Michael Moorcock Multiverse

From Tardis Wiki, the free Doctor Who reference
RealWorld.png
Real worldStub.png
You may be looking for the in-universe setting.

The Michael Moorcock Multiverse was a shared continuity encompassing the oeuvre of Michael Moorcock, with nearly every story written by Moorcock taking place within the setting termed "Renark's multiverse" by the novel The Coming of the Terraphiles [+]Loading...["The Coming of the Terraphiles (novel)"]. Numerous more specific connections existed between the various threads of Moorcock's continuity. The term "multiverse" was allegedly originated in its science fiction context by Moorcock in his early novel The Sundered World, with the concept becoming central to his continuity.

The Moorcock Multiverse is relevant to Tardis Wiki due to its crossovers with the Doctor Who universe. Primarily, the novel The Coming of the Terraphiles was a Doctor Who novel written by Moorcock which took place in the Moorcock Multiverse continuity. Additionally, the Moorcock character Seaton Begg crossed over with several Doctor Who universe characters in the Obverse Sextet.

Stories by Moorcock set in the Multiverse

Origins to first Eternal Champion conclusions (1957 - 1976)

For the first decade of Moorcock's career, continuity between his various stories was more subtle. However, several of Moorcock's prominent series of the 1960s heavily paralleled each other, with elements from ''Elric of Melniboné being echoed in Jerry Cornelius and Dorian Hawkmoon. With the Eternal Champion novels of 1970, these parallels were connected to the concept of the Eternal Champion and protagonists from throughout Moorcock's prior works were named as incarnations of the Champion.

Moorcock continued writing stories that fit within the Eternal Champion framework, although at this time the multiversal aspect was not as central, with stories more frequently focusing on the concept of cyclical time. Moorcock wrote a conclusion for the Eternal Champion saga in the 1975 novel The Quest for Tanelorn and in the following year finished the last of his interconnected trilogies of the 1970s with the novel The End of All Songs, which could be considered a conclusion to this period of Moorcock's fiction.

Title Type Series Notes Original release
Daughter of a Warrior King Short story Sojan the Swordsman Introduces Sojan, later established as an Eternal Champion in Phoenix in Obsidian (1970). Tarzan Adventures Vol 7 22
31 August 1957
Mission to Asno Tarzan Adventures Vol 7 25
21 September 1957
Revolt in Hatnor Tarzan Adventures Vol 7 34
23 November 1957
The Hordes Attack Tarzan Adventures Vol 7 38
21 December 1957
The Purple Galley Tarzan Adventures Vol 7 47
22 February 1958
The Sea Wolves Tarzan Adventures Vol 7 48
01 March 1958
Sojan at Sea Tarzan Adventures Vol 7 49
08 March 1958
The Sea of Demons Tarzan Adventures Vol 7 50
15 March 1958
Prisoners in Stone Tarzan Adventures Vol 7 51
22 March 1958
Sojan and the Plain of Mystery Tarzan Adventures Vol 8 9
31 May 1958
Sojan and the Sons of The Snake God Tarzan Adventures Vol 8 12
21 June 1958
Sojan and the Hunters of Norj Tarzan Adventures Vol 8 15
12 July 1958
The Dreaming City Novelette Elric of Melniboné Introduces Elric, established as an Eternal Champion in The Eternal Champion (1962). Elric uses the parasitic rune-covered sword Stormbringer, which is established as a form of the Roogalator in PROSE: The Coming of the Terraphiles [+]Loading...["The Coming of the Terraphiles (novel)"]. Introduces Melniboné, a powerful prehistoric Earth civilisation; the Eleventh Doctor refers to the existence of similar prehistoric civilisations in PROSE: The Coming of the Terraphiles [+]Loading...["The Coming of the Terraphiles (novel)"]. Science Fantasy 47
June 1961
While the Gods Laugh Introduces the forces of Law and Chaos, as well as their battle, here named "the Eternal struggle". Science Fantasy 49
October 1961
The Stealer of Souls Science Fantasy 51
February 1962
The Eternal Champion N/A Introduces the concept of the Eternal Champion, here explained as a function of eternal return. Introduces the recurring Champions John Daker and Erekose; other mentioned Champions include Ulysses, Roland, and "Alric". Introduces the Ghost Worlds. Science Fantasy 53
June 1962
Caribbean Crisis Novel Sexton Blake Precursor to the Seaton Begg stories. Moorcock references The Sexton Blake Library in The Coming of the Terraphiles. The Sexton Blake Library 501
18 June 1962
Kings in Darkness Novelette Elric of Melniboné Science Fantasy 54
August 1962
The Flame Bringers Science Fantasy 55
October 1962
The Sundered Worlds N/A Introduces Jon Renark and Asquiol of Pompeii, the latter of whom is later revealed as an Eternal Champion in Phoenix in Obsidian (1970). First usage of term "multiverse" and the first appearance of Renark's multiverse, the Rim, Guide Sensors, Limbo, the centre of the multiverse, and the Galactic Union. Features the Ghost Worlds, first named here the "Shifter system". The Ghost Worlds are close to the planet "Migaa", which the star Miggea in The Coming of the Terraphiles [+]Loading...["The Coming of the Terraphiles (novel)"] is named in reference to. "The Hole" from this story is reimagined as a super-black hole in The Coming of the Terraphiles [+]Loading...["The Coming of the Terraphiles (novel)"].

