Salvation Run: Difference between revisions

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==Plot==

===Lead-up and premise===

Following [[Black Adam]]’s rampage in ”[[World War III (DC Comics)|World War III]]”, the [[Amazons Attack!|Amazonian attack]] on the United States, the murder of the Flash ([[Bart Allen]]), and the [[Injustice League]]’s attack upon the wedding of [[Green Arrow]] and [[Black Canary]], a government-sponsored secret program is put in place to combat the growing [[metahuman]] threat. Initiated by the President and executed by [[Amanda Waller]] of [[Checkmate (comics)|Checkmate]] and the [[Suicide Squad]], the purpose of the program is to capture supervillains and exile them to the distant planet [[Cygnus 4019]], also known as Salvation, somewhere in [[Cygnus X-1]] via a Boom Tube. Several Suicide Squad members ~~are sent to Salvation once they are no longer needed (examples being~~ [[Bane (DC Comics)|Bane]] and [[Deadshot]]). According to [[Rick Flag]] Jr., the prisoners are not given any supplies or equipment for their survival, as that would make the government responsible for them. Once they are off-world, they are no longer Earth’s responsibility.<ref name=”SR1″/> Cygnus 4019 was intended to be peaceful, but was turned into a “training planet” for the [[New Gods]] of [[Apokolips]], overseen by [[DeSaad]].<ref name=SR1 /><ref name=”SR5″>”Salvation Run” #5 (May 2008)</ref>

Following [[Black Adam]]’s rampage in ”[[World War III (DC Comics)|World War III]]”, the [[Amazons Attack!|Amazonian attack]] on the United States, the murder of the Flash ([[Bart Allen]]), and the [[Injustice League]]’s attack upon the wedding of [[Green Arrow]] and [[Black Canary]], a government-sponsored secret program is put in place to combat the growing [[metahuman]] threat. Initiated by the President and executed by [[Amanda Waller]] of [[Checkmate (comics)|Checkmate]] and the [[Suicide Squad]], the purpose of the program is to capture supervillains and exile them to the distant planet [[Cygnus 4019]], also known as Salvation, somewhere in [[Cygnus X-1]] via a Boom Tube. Several Suicide Squad members [[Bane (DC Comics)|Bane]] and [[Deadshot]]. According to [[Rick Flag]] Jr., the prisoners are not given any supplies or equipment for their survival, as that would make the government responsible for them. Once they are off-world, they are no longer Earth’s responsibility.<ref name=”SR1″/> Cygnus 4019 was intended to be peaceful, but was turned into a “training planet” for the [[New Gods]] of [[Apokolips]], overseen by [[DeSaad]].<ref name=SR1 /><ref name=”SR5″>”Salvation Run” #5 (May 2008)</ref>

===Main plot===

Having arrived on Cygnus first, the [[Rogues (comics)|Rogues]] ([[Abra Kadabra (character)|Abra Kadabra]], [[Captain Cold]], [[Heat Wave (character)|Heat Wave]], [[Mirror Master]], and [[Weather Wizard]]) are the first to find out that the Cygnus is seemingly designed to kill any visitors. Kadabra deciphers the language of the local [[Pygmy peoples|pygmies]] and learns of the “Safe Zone”, a safe district. During their journey, they hear a second Boom Tube arrive and decide to go back. Out of the Boom Tubes come [[Black Spider]], [[Cheetah (character)#Barbara Ann Minerva|Cheetah]], [[Clayface]], [[Effigy (DC Comics)|Effigy]], [[Girder (comics)|Girder]], Hammer and Sickle, a [[Hyena (comics)|Hyena]], [[Joker (character)|Joker]], [[Kid Karnevil]], [[Killer Croc]], [[Killer Frost#Louise Lincoln|Killer Frost]], [[Mammoth (comics)|Mammoth]], [[Mr. Freeze]], [[Mister Terrible]], [[Phobia (comics)|Phobia]], [[Psimon]], [[Rock (comics)|Rock]], [[Shimmer (comics)|Shimmer]], [[Shrapnel (DC Comics)|Shrapnel]], [[Sonar (comics)|Sonar]], [[Tapeworm (comics)|Tapeworm]], and [[Tremor (DC Comics)|Tremor]]. For a short time, they attempt to assert leadership over the second group.<ref name=SR1 />

The [[Body Doubles]], [[Hellhound (comics)|Hellhound]], Iron Cross, [[Manticore (DC Comics)|Manticore]], [[Meanstreak (DC Comics)|Meanstreak]], [[Metallo]], [[Rag Doll (character)|Rag Doll]], [[Skorpio (DC Comics)|Skorpio]], and [[Tar Pit (DC Comics)|Tar Pit]] battle wild robotic beasts, during which Hellhound is wounded. Despite their plans to leave him to die, the other villains bring Hellhound along only to feed him to lion-lizards. Back at camp, Kid Karnevil tells the Joker that he has looked up to him and plans to surpass him by slaying him when he least suspects it. Psimon orates to the entire group that he has figured out a way for them to survive as a society, but it is rejected and he is killed by the Joker. Meanwhile, Rick Flag Jr. transports [[Bane ~~(DC Comics)|Bane]]~~, [[Chemo (character)|Chemo]], [[Lex Luthor]], [[Catwoman]], [[Blockbuster (DC Comics)|Blockbuster]] ~~III~~, and [[Deadshot]] to Cygnus, seeing no further use for Bane and Deadshot.<ref name=”SR2″ />

