January 11 All day
Taking our limited-time exhibit The Myth of Superheroes. From Antiquity to Contemporary Art to the next level, our panel event series “Superheroes, Myth, and Us,” in collaboration with San Diego State University Center for Comic Studies, is bringing comic historians, authors, professors, and other industry professionals together to take you on a journey to ancient Greece and Rome.
Learn how history has influenced some of today’s most beloved heroes and villains and discover how much you have in common with fans from nearly 3,000 years ago!
Panels are included with museum admission
Panels schedule
Saturday, January 11, 2025
Mythic Multiverse(s) from 1:00 – 1:55 p.m.
The idea of a multiverse is as old as the Greek and Roman myths that embraced multiple versions of gods and monsters as original variants. Rather than comics and films, the ancient multiverse was captured through scrolls, artifacts, and statues. Discover how ancient and modern multiverses have shaped the diversity of heroes and villains from antiquity to today.
Panelist include:
Dr. Beth Pollard – Co-Director of Center for Comic Studies
Alonso Nuñez – Little Fish Comics
Moderator – Melissa T. Miller
“Amazons, Wonder Woman, and Superhero Feminism: An Academic Perspective” from 2:05 – 3:00 p.m.
In the ancient Greek legends of the Amazons, the warrior women are usually killed off by men. The Wonder Woman comics reversed that patriarchy-reinforcing phenomenon, with the Amazons ultimately defeating their male counterparts and leaving the “world of men” behind to create an all-woman society. Learn about the connections between ancient Amazons and Wonder Woman, as well as the place of Wonder Woman in the wider world of feminist comics.
Panelist include:
Dr. Walter J. Penrose, Jr. – SDSU Assoc. Professor of History
Mary Stout – SDSU Lecturer, Women and Comics
Moderator – Melissa T. Miller
Saturday, January 25, 2025
Heroes and Villains: Origin Stories and Archetypes from 1:00 – 1:55 p.m.
Superhero origin stories and archetypes go back much further than the Golden Age of comic books. Everything from the hero’s journey to secret identities finds its roots in Greek and Roman mythology. Discover how ancient narratives have shaped the characters and storylines we cherish in comic books, movies, and television.
Panelist include:
Dr. Andrew McClellan – SDSU Assistant Professor of Classics
Alonso Nuñez – Little Fish Comics
Moderator – Melissa T. Miller
Gods, Rituals, and Action Figures from 2:05 – 3:00 p.m.
How different is modern superhero fandom from the hero worship in ancient times? The festivals and rituals associated with Greek and Roman mythology provide historical parallels for modern fan cultural activities like going to Comic-Con and collecting action figures. Learn how much you have in common with fans from 3,000 years ago!
Panelist include:
Dr. Brad Kierkegaard – SDSU Study of Religion
Chris Ryall – Image Comic Imprint, Syzyygy Publishing, Abrams Comic Arts
TJ Shevlin – Upper Deck Entertainment
Moderator – Melissa T. Miller