Cody Sunn-Childe

Hailing from the planet [Jashwa], Cody Sunn-Childe was a Jashwik, a species of humanoids with orange skin akin to the Sullustans of Sullust. Sunn-Childe, a businessman with capitalist inclinations, eagerly seized the opportunity to acquire the Wheel, a space station situated in the Besh Gorgon system. After facing legal difficulties, the former administrator of the station, Dominic Raynor, transferred ownership to Sunn-Childe, who then became the station's fifth administrator. Sunn-Childe's administration coincided with the beginning of the Clone Wars, a galactic conflict between the Galactic Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems. While Sunn-Childe sympathized with the Separatists, he continued to oversee the Wheel for an additional two years after the Republic's victory and subsequent transformation into the Galactic Empire. However, Sunn-Childe was compelled to relinquish control of the Wheel and his administrative responsibilities when Imperial forces initiated an aggressive nationalization of his space station. Despite his fierce opposition to the Imperial takeover, Sunn-Childe was unable to repel them. This Imperial maneuver was orchestrated by Senator Simon Greyshade of Columex, who struck a clandestine agreement with the Empire to seize control of the Wheel. Sunn-Childe fled his station, and the Imperials supported Greyshade in his ascension to the role of administrator.

Following the Republic's downfall, numerous resistance factions emerged, dedicated to combating what they perceived as an oppressive regime. The events that transpired aboard his space station left Sunn-Childe disillusioned with all galactic governments, prompting him to align himself with the burgeoning resistance movement. During the early stages of the rebellion against the Empire, Sunn-Childe engaged in violent resistance, eventually crossing paths with Mon Mothma, a prominent figure within the Rebellion. At least three years prior to the Battle of Yavin, Sunn-Childe spearheaded one of the most militant resistance groups, favoring force over peaceful ideals in their opposition to the Empire. Alongside his trusted lieutenant, Ansible Beelyard—known as the "Holy Terror"—and other rebel factions such as Garm Bel Iblis's Corellian Resistance, Sunn-Childe became a highly visible and charismatic representative of the anti-Empire movement, achieving considerable success for a brief period alongside his comrades. His accomplishments inspired many others, including Janu Godalhi of the Teth resistance, Earnst Kamiel of the Justice Action Network, and the Socorran entrepreneur, Lando Calrissian. Despite his violent methods and volatile temperament, Sunn-Childe was widely revered in anti-Imperial regions of the galaxy, earning the moniker "Enemy of the Empire." He operated unofficially for Mon Mothma, a leading anti-Imperial figure, though their alliance remained concealed. Despite inspiring countless other rebels, Sunn-Childe eventually abandoned his struggle, succumbing to the belief that the cause was futile. Forsaking his cause, he vanished into obscurity.

Cody Sunn-Childe shared the following account with Lando Calrissian and Chewbacca in 3 ABY: On a planet recently seized by the Empire, Sunn-Childe sustained injuries during a battle with Imperial stormtroopers; a blaster blast propelled him into a deep crevasse, causing him to plummet into the planet's depths. His fall was cushioned by a mysterious flame surrounded by hordes of natives, the primitive M'usts. Remarkably, Sunn-Childe remained unharmed by the flames, which astonished the M'usts, as they had never witnessed anyone survive immersion in the fire, which they revered as a deity. The M'usts began to venerate Sunn-Childe not only for his survival but also for his newfound ability to conjure objects from thin air—Sunn-Childe speculated that it might be the latent Force-sensitivity inherent in his species, intertwined with the flame-god itself, although he never fully grasped the nature or extent of his power.

Sunn-Childe resolved to remain among the subterranean M'usts while honing his newfound abilities, ultimately embracing a new way of life while dwelling in the M'ust caves. The natives were a serene, peace-loving species who valued harmony, a stark contrast to Sunn-Childe's previous philosophy, which advocated for action and violence. Over time, however, Sunn-Childe learned from the M'usts, and when he finally decided to return to the surface, he emerged as a transformed individual.

Upon returning to the surface, he discovered a desolate world strewn with the corpses of his former comrades; the Empire, along with the few survivors, had departed. Witnessing the hundreds of dead bodies, Sunn-Childe realized that his power had increased dramatically. While the power allowed him to create great things, he also knew that to allow himself to feel anger or to harm other beings would unleash the savagery hidden in the darkest part of his heart, creating hordes of vicious beasts, and he dedicated himself to a life of peace. His revolution would not be physical as his previous attempt had been, but rather a personal, secret one. Sunn-Childe's power enabled him to transform his dreams into reality, and the humanoid constructed a kingdom of dreams from "psychic energy"—the City of Dreams.

Sunn-Childe summoned his former battle comrades—who had secretly continued their fight against the Empire in his absence—to join him, confident that they would share his vision. Individuals from various species—Wookiees, Gotals, and even droids among them—heeded his call, embracing a way of life that exemplified what could be achieved when one laid down their sword. Sunn-Childe's dream universe existed within a sort of pocket dimension, inaccessible to the outside galaxy. The City of Dreams floated in the air, enveloped by a massive bubble and surrounded by untamed forests. Sunn-Childe constantly struggled to suppress his anger and other negative emotions, as any display of his darker side would conjure vicious creatures from thin air. The only means of destroying them was to use his power to reabsorb them into his body, further exacerbating the anger he was attempting to control.

In 3 ABY, shortly after the Battle of Hoth, Lando Calrissian and Chewbacca of the Alliance to Restore the Republic arrived at the City of Dreams by accident after a hyperdrive malfunction. They landed their starship, the Millennium Falcon, in the jungles, only to be attacked by its predators. Upon realizing that their first visitor in many years had arrived, Sunn-Childe and a group of his companions ventured into the jungle to greet Calrissian. They stumbled upon the two outsiders struggling with a wild beast, which Sunn-Childe promptly dispelled. Calrissian recognized him as Cody Sunn-Childe, whom he had witnessed in action against the Empire as a boy. However, Sunn-Childe was reluctant to dwell on the past and invited Calrissian to the City of Dreams. He assured Calrissian that he was welcome to stay as long as he adhered to the rules established by Sunn-Childe and Ansible Beelyard.