The [[Body Doubles]], [[Hellhound (comics)|Hellhound]], Iron Cross, [[Manticore (DC Comics)|Manticore]], [[Meanstreak (DC Comics)|Meanstreak]], [[Metallo]], [[Rag Doll (character)|Rag Doll]], [[Skorpio (DC Comics)|Skorpio]], and [[Tar Pit (DC Comics)|Tar Pit]] battle wild robotic beasts, during which Hellhound is wounded. Despite their plans to leave him to die, the other villains bring Hellhound along only to feed him to lion-lizards. Back at camp, Kid Karnevil tells the Joker that he has looked up to him and plans to surpass him by slaying him when he least suspects it. Psimon orates to the entire group that he has figured out a way for them to survive as a society, but it is rejected and he is killed by the Joker. Meanwhile, Rick Flag Jr. transports Bane, [[Chemo (character)|Chemo]], [[Lex Luthor]], [[Catwoman]], [[Blockbuster (DC Comics)|Blockbuster]], and Deadshot to Cygnus, seeing no further use for Bane and Deadshot.<ref name=”SR2″ />

The villains fight heavily amongst themselves, with few mediators. Lex Luthor announces to the group that he, [[Doctor Sivana]], [[Professor Ivo]], and [[General Immortus]] have devised a way to escape. Those loyal to Luthor and those who prefer Joker battle before [[Gorilla Grodd]] calms them with his psychic powers and leaves. After the chaos, Blockbuster ~~III~~ is revealed to be a disguised [[Martian Manhunter]], who is observing the villains on [[Batman]]’s behalf.<ref name=”SR3″>”Salvation Run” #3 (March 2008)</ref>

The villains fight heavily amongst themselves, with few mediators. Lex Luthor announces to the group that he, [[Doctor Sivana]], [[Professor Ivo]], and [[General Immortus]] have devised a way to escape. Those loyal to Luthor and those who prefer Joker battle before [[Gorilla Grodd]] calms them with his psychic powers and leaves. After the chaos, Blockbuster is revealed to be a disguised [[Martian Manhunter]], who is observing the villains on [[Batman]]’s behalf.<ref name=”SR3″>”Salvation Run” #3 (March 2008)</ref>

Catwoman spies on Manhunter and exposes his identity, causing him to be captured. Meanwhile, Grodd kills [[Monsieur Mallah]] and [[Brain (DC Comics)|Brain]] after they attempt to ally with him and [[Vandal Savage]] reaches the Safe Zone at the top of a hill.<ref name=”SR4″>”Salvation Run” #4 (April 2008)</ref>

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* [[Bane (DC Comics)|Bane]]<ref name=”SR2″>”Salvation Run” #2 (February 2008)</ref>

* [[Black Spider|Black Spider (Derrick Coe)]]<ref name=”SR1″/>

* [[Blockbuster (DC Comics)|Blockbuster]] ~~III~~<ref name=”SR2″/> ([[Martian Manhunter]] in disguise)

* [[Blockbuster (DC Comics)|Blockbuster]]<ref name=”SR2″/> ([[Martian Manhunter]] in disguise)

* [[Bloodsport (character)|Bloodsport]]<ref name=”SR4″/>

* [[Body Doubles]]<ref name=”SR2″ />

2007–2008 DC Comics limited series

Salvation Run is a seven-issue 2007-2008 DC Comics limited series which was designed to tie into the company’s major event series Final Crisis in 2008.^[1] The series involves a large group of supervillains being exiled to the planet Cygnus 4019, also known as Salvation, where they are given no support to survive.

The concept of Salvation Run is adapted in the second season of Peacemaker, where the planet Salvation is depicted as a prison located in another dimension.^[2]

The series, which is based on a pitch from writers George R. R. Martin and John Jos. Miller,^[3] follows a world where various supervillains are captured by the Suicide Squad and imprisoned on a distant planet. The story features the villains splitting into alliances and either attempting to escape the planet, known as “Salvation”, or choosing to rule over it. Bill Willingham started as writer, but had to hand the project over to Lilah Sturges after only three issues due to illness.^[4] The first issue was released in November 2007.

Major characters in Salvation Run include Lex Luthor, the Joker, the Rogues (Heat Wave, Captain Cold, Weather Wizard, Abra Kadabra and Mirror Master), and other morally ambiguous heroes such as Scandal Savage and Catwoman. Tie-ins to the series were released in Countdown to Final Crisis, Outsiders, Checkmate, Catwoman, and Justice League of America.

A compiled paperback version of Salvation Run was released on September 24, 2008.

