South China Sea Islands and Sovereign Seven: Difference between pages
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The '''South China Sea Islands''' (or '''Nanhai Islands''', [[Simplified Chinese characters|simplified]]: 南海诸岛, [[Traditional Chinese characters|traditional]]: 南海諸島, [[pinyin]]: Nánhǎi Zhūdǎo) consist of over 250 around 1-km² [[island]]s, [[atoll]]s, cays, shoals, [[reef]]s, and sandbars in the '''[[South China Sea]]''', most of which have no indigenous people, many of which are naturally under water at high tide, some of which are permanently submerged. The features are grouped into three archipelagos (listed by area size), Macclesfield Bank and Scarborough Shoal: |
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|image=Sovsev.jpg |
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|caption=''Sovereign Seven'' #15 cover, artist Dwayne Turner |
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|team_name=Sovereign Seven |
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|publisher=[[DC Comics]] |
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|debut=''[[Sovereign Seven]]'' #1,<br> April 1995 |
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|creators=[[Chris Claremont]] (writer)<br>[[Dwayne Turner]] (artist) |
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|members=Cascade<br>Indigo<br>Network<br>Finale<br>Rampart<br>Reflex<br>Cruiser<br>[[Power Girl]] |
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|memberlist= |
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|subcat=DC Comics |
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|sortkey=Sovereign Seven |
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|}} |
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'''Sovereign Seven''' is a creator-owned [[United States|American]] [[comic book]] created by [[Chris Claremont]] and [[Dwayne Turner]], and published by [[DC Comics]]. |
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==Publication history== |
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* The [[Spratly Islands]], disputed between the People's Republic of China, the Republic of China, and Vietnam, with Malaysia and the Philippines claiming part of the archipelago<ref> http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/spratly-claims.htm Global Security </ref> |
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Launched in April [[1995]], ''Sovereign Seven'' was created by writer [[Chris Claremont]] and artist [[Dwayne Turner]], and was Claremont's first professional comic book work since his departure from [[Marvel Comics]] and the ''[[X-Men]]'' franchise in [[1991]]. It was the first title set in the DC Universe owned by its creator, Claremont, instead of DC Comics. However, in the final issue it was revealed that the entire series was actually a comic book drawn by two women who reside in the DC Universe and had no effect on DC continuity whatsoever. |
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* The [[Paracel Islands]], disputed between the People's Republic of China, the Republic of China, and Vietnam<ref> https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/pf.html CIA World Factbook </ref> |
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* The [[Pratas Islands]], disputed between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China |
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* The [[Macclesfield Bank]], disputed between the People's Republic of China, the Philippines, and the Republic of China |
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* The [[Scarborough Shoal]], disputed between the People's Republic of China, the Philippines, and the Republic of China |
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==History== |
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There are [[mineral]]s, [[natural gas]], and [[Petroleum|oil]] deposits on the islands and their nearby seafloor. Because of the [[economic]], [[military]], and [[transport]]ational importance, the control, especially of the Spratlys, has been in dispute by [[China]] and several [[Southeast Asia]]n countries such as [[Vietnam]] from the mid-20th century onwards. True occupation and control are shared between the claimants. (See [[#Claims and control|Claims and control]]) |
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The Sovereign Seven were a group of aliens exiled to Earth, where they battled various villains, most notably [[Darkseid]]. The original group consisted of Cascade, Finale, Rampart, Reflex, Indigo, Network, and Cruiser; later, Rampart was killed off and then replaced by the DC character [[Power Girl]]. |
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The title met with middling success and was cancelled after 36 issues, in June [[1998]], after which Claremont returned to Marvel. |
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== History == |
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The main characters of Sovereign Seven were all gathered by Cascade as a mysterious force known as The Rapture destroyed their home worlds. Each of the Sovereigns were princes/princesses of their people. |
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The countries with the most extensive participation on the South China Sea Islands are [[China]] and [[Vietnam]]. |
