"Comic book heroes are today's modern greek myths". I've heard this a lot before, what are your thoughts?
Comic book heroes are today's modern greek myths
- Thread starter nickynick6
- Start date
Recommended Videos
Except Greek myths were actually believed to be true, also Zeus in Co. aren't toy company sellouts. I also don't read old Greek myths for the hilarious 90's advertisements.
DO [i/]YOU[/i] WANNA BE THE COOLEST DUDE ON THE STREET?
DO [i/]YOU[/i] WANNA BE THE COOLEST DUDE ON THE STREET?
True, but then myths would never spent 10 months out of 12 in yet another massive company wide cross-over. And myths aren't written by pretentious writers who feel the need to "re-imagine" every character they can get their grubby, self important mitts on. But yeah, other than that they are basically the Greek myths of our time.
I wholeheartedly agree. There is a wealth of examples to draw from, superpowers being the least of the concern here. With the variety of powers (strength, flight, energy beams, morphing, etc.), you have the emulation of the various gods who controlled the forces of nature. Even with heroes such as Batman and Iron Man, who apply their natural genius and strictly human physical traits to the application of advanced technology, you have the Greek heroes who rise above any limitations of mortal form.
Powers aside, comic heroes also emulate the philosophical issues of ancient Greece and the timeless personal struggles of the human soul throughout history. Bruce Wayne and Peter Parker had to deal with guilt and the sense of loss in their family. Tony Stark battled alcoholism. There have been story arcs that address infidelity, honor, loyalty, betrayal. Fighting for the sake of the world, or struggling against one's own personal demons. Should heroes be allowed to use their abilities unchecked? Even before the epic trials of the Marvel Civil War, heroes have had to deal with public opinion.
As the ancient Greek myths provided reason for where the sun goes at night and why earthquakes happen, they also told of how heroes dealt with very relevant issues. What defines a hero? What is the truly moral choice? How would someone react when confronted with a relatable problem? Would a true hero kill the person who violated someone he/she loved, or is it more heroic to forgive them? Who truly decides what actions are heroic or villainous? Comic books represent this, especially as they have evolved to mirror the issues which served as the backdrop. The civil rights movement has parallels in the X-Men and their journey for acceptance. In post Cold-War era, the traditional villain became much harder to identify.
Comics have a way of speaking to people and conveying morals in a multitude of ways.
Powers aside, comic heroes also emulate the philosophical issues of ancient Greece and the timeless personal struggles of the human soul throughout history. Bruce Wayne and Peter Parker had to deal with guilt and the sense of loss in their family. Tony Stark battled alcoholism. There have been story arcs that address infidelity, honor, loyalty, betrayal. Fighting for the sake of the world, or struggling against one's own personal demons. Should heroes be allowed to use their abilities unchecked? Even before the epic trials of the Marvel Civil War, heroes have had to deal with public opinion.
As the ancient Greek myths provided reason for where the sun goes at night and why earthquakes happen, they also told of how heroes dealt with very relevant issues. What defines a hero? What is the truly moral choice? How would someone react when confronted with a relatable problem? Would a true hero kill the person who violated someone he/she loved, or is it more heroic to forgive them? Who truly decides what actions are heroic or villainous? Comic books represent this, especially as they have evolved to mirror the issues which served as the backdrop. The civil rights movement has parallels in the X-Men and their journey for acceptance. In post Cold-War era, the traditional villain became much harder to identify.
Comics have a way of speaking to people and conveying morals in a multitude of ways.
I would definately disagree. The myths of ancient Greece were not simply stories told for amusement, rather they were widely-held beliefs as to the explanation of life. The sun rose and set every day not because the Earth rotated around the Sun, but rather because Helios drove his chariot across the sky. The evils of the world were not simply the results of our Id acting up, but instead they were released by Pandora. Myths were a series of stories used to explain the world around them.
Comic book heroes, on the other hand, are an entirely different matter. They are tools used by authors to present the reader with a situation; what would you do with ultimate power? The hero in almost every case becomes a champion of justice, fighting to protect the embattled citizens of their city/realm. Comic heroes are a form of mental masturbation, allowing the reader to imagine what it would be like to have powers that could solve all their everyday problems. It also is used as a form of therapy, showing how everyone suffers from the same types of problems; not even Tony Stark, with his vast fortunes and technological skills, can overcome the simple power of alcohol addiction.
Comic book heroes, on the other hand, are an entirely different matter. They are tools used by authors to present the reader with a situation; what would you do with ultimate power? The hero in almost every case becomes a champion of justice, fighting to protect the embattled citizens of their city/realm. Comic heroes are a form of mental masturbation, allowing the reader to imagine what it would be like to have powers that could solve all their everyday problems. It also is used as a form of therapy, showing how everyone suffers from the same types of problems; not even Tony Stark, with his vast fortunes and technological skills, can overcome the simple power of alcohol addiction.
