Greetings, old friends! There’s always a bit of melancholy that strikes when I look back at this site after so long an absence. For years, Modern Mythologies was my way of expressing my love and passion for DC Comics – writing and publishing articles about characters and storylines that make up the mythology that has […]
March
31
Illuminance
posted by Reid Vanier
So much of superhero mythology depends on the symbolism of the heroes and villains. Their code names, costumes, gadgets, and powers combine with their motivations and actions to create a very particular mythological purpose that transcends the individual – Batman represents order and justice regardless of whether it is Bruce Wayne or Dick Grayson under […]
March
23
Language Corrupts Thought
posted by Reid Vanier
Words have power. They have meaning. Words are used to express or describe one’s thoughts and feelings, to persuade or to justify one’s actions, and to codify our experiences as human beings. They have the ability to define the concrete and conjure the conceptual, and therefore the precise and accurate selection of words is one of […]
March
16
Diametrically Opposed: Superman / Lex Luthor
posted by Reid Vanier
Diametrically Opposed is a series exploring the best hero-villain rivalries in the DC Universe. Superman is without question the most iconic superhero in all of comic books. He was one of the first superheroes ever published, and his incredible power and unyielding goodness have made him a constant presence in popular culture in the more […]
October
14
Retro Review: Adventure Comics #452 (1977) – “Dark Destiny, Deadly Dreams”
posted by Reid Vanier
Retro Review takes a look at iconic issues of DC Comics books and measures their artistic integrity against their cultural and symbolic importance to the DC Universe and comic books in general. Adventure Comics #452 – “Dark Destiny, Deadly Dreams” Written by David Michelinie Pencils & Inks by Jim Aparo Colours by Jerry Serpe Letters […]
October
07
Diametrically Opposed: Mister Miracle / Granny Goodness
posted by Reid Vanier
Diametrically Opposed is a series exploring the best hero-villain rivalries in the DC Universe. Of all of Jack Kirby’s contributions to the world of comic books, the one that is perhaps the most expansive while simultaneously being the least understood is that of the Fourth World – the extra-dimensional realm in which reside the New […]
September
30
The Power of Babel
posted by Reid Vanier
When the Detective Chimp made his first appearance in the pages of Adventures of Rex the Wonder Dog #4, the character was, unsurprisingly, not to be taken particularly seriously. The year was 1952, placing the character’s debut a full four years before Barry Allen’s first appearance and the official start of the Silver Age of […]
September
23
Secret Admirer
posted by Reid Vanier
Obsession is a common theme in superhero comics. Whether good or evil, many characters can be considered to be governed by a particular obsession. Justice, revenge, perfection, conquest, and many others are all extremely common examples. In the case of two generations of Reverse-Flash – Professor Zoom and Zoom – obsession is the symbolic mantle […]
September
16
Diametrically Opposed: Golden Age Flash / The Thinker
posted by Reid Vanier
Diametrically Opposed is a series exploring the best hero-villain rivalries in the DC Universe. Seventy-five years ago, the Flash made his comic book debut, long before Barry Allen ever became the Scarlet Speedster. Also known as the Man of Speed, Jay Garrick was the Golden Age Flash – the precursor to a long lineage of […]
September
09
A Heavy Burden
posted by Reid Vanier
Many superheroes can trace their origin to a defining tragedy. This is not necessarily the moment the gained their powers or began fighting crime, but rather the critical moment that set them on their life’s path. The obvious example, of course, is the murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne, which began the years of training […]
September
02
Love Will Save the Day
posted by Reid Vanier
In any mythology, the love interest is as common an archetype as the hero or the villain. They often are a catalyst for action and a source of motivation for characters good or evil, and their presence and affection (or the lack thereof) is fuel for the main narrative. But within the context of comic book […]
August
27
Man Of Reel: Dangerous Habits
posted by Matt Poulter
Evenin’ folks. Long time; no see. It’s hard to believe it’s been about a year and a half since I last wrote for Modern Mythologies, given how much has happened in the world of superhero films since even then. Not only has the genre been solidified as one of the most profitable and omni-present in […]
August
19
Retro Review: Superman Annual #11 (1985) – “For the Man Who Has Everything”
posted by Reid Vanier
Retro Review takes a look at iconic issues of DC Comics books and measures their artistic integrity against their cultural and symbolic importance to the DC Universe and comic books in general. Superman Annual #11 (1985) – “For the Man Who Has Everything” Written by Alan Moore Pencils & Inks by Dave Gibbons Colours by […]
August
05
The Destructive Power of Resistance
posted by Reid Vanier
A key component of any form of culture is the investment of the audience.If no one is buying a ticket to the show, turning on the channel at the right time, etc., then that particular piece of culture serves no purpose. The audience is crucial, but beyond their financial investment, what is necessary is that […]
July
29
Diametrically Opposed: Martian Manhunter / Despero
posted by Reid Vanier
Diametrically Opposed is a series exploring the best hero-villain rivalries in the DC Universe. Being a founding member of the Justice League has made the Martian Manhunter an important figure in the mythology of the DC Universe, but despite his relative popularity and importance, his personal rogues gallery is not especially deep or well-defined. But […]
July
15
The Danger of Inexperience
posted by Reid Vanier
Throughout the DC Universe, there are several prominent mythologies that address the notion that superpowers are not the be all and end all of what makes a superhero. The obvious examples are non-powered heroes such as Batman and Green Arrow, who are among the most proficient and effective heroes without possessing a single superpower. Others, […]
July
08
A Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
posted by Reid Vanier
Are we in control of our own destiny? This is a common question posed by many genres of literature, but it has a special place in superhero comics. Sometimes, it is as simple a construct as the notion that possessing superhuman abilities thrusts one into fate’s spotlight – a sort of artificial destiny in which […]
July
01
Diametrically Opposed: Golden Age Vigilante / The Dummy
posted by Reid Vanier
Diametrically Opposed is a series exploring the best hero-villain rivalries in the DC Universe. In the grand mythologies of superhero comics it is easy to get caught up in the larger than life – the powers and the genius, the dastardly plots and the desperate victories. But at their heart, these mythologies still need to […]
June
24
Retro Review: Batman #1 (1940) – “The Cat”
posted by Reid Vanier
Retro Review takes a look at influential issues of DC Comics books and measures their artistic integrity against their cultural and symbolic importance to the DC Universe and comic books in general. Batman #1 (1940) – “The Cat” Written by Bill Finger Art by Bob Kane Inks & Letters by Jerry Robinson Published: June 1940 […]
June
17
We Are Ultra Comics
posted by Reid Vanier
One of the key elements of the mythology of the DC Universe is the fact that it is, in fact, a Multiverse. Originally, the concept of the Multiverse was introduced to account for continuity discrepancies between the Golden Age and Silver Age of Comics. Most notably, characters like the Flash, Green Lantern, and Hawkman and […]
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