Why haven't any other Gods caught on other than Thor?

[Killerbee911]

It is a pretty simple question that came to mind when reading Avengers No Road Home even with the most generic presentation possible the the Greek God Pantheon is pretty interesting. Which lead me to wonder why don't we have at least one other God that is popular. Hercules and Ares kinda counts I guess but Marvel has seem to crack the formula on them yet. War of Realms is coming up and it is basically another story showcasing Gods. This isn't even first one Fear itself and Chaos War are also events that push the a God concept . So on some level in Marvel it works why do think Marvel doesn't take shot in this area more they are many approaches you take with God concepts I have read Wicked and the Divine, God of High School and watch American Gods each of them work in different ways.


1. Why do you think other Gods haven't caught on Marvel? Do think Superhero tales themselves are modern version of God Myths and that is big reason why more haven't shown up?


2. If you had pitch to Marvel one Mythological God(s) to have a book at marvel who would be your choice?


3. What is your favorite use of Gods in Marvel that doesn't include Norse Mythology?

[leokearon]

I think part of the reason is that Thor in Norse Mythology is like a superhero and is the star/focus of a lot of stories. Most Gods have one or two stories at best, so they don't really fit into the superhero idea as well as Thor. If there was a God to use it would be Lugh, Irish God of Skills, though he would be invincible since he is a master of everything.

[dreyga2000]

Personally, all other Gods in the MU feel like a "Thor-lite". Why would I read about "insert God here" when I could just follow Thor's adventures?

[Cmbmool]

Personally, all other Gods in the MU feel like a "Thor-lite". Why would I read about "insert God here" when I could just follow Thor's adventures?

Moon Knight anyone ? I mean why not show the Egyptians Gods a bit more.

[Killerbee911]

Moon Knight anyone ? I mean why not show the Egyptians Gods a bit more.

Egyptian gods are pretty interesting. I think most Anubis concepts I have seen look amazing.I think they are stuff to work with there

[PCN24454]

While Spider-Man’s supernatural side is always a controversial aspect, I would’ve loved for them to have delved deeper into his relationship with Anansi.

I think the overall problem is “God as a protagonist” feels fundamentally different from “God as a background character”. They would never be able use a god and actually have them feel like a god.

The original interpretation of Thor was that it was Donald Blake inheriting the power of Thor through Mjölnir which is why other characters (Erich Masterson, Red Norvell, Jane Foster) can turn into “Thor”. Once it was revisioned that Donald Blake was just a construct and Thor was a physical entity, he got a lot more powerful.

[Sutekh]

I'd prefer a god who is very different than Thor, in theme and powers.

Artemis would be cool, and very much against the grain, as superhero-archers are rarely powered at all, and a *goddess of archery* who can lift 40 tons and shoot an arrow over the horizon would be insane.

Hermes would fill the niche of 'speedster god,' or even stealth/rogue god. Again, not superhero archetypes that are traditionally as hard-hitting 'big guns' as one based on a god.

Heimdall or Iris would be neat, in that Heimdall's main power is amazing senses (combined with the usual Asgardian strength and toughness), and Iris has Monica-Rambeau-like powers, which is a neat concept.

And yeah, lesser used pantheons, like the Egyptian gods, or the Chinese, Japanese, Central American, West African, etc. pantheons, would be super cool. Less Norse and Greco-Roman gods, more Shango and Sekhmet.

[Mike_Murdock]

Personally, all other Gods in the MU feel like a "Thor-lite". Why would I read about "insert God here" when I could just follow Thor's adventures?

Yeah, for most people, Thor is the god introduced into the Marvel universe as a superhero. The rest are just copies of Thor.

[mugiwara]

1. Why do you think other Gods haven't caught on Marvel? Do think Superhero tales themselves are modern version of God Myths and that is big reason why more haven't shown up?

Probably for the same reason the vast majority of new characters don't caugh up: they haven't been pushed by Marvel since the 60/70s.
If Lee and Kirby created a Horus ongoing in the 60s, maybe he would be as popular as Thor now.

2. If you had pitch to Marvel one Mythological God(s) to have a book at marvel who would be your choice?

If I'm allowed to use an avatar, I'll go with Sun Wukong. I like this character and it's a shame that Marvel gave up on him so easily.
Maybe also Morrigan (formerly Siryn). To show the celtic gods through the eyes of a mortal recently elevated as god (although this kinda has been done with Foster)

If mortals are out of the picture, I guess I have a soft spot for the tricksters. So that would be either Coyote, Susano-O or Anansi.

3. What is your favorite use of Gods in Marvel that doesn't include Norse Mythology?

Obviously there are Hercules (especially the Layton and Pak&VanLente series) and Ares.
I also loved the Anansi short story in Spider-verse.

[JudicatorPrime]

1. Why do you think other Gods haven't caught on Marvel? Do think Superhero tales themselves are modern version of God Myths and that is big reason why more haven't shown up?

