The Secret Origins of SuperheroesLike this list

16 items

• Gilgamesh

  a New English Version

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  Gilgamesh is often called the first superhero. His values and actions might not always seem "heroic" to our modern values, but he's certainly epic and laid the groundwork for modern superhero adventures.

• The Odyssey

  Homer,

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  Like Gilgamesh, the adventures of Odysseus and his crew are a foundation for a lot of modern superhero adventures, and Greek mythology often shows up in superhero stories, most notably with Wonder Woman.

• The Nibelungenlied

  the Lay of the Nibelungs

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  Not just an epic tale of German mythology, this was a source for Wagner's epic Ring Cycle operas, which were a direct inspiration for the original Green Lantern with his magic ring.

• The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood of Great Renown in Nottinghamshire

  Pyle, Howard, 1853-1911

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  An obvious inspiration for the Green Arrow and Hawkeye of the Avengers, but in general, many superhero comics in the 1930s and 1940s had characters fighting wealthy entrepreneurs and corrupt politicians on behalf of the poor and…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Scarlet Pimpernel

  Orczy, Emmuska Orczy, Baroness, 1865-1947

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  A clear ancestor of the modern superhero, with the main character's duel identity as a clueless, shallow fop who is also a dashing, heroic man of mystery.

• Sherlock Holmes

  the Complete Novels and Stories. Volume I

  Doyle, Arthur Conan, Sir, 1859-1930

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  One of the most famous characters in literature, he was also an inspiration for Batman, the Dark Knight Detective. Batman even met Holmes in the pages of Detective Comics!

• Sherlock Holmes

  the Complete Novels and Stories Volume II

  Doyle, Arthur Conan, 1859-1930

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• The Mark of Zorro

  McCulley, Johnston, 1883-1958

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  Like the Scarlet Pimpernel, Zorro is a model for many of the "wealthy fop who secretly fights injustice as a swashbuckling daredevil." And like Sherlock Holmes, Zorro is a direct inspiration for Batman...

• The Mark of Zorro ; and

  Don Q., Son of Zorro

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  ...In fact, it's now part of the official Batman origin story that young Bruce Wayne had just seen The Mark of Zorro with his parents before they were murdered.

• A Princess of Mars

  Burroughs, Edgar Rice, 1875-1950

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  John Carter is a man from Earth who journeys to Mars, where the lighter gravity gives him heightened strength and the ability to leap long distances. Yes, he was an influence on the creation of Superman. Plus, although somewhat dated, the…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Tarzan of the Apes

  Burroughs, Edgar Rice, 1875-1950

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  Another classic character, another wealthy nobleman with extraordinary powers. The literary character is much more intelligent and clever than generally portrayed on screen.

• The Shadow

  Knight of Darkness

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  One of the most famous crimefighters from the old pulp magazines and radio shows. Not only was he a huge influence on Batman, some of the criminals he fought influenced Batman's famous rogues gallery.

• The Shadow

  Strange Puzzles

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• The Shadow

  Unearthly Specters

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• On the Planet Mongo, Sundays 1934-37

  Raymond, Alex, 1909-1956

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  Not only did Flash Gordon influence space heroes like Superman and Adam Strange, artist Alex Raymond's style influenced every comic book artist of the 1930s-40s. And Flash Gordon was one of the biggest influences on Star Wars!

• Flash Gordon

  Space Soldiers

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