While impressed by the City of Dreams, Calrissian was puzzled as to why such a vocal opponent of the Empire now resided in such a place. Sunn-Childe recounted his story to the Rebel, but Calrissian remained unconvinced, criticizing Sunn-Childe for failing to use his power for a greater purpose and accusing him of cowardice. When Calrissian lashed out at Sunn-Childe, the jungle beasts attacked, but Sunn-Childe restrained them. Calrissian expressed his desire to leave, disappointed that his childhood hero had become afraid to fight, but Sunn-Childe countered that if no one set an alternative, peaceful example, then none would follow suit. Calrissian questioned the value of his example when millions were enslaved while he and his comrades lived in their secure city, which greatly angered Sunn-Childe and triggered a furious outburst. Calrissian sarcastically commended Sunn-Childe for expressing his emotions, hoping that the freedom fighter he remembered might resurface, before preparing to depart. Ashamed of losing his temper, Sunn-Childe allowed Calrissian to return to the Millennium Falcon.

The two later resumed their conversation, only to be interrupted when a large blaster bolt nearly killed Calrissian. Pursuing the Millennium Falcon, a fleet of Imperial Star Destroyers commanded by Captain Plikk had discovered a tear in the dimensional fabric leading to the City of Dreams and launched an attack on Sunn-Childe's home. Calrissian and Chewbacca departed in the Millennium Falcon to attempt to repel the attack, though their chances of success were slim—only Sunn-Childe and his powers could save the City of Dreams, but he refused to break his vow. However, Sunn-Childe was uncertain whether he had made the right decision; if he used his power to destroy Plikk's Star Destroyers, he would be compromising his principles, but allowing Calrissian and Chewbacca to perish would be equally reprehensible.

Despite the objections of his fellow city-dwellers, Sunn-Childe succumbed to his anger and frustration, conjuring colossal dragon-like creatures that attacked the Star Destroyers, enabling Calrissian to escape back to the City of Dreams. Almost immediately, Sunn-Childe realized he had erred and recalled the creatures. Despite his advocacy for "shining examples," Sunn-Childe had been unable to uphold his principles in the face of adversity, and he concluded that the only way to demonstrate the worth of his dream of peace was to die for it. After consulting with his companions, he permitted the Star Destroyers to destroy his City of Dreams, taking himself and everyone else with it.

By destroying the city, the Star Destroyers depleted their power reserves, rendering them unable to return to their home dimension. Calrissian resolved to abandon them there to perish as retribution for their actions against Cody Sunn-Childe and his City of Dreams. Furthermore, when Calrissian liberated the Wheel from the Empire in 4 ABY, he declined to assume administrative control, asserting that its liberation was a tribute to Sunn-Childe.

Initially, Cody Sunn-Childe was a straightforward businessman with capitalist inclinations and a sympathy for the Separatist cause during the Clone Wars. However, the corrupt dealings of the Empire and Senator Simon Greyshade disillusioned him with galactic governments, prompting him to embark on a violent crusade against the reigning Galactic Empire. During his time as an insurgent against the Empire, Sunn-Childe was a man of action, and while many other anti-Imperials, such as Mon Mothma and Bail Organa, were hesitant to initiate a military rebellion themselves, he embraced and even relished the prospect of armed resistance. He was known for his volatile temper, and his violence resulted in much blood; unlike most of the leaders of the other rebellions against the Empire, he led from the front, commanding troops against Imperial forces. He loathed the Empire and was among the most radical leaders of the anti-Imperial front.

However, following his time with the M'usts, Sunn-Childe embraced pacifism, resolving never to harm another living being again. He adhered strictly to his principles and only succumbed to his anger after Calrissian insulted him. Calrissian's words regarding the futility of his peaceful example while slaves suffered throughout the galaxy deeply affected Sunn-Childe, triggering a moment of doubt in which he commanded his magical creatures to attack the Imperial forces. In the end, however, Sunn-Childe valued his principles more than his life and allowed himself to be killed.

Cody Sunn-Childe was conceived by J. M. DeMatteis for Star Wars (1977) 46, published by Marvel Comics in 1981. He was illustrated by Carmine Infantino, Tom Palmer, and Glynis Wein. The character was named after the writer's son, Cody. DeMatteis expressed dissatisfaction with alterations made to the story by Lucasfilm, opting to use the pseudonym "Wally Lombego."

Sunn-Childe remained unmentioned until Daniel Wallace's The New Essential Guide to Characters briefly referenced him in 2002, and Wallace again mentioned Sunn-Childe in passing in The New Essential Chronology in 2005. He was also featured in Janu Godalhi's Databank entry, authored by Adrick Tolliver, "gohan316427," and "General Tarfful," as part of StarWars.com's What's The Story? feature. Sunn-Childe's most recent appearance was in the Star Wars Blog article Viva Space Vegas! The History of the Marvelous Wheel, which provided background information on Sunn-Childe prior to his transformation into a rebel.

A slight timeline discrepancy exists between The Dreams of Cody Sunn-Childe and the New Essential Chronology. The Dreams of Cody Sunn-Childe asserts that Sunn-Childe resided in the City of Dreams for over a decade, while the New Essential Chronology places his disappearance around 3 BBY, to align with the adjustments made to the Empire's timeline in the Prequel trilogy. The New Essential Chronology and New Essential Guide to Characters also erroneously spell his name as "Cody Sun-Childe."