In this story, Renark discovers that the Ghost Worlds were created in a war between two alien races, with the planets being impacted by a weapon which forever propelled them sideways through the multiverse. Renark discovers a dying race called the Originators who use each plane of the multiverse like a womb to create species (such as humanity) to become their successors. Renark ascends his consciousness to become one with the multiverse, touching the minds of every human in his universe and initiating an exodus into a new universe so that they may escape the imminent death of their universe and perhaps succeed the Originators. The Coming of the Terraphiles [+]Loading...["The Coming of the Terraphiles (novel)"] indicates that similar events occur in the Doctor's universe.

Science Fiction Adventures 29
November 1962
To Rescue Tanelorn Elric of Melniboné A story in the Elric universe without Elric. Features the Lords of Law and Chaos, introducing the neutral Grey Lords, who are referenced in The Coming of the Terraphiles [+]Loading...["The Coming of the Terraphiles (novel)"] as the Grey Council. Introduces the Realm of Chaos, Realm of Law, and the city of Tanelorn. Science Fantasy 56
December 1962
The Blood-Red Game N/A Sequel to The Sundered Worlds, with the return of Asquiol of Pompeii. Features the multiverse. Science Fiction Adventures 32
May 1963
Dead God's Homecoming Novella Elric of Melniboné Science Fantasy 59
June 1963
Flux Short story N/A A time travel story, in which a time traveller discovers that Nietzche’s eternal return is false and time is a chaotic flux. Limbo appears. New Worlds 132
July 1963
Not by Mind Alone A multiverse story establishing that relativity means that among the infinite dimensions occupying the space of Earth, each person experiences private dimensions rationalized as dreams and hallucinations. New Worlds 134
September 1963
Black Sword's Brothers Novella Elric of Melniboné Science Fantasy 61
October 1963
The Time Dweller Short story The Time Dweller Introduces the Scar-Faced Brooder, established as an Eternal Champion in [which?]. Depicts the final years of Earth, in which it is ruled by “Lords of Time” known as the “Chronarchy” who use the Great Regulator to control Time the same way one controls matter. The Chronarchy’s descendants will become “Time Dwellers”, travellers in time. New Worlds 139
February 1964
Sad Giant's Shield Novella Elric of Melniboné Science Fantasy 63
February 1964
Doomed Lord's Passing Science Fantasy 64
April 1964
The Dream of Earl Aubec Short Story Fantastic Stories of Imagination
May 1964
Stormbringer Novel Fixup novel assembled from Dead God's Homecoming, Black Sword's Brothers, Sad Giant's Shield, and Doomed Lord's Passing 1965
The Sundered Worlds Multiverse Trilogy Fixup novel assembled from The Sundered Worlds and The Blood-Red Game. 1965
The Fireclown Introduces Alan Powys, later revealed as an Eternal Champion in Phoenix in Obsidian (1970). 1965
Warriors of Mars Kane of Old Mars Introduces Michael Kane, established as an Eternal Champion in [which?]. This setting was heavily inspired by John Carter; relevantly, The Coming of the Terraphiles [+]Loading...["The Coming of the Terraphiles (novel)"] features several mentions of Barsoom. 1965
Blades of Mars 1965
Barbarians of Mars 1965
Escape from Evening Short story The Time Dweller A native of the Moon, named a “Moonite”, journeys the House of Time where the Chronachy rules. Introduces the Megaflow, a dimension similar to the Time Vortex in which time travellers travel. New Worlds 148
March 1965
Preliminary Data Jerry Cornelius Introduces Jerry Cornelius, later revealed to be an Eternal Champion in Phoenix in Obsidian (1970). Cornelius uses the needlegun, one form of the Eternal Champion's weapon. Shows one possible fate of Cornelius, merging with his rival Miss Brunner to become a hermaphroditic harbinger of the end of mankind. New Worlds 153
August 1965
The Pleasure Garden of Felipe Sagittarius N/A Introduces Minos Aquilinas, metatemporal detective. New Worlds 154
