Up, Up, and Away: The American Superhero

Day Two: Archetypes

Review As we said last week, the first superhero was invented in the late 1930’s. Superman was the first significant superhero. Of all the heroes that have come since, we see some similarities among them. As we said in mythology, once you can identify the archetype, you will understand the character better.

The Comic Book Archetypes An archetype is a “blueprint” of a character or a framework that gets filled in by the writer/artist. In the American Comic book, there are 5 basic archetypes. 1.The Wizard 2.The Messiah 3.The Golem 4.The Amazon 5.The Brotherhoods

The Wizards

The Wizard The wizards are based on shamans, medicine men, and oracles from the ancient world. For example, you might think of – 3 Wise men of the Old Testament who were Zoroastrian astrologers (able to read the stars) – Merlin (wise counselor of King Arthur) – Gandalf (Fictional wise counselor of Aragorn) Baron Mordo Dr. Strange, Sorcerer Supreme

In the comics, the early wizards were: – Dr. Occult/Mystic Originally a Ghost Detective Later changed to red/blue suit, flight, super strength He was similar to Superman (then unpublished) red/blue suit, flight, from Krypton (Root: Kryptos = Hidden) – Mandrake the Magician – Zatara DC, first appeared at the same time as Superman in Action Comics #1 Cast spells by gniklat drawkcab. Daughter Zatanna (currently in the comics).

Dr. Strange, Sorcerer Supreme Dr. Stephen Strange is a successful doctor who undergoes a tragic accident. He travels to the Tibetan Himalayas to recover and find himself. While in Tibet, he learns of the secrets of magic. He lives in an invisible brownstone and has a Sanctum Sanctorum (Sacred Holy Room). He battles evil and protects this realm from demons as the Sorcerer Supreme. His archenemies are Baron Mordo, human sorcerer, and Dormammu, extra-dimensional demon.

The Wizards Redux The wizards received a make-over in the modern age. Technology replaced magic in the later years. These “wise-men” know secret technical knowledge that allows them to create amazing things, like Tony Stark’s invention of Iron Man.

Icon: Tony Stark, Iron Man Brilliant scientist who lived a reckless youth. Taken by Terrorists (or Viet Cong in original story line) and severely injured (heart destroyed in original story by shrapnel) Created suit to escape. Wore the suit for some time as a personal body guide for himself (secret identity). Tony was the first character to deal with alcoholism in the comics.

The Messiahs

The next archetype is the most pure of them. This one is most similar to the concept most people have of a superhero. The term “messiah,” which literally means “appointed,” will be a descendant to King David, according to the Jewish people. Most people imagine a messiah to be divine, godly. Unlike Jesus in the Christian tradition, the Jewish messiah would be a human, not necessarily divine. (Think Moses.) A messiah will show up at a time of great need and help his people whether they are actually his people or whether he was adopted.

The Characteristics of a Messiah Self-sacrificing (put others before him or herself) Noble (Holds himself to a higher moral standard) Helps other because of a greater sense of right and wrong. Altruistic/altruism (Does the right thing because it is the right thing to do.) No personal gain! (Cannot use his power for money or power.)

Icon: Captain Marvel

Homeless boy, Billy Batson, stumbles into a subway tunnel. A driverless subway car covered in arcane runes takes him to a chamber. On the walls are the 7 deadly sins and the names of 6 mythological figures. An old man tells him how to become Captain Marvel, just before he is killed. The man becomes a ghost who leads Billy in doing good deeds. (Think Obi-Wan in early Star Wars.) He yells out the word “Shazam” to become the character Captain Marvel.

Captain Marvel Captain Marvel’s word of power invokes the power of these mythological characters. Solomon-Wisdom Hercules-Strength Atlas-Stamina Zeus-Power Achilles-Courage Mercury-Speed Black Adam (The Egyptian Man) For Adam, the powers of the mystical word SHAZAM! are based on Egyptian dieties.SHAZAM! the stamina of Shu, speed of Heru, strength of Amon, wisdom of Zehuit, power of Aton and courage of Mehen.

The Golems

The Golem This archetype also comes from the Jewish myth. Most famous golem comes from Rabbi Loew, a Jewish leader in 16 th Century Prague. Loew formed a Golem by molding clay from the Vltava River. He breathed life into it by using a power word emet (truth). Like most of the creations of man, the golem meant to protect the Jews became too powerful. To kill the golem, Loew rubbed out the 1 st letter to create met (death). The Golem is historically seen as the first robot.

The Characteristics of a Golem The Golem in comics is an “antihero”. They are dangerous heroes who act out of a need for vengeance against someone or a whole class of people or some psychological need to make something different. They can be berserkers whose rage causes them to kill almost without regret. They often have something artificial about them (cybernetic implants, disguise). Generally, they have something transformed about them. They have been changed by an event or by science.

Icon: The Batman Billionaire Bruce Wayne’s parents were gunned down when he was 8, severely scarring him. He trained himself to become the greatest physical specimen (martial arts, acrobatics, climbing, weight- lifting) Mentally, he trained himself to become the World’s Greatest Detective. He is one of the three lead DC heroes as a costumed vigilante. He has no superpowers, just gadgets. Bruce took on another orphan named Richard Grayson (Robin) who he trained to fight crime.

Examples of the Golem in Comics

The Amazons

This archetype is the female counterpart of the messiah. The word Amazon comes from the fabled Greek warrior women, who outlawed men except for reproduction and were the most fierce fighters of the Greek world. Amazons fought the Greek heroes like Hercules and Achilles, sacked the city of Athens, and invented the cavalry. Warrior goddesses like Nike, Athena, and Artemis further fuel this archetype.

The Characteristics of Amazons Amazons generally stand apart from their male counterparts. They have difficulty fitting in to the male dominated comic book world. Amazons have to balance the feminine aspect with the masculine aspects of their nature. They are more powerful and more aggressive than normal women.

Icon: Wonder Woman Wonder Woman is by far the most successful Amazon. She is actually an Amazon. Diana (named for the goddess) is the daughter of the queen of the Amazons. She was to bring the peace and wisdom of the Amazons to the world torn apart by the men and their wars. First created in 1941, she had a magic lasso, indestructible bracelets and an invisible plane. Later, she became nearly as strong as Superman and can fly on her own.