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For a time, the group operates out of a mysterious coffee house (the "Crossroads Coffee Bar"<ref>[http://www.writeups.org/affiche_fiche.php?id=3246 Writeups.org - ''Cruiser'']. Accessed May 25, 2008</ref>) located where three Northeastern states meet, which is larger on the inside then it is on the outside. Many times portals open inside doorways, to areas unfamiliar or well known to the Sovereigns, who work as employees to earn their keep. The Coffee house is run by supporting characters '''Violet Smith''' and '''Pansy Jones''', comic-book counterparts of the musical alter-egos of [[Emma Bull]] and [[Lorraine Garland]] - [[The Flash Girls]] - of whom Claremont is a fan.<ref>[http://www.greenmanreview.com/CD/CD_ReturnofPSmithVJones.html Review of The Flash Girls' debut CD ''The Return of Pansy Smith and Violet Jones'' (SteelDragon Press/Spin Art, 1993)]. Accessed May 25, 2008</ref> |
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The South China Sea Islands were collectively named the ''Tough Heads of the Surging Sea'' (漲海崎頭 Zhànghǎi Qítóu) and ''[[Coral]] Cays'' (珊瑚洲 Shanhu Zhou) since their discovery by the [[China|Chinese]] in the [[Qin Dynasty]]. But seafaring did not occur until the next dynasty, the [[Han Dynasty]]. After the [[Song Dynasty]], the Islands had been called ''The Thousand-Mile Long Sands'' (千里長沙) and ''Myriad-Mile Stony Embankment'' (萬里石塘). |
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One of the Coffee shops' portals take two of the Sovereigns' friends (and their cat), on a multiple-reality adventure before they are returned safely home. |
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There are houses dated back to the [[Tang Dynasty|Tang]] or [[Song Dynasty (960-1279)|Song Dynasty]] on Ganquan Island (甘泉島), which nowadays is under dispute with Vietnam. In 1045, during the reign of [[Emperor Renzong of Song China]], imperial troops (王師) were sent to the [[Paracel Islands]]. The fishermen of [[Hainan]] composed various "Notebooks on Paths and Timing" (更路簿) that recorded over 200 routes, the time needed for sailing among the different isles, and the names of over 100 islands commonly used by the fishermen. |
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Despite the group's metafictional nature, they were seen fighting a squadron of [[Apokolips]] soldiers during the ''[[Genesis (DC Comics)|Genesis]]'' event. |
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Some of the voyages of [[Zheng He]] passed by the Islands, though they probably did not dock on them. There is an atoll in the Spratly Islands named after Zheng He though. |
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Dangers appear outside the coffee house as well. A demonic entity takes over couples, making them go on violent rampages. Hunters roam through the woods, endangering innocent people. A well-known neighbor discovers a mystical sword in his house. |
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Vietnamese fishermen and merchants also have been exploring the [[South Sea Islands]], with a well-known presence, due to the historically unofficial capacity and shorter records. Vietnamese official documents cite Vietnamese ancient historical records of control and exploitation of the island, and dispute Chinese claims and records. |
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==Membership== |
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In the 19th century, as a part of the occupation of [[French Indochina|Indochina]], [[France]] claimed control of the Spratlys until the 1930s, exchanging a few with the [[United Kingdom|British]]. During [[World War II]], the Islands were annexed by [[Japan]]. |
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*'''Cascade''' (Rhian Douglas) was the leader of the Sovereign Seven and had the ability to cascade, or teleport, both herself and others. Her ability generally required some knowledge of the destination or that she be provided with a "waypoint" by Network. Cascade fled her mother, Maitresse, who ruled Cascade's homeworld with unflinching omnipotence. |
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*'''Network''' (Taryn Haldane) was the first of the Sovereigns to meet Cascade, and in some ways, she was the motivating force behind gathering them. Network's homeworld is never detailed much. She is a telepath, but unlike most telepaths in comic books{{Fact|date=April 2008}}, she never hesitates to draw the information she needs from the minds of those around her. It has been shown that when no other people are within range of her powers, or her powers are suppressed, she is fully [[illiterate]] and [[aphasia|aphasic]]; unable to read, speak, or understand any language. It was hinted in several storylines that Network would eventually become a terrorist for captured or controlled telepaths. |
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The [[People's Republic of China]] founded in 1949 claimed the islands as part of the province of [[Guangdong|Canton]] (Guangdong), and later of the [[Hainan]] special administrative region. |
