Soran
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Soran is a winged monster who first appeared in the 1987 Dark Horse comic Godzilla, King of the Monsters Special. Soran was one of the "Disaster Monsters" of ancient legend who was awakened in the modern day alongside Godzilla and Inagos in response to the unearthing of an ancient radioactive slab.
Name
Professor Morio Yoshiwara identified the monster as "Soran, the Thunderbird".
Development
Unlike Soran and Kamerus, who both appeared to draw inspiration from unused Dark Horse creations, Soran was not derived from an unused monster nor specifically cited as serving as a surrogate for an existing Toho monster. However, by virtue of being a pterosaur-like monster, he naturally possesses similarities to Rodan, though it is unknown if Soran was specifically designed to evoke Rodan.
Design
Soran is a giant, orange, pterosaur-like monster. Soran's skin is rough, uneven, and bumpy, especially with regards to his skull-like head, in which his skin is sunken in around his eyes and nostrils. Soran possesses large, jagged teeth that remain exposed even when his maw is closed and mane-like fur on his neck. In addition to his large wings, Soran appears to sport fin-like appendages on his body, a spiked tail, and formidable talons.
In Godzilla, King of the Monsters Special, Soran's eyes were white, though they were red in Godzilla.
History
- Godzilla, King of the Monsters Special (1987)
- Godzilla #0, 12 (1995-1996) [only mentioned in #0]
Godzilla, King of the Monsters Special
In the 1950s, bizarre incidents began occurring all over Japan. One in particular happened over the East China sea as a jet airliner came into contact with a UFO between Tokyo and Hong Kong. One witness described the UFO as unbelievably huge, and several others claimed that as the object traveled past them, large evil eyes stared at the plane and its occupants. Professor Morio Yoshiwara believed that all of these bizarre phenomenon were linked to the recent unearthing of a peculiar slab at a construction site. Claiming that it was connected to the coming of the "Age of Monsters," it was said that the slab itself would bring forth "Disaster Monsters": great beasts of legend that have menaced humanity throughout ancient history, including Soran the Thunderbird.
Drawn to the beckoning call of the slab, Soran made a beeline toward Japan, where Godzilla, another monster of legend, had already ravaged most of Tokyo in his search for the slab. Realizing that the slab was connected to these creatures, Yoshiwara and Burton Helzer schemed to remove the slab via helicopter, with Godzilla in close pursuit. Soran intercepted Godzilla over Tokyo Bay, where Helzer franticly tried to dump the slab into the ocean. Fortunately, the Thunderbird's jostling of the aircraft managed to release the slab, pitching it into the deep. Both Soran and Godzilla plunged in after it, but Soran did not get far before needing to return to the surface as Godzilla continued to follow the slab into the dark depths of the ocean. With the slab no longer within reach, Soran hastily departed to parts unknown.
Godzilla
"Blast from the Past"
While investigating a mysterious stone slab, Professor Morio Yoshiwara learned that the carvings warned of great "Disaster Monsters" that have been awakened such as Godzilla, Kamerus, Inagos, and Soran. Before his warnings could be heeded, Godzilla arrived in Tokyo.
"We Have Seen the Future, and It Has Been Destroyed by Godzilla"
The mad scientist Professor Elmer Mason contemplated bringing Soran and other monsters from the past into the pacifist future of 2299 to dominate the planet, although he was devoured by Godzilla before he could realize his plans.
Abilities
Flight
Soran can fly with his massive wings.
Physical abilities
Soran possesses large talons which he briefly used in an attempt to grab the helicopter carrying the slab.
Amphibiousness
Soran briefly pursued Godzilla and the slab underwater, though he surfaced shortly thereafter, suggesting he could not last in the water for an extended period of time.
Gallery
Soran attacking the helicopter and the slab
Professor Mason envisions Soran and other monsters attacking Harmony Cluster Nine
Trivia
- In a flashback sequence, Soran was seen battling Kamerus while Godzilla looked on.
- Of all the "Disaster Monsters", Soran was the only one besides Godzilla to feature in the story beyond a short cameo, and was the only one to interact with Godzilla outside of flashbacks.
Comments
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