Lead-up and premise

[edit]

Following Black Adam‘s rampage in World War III, the Amazonian attack on the United States, the murder of the Flash (Bart Allen), and the Injustice League‘s attack upon the wedding of Green Arrow and Black Canary, a government-sponsored secret program is put in place to combat the growing metahuman threat. Initiated by the President and executed by Amanda Waller of Checkmate and the Suicide Squad, the purpose of the program is to capture supervillains and exile them to the distant planet Cygnus 4019, also known as Salvation, somewhere in Cygnus X-1 via a Boom Tube. Several Suicide Squad members, including Bane and Deadshot, are sent to Salvation once they are no longer needed. According to Rick Flag Jr., the prisoners are not given any supplies or equipment for their survival, as that would make the government responsible for them. Once they are off-world, they are no longer Earth’s responsibility.^[5] Cygnus 4019 was intended to be peaceful, but was turned into a “training planet” for the New Gods of Apokolips, overseen by DeSaad.^[5]^[6]

Having arrived on Cygnus first, the Rogues (Abra Kadabra, Captain Cold, Heat Wave, Mirror Master, and Weather Wizard) are the first to find out that the Cygnus is seemingly designed to kill any visitors. Kadabra deciphers the language of the local pygmies and learns of the “Safe Zone”, a safe district. During their journey, they hear a second Boom Tube arrive and decide to go back. Out of the Boom Tubes come Black Spider, Cheetah, Clayface, Effigy, Girder, Hammer and Sickle, a Hyena, Joker, Kid Karnevil, Killer Croc, Killer Frost, Mammoth, Mr. Freeze, Mister Terrible, Phobia, Psimon, Rock, Shimmer, Shrapnel, Sonar, Tapeworm, and Tremor. For a short time, they attempt to assert leadership over the second group.^[5]

The Body Doubles, Hellhound, Iron Cross, Manticore, Meanstreak, Metallo, Rag Doll, Skorpio, and Tar Pit battle wild robotic beasts, during which Hellhound is wounded. Despite their plans to leave him to die, the other villains bring Hellhound along only to feed him to lion-lizards. Back at camp, Kid Karnevil tells the Joker that he has looked up to him and plans to surpass him by slaying him when he least suspects it. Psimon orates to the entire group that he has figured out a way for them to survive as a society, but it is rejected and he is killed by the Joker. Meanwhile, Rick Flag Jr. transports Bane, Chemo, Lex Luthor, Catwoman, Blockbuster, and Deadshot to Cygnus, seeing no further use for Bane and Deadshot.^[7]

The villains fight heavily amongst themselves, with few mediators. Lex Luthor announces to the group that he, Doctor Sivana, Professor Ivo, and General Immortus have devised a way to escape. Those loyal to Luthor and those who prefer Joker battle before Gorilla Grodd calms them with his psychic powers and leaves. After the chaos, Blockbuster is revealed to be a disguised Martian Manhunter, who is observing the villains on Batman‘s behalf.^[8]

Catwoman spies on Manhunter and exposes his identity, causing him to be captured. Meanwhile, Grodd kills Monsieur Mallah and Brain after they attempt to ally with him and Vandal Savage reaches the Safe Zone at the top of a hill.^[9]

As an imprisoned Martian Manhunter is confused as to why Thunder and Lightning are on Cygnus as they try to help, Bane shows up and defeats Thunder and Lightning. One week later, DeSaad sends an army of Parademons to attack Cygnus, during which they kill Hyena, Brutale, and Solomon Grundy.^[10]

Luthor and Savage work together to complete the portal powered by some of their fellow inmates. They leave Cygnus 4019 as Lex Luthor sets the portal to self-destruct, killing the pursuing Parademons. Martian Manhunter is still in his flaming cage.^[11]

Villains placed on the planet include:

The series has been collected into a trade paperback:

Salvation appears in the Peacemaker episode “Full Nelson“. This version is an alternate dimension that A.R.G.U.S. located within an alien device called the Quantum Unfolding Chamber (QUC) and chosen by A.R.G.U.S. director Rick Flag Sr. to serve as a metahuman prison.^[2]

^ Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Manning, Matthew K.; McAvennie, Michael; Wallace, Daniel (2019). DC Comics Year By Year: A Visual Chronicle. DK Publishing. p. 316. ISBN 978-1-4654-8578-6.
^ ^a ^b Loving, Casey (October 10, 2025). “‘Peacemaker’ Ending Explained: Checkmate and Salvation”. TheWrap. Retrieved October 10, 2025.
^ https://georgerrmartin.com/notablog/2007/11/16/salvation-run/
^ EXCLUSIVE: Willingham Explains “Salvation Run” Departure, Comic Book Resources, January 28, 2008
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x ^y ^z ^aa ^ab ^ac Salvation Run #1 (January 2008)
^ ^a ^b Salvation Run #5 (May 2008)
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u Salvation Run #2 (February 2008)
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x ^y ^z ^aa ^ab ^ac Salvation Run #3 (March 2008)
^ ^a ^b ^c Salvation Run #4 (April 2008)
^ ^a ^b Salvation Run #6 (June 2008)
^ ^a ^b ^c Salvation Run #7 (July 2008)
^ ^a ^b Checkmate (vol. 2) #19 (December 2007)
^ Salvation Run at DC

Lead-up and premise

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