In the Mesopotamian hero epic called "Gilgamesh," there's this guy called -- Gilgamesh -- who pwns everyone.
Yes, I just used the word "pwn." I shouldn't use it, but it is so true here. ("Pwn" is a word for "assert dominance over." IE: My superior penguin torpedo pwns yours ice cream super soaker!)
My notes in the margins always say something like, "Gilgamesh pwns the Forest of Pine," or "Gilgamesh pwns mortality" or "Gilgamesh pwns temptation." Eventually, I just gave up and said, "GILGAMESH PWNS EVERYTHING."
You might be wondering why I'm talking about this Gilgamesh guy. So am I. I do, however, know it has something to do with the conventions of the hero epic and how they show up in the "Digger" arc of Amazing Spider-Man. For example. . .
FOUR: The hero goes through a "Eureka!" moment:
(This has nothing to do with my point, but the next page is just so wonderful that I couldn't not show it.)
FIVE: The hero slays a monster:
SIX: The hero rides on top of a car:
And then gets fined for it.
That's all I could come up with. I hope you liked it. If you guys have any suggestions that come to mind, or are super-appropriate, feel free to bring it up! Let's talk!
2 comments:
Haw! :D
Dunno if Spidey REALLY has all that much in common with Gilgamesh, though. For one thing, Gilgamesh was a king and was worshipped as a demigod. Spidey, on the other hand, gets NO respect. NONE at all.
I think Spidey is more like Beowulf -- respected well enough when there's a monster that needs fightin' -- but once the fightin' is done, everyone just wants him to GO AWAY.
Let's just hope Spidey doesn't get a warrior's funeral anytime soon!
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