September 1965
The Golden Barge N/A Introduces Jephraim Tallow. New Worlds 155
October 1965
The Wrecks of Time Novella N/A Introduces John Faustaff, later revealed as an Eternal Champion in the 1996 revision of the story. The plot concerns a multiversal crisis affecting a series of alternate Earth with numerical designations from "Earth-1" to "Earth-15". New Worlds 156-158
November 1965 - January 1966
The Girl Who Shot Sultry Kane Short story N/A This story was written by Moorcock for Golden Nugget, an unsuccessful adult magazine. It was later rewritten to have continuity with the multiverse. Golden Nugget
1966
The LSD Dossier Novel Nick Allard of SMASH Co-written with Roger Harris. This series was later rewritten to be connected to Jerry Cornelius. 1966
Somewhere in the Night 1966
Printer's Devil 1966
Phase Three Short story Jerry Cornelius A loose adaptation of the Elric story While the Gods Laugh (1961). New Worlds 160
March 1966
Behold the Man Novelette N/A Introduces Karl Glogauer, later revealed as an Eternal Champion in [which?]. This is a time travel story in which Glogauer goes to ancient Judaea to find Jesus Christ, discovering Christ's non-existence as a contemporary religious figure and accidently creating the myth himself, ending in his crucifixion. New Worlds 166
September 1966
The Ice Schooner Novel N/A Introduces Konrad Arflane, later revealed as an Eternal Champion in Phoenix in Obsidian (1970). Features the mariner Urquart, a version of whom appears in The Coming of the Terraphiles [+]Loading...["The Coming of the Terraphiles (novel)"]. SF Impulse 9-11
November 1966 - January 1967
The Jewel in the Skull Novel Dorian Hawkmoon Introduces Dorian Hawkmoon, later revealed as an Eternal Champion in Phoenix in Obsidian (1970). Hawkmoon wields the Runestaff, which is revealed as a form of the Roogalator in PROSE: The Coming of the Terraphiles [+]Loading...["The Coming of the Terraphiles (novel)"]. 1967
The Singing Citadel Novelette Elric of Melniboné The Fantastic Swordsmen
May 1967
Sorcerer's Amulet Novel Dorian Hawkmoon 1968
The Sword of the Dawn 1968
The Final Programme Jerry Cornelius Expanded from the previous Jerry Cornelius stories in New Worlds. March 1968
The Delhi Division Short story New Worlds 185
December 1968
Behold the Man Novel N/A An expansion of the 1966 novella. 1969
The Black Corridor N/A A stand-alone science fiction story. 1969
The Runestaff Dorian Hawkmoon 1969
The Winds of Limbo N/A A variation of The Fireclown. 1969
The Tank Trapeze Short story Jerry Cornelius New Worlds 186
January 1969
A Cure for Cancer New Worlds 188-91
March-June 1969
The Dodgem Arrangement Speculation 23
July 1969
The Peking Junction The New SF: An original anthology of modern speculative fiction
November 1969
The Distant Suns Novella Illustrated Weekly of India
June-November 1969
The Adventures of Jerry Cornelius: The English Assassin Comic Written with M. John Harrison International Times 57-71
June 1969-January 1970
The Chinese Agent Novel Jerry Cornell A rewritten version of the Nick Allard novel Somewhere in the Night. Introduces Jerry Cornell, a version of Jerry Cornelius and another incarnation of the Eternal Champion as established in Phoenix in Obsidian (1970). 1970
The Eternal Champion The Eternal Champion An expansion of the 1962 novelette. 1970
Phoenix in Obsidian Many characters are named as incarnations of the Eternal Champion: Corum Jhaelen Irsei, Konrad Arflane, Asquiol of Pompei, Aubec of Kaneloon, Shaleen, Artos, Alerik, Erekose, Ryan, Dorian Hawkmoon, Alan Powys, Jerry Cornell, Brian, Umpata, Sojan, Klan, Clovis Marca, Pournachas, Oshbek-Uy, Ulysses, Ilanth, and Jerry Cornelius.
Features a visit to an earlier era of the Chronarchy's universe from The Time Dweller (1964), introducing an Eternal Champion named Urlik Skarsol.
1970
The Sunset Perspective Short story Jerry Cornelius The Disappearing Future
1970
Sea Wolves Science Against Man
1970
