East Of Eden 1955

William Etty, RA (British, 1787-1849) Mars and Venus, n.d.

East of Eden (1955) Dir. Elia Kazan

I think one of the reasons the trinity works so well is because they all come from three different distinct genres of literature.

The Batman mythos are heavily based in gothic literature and the tropes you find in gothic stories. Everything from the setting to the tone to the types of villains, with large amounts of mad scientists of the victor Frankenstein variety and mysterious serial killers. Even the Jokers clown and carnival imagery fits nicely into themes we see in stories like “the count of amontillado”.

Wonder Woman on the other hand is quite obviously more mythology based. Obviously the Greek gods literally appear in her books, but even Diana’s character and plot lines are reminiscent of Greek hero stories, with heavy ties into themes like hubris and nature. There’s also a lot of tie in’s from mythology around the world, with Roman mythology and African mythology specifically coming to mind.

Superman is obviously a “traditional” superhero, but more directly a lot of his stuff is sci fi in a way the other two are not. There’s the obvious aliens of it all, but also the way metropolis and his human villains are shown. Metropolis tends to be aesthetically futuristic in a way most of the DCU isn’t. And despite Lex Luthor being a “mad scientist,” he’s characterized quite differently then the scientists in Batman stories, with his flaws being less about “madness” (like in gothic stories) and more about control and hatred (which is more reminiscent of what we see in sci fi books).

It just makes sense that the reason these three are so successful is because they all fit into niches with very little overlap. None of their stories have the same tone or aesthetic as the others, which allows for so much variety. It’s actually really impressive.

ATOMIC BLONDE (2017) | dir. David Leitch

Rue Bennett, Euphoria, Season 1 Episode 7 "The Trials and Tribulations of Trying to Pee While Depressed"

The diva. Love him-

Good Christian people, I have not come here to preach a sermon; I have come here to die. For according to the law and by the law I am judged to die, and therefore I will speak nothing against it. I am come hither to accuse no man, nor to speak of that whereof I am accused and condemned to die, but I pray God save the King and send him long to reign over you, for a gentler nor a more merciful prince was there never, and to me he was ever a good, a gentle, and sovereign lord. And if any person will meddle of my cause, I require them to judge the best. And thus I take my leave of the world and of you all, and I heartily desire you all to pray for me.

Saint George and the Rescued Maiden by Henry Charles Fehr