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*'''Finale''' (Pahe Leilani Favaela) is a warrior, from a society reminiscent of pre-American [[Hawaii]]. She is said to have come from a water world. She makes several references to Mother Ocean and The Great Orca. Unfortunately, to defend her world from the Rapture, Finale was forced to kill her world and its inhabitants. As a result, Finale fears water since joining the Sovereigns. She fears what will happen if the Mother Ocean of Earth finds out who she is. Finale wears full body armor throughout the series, and we never truly see her face. It has been suggested that Daisy Miller{{who|date=October 2008}} is, in fact, Finale in a human form. |
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== Claims and control == |
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[[Image:Baselines of Eastern Asia English.png|350px|thumb|Baselines and EEZ claims in East and South East Asia]] |
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*'''Rampart''' (Jaffar Ibn Haroun Al Raschid) is a prince of a Muslim-like society. He has ability to manifest force fields. He is generally considered to be attractive as several of the local girls tend to swoon in his presence. |
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The [[Japan]]ese and the [[France|French]] renounced their claims as soon as their respective occupations ended. |
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*'''Reflex''' (Walter Thorsson) is a speedster from a seemingly Nordic/Christian heritage. Unlike most characters with super-speed, both in DC and Marvel comics, Reflex is a large person. This causes some problems for him when dealing with normal, every-day things, like typing. He does have, as his name suggests, well-honed reflexes. |
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The [[People's Republic of China]] (PRC) claims all of these islands as part of its [[Hainan Province]], at the administrative level of ''banshichu'' (辦事處/办事处). The PRC strongly asserted its claims to the islands, but in the late 1990s, under the [[new security concept]], the PRC put its claims less strongly. |
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*'''Cruiser''' (Nicholas Helicon) is a telekinetic who fuels his powers with his body mass. As a result he's always hungry. Throughout the series, Cruiser goes from incredibly skinny, and 'running on empty,' to quite fat, but with plenty of power in reserve. |
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On the other hand, Vietnam claims all Spratly Islands belong to a district, first in 1973, of the Phuoc Tuy Province, then, of the Khanh Hoa Province. |
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*'''Indigo''' is one of the most mysterious of the Sovereign Seven. 'He' is an enigma, without a true identity; even the pronoun "he" is arbitrary. When he desires it, Indigo can go completely unnoticed. His presence simply isn't registered, whether it's in a dark hallway or a crowded street. He is also the consummate persuader. He can convince almost anyone (or anything) to do what he wants. He is a master infiltrator, allowing him to get into and out of secure areas. He is also the Sovereigns' tactician, carrying out Cascade's orders no matter how difficult. |
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Currently, Vietnam occupies twenty-nine islands or rocks, while the People's Republic of China occupies eight or nine. |
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==References== |
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In addition to the People's Republic of China and Vietnam, the [[Republic of China]] (Taiwan), [[Malaysia]] and the [[Philippines]] also claim and occupy some islands. Taiwan claims all the Spratly Islands, but only occupies one island and one shelf including Itu Aba ([[Itu Aba Island|Taiping]]). Malaysia occupies three islands on its continental shelf. The Philippines claims most of the Spratlys and calls it the Kalayaan Group of Islands, and they form a distinct municipality in the province of [[Palawan]]. The Philippines, however, only occupies eight islands. |
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{{reflist}} |
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==External links== |
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[[Brunei]]'s and [[Indonesia]]'s claims are not on any island, but on the sea. (See [[South China Sea]]) |
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*[http://www.dcuguide.com/who.php?name=sovereignseven DCU Guide: Sovereign 7] |
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*[http://www.dcuguide.com/S7/S7.php DCU Guide: Sovereign 7 Title Index] |
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*[http://www.mykey3000.com/cosmicteams/cosmic/so.html Cosmic Teams: Sovereign 7] |
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[[Category:1995 comic debuts]] |
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== Geography == |
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[[Category:DC Comics titles]] |
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[[Category:Metafictional characters]] |
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The islands are located on a shallow [[humite]]-layer [[continental shelf]] with an average depth of 200 metres. However, in the Spratlys, the sea floor drastically changes its depth, and near the [[Philippines]], the Palawan Trough is more than 5,000 metres deep. Also, there are some parts that are so shallow that navigation becomes difficult, and prone to accidents. |