Marvel never really pushed them. Not to the extent of Thor, which, if we're being totally honest with ourselves, went through some growing pains and popularity strains since he was first introduced. I personally think that Marvel could have pushed any mythology, but I'm glad that they went with the Norse variety to change things up. Most of the other comics companies had already touched on the Greco-Roman and Egyptian lore.

2. If you had pitch to Marvel one Mythological God(s) to have a book at marvel who would be your choice?

Horus the Elder. Specifically, Redwing as Horus the Elder, stripped of his divine powers by a Cosmic Cube wielding Red Skull and the Elder God, Set. (Not Seth, Set.) I would pitch a limited series where Redwing gradually starts to overcome the effects of the Cube, regaining its powers and ferocity, if not his mortal form. Horus the Elder was basically a skyfather level power, so naturally, Redwing is not someone to be taken lightly. And he is chomping at the bit for some get back. It knows that Set and Red Skull were involved, but suspects that other powers were involved as well. Sure enough, Redwing discovers that Cyttorak had a hand in the power play. Wasting no time, Redwing goes after the Juggernath, basically dragging a disbelieving Sam along with it. It isn't until Sam sees Redwing talon-punch a hole through Juggernaut's chest, removing his heart, that Sam realizes that Redwing is telling the truth. He is Horus the Elder, and through their link, Sam begins to gradually exhibit superhuman abilities as well. Your basic reveal, revenge and revanche tale.

3. What is your favorite use of Gods in Marvel that doesn't include Norse Mythology?

I like that Marvel has its own mythical gods vis-à-vis the Celestials. I hate that they've been knocked down several pegs to be on par with Earth's gods, for some reason. That should never be the case.

[theoneandonly]

Marvel never really pushed them. Not to the extent of Thor, which, if we're being totally honest with ourselves, went through some growing pains and popularity strains since he was first introduced. I personally think that Marvel could have pushed any mythology, but I'm glad that they went with the Norse variety to change things up. Most of the other comics companies had already touched on the Greco-Roman and Egyptian lore.


Horus the Elder. Specifically, Redwing as Horus the Elder, stripped of his divine powers by a Cosmic Cube wielding Red Skull and the Elder God, Set. (Not Seth, Set.) I would pitch a limited series where Redwing gradually starts to overcome the effects of the Cube, regaining its powers and ferocity, if not his mortal form. Horus the Elder was basically a skyfather level power, so naturally, Redwing is not someone to be taken lightly. And he is chomping at the bit for some get back. It knows that Set and Red Skull were involved, but suspects that other powers were involved as well. Sure enough, Redwing discovers that Cyttorak had a hand in the power play. Wasting no time, Redwing goes after the Juggernath, basically dragging a disbelieving Sam along with it. It isn't until Sam sees Redwing talon-punch a hole through Juggernaut's chest, removing his heart, that Sam realizes that Redwing is telling the truth. He is Horus the Elder, and through their link, Sam begins to gradually exhibit superhuman abilities as well. Your basic reveal, revenge and revanche tale.



I like that Marvel has its own mythical gods vis-à-vis the Celestials. I hate that they've been knocked down several pegs to be on par with Earth's gods, for some reason. That should never be the case.

that sounds like it's lifted straight from Sabrina the teenage witch with her cat Salem being a ancient witch or something.

[JudicatorPrime]

that sounds like it's lifted straight from Sabrina the teenage witch with her cat Salem being a ancient witch or something.

Sorry, never read Sabrina, but being a witch, it's typical lore for them to have familiars, esp., daemonic familiars. I did read lots of myths. Rest assured the Egyptian variety are the source. The gods of ancient Egypt were often therianthrophic, if not fully animal. Pretty common practice for gods in many myths and world religions to appear as animals at one point or another... and not merely as a metaphor. Horus the Elder being an Egyptian deity, falcon god, sun god, etc., etc., seemed like a natural to be Redwing. Although the god never intended for Set and the Red Skull to strip him of his divine powers and leave him in that form indefinitely.

[Zero Hunter]

3. What is your favorite use of Gods in Marvel that doesn't include Norse Mythology?

Without a doubt it is Hercules and the Olympians. From the Hercules: Prince of Power future trilogy to the Avengers taking on the Olympians to Hercules solo books.

[CRaymond]

1. Why do you think other Gods haven't caught on Marvel? Do think Superhero tales themselves are modern version of God Myths and that is big reason why more haven't shown up?

Marvel tends to like blonds and nostalgia. Yes to the second point. Gods in the classic sense are more superheroic than cosmic consciousnesses. We are replacing old myths with new ones.

2. If you had pitch to Marvel one Mythological God(s) to have a book at marvel who would be your choice?

Durga. Multi-armed and multi-armed, protector mother goddess, rides a gigantic cat and comes with an archenemy, Mahishasura the buffalo demon.

3. What is your favorite use of Gods in Marvel that doesn't include Norse Mythology?

Hercules as a legit bisexual lug is becoming more and more of an appealing character. I wish they could write an Iceman series that maximizes his comedic and romantic potential.