Introduction
Interlac is the universal galactic language in DC Comics, used primarily by the Legion of Super-Heroes in the 30th and 31st centuries. It is a straight 1:1 substitution cipher over the English alphabet. Type your message above and each letter becomes an Interlac glyph. The tool runs entirely in your browser. Toggle the direction to decode Interlac back to English. The mapping table in the settings panel shows every letter and its glyph, so you can learn the alphabet as you translate.
What this tool does
- Converts English text to Interlac glyphs using a 1:1 substitution over the 26-letter alphabet (A-Z). Each letter maps to a Private Use Area code point from U+E700 to U+E719.
- Bidirectional translation: switch between text-to-Interlac and Interlac-to-text modes with the dropdown or the swap button.
- Both uppercase and lowercase English letters map to the same Interlac glyph. Decoded output is returned in uppercase.
- Non-alphabet characters (digits, punctuation, spaces, line breaks) pass through unchanged in both directions.
- All processing happens client-side. No text is sent to any server.
How this tool works
The translator keeps a lookup table that maps each ASCII letter (A-Z, a-z) to a Private Use Area code point. In encode mode, every alphabetic character is replaced with its Interlac glyph. The letter A becomes U+E700, B becomes U+E701, continuing through Z at U+E719. In decode mode, the process reverses: each PUA code point in the E700 range is looked up in an inverse map and converted back to its uppercase English letter. Characters outside A-Z, including numbers, punctuation, and whitespace, are left untouched. The output updates as you type with no page reload. The mode setting syncs to the URL via the `mode` query parameter, so shared links open the tool in the correct direction.
How the cipher or encoding works
Interlac first appeared in DC Comics in the 1960s. It was created for the Legion of Super-Heroes, a team of teenage superheroes from the future. The Legion debuted in Adventure Comics #247 (1958), written by Otto Binder and drawn by Al Plastino. Interlac was introduced as the common language of the United Planets, the galactic government in the 30th century. According to the DC Database, it functions as a literal letter-for-letter substitution over English. The Wikipedia article on Interlac and the Legion of Super-Heroes Wiki confirm this 1:1 mapping.
The alphabet appears throughout Legion stories as background text on computer screens, signs, and documents. Writers used it as an Easter egg for attentive readers. When the Legion appeared in DC animated series, Interlac text showed up on interface displays. The script has remained consistent over decades because it is simple: 26 letters, one glyph each, no special rules.
This simplicity makes Interlac a good fit for a translator tool. Unlike constructed languages with full grammar systems, Interlac has no syntax or vocabulary to learn. You are writing English with different symbols. The tool assigns each glyph to a Unicode Private Use Area code point in the range U+E700 through U+E719. A custom font registered as `var(--font-interlac)` renders these code points as the correct glyphs. Without the font, the browser displays placeholder boxes, but the encode and decode logic remains accurate.
How to use this tool
- Select a mode: "Text to Interlac" to convert English into glyphs, or "Interlac to Text" to decode glyphs back to letters.
- Type or paste your text in the input field. The output updates instantly.
- In encode mode, each A-Z letter is replaced with its Interlac glyph. In decode mode, each glyph in the U+E700 range is converted back to an uppercase letter.
- Use the swap button to reverse direction without retyping.
- Copy the result with the "Copy result" button and paste it anywhere that supports Unicode.
Real-world examples
Writing a Legion of Super-Heroes message
A comic fan wants to write "LEGION" in Interlac for a fan art piece. They type LEGION in encode mode. L, E, G, I, O, and N each become their corresponding glyphs. The output is a string of six Interlac symbols. They copy the result and use it as a reference for their artwork.
Decoding a comic panel Easter egg
A reader spots Interlac text on a computer screen in a Legion of Super-Heroes comic. They have the Interlac font installed and can copy the glyph string. They paste it into decode mode. The translator reverses the substitution and returns the hidden English message in uppercase. Spaces and punctuation from the original panel are preserved.
Roleplaying game prop
A tabletop RPG gamemaster is running a sci-fi campaign and wants to hand players a prop written in an alien script. They type a short message in encode mode, copy the Interlac output, and print it on a prop document. Players who find an Interlac alphabet chart can decode it. The 1:1 mapping means no special rules or grammar to worry about.
Comparison with similar methods
| Method | Complexity | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Interlac | Low | DC Legion of Super-Heroes, 1:1 substitution over A-Z |
| Kryptonian (Man of Steel) | Low | DC Superman films, also 1:1 substitution over A-Z |
| Aurebesh | Low | Star Wars galaxy alphabet, substitution with extra letters |
| Standard Galactic Alphabet | Low | Minecraft enchanting table script, 1:1 over A-Z |
Limitations or considerations
Interlac is a simple substitution cipher, not encryption. Anyone with the mapping table can read the output. Decoded text is always uppercase because the Interlac script does not distinguish case. Glyphs render only when the `var(--font-interlac)` font is loaded; without it, the browser shows placeholder boxes at the PUA code points. This tool covers the standard 26-letter A-Z mapping. Some DC comics have shown minor variations in Interlac glyph designs across different artists and eras, but the letter assignments have stayed consistent. For real encryption, use the AES block cipher or RSA Key Inspector. To translate another DC fictional alphabet, try the Kryptonian translator. For other fictional scripts, see the Aurebesh translator, the Standard Galactic Alphabet translator, or the Hieroglyphics translator.
Frequently asked questions
What is Interlac in DC Comics?
Interlac is the universal galactic language in the DC Universe, primarily used by the Legion of Super-Heroes. It first appeared in Adventure Comics in the 1960s. It is a 1:1 substitution cipher over the English alphabet, meaning each letter A-Z maps to one unique glyph. The DC Database and Wikipedia document it as a literal letter-for-letter replacement.
Is Interlac a real constructed language?
No. Interlac has no grammar, vocabulary, or syntax of its own. It is English written with different symbols. You are not translating between languages; you are substituting letters. This is why it works so well as a simple translator tool.
Why do I see boxes instead of Interlac glyphs?
The glyphs are stored at Unicode Private Use Area code points (U+E700 to U+E719). A custom font registered as var(--font-interlac) must be loaded to render them. If the font is not available, the browser shows placeholder boxes. The encode and decode logic still works correctly without the font.
How is Interlac different from the Kryptonian alphabet?
Both are DC Comics fictional alphabets that substitute 1:1 over A-Z. Interlac is the galactic common language associated with the Legion of Super-Heroes. Kryptonian is the script of Superman's home planet, most commonly referenced from the Man of Steel (2013) film. They use different glyph sets and different PUA code point ranges. Try the Kryptonian translator to compare.
Can I use numbers and punctuation with this tool?
Yes. Only the 26 letters A-Z are substituted. Numbers, punctuation marks, spaces, and line breaks pass through unchanged in both encode and decode modes. This matches how Interlac appears in the comics, where non-letter characters are written normally.
Conclusion
The Interlac translator converts English text to and from the DC Comics galactic alphabet. Type your message, pick a direction, and copy the result. The full A-Z mapping table is visible in the settings panel. For another DC fictional alphabet, try the Kryptonian translator. For scripts from other fictional universes, visit the Aurebesh translator, the Standard Galactic Alphabet translator, or the Hieroglyphics translator.