The Nature of the Catastrophe New Worlds 197
January 1970
Last Vigil N/A A dying world story set in the Rim. Deals with themes of the eternal cycle of death and rebirth. Vision Of Tomorrow 11
August 1970
A Cure for Cancer Novel Jerry Cornelius An experimental fixup novel combining all the Jerry Cornelius stories published between December 1968 and January 1970. Various contradictions exist between stories, with the multiverse mentioned in this novel as a possible explanation. 1971
The Knight of the Swords Swords of Corum Trilogy Introduces Corum Jhaelen Irsei, previously mentioned as an Eternal Champion in Phoenix in Obsidian (1970). Corum's full name is an anagram of "Jeremiah Cornelius", suggesting him to be another version of Jerry Cornelius. 1971
The Queen of the Swords 1971
The King of the Swords 1971
The Sleeping Sorceress Novella Elric of Melniboné Warlocks and Warriors
1971
The Warlord of the Air Novel A Nomad of the Time Streams Introduces Oswald Bastable, revealed as an Eternal Champion in [which?]. Introduces recurring character Una Persson. Bastable travels to a version of 1973 where the British Empire still rules using airships, with this novel being a notable forerunner of the steampunk genre. 1971
The Nature of the Catastrophe Anthology Jerry Cornelius An anthology of Cornelius stories, with original linking material providing a chronology of Jerry's life. 1971
Voortrekker Short story Quark 4
1971
(All the) Dead Singers Ink 19
October 1971
An Alien Heat Novel The Dancers at the End of Time Introduces the setting of Earth at the End of Time, which shares some similarities with the Chronarchy of The Time Dweller. Benefitting from the sum of human progress, the last humans have total control over matter and time but suffer from a deep ennui.
Introduces Jherek Carnelian, a version of Jerry Cornelius and an incarnation of the Eternal Champion as established in [which?]. Also introduces Morphail and translation pills. The universe is about to end similarly to its ending in The Sundered Worlds (1962) and Last Vigil (1970) and the time machine from Behold the Man (1966) appears.
1972
Breakfast in the Ruins N/A Features Karl Glogauer from Behold the Man (1966). The concept of possible realities is explored, with 18 possible lives of Glogauer seen. 1972
Elric of Melniboné Elric of Melniboné 1972
The English Assassin Jerry Cornelius Introduces the Jerry Cornelius version of Una Persson. 1972
A Sword Called Stormbringer Comic Conan the Barbarian Co-written by Moorcock and Roy Thomas, this story in the Marvel Comics Conan series featured Elric. Elric and Conan are depicting as existing in the same time zone in separate universes, with Elric travelling between them using magical runes. Conan's universe is shown to have agents of Law and Chaos. Conan the Barbarian 14-15
March-May 1972
The Swastika Set-Up Short story Jerry Cornelius Corridor 4
Winter 1972
Count Brass Novel Hawkmoon: Count Brass Trilogy 1973
The Champion of Garathorm 1973

Development of the Modern Multiverse Mythology (1977 - 1996)

This section's awfully stubby.

Please help by adding some more information.

After a period of more standalone stories in the late 1970s, Moorcock began forming the cosmology of the Multiverse which would define the overall view of his shared universe. Into the 1990s, almost the entirety of Moorcock's works were re-released in The Tales of the Eternal Champion with revisions to adapt them to the Multiverse cosmology established in the 1980s.

Continued stories in the Multiverse (1997 - present)

This section's awfully stubby.

Please help by adding some more information.

Following the second conclusion to the Eternal Champion saga in 1996, Moorcock continued to write stories set in the now-established Multiverse continuity.

Stories by other writers

Alan Moore's graphic novel The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, which has several references to Doctor Who, includes a licensed appearance by Jerry Cornelius.