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The sea floor contains [[Paleozoic]] and [[Mesozoic]] [[granite]] and [[metamorphic rock]]s. The [[abyss]]es are caused by the formation of the [[Himalayas]] in the [[Cenozoic]]. |
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Except one [[volcano]]-island, the islands are made of [[coral reef]]s of varying ages and formations. |
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== Life == |
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There are no known native animals, except [[booby|boobies]] and [[seagull]]s, who are very common residents on the islands. Their [[feces]] can build up to a layer from 10 mm to 1 m annually. |
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There are around 100–200 [[plant]] species on the Islands altogether. For example, the Paracels have 166 species, but later the Chinese and the Vietnamese introduced 47 more species, including [[peanut]], [[sweet potato]], and various [[vegetable]]s. |
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== References == |
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{{Reflist}} |
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==See also== |
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{{ChineseText}} |
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*[[List of islands in the South China Sea]] |
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*{{PDFlink|[http://travelvietnam.officeisp.net/Shared%20Documents/Countries%20-%20Vietnam/VietnamForeignMinistry81.pdf Vietnamese claims]|1.70 [[Mebibyte|MiB]]<!-- application/pdf, 1790262 bytes -->}} |
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*[[List of islands of the Republic of China]] |
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{{Southeast_Asia}} |
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== References == |
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* [http://paracelspratly.com The website about Paracels & Spratlys issue] |
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* [http://community.middlebury.edu/~scs/docs/Li%20and%20Li-The%20Dotted%20Line%20on%20the%20Map.pdf The Dotted Line on the Chinese Map of the South China Sea: A Note] |
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*{{PDFlink|[http://travelvietnam.officeisp.net/Shared%20Documents/Countries%20-%20Vietnam/VietnamForeignMinistry81.pdf Vietnamese claims]|1.70 [[Mebibyte|MiB]]<!-- application/pdf, 1790262 bytes -->}} |
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*[http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/chn/ziliao/wzzt/2305/default.htm The South China Sea Issue (In Chinese)] |
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*[http://sowf.moi.gov.tw/stat/year/y05-19.xls Chinese islands names defined by the Republic of China (Taiwan)] |
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[[Category:Islands of the South China Sea| ]] |
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[[Category:Disputed islands]] |
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[[Category:Disputed territories in Asia]] |
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[[Category:Indomalaya]] |
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[[Category:Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests]] |
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[[Category:Ecoregions]] |
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[[Category:Ecoregions in the Philippines]] |
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[[ko:난하이 제도]] |
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[[ja:南海諸島]] |
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[[zh:南海诸岛]] |
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| Sovereign Seven | |
|---|---|
 Sovereign Seven #15 cover, artist Dwayne Turner | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Sovereign Seven #1, April 1995 |
| Created by | Chris Claremont (writer) Dwayne Turner (artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Member(s) | Cascade Indigo Network Finale Rampart Reflex Cruiser Power Girl |
Sovereign Seven is a creator-owned American comic book created by Chris Claremont and Dwayne Turner, and published by DC Comics.
Publication history
Launched in April 1995, Sovereign Seven was created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Dwayne Turner, and was Claremont's first professional comic book work since his departure from Marvel Comics and the X-Men franchise in 1991. It was the first title set in the DC Universe owned by its creator, Claremont, instead of DC Comics. However, in the final issue it was revealed that the entire series was actually a comic book drawn by two women who reside in the DC Universe and had no effect on DC continuity whatsoever.
History
The Sovereign Seven were a group of aliens exiled to Earth, where they battled various villains, most notably Darkseid. The original group consisted of Cascade, Finale, Rampart, Reflex, Indigo, Network, and Cruiser; later, Rampart was killed off and then replaced by the DC character Power Girl.
