived on Armechadon as well.
(Blackwulf I#8 - BTS) - The
Underground of Armechadon, led by their current Blackwulf, caught
Earth's Underground's ship in a tractor beam, pulling them into their
subterranean base.
(Blackwulf I#8) - As Earth's
Underground's ship settled, Blackwulf approached, demanding that the
intruders surrender, as they and their ship were now the property of
Blackwulf and the Underground. Mammoth and Wildwind initially believed
this Blackwulf to be their deceased former comrade, Pelops.
(Blackwulf I#8 (fb) - BTS) - Meanwhile, as word of Tantalus' return spread across Armechadon, those who answered the call were drafted into the vast army of Peacekeepers storming the land. Those who ignored the call were condemned as traitors by Tantalus and his disciples.
(Blackwulf I#8) - As Tantalus and his followers headed toward the tower, a group of Undergrounders emerged from a portal and ambushed them in the name of Blackwulf, shocking Tantalus that the legend of Blackwulf had reached Armechadon. However, Armechadon's Blackwulf then emerged, noting that the Blackwulf legend had started generations ago on Armechadon, and that he was but the most recent warrior in a select breeding program, trained to protect Armechadon from the "second coming" (of Tantalus). Tantalus and his forces engaged the Underground of two worlds. Though both sides suffered heavy losses, Tantalus strode idly through the field of corpses.
Armechadonian Peacekeeper Talon
assaulted Toxin, seeking to destroy the armor that he believed
maintained his powers, but Toxin simply turned and punched Talon in the
face, incapacitating him. Another Armechadonian Peacekeeper attempted
to assault Touchstone when she was pained by the approaching "blind
spot," but Shatterax defended her, blasting and taking out the
Peacekeeper.
Reaching the Tower of Tartarus, Tantalus was pleased to find the force field he had designed was still protecting his citadel, preventing even rust from forming on its hinges. Noting that dust was not permitted to settle and that the braziers had been tended, Tantalus ascended the spiral staircase. Disspelling the spell of chastity, Tantalus entered his old bed chambers and greeted Nirvana, who surprised him with her sentience, speech, and mobility. Khult then revealed his presence and involvement.
(Blackwulf I#9) - Tantalus battled Khult and Nirvana until Dr. Maddox knocked Khult through the portal back to Earth.
(Blackwulf I#9 - BTS) - Khult
then sent Sparrow to assist Blackwulf, and the Godstalker integrated
itself with Blackwulf's shadow lance, enhancing its power while
removing Blackwulf's black legacy birthmark.
(Blackwulf I#10) - Tantalus reclaimed rule of Armechadon, plotting to use it to launch an all-out attack on Earth. The Underground and Peacekeepers entered the castle and fought fiercely against each other, and Sparrow and Blackwulf soon arrived as well. After Blackwulf ended Nirvana's existence at her request, his black legacy birthmark returned, and he battled Tantalus, temporarily destroying him.
Khult subsequently gathered the
Peacekeepers and teleported away, while Blackwulf found himself fully
covered with his black legacy.
Comments: Created by Glen Herdling, Angel Medina, Bill Anderson, Sandu Florea, and Mike Machlan .
While on Armechadon, Tantalus conquered four other worlds in Nirvana's name, and on the eve of each conquest Tantalus and Nirvana conceived a child. We know that Pelops was the third and that Lucian was the fourth/last. Id was one of the first two, but we don't know the other.
This profile was completed 01/05/2021, but its publication was delayed as it was intended for the Appendix 20th anniversary's celebratory event.
Profile by Snood.
