Why Vandal Savage Is One Of The Greatest Villains In Pop Culture

The DC Universe features some of the most prolific and recognised supervillains in pop culture. From the insanity of The Joker, to the cold intellect of Deathstroke, DC have a knack for creating compelling villains with a dark magnetism. Another supervillain that has tested the might of DC’s greatest heroes is Vandal Savage.

An immortal who has plagued humanity since its earliest days, Vandal Savage is a man with a singular purpose of crushing anyone who gets in his way.

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Breaking Down The Complex Story Of Shado And Her Relationship With Green Arrow

Across creative mediums like comics and TV, it’s common for fictional characters to be reimagined to fit different stories and premises. Various comic characters have been altered to appeal to mainstream audiences, and a good example is Shado. Known for her connection to Green Arrow, Shado has acted as an enemy and ally for the Emerald Archer.

What’s notable about Shado is that her story has constantly changed to meet the demand of the medium that she’s presented in. Let’s take a closer look at the character to see how she’s evolved through the years.

Why Is Balder One Of The Most Relatable Asgardians?

Thor is one of the most recognisable Marvel characters, but the Asgardian pantheon contains some of the most diverse characters in the Marvel Universe. Balder, the God of Light, is an Asgardian who deserves more mainstream attention. One of Asgard’s most powerful warriors, Balder has helped Thor deal with a variety of threats against their home and his backstory is worth exploring in greater detail.

More Than A Little Mermaid: Ulla Paske And Her Identity As Denmark’s Superhero

Folklore is filled with all kinds of wonderous creatures, and one of the most-well known myths revolve around mermaids. From the malicious sirens of Greek mythology, to the gentle water spirits of Caribbean lore, stories of fish-tailed women can be traced throughout every culture. The story of the mermaid found its way into popular culture, thanks to Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid and the Disney movie of the same name.

So, it should come as no surprise that mermaids have become a popular trope within the comics industry as well. DC’s Little Mermaid is a superhero that many comic fans might not be familiar with, but unlike the Disney version, the character wasn’t born a princess. Instead, Ulla Paske found herself trying to reconcile her surface upbringing with her underwater heritage.

What Makes Devil May Cry’s Vergil A Modern-Day Samurai?

Samurai and the code of Bushido are entwined with the soul of Japan. The image of a stoic, katana wielding warrior is famous throughout pop culture, highlighting the timelessness of figures from feudal Japan like Minamoto no Yoshitsune and Tomoe Gozen, fighters who embodied all the virtues of Bushido.

Many fictional characters have been modelled on the image of the samurai, with one of the most interesting being Vergil from the Devil May Cry franchise. Stoic, powerful and complex, Vergil is a modern-day samurai that has redefined the term for a new generation.

More Than A Supporting Character: The Evolution Of Amiko Kobayashi

Within the world of comics, it’s common for well-known superheroes to have a supporting cast. They are the characters who provide insight into the personal life of a superhero and what drives them on a human level. Wolverine’s supporting cast is made up of many intriguing characters and one of the few who’ve received genuine development is Amiko Kobayashi. The adoptive daughter of Wolverine, Amiko has evolved from a background figure into a multifaceted badass with her own unique path.

What Makes Doctor Light An Empowering Female Superhero?

When thinking of real-life superheroes, it could be argued that you’d find them in the scientific and medical fields. Scientists have invented revolutionary products like the telephone and cured diseases such as smallpox. The ingenuity of science has been reflected in comics through the creation of characters who are experts in their fields of study. One of the most underrated science-based superheroes is Doctor Light. An astronomer and expert in light technology, Kimiyo Hoshi is a character who deserves more recognition.

The Green Arrow Guide To Becoming A Social Justice Warrior

Comics, like other storytelling mediums, have often been used to address a range of political issues, such as immigration, gun control and climate change. Superheroes have been used as symbols for different movements, but few characters have stuck to their political principles quite like Green Arrow. Oliver Queen has emerged as a voice of liberal activism and social change. A self-proclaimed ‘defender of the little guy,’ Green Arrow is a superhero who wears his liberalism on his sleeve.

Ollie’s political views have become as integral to him as his bow and quiver. His transformation from spoiled rich kid into social justice warrior makes him unique among his peers. Understanding Green Arrow’s politics is essential to understanding who he is as a person. It’s why I’m taking a closer look at his world view.

The Road To Mental Health Recovery: How Scarlet Witch Copes With Depression

Depression is one of the most common mental health illnesses that people grapple with. It can strike at any time and makes no distinction between young or old. Learning to deal with thoughts of self-doubt can be difficult, which is why comics are a great source of inspiration for mental health representation. The Scarlet Witch is a superhero that’s struggled with depression in a realistic way. But rather than let it consume her, she’s adopted coping strategies that have helped to change her life. I think Scarlet Witch is a brilliant role model for anyone who suffers from depression and I’m going to look into the reasons why.

Why The Batman Who Laughs Is Scarier Than The Joker

The Joker is considered to be one of the most horrifying villains in pop culture. The amount of pain and misery he’s caused Batman over the years is indescribable. Despite Joker being a terrifying villain, I would argue there’s one character who is even scarier: The Batman Who Laughs. A twisted combination of Bruce Wayne and Joker, The Batman Who Laughs is Batman’s greatest nightmare come to life. The Comic Vault is looking into the history of the character to see what makes him an even bigger threat than Joker.