Descending Into The Underealm

You won’t get far in The Frontier without someone wishing you walk well into The Underealm and thrive in The Sunlight Meadows.

Or that you’ll be damned to the blackest pits of The Underealm. Or that you’ll be punished for your vices. Maybe you’ll overhear a conversation in a saloon about a hero who died well and he’s living his virtues in Eudon Hall.

A place of rebirth, punishment, penance and eternity, The Underealm is considered the world of the gods, so let’s dive deeper to see what it’s all about.

Finding Your Path To The Good Life: Philosophy Of The Frontier

What’s the right way to live? That’s a question that’s asked by many people on The Frontier. Some turn to religion for the answers, others to politics. And then there are those who use philosophy as a way to guide them.

There are three main philosophical schools on The Frontier: Mottelism, Indifferentism and Dubism. Each philosophy is focused on finding a path to the good life and each relies on different methods to get there.

What It Means To Be A Doctor: Faiza Hussain And The Healthcare Industry

As an industry, healthcare is an essential part of society. The UK is one of the leading healthcare bodies in the world, thanks to the efforts of the National Health Service (NHS). NHS workers and doctors are some of the hardest working people around. It could be argued they are real life superheroes because of their commitment to saving lives. A character who represents the courage of doctors is Faiza Hussain.

Starting off as a character without any powers, Faiza used her skills as a doctor to heal people. Eventually, she joined MI:13 and became the wielder of the legendary sword Excalibur. Faiza’s journey is inspirational, so I’m looking into how she can be used as a role model for anyone who is interested in becoming a doctor.

What Does Christmas Mean To Magneto?

When it comes to religious holidays, Christmas is arguably the most widely celebrated. Other festivals are equally important because they act as celebrations for different cultures. Hanukkah is a crucial part of the Jewish faith, commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. Comics have developed into a good source of observing religious practices through different characters.

After reading The Merry X-Men Christmas Special, I came across a story with Magneto and how he observes the holiday season. Magneto’s Jewish background is a major part of his character, but his faith has never been explored in a Christmas context. I’m looking into what the holidays signify for the Master of Magnetism and how it’s impacted his world view.

Why Nightcrawler Can Appeal To New Comic Readers Of All Ages

The X-Men rank among the most universally loved superheroes teams in the world. With a diverse cast of characters, the X-Men have connected people across generations. For people who don’t know much about comics, I believe the X-Men are a brilliant introduction to the medium. A character that appeals to all ages is Nightcrawler. His background and approach to life makes him one of the most relatable members of the X-Men.

Daredevil: Back In Black: Chinatown Review: Putting Your Faith In The Right People

Daredevil is one of the most down to earth superheroes in the Marvel Universe. His powers and personality make him the kind of person you can root for. Recently, I’ve been delving into the Man Without Fear’s history and I came across the graphic novel Daredevil: Back In Black: Chinatown. Written by Charles Soule, the story revolves around Matt Murdock returning to New York with a new purpose. In the depths of Chinatown, Daredevil learns what it means to take on an apprentice for the first time.

Analysing The Nature Of Shinto Funerals With Daken And Wolverine

Everyone has their own way of coping with death, whether through carrying out their own personal rituals or spending time with loved ones. The passing of my grandad has made me think about the burial ceremonies from different cultures, with comics offering an insight into the various practices. After all, death is never constant in comics. But we still mourn characters if we’ve read about them for years. Japanese funerals are some of the most elaborate, so it seemed appropriate that Wolverine’s death would be honoured through a culture that shaped his life.

During the Death of Wolverine arc, Logan’s son, Daken, carried out a traditional Shinto funeral for his father. Shinto funerals have twenty steps and I’m looking into each one as a way of seeing how grief is processed.

The Chaotic Nature Of Kami: Amatsu-Mikaboshi And Japanese Mythology

In terms of mythology, Japanese folklore makes up some of the most intriguing stories. Japanese religion is based around the kami, spirits that are linked to nature and embody different virtues. Kami are known to exhibit good and evil characteristics, with their nature being ambiguous. Marvel has always represented Japanese culture in a faithful way, which extends to the mythology. A character that represents the power of kami is Amatsu-Mikaboshi, the Japanese god of darkness and one of the greatest threats to the Marvel Universe. Mikaboshi’s existence offers a window into the idea of chaos.

Why Azrael Represents The Darker Side Of Religion

For Batman, fighting crime is a crusade, but there have been times when Bruce Wayne has been unable to fulfil his duties to Gotham. Other characters have worn the cowl when he’s been unable to, including Jean-Paul Valley. Better known as Azrael, Valley was characterised by his religious fanaticism, part of his conditioning as a member of The Sacred Order of Saint Dumas. With Batman’s help, Azrael was able to overcome the Order’s influence and strike out to find his own place in the world. Azrael a suitable metaphor for religious zealotry as well as for exploring the nature of faith. The Comic Vault is taking a look into his history to understand his motivations.

How Wolfsbane Overcame Persecution And Became More In Touch With Her Religion

Growing up in a religious environment leaves a lasting impression, with people using religion as comfort or as justification. Believing in a higher power can provide a positive experience, but it can also become a prison. There are a variety of religious superheroes and Wolfsbane is a character that’s struggled with her faith. As a member of the X-Men, Rahne Sinclair’s mutant powers have conflicted with her religious beliefs. But over time she was able to reconcile who she was with what she believed in.