The title met with middling success and was cancelled after 36 issues, in June 1998, after which Claremont returned to Marvel.
The main characters of Sovereign Seven were all gathered by Cascade as a mysterious force known as The Rapture destroyed their home worlds. Each of the Sovereigns were princes/princesses of their people.
For a time, the group operates out of a mysterious coffee house (the "Crossroads Coffee Bar"[1]) located where three Northeastern states meet, which is larger on the inside then it is on the outside. Many times portals open inside doorways, to areas unfamiliar or well known to the Sovereigns, who work as employees to earn their keep. The Coffee house is run by supporting characters Violet Smith and Pansy Jones, comic-book counterparts of the musical alter-egos of Emma Bull and Lorraine Garland - The Flash Girls - of whom Claremont is a fan.[2]
One of the Coffee shops' portals take two of the Sovereigns' friends (and their cat), on a multiple-reality adventure before they are returned safely home.
Despite the group's metafictional nature, they were seen fighting a squadron of Apokolips soldiers during the Genesis event.
Dangers appear outside the coffee house as well. A demonic entity takes over couples, making them go on violent rampages. Hunters roam through the woods, endangering innocent people. A well-known neighbor discovers a mystical sword in his house.
Membership
- Cascade (Rhian Douglas) was the leader of the Sovereign Seven and had the ability to cascade, or teleport, both herself and others. Her ability generally required some knowledge of the destination or that she be provided with a "waypoint" by Network. Cascade fled her mother, Maitresse, who ruled Cascade's homeworld with unflinching omnipotence.
- Network (Taryn Haldane) was the first of the Sovereigns to meet Cascade, and in some ways, she was the motivating force behind gathering them. Network's homeworld is never detailed much. She is a telepath, but unlike most telepaths in comic books[citation needed], she never hesitates to draw the information she needs from the minds of those around her. It has been shown that when no other people are within range of her powers, or her powers are suppressed, she is fully illiterate and aphasic; unable to read, speak, or understand any language. It was hinted in several storylines that Network would eventually become a terrorist for captured or controlled telepaths.
- Finale (Pahe Leilani Favaela) is a warrior, from a society reminiscent of pre-American Hawaii. She is said to have come from a water world. She makes several references to Mother Ocean and The Great Orca. Unfortunately, to defend her world from the Rapture, Finale was forced to kill her world and its inhabitants. As a result, Finale fears water since joining the Sovereigns. She fears what will happen if the Mother Ocean of Earth finds out who she is. Finale wears full body armor throughout the series, and we never truly see her face. It has been suggested that Daisy Miller[who?] is, in fact, Finale in a human form.
- Rampart (Jaffar Ibn Haroun Al Raschid) is a prince of a Muslim-like society. He has ability to manifest force fields. He is generally considered to be attractive as several of the local girls tend to swoon in his presence.
- Reflex (Walter Thorsson) is a speedster from a seemingly Nordic/Christian heritage. Unlike most characters with super-speed, both in DC and Marvel comics, Reflex is a large person. This causes some problems for him when dealing with normal, every-day things, like typing. He does have, as his name suggests, well-honed reflexes.
- Cruiser (Nicholas Helicon) is a telekinetic who fuels his powers with his body mass. As a result he's always hungry. Throughout the series, Cruiser goes from incredibly skinny, and 'running on empty,' to quite fat, but with plenty of power in reserve.
- Indigo is one of the most mysterious of the Sovereign Seven. 'He' is an enigma, without a true identity; even the pronoun "he" is arbitrary. When he desires it, Indigo can go completely unnoticed. His presence simply isn't registered, whether it's in a dark hallway or a crowded street. He is also the consummate persuader. He can convince almost anyone (or anything) to do what he wants. He is a master infiltrator, allowing him to get into and out of secure areas. He is also the Sovereigns' tactician, carrying out Cascade's orders no matter how difficult.
References
- ^ Writeups.org - Cruiser. Accessed May 25, 2008
- ^ Review of The Flash Girls' debut CD The Return of Pansy Smith and Violet Jones (SteelDragon Press/Spin Art, 1993). Accessed May 25, 2008