CHARACTERS & ARTIFACTS
Welcome to the Captain Sunbeam Universe. For those of you who are familiar, or unfamiliar with Captain Sunbeam, we are a story-based band, with our songs being written about the story of Captain Sunbeam, written and conceptualized by Malachy and Conor Duffy. This story is a galactic, spiritual sci-fi tale which centers around the relationship between two key characters: Deep-Forest lumberjack Julian Afterjoy, and Captain Sunbeam Fortunata.
Included on this page are characters and artifacts from the Captain Sunbeam Universe. Though not all of the many characters and objects from the Captain Sunbeam Universe are included here, we chose these items due to their relevance to (our upcoming) album, Songs of Orion, and due to the coolness of the artwork, created by Jamus Jackson and Christopher Colby. We hope you enjoy!
-Captain Sunbeam the band & its affiliates
Compass of Ra
The Compass of Ra is a fabled artifact from the Captain Sunbeam Universe, and plays a key role in the Captain Sunbeam story. It is otherwise known as the Amuulon, and it is said to contain a hidden energy. In the song, OH-RAI, on Songs of Orion, Malachy sings, “If you could hold the compass for a while -- Sweet Jewel (Jul) of mine. The Compass weaves a bitter path.” You can hear that the Compass is an item of intense energy and power, and it is difficult to wield or use. It is an item that has that same Captain Sunbeam duality -- it can be either a blessing or a curse, and sometimes it is both.
Lightaxe
The lightaxe is an important emblem from the Captain Sunbeam Universe. It is the tool of choice for the Deep Forest Loggers of Elyria, who use it to cut down Great Trees -- trees made of living metal, called “antimetal,” which is a highly valued commodity in the Seven Jewels, used primarily for building starships. The lightaxe is equipped to cut through metal, and is also equipped with a tranquilizer gun that can be used to tranquilize any of the dangerous beasts and animals which roam the Jade Forest of Elyria. This axe can be seen in several Captain Sunbeam videos, photos, and pieces of art.
Captain / Julian
This artwork is from the first single from ‘Songs of Orion.’ It’s a poppy-rock heater that captures the essence of our band and the Captain Sunbeam story: the duality of the character of Captain Sunbeam, as well as the duality between Captain Sunbeam and Julian. This image shows that duality, as well as the CSU planets which are of relevance to these two characters.
Luther Divine
The character of Luther Overlight is key to this story, and he is one of the significant characters in the Captain Sunbeam story. Luther is a scientist, working on the most important problem in the galaxy: the demise of the Lifesun. He is captured in the song “Luther Divine” as being someone who can be relied upon (“you give me courage, you give me Luther Divine”). He is an important character, because he provides us with a juxtaposition to the spiritual aspect provided by Captain Sunbeam. Whereas the Captain tends to view things through a spiritual lens, Luther approaches things from a scientific point of view.
Weaponry
Like any galaxy, the Captain Sunbeam Universe is home to its own forms of weaponry, mostly coming in the form of sundaggers and sunspears. Pictured here are two sundaggers, one modern, and one from a previous age of the Seven Jewels galaxy -- both adorned with an emblem of the sun, meaning that they are official weapons of the Royal Watch, the governing body of the inner rim of the galaxy. Sundaggers (and sunspears, the longer version) can be thought of as blasters: they shoot charges, and can be set to a lethal setting, or a stun setting.
Taz-Abalone
This artwork depicts Captain Sunbeam’s infamous starship, the Lovestar, zooming over the waters of Taz-Abalone, the ocean planet. Taz-Abalone is home to many mystical creatures, and is the largest remaining source of Nectar in the galaxy, harvested from undersea kelp-beds. This planet is ruled by the three dolphin princes.
Elyria
Elyria is the fourth planet in the Seven Jewels. Its atmosphere is protected by the Veridian Fields — bands of green stardust that create an energetic barrier between the planet and space beyond. Covered with forests, Elyria is inhabited by humans and mystics alike, and is home to the protagonist in the Sunbeam story, Julian Afterjoy.
The Lovestar
The Lovestar, frequently referenced in many Captain Sunbeam songs, is a spaceship. But not just any spaceship. The Lovestar is Captain Sunbeam’s personal racing starship, and has particular significance and importance to the story. This ship is portrayed in the Captain Sunbeam logo, as well as on the front, and back of (the album). The Lovestar embodies Captain Sunbeam’s persona: adventurous, determined, and ever classic, and cool.