CLARIFICATIONS:
Armechadon has no known connections to
  The Tower of Tartarus was the castle/base of Tantalus and Nirvana, as well as Nirvana's father, Khult. Just inside the entrance, flaming braziers were regularly tended to. (Blackwulf I#9 (fb)) - As the
centuries passed, Tantalus conquered four more worlds for Nirvana. On
the eve of each conquest, Nirvana conceived a child with Tantalus. However, each consecutive child was more genetically
unstable than the last, and their fourth child, Lucian, bore the
birthmark of his father's black legacy. Enraged, Tantalus blamed
Nirvana and struck her to the ground. On the eve of Tantalus' departure
for Earth, Nirvana took her own life rather than face the prospect of
creating another abomination. (Blackwulf I#8 (fb) - BTS / Blackwulf
I#9 (fb)) - When Tantalus discovered Nirvana's corpse, he enshrined her
in a preservative "black legacy" force field and stood her atop the
tower balcony, a symbol of his eventual return. (Blackwulf I#8 (fb) - BTS / Blackwulf I#9 (fb)) - <25,000 years ago> - Tantalus left Armechadon alongside his children, the Peacekeepers, and Khult aboard the Vimana, heading to Earth. (Blackwulf I#9 (fb) - BTS) <Centuries later> - Via a ritual of magic and Deviant technology, Khult returned to Armechadon. (Blackwulf I#9 (fb)) - Khult his
magics to resurrect Nirvana but found that her body and mind had
already begun to decompose, and he revived a living corpse. (Blackwulf I#9 (fb) - BTS) - Over the centuries, many princely suitors attempted to remove the black legacy force field, instead meeting gruesome fates from their efforts. (Blackwulf I#8) - In recent years, after returning to Armechadon and eaching the Tower of Tartarus, Tantalus was pleased to find the force field he had designed was still protecting his citadel, preventing even rust from forming on its hinges. Noting that dust was not permitted to settle and that the braziers had been tended, Tantalus ascended the spiral staircase. Disspelling the spell of chastity, Tantalus entered his old bed chambers and greeted Nirvana, who surprised him with her sentience, speech, and mobility. Khult then revealed his presence and involvement. (Blackwulf I#9) - Tantalus battled Khult and Nirvana until Dr. Maddox knocked Khult through the portal back to Earth.
--Blackwulf I#8 (9 (fb), 8-10 |
Spiral Staircase
It connected the lower/entry level with the upper level, which contained Tantalus and Nirvana's bedchambers. 
|
 |
Tantalus and Nirvana's bedchambers
It was within the Tower, presumably Tantalus and Nirvana's bedchambers, that Nirvana conceived a child with Tantalus on the eve of each of his four missions to conquer another planet in her name, and where the children were born. (Blackwulf I#8 (fb) - BTS) - Tantalus specifically protected the doors to his bedroom, which contained Nirvana, with a spell of chastity. (Blackwulf I#8) - Tantalus returned to his bedchamber, where he was surprised to find Nirvana able to move and speak, after which Khulk revealed his presence and involved. (Blackwulf I#9) - Tantalus battled Khult and Nirvana until Dr. Maddox knocked Khult through the portal back to Earth. |
 |
 | Members: Talon; others unidentified (Blackwulf I#8 (fb) - BTS / Blackwulf I#9 (fb)) - <25,000 years ago> - Tantalus left Armechadon alongside his children, the Peacekeepers, and Khult aboard the Vimana, heading to Earth. (Blackwulf I#8) - As word of Tantalus' return spread across Armechadon, those who answered the call were drafted into the vast army of Peacekeepers storming the land. Those who ignored the call were condemned as traitors by Tantalus and his disciples. (Blackwulf I#8) - As Tantalus and his Peacekeepers headed toward the tower, a group of Undergrounders emerged from a portal and ambushed them in the name of Blackwulf. Tantalus and his Peacekeepers engaged the Underground of two worlds. Though both sides suffered heavy losses, Tantalus strode idly through the field of corpses. Armechadonian Peacekeeper Talon
assaulted bus was ultimately incapacitated by Toxin. (Blackwulf I#10) - Tantalus reclaimed rule of Armechadon, plotting to use it to launch an all-out attack on Earth. The Underground and Peacekeepers entered the castle and fought fiercely against each other, and Sparrow and Blackwulf soon arrived as well. After Blackwulf ended Nirvana's existence at her request, his black legacy birthmark returned, and he battled Tantalus, temporarily destroying him. Khult subsequently gathered the Peacekeepers of Lyonesse (the Peacekeepers who had been based on Earth).--Blackwulf I#8 Note: The Peacekeepers of Armechadon are also pictured in the second image in the main profile in battle with the Underground of Armechadon...aided by the Peacekeepers of Lyonesse and opposed by the Underground of Earth and the Kree Starforce. |
