- And thus do I learn the meaning of betrayal.
- — Klarion
Seven Soldiers: Klarion #2 is an issue of the series Seven Soldiers: Klarion (Volume 1) with a cover date of August, 2005. It was published on June 15, 2005.
Synopsis for "Badde"
Klarion and Teekl are confronted by The Horigal, a "monstrous gestalt form" consisting of the three Submissionaries and their Draaga's. The abomination attacks them, claiming that "no one sees Horigal and lives to tell."
Klarion uses a "Witch Brand" to send a Grundy-Man after Horigal, but the brute is quickly disposed. Just as Horigal grabs Klarion, he is shot by a man who tells Klarion to come with him before the creature recovers. Horigal leaps towards the two, but not before he is hit by an incoming train.
The man introduces himself as Ebeneezer Badde who claims to also hail from Limbo Town. Badde explains that on the day of his initiation into the Witch-Men, he saw the "void of existence", and ran from it. Klarion is fascinated with the new world, and begs Badde to take him to see Croatoan. Badde agrees nonetheless.
As the two wander through the sewers, Klarion worries for Teekl, who had run off during the scuffle. They then encounter a group of children; which Badde dubs "Leviathan". These lost children had banded together to form one "single creature" greater than the sum of its parts. The children hurl stones at the duo, as they flee into a tunnel.
Klarion and Badde stumble upon the "House of Croatoan", a podium surrounded by broken chains and radioactive liquid. Badde explains the truth; that Croatoan is an absent god, who had escaped long ago. Klarion is ecstatic, believing he can "stay a witch-boy forever!" He finds a mysterious die, and decides to take it.
Once they leave, Badde takes Klarion to "Vanity Fair", where the higher world meets the lower for "trade and barter". While Klarion waits, he decides to look for Teekl by using a telepathic connection they have.
Teekl encounters Leviathan, who tell him of a man they call the "Hunter-of-Children". Klarion finally realizes the truth; that Badde has lured him to be trafficked. Badde had been capturing children for a man named Mister Melmoth in return for alcohol and pornographic magazines.
Badde has a change of heart, telling Klarion to run for his life. It is too late however, as Leviathan has overwhelmed the traffickers and kills Badde while Klarion happily watches.
Klarion departs from the sewers, and up to the surface where he is awestruck by the beauty of "Blue Rafters". However, he is encountered by a man, who calls himself Mister Melmoth.
Appearing in "Badde"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Ebeneezer Badde
- Leviathan (Single appearance)
Antagonists:
- The Horigal
- Submissionary Judah
- Submissionary Shadrach
- Submissionary Abednego
Other Characters:
Locations:
- Manhattan
- House of Croatoan
- Vanity Fair
Items:
Vehicles:
Notes
- This issue is part 9 of the Seven Soldiers storyline and the story continues in Seven Soldiers: Shining Knight #3
Trivia
- Horigal is hit by a train belonging to No-Beard. This scene is replayed in Seven Soldiers: Manhattan Guardian #2. the group of bodies seen at the entrance of Croatoan's cage are from the aftermath of the issue as well.
- There have been theories that believe that Badde is actually Klarion's long lost father.
See Also