Wanted to thank Sarvi for the feedback on Coming to America 14,000 BC, I had thought it too good to be true, but one could hope. Regarding A.D. 813 The recreation of Odin hung from the world-tree with a spear-point wound in his side. This is much akin to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Can anyone tell me if this is 'real' Norse Mythos or another fabrication? Thanks!
According to the common legend, Odin, the king of the Gods, wished to know more of the details regarding Ragnarok. The Ragnarok was foretold, but the details were not known, so Odin went to Mimer, the keeper of the well of knowledge and wisdom and asked to drink of the waters therein. If Odin were to drink from these waters, he would gain future sight and know all the details of the end of time. Thus there was a special link between the legend of the Yggdrasil and the paranormal phenomenon of precognition.
Although Yggdrasil would be consumed or destroyed in the Ragnarok, a new tree would grow in its place and from it a new race of humankind would evolve. So the fate and welfare of humankind was closely associated with the Yggdrasil. But Mimer would not let Odin drink from the well unless Odin paid a special price. Odin plucked out his eye and threw it into the well and thus won the privilege of drinking the magical water, gaining future sight and special knowledge of the Ragnarok. Thereafter, Odin left Asgard to wander the earth among humans in the guise of a beggar until the day when he would lead the Gods and dead warriors in the battle between good and evil at the end of time.
This story was in a mythology anthology (that would make a cool name for a band, don't you think?) I own--but the Odin of both Sandman and American Gods underwent the same mythos.
Gaiman, I'm pretty sure, has always remained fairly true to the actual mythology of the pantheons he utilizes (as true as one can remain, that is, considering all the variations you get on any story).
Considering all the crossovers, aren't the DC and Marvel universes intertwined? Doesn't Gaiman's version of Norse mythology (which pretty much is 100% faithful to the original mothos) conflict with the Marvel version? I don't read Marvel, but from what I understand, their Thor is a Fabio-lookalike with a human alter-ego.
The DC and Marvel universes have nothing to do with each other continuity wise, except when it's a good marketing move to make it otherwise. I really wouldn't worry about it.
=Brian
Posts: 90 | Location: Charlottesville, VA | Registered: August 11, 2001
I'm actually quite annoyed by all these crossovers. In a way, it means that if you read Sandman or another good DC comic, you have to acknowlege (sp?) Spawn, Alien, Predator, Archie, Sabrina the goddamned teenage witch, Witchblade, Tobm Raider, Punisher and so forth as parts of a continuity that already is quite stretched. For example, in DC Hell is more a state of mind than an actual place, whilst in Spawn, it's a planet.
I am usually able to ignore this, but I can't help letting it bug me.
I agree, though I don't think the breaches continuity carry over beyond the last pages of the crossover in question. That is, until Marvel is bought out by Time-Warner as well: and then everything will be one happy cumbersome family.
Posts: 1587 | Location: New Britain, Connecticut, USA | Registered: October 05, 2001
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