Mythology has withstood the test of time, dating back millennia but still enjoying plenty of popularity in the modern era. In contrast, superheroes are relatively new, with the first superhero, Phantom, created in 1936. At this point, you might be wondering what exactly they have in common, so let’s dive deeper into this.
The Influence of Mythology on Superhero Storytelling
Mythology has always served as inspiration for pop culture, as we can easily see from all the movies and books that draw on these themes. And we don’t just mean Greek mythology, albeit one of the most popular ever created. For instance, we can see that Irish mythology has heavily impacted the online casino industry.
Among the varied titles available at a live online casino, you’ll come across games like 9 Pots of Gold. If you haven’t heard of live casino before, they are games with a human dealer streamed through live audio and video feeds. This particular example is clearly inspired by the Irish myth of the leprechaun and the hidden pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
With myths reaching so far and into so many different cultures and media, it shouldn’t be surprising that they have also impacted the world of superheroes. Their lore is often deeply rooted in the mythology of different countries, and the plots reflect the tales you would find in these ancient stories. The most commonly explored theme, that of good vs. evil, started with the conflict between two Persian gods, Ahura Mazda and Ahriman.
Examples in Popular Superhero Media
Let’s start this off with the clearest depiction of Greek mythology in superhero media, Wonder Woman. She was an Amazon, Princess Diana of Themyscira, who was originally sculpted out of clay and granted life and powers by Greek gods. Her character has been depicted in various mediums countless times, with stories ranging from her fighting supervillains to monsters from traditional Hellenic myths.
Then we have Thor who is a great representation of Norse mythology. He is the son of Odin, the god of lightning and thunder, and wields a hammer called Mjolnir in both the original tale and the superhero version. As an honorable mention, we have to add his brother Loki here, who typically acts as an antagonist or an anti-hero.
To round this list off we have a lesser-known superhero, Moon Knight, who was inspired by Ancient Egyptian mythology. He gained his powers through a series of events that we won’t spoil for you, that made him into the moon’s knight, the left Fist of Khonshu. For those who aren’t into Egyptian myths, Khonshu is the god of the Moon. He typically isn’t depicted as having any powers, but he is highly skilled in combat and acrobat.
Ultimately, the fusion of mythology and superheroes has created a myriad of complex narratives but with a more fresh and modern perspective. They have also been a great way for people to be introduced to past tales that could deeply resonate with them. So, the next time you sit down to enjoy a superhero movie or series, take the time to note and appreciate the inspiration behind it.
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