by David Hedges
One may not realize initially how influential Greek Myth has been on the world of modern super-heroes. However, many of the most popular and longest lived characters contain numerous aspects ripped directly from ancient Grecian Heroes. This influence is most clearly evident in the characters of Superman and Batman. These two icons are possibly the most recognized and most clearly understood super-heroes in the entire comic book industry. However unknown to most readers is that Superman typifies a warrior hero, much like Achilles, and Batman is a shining example of a trickster hero, such as Odysseus.
From his costume to his super powers, Superman is the Achilles of modern times. Like Achilles, Superman is adept at war. His powers reflect this. He is possessed of superhuman strength and speed, as well as the abilities of flight and heat vision. He is clearly meant to be an excellent physical combatant, just like Achilles. Achilles fought in order to obtain kleos, or honor, it was his reason for living. This is also reflected to a certain extent in Superman. Superman's costume is bright and colorful, clearly designed to attract attention. In addition Superman does not wear a mask when in costume. He does not disguise himself. This obviously points to the fact that Superman does value the acquisition of honor and fame.
Superman's origin also bears some striking similarities to that of Achilles. Most notable is the fact that Superman has two sets of parents. Like Achilles mortal and immortal parents, Superman has human parents who raised him from a boy, but he also has a set of birth parents who were from another planet. These alien parents take the place of the Gods. They are responsible for Superman's special powers and abilities. Also this otherworldly nature causes Superman to never be fully accepted or integrated into human society. He will always be separated from the world in which he lives that he constantly saves, much like Achilles. Also like Achilles, Superman has a weakness, although in his case it is not literally a heel. Superman is vulnerable to Kryptonite, radioactive shards from his destroyed home planet. Death is important to Superman as well. For a time it appeared as if Superman would succumb to one of the futures prophesied for Achilles. He was struck down as a young man after living a life of adventure and constant battle.
While Superman represents Achilles, Batman clearly symbolizes the opposite end of the spectrum. Batman is the Odysseus of the comic book world, a trickster hero. This is evident from his costume. Unlike Superman, Batman's costume is dark and it fully covers his face. It is designed to hide and protect the wearer. Clearly Batman does not seek kleos as does Superman. Also pointing to his status as a trickster is Batman's utility belt. It is full of useful items, all man made. Also different is Batman's methodology. Just as Odysseus used his brain to solve problems, so does Batman. He specializes in intelligence and detective work. He is an escape artists and an inventor. He also makes use of disguises, like Odysseus. Not only does he don the identity of a bat, but often over the course of his investigative work he will disguise himself as a common street thug or a homeless person, in order to gather information. Another parallel between Odysseus and Batman is their companions. Just as Odysseus had a crew for his ship, Batman has fellow super-hero's to assist him, including Robin, Batgirl, and Nightwing.
Odysseus had a scar that symbolized a missing part in the underworld. Batman is similarly possessed of a missing part, although it is quite different. Batman is missing his parents, and his normal childhood. Bruce Wayne was reborn through the death of his parents, a rebirth that was completed with his adoption of the Batman identity. This missing heritage is also what Batman is on a quest to recover. Just as Odysseus was searching for a way home to his family, so to is Batman searching for a way back to a normal life.
A recurrent theme for many super-heroes is a villain who is a warped reflection of the hero. This theme is ripped straight out of Greek myth. Just as Bellerophon was a shadow version of Perseus and Herakles of Iphikles, modern heroes are not without there shadows. Batman fights himself in every battle. He is an outlaw hero who battles other criminals. Superman is granted license to break the law when needed, however no such suspension of the law is granted to Batman. Superman fights a more literal shadow self, in the form of Bizarro. Bizarro is a corrupted duplicate of superman who has often plagued the hero. Most dramatic these confrontations was the battle between The Flash and Professor Zoom, the "Reverse Flash." Professor Zoom was the only person that The Flash was ever forced to kill. Professor Zoom had run rampant on a crime spree which culminated in the cold blooded murder of The Flash's wife to be. In the battle that ensued, the only way the Flash was able to stop his shadow was to kill him outright, a decision not easily reached and full of dire repercussions.
Although not always clearly visible Greek myth's powerful influence on super-heroes is always there, enriching the myths of a new generation.