  The
legend of Blackwulf originated on Armechadon, and the Underground
formed under Blackwulf's leadership in opposition to the rule of
Tantalus and those who ruled in his stead.The Undergrounders had a subterranean base, surprisingly enough, equipped with tractor beams that could pull a spaceship from the atmosphere and deliver it safely to their realm. (Blackwulf I#9 (fb) - BTS) - Over the centuries, many princely suitors attempted to remove the black legacy force field surrounding Nirvana after her murder and preservation by Tantalus and her partial resurrection by Khult, instead meeting gruesome fates from their efforts. By some means, this led to the origination of the Blackwulf rebellion. Armechadon's Blackwulfs were a series of warriors who were products of a select breeding program, trained to protect Armechadon from the "second coming" (of Tantalus).(Blackwulf I#8 - BTS) - Tantalus returned to Armechadon, followed by Earth's Underground and members of the Kree Star Force. (Blackwulf I#8 - BTS) - The
Underground of Armechadon, led by their current Blackwulf, caught
Earth's Underground's ship in a tractor beam, pulling them into their
subterranean base. (Blackwulf I#8) - As Earth's Underground's ship settled, the latest Blackwulf approached, demanding that the intruders surrender, as they and their ship were now the property of Blackwulf and the Underground. Mammoth and Wildwind initially believed this Blackwulf to be their deceased former comrade, Pelops. (Blackwulf I#8 (fb) - BTS) - Meanwhile, as word of Tantalus' return spread across Armechadon, those who answered the call were drafted into the vast army of Peacekeepers storming the land. (Blackwulf I#8) - As Tantalus and his followers headed toward the Tower of Tartarus, a group of Undergrounders emerged from a portal and ambushed them in the name of Blackwulf, shocking Tantalus that the legend of Blackwulf had reached Armechadon. However, Armechadon's Blackwulf then emerged, noting that the Blackwulf legend had started generations ago on Armechadon. Tantalus and his forces engaged the Underground of two worlds. Though both sides suffered heavy losses, Tantalus strode idly through the field of corpses. (Blackwulf I#10) - Tantalus reclaimed rule of Armechadon, plotting to use it to launch an all-out attack on Earth. The Underground and Peacekeepers entered the castle and fought fiercely against each other, and Sparrow and Blackwulf soon arrived as well. After Tantalus slew Armechadon's Blackwulf, Earth's Blackwulf (Lucian) battled and temporarily destroyed Tantalus. Khult subsequently gathered the Peacekeepers and teleported away.--Blackwulf I#8 (9-10 Note: The Underground of Armechadon are also pictured in the second image in the main profile in battle with the Peacekeepers of Armechadon...aided by the Underground of Earth and the Kree Starforce, and opposed by the Peacekeepers of Lyonesse. | |  |
images: (without ads)
Blackwulf I#8, pg. 2-3 (planet from orbit);
pg. 10, panel 2 (Underground tunnel);
panel 3 (Underground tractor beam mechanism);
panel 6 (Underground behind Armechadon's Blackwulf);
pg. 12, panel 1 (Tantalus marching with Peacekeepers);
pg. 13, panel 4 (Peacekeepers vs. Undergrounders)
pg. 19. panel 1 (Tower of Tartarus);
panel 3 (Tower door);
pg. 20, panel 1 (spiral staircase);
panel 2 (Tantalus' bedroom door);
panel 3 (Tantalus' bedroom);
#9, pg. 14, panel 5 (from orbit...or perhaps another world conquered by Tantalus)
Appearances:
Blackwulf I#7 (December, 1994) - Glen Herdling (writer), Angel Medina (penciler), Bill Anderson & Sandu Florea (inkers), Ralph Macchio (editor)
Blackwulf I#8 (January, 1995) - Glen Herdling (writer), Angel Medina (penciler), Bill Anderson, Sandu Florea & Mike Machlan (inkers), Ralph Macchio (editor)
Blackwulf I#9-10 (February-March, 1995) - Glen Herdling (writer), Angel Medina (penciler), Buzz & Scott Koblish (inkers), Ralph Macchio (editor)
First posted: 09/25/2021
Last updated: 10/06/2021
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
Non-Marvel Copyright info
All other characters mentioned or pictured are ™ and
© 1941-2099 Marvel Characters, Inc. All Rights Reserved. If you
like this stuff, you should check out the real thing!
Please visit The Marvel Official Site at: http://www.marvel.com
Special Thanks to www.g-mart.com for hosting the Appendix, Master List, etc.!