Homeric heros in comic books



Homeric heroes appear in western literature as a symbol of hope and deliverance from danger and as a protector of the weak, and are still used in literature, films and movies still but thats not all. When asked, nearly everyone knows what comic books are and can name off several superheroes but without thinking they are actually making a list of Homeric heroes and characters created with the inspiration of western literature. Just as Ethan Edwards in "The Searchers" (Ford) followed the path of a wandering hero on a quest for justice, so does Hal Jordan as he transforms from a nothing party boy into someone that would fight for humanity’s survival. Also in the same way that Lassiter swoops in fight for Jane Withersteen (Gray) so does Bruce Wayne as he becomes Batman and swoops in to protect the city of Gotham and its inhabitants.

The evidence of these accusations are everywhere for example the grail quest would refer to Clark Kent as Superman as he protects his love Lois Lane, the quest to rid the land of danger could be that of the Green Lantern fighting off the evil and protecting humanity, and the warrior journey to save his people would be Batman defending the poor beaten down city of Gotham. The use of these archetypes could be stacked up like blocks in a game of jenga such as the hero encountering monstrous me would refer to villains which every hero faces or the mystery of origin and being raised by a wise teacher such as Alfred who is the butler to Batman. In the case of Daredevil, the hero suffers an unhealable wound and goes through a change when he loses his sight and must rely on his other senses to fight off the evil Kingpin corrupting the city. The list goes on and on for example the use of a hero that is special or one of a kind, or the hero that is supernatural, or in some cases the hero has a loyal band of companions which could refer to Robin as Batman’s sidekick, or the falcon Hawkeye keeps always and uses as his scout, or Aqua man and the sea creatures that aid him in his fight for good. All in all the heroes that keep appearing in pop culture all originate in the same place and from the same material, it’s just the different interpretations or spins of them that make them unique and appealing to individuals.

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