Unpacking the Undead: Who REALLY Turns into the Lich in Adventure Time?
The question of who transforms into the Lich in Adventure Time is complex because the Lich isn’t a single being with a fixed identity. He is a cosmic force of entropy, an embodiment of death and destruction, that takes various forms and possesses different hosts throughout the series. While no single character definitively “becomes” the Lich in the traditional sense of a transformation, Billy and Sweet P are most notably linked to the character’s physical manifestations.
The Lich’s essence, originating from a mutagenic bomb near the end of the Mushroom War, initially possessed someone submerged in mutagenic waste. This created his primary, skeletal form. Later, he utilized Billy’s corpse as a “costume” to trick Finn. In the episode “Escape From the Citadel,” the Lich is ultimately transformed into Sweet P after being splashed with the Citadel Guardian’s healing blood. Therefore, understanding the Lich requires recognizing him as a corrupting influence that taints and inhabits different vessels, rather than a character with a consistent personal history.
Lich’s Many Forms and Appearances
The Initial Form and the Mushroom War
The genesis of the Lich is rooted in the aftermath of the Mushroom War. The Lich’s essence was deposited on Earth millions of years prior, riding a catalyst comet. However, its physical manifestation occurred when it possessed a being immersed in mutagenic waste caused by a mutagenic bomb. This marked the birth of the skeletal figure we typically associate with the Lich, a symbol of death and oblivion.
Billy’s Corpse and the Deception
One of the Lich’s most chilling acts was the manipulation of Billy’s corpse. After killing the heroic Billy, the Lich used his body as a gruesome disguise. This allowed him to deceive Finn and Jake into opening a portal to the multiverse using the Enchiridion, furthering his destructive agenda. This act is a testament to the Lich’s cunning and his willingness to desecrate even the noblest of heroes.
Sweet P: The Lich’s Rebirth
In “Escape From the Citadel,” the Lich undergoes a radical transformation. After being doused in the Citadel Guardian’s healing blood, he is reborn as Sweet P, a giant baby with only fragmented memories of his past life. This transformation represents a potential for redemption, as Sweet P grows up to be a benevolent and protective figure, actively fighting against evil. However, the underlying threat of the Lich’s return always looms.
Jake’s Brush with the Lich
While Jake never fully becomes the Lich, he comes dangerously close in the episode “Jake the Dog.” He is exposed to the liquid from a mushroom bomb, which begins to transform him. This transformation is averted when Jake uses his wish to rescue Farmworld Finn from the Lich, effectively erasing that timeline.
Understanding the Lich’s True Nature
The Lich is more than just a villain; he embodies the inevitable decay and destruction inherent in the universe. His desire is to extinguish all life, bringing about a state of absolute nothingness. This cosmic nihilism distinguishes him from other antagonists who seek power or control. The Lich’s existence is a constant threat to the vibrant, chaotic world of Ooo.
His ability to possess different forms and manipulate others makes him a formidable foe. Whether he’s masquerading as Billy, attempting to corrupt Jake, or reborn as Sweet P, the Lich’s influence is pervasive and insidious.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Lich
1. How did Billy become the Lich’s disguise?
After killing Billy, the Lich simply wore his corpse as a disguise. It was a horrifying manipulation tactic used to trick Finn and Jake.
2. Did Jake ever fully turn into the Lich?
No, Jake never fully transformed into the Lich. While he was exposed to mutagenic waste, his transformation was averted when he made a wish to save Farmworld Finn.
3. What is the Lich’s ultimate goal?
The Lich’s ultimate goal is the eradication of all life. He embodies death and destruction, seeking to bring about a state of absolute nothingness.
4. How did the Lich originate?
The Lich’s essence came to Earth via a catalyst comet millions of years before the series. His physical form manifested after someone was exposed to mutagenic waste from a bomb during the Mushroom War.
5. What is Sweet P’s connection to the Lich?
Sweet P is the “rebooted” form of the Lich. He was created when the Lich was splashed with the Citadel Guardian’s healing blood, transforming him into a giant baby with fragmented memories of his former self.
6. Is the Lich more powerful than Golb?
No, Golb is considered more powerful than the Lich. Golb is the embodiment of chaos and existed before time itself. The Lich is considered a follower of Golb.
7. Why did the Lich want Finn?
The Lich needed Finn to help him open a portal to another galaxy. He manipulated Finn into collecting the gems from the Princess’ crowns and placing them in the Enchiridion.
8. Can the Lich be permanently destroyed?
Destroying the Lich’s physical form isn’t enough to permanently eliminate him. He is a cosmic entity whose essence can persist and find new vessels. Eliminating him fully would likely require confronting the source of his power.
9. What is the Crystal Citadel?
The Crystal Citadel is a prison in the multiverse designed to hold powerful and dangerous entities. Finn’s father, Martin, was trapped there.
10. How was Finn able to defeat the Lich in “The Lich”?
Finn defeated the Lich by using a sweater given to him by Princess Bubblegum. The sweater was imbued with “liking someone a lot,” which repelled the Lich’s evil energy.
11. Does the Lich have any weaknesses?
The Lich is vulnerable to the Citadel Guardian’s healing blood, which transformed him into Sweet P. He is also susceptible to artifacts imbued with strong positive emotions, as demonstrated by the sweater.
12. Is there a connection between the Lich and Voldemort?
The article mentions similarities between the Lich and Voldemort in terms of being able to be destroyed in the body and return from phylacteries (Horcruxes).
13. Can anyone become a Lich in the Adventure Time universe?
While the exact process isn’t fully explained, the Lich’s creation involved exposure to mutagenic waste and possessing a host. It suggests a degree of susceptibility or vulnerability is required.
14. What are the gems of the crowns of power?
The gems in the crowns of power are magical artifacts worn by the Princesses of Ooo. They are components needed to activate the Enchiridion and open a portal to the multiverse.
15. Where can I learn more about the educational aspects of Adventure Time?
You can find more information and resources about the educational potential of games and media like Adventure Time on the Games Learning Society website: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. Exploring the GamesLearningSociety.org can provide insights into how games can foster learning and engagement.
By understanding the various forms and manifestations of the Lich, we gain a deeper appreciation for his role as a complex and terrifying antagonist in the world of Adventure Time.