I have done a great deal of research in the build up to turning this very strange and ancient tale into a graphic novel so that it is all based on history, (unless it was the morphine). Some of the research work helped me create the individual features linked to below:
The Handwritten text boxes titled Information Snippet add background details from the research work.
Yes this is what I have been busy with over the past months while in and out of hospital and beginning my long recuperation by the sea.
I came up with the idea of developing a graphic novel around a Greek myth earlier in the year and an independent publisher is now on board with an interest in hybrid publishing (that’s when you publish online and with a major distributor too).
It has been a dream for many years to do something with the quirky and strange Typhon and the terrible Zeus; their battle suited my online graphic novels perfectly.
We are probably a couple of hundred hours from the ‘for sale’ version, but I shall update here as pieces and text boxes are completed.
Please do share with friends as we will be asking for help shifting the finished product later in the year.
PS the first graphic novel from Viking Comics Inc. The Hammer Flies is almost ready for release as a slide show presentation – my first movie!
PPS Soon to become an epic poem, a poetess has commissioned me to illustrate.
Gods and Goddesses of the Greek Mythos Continued – Hermes the Babe
Here is another of my characterisations of Gods and Goddesses, this one written while I was in hospital having the cancer taken away (nil by mouth for 19 days).
In this case though although it is an interesting storyline the God (if he is a God) Hermes is at best an anti-hero with the historic crimes division after him probably. There are those who leapt from Olympus rather than him turn them to ever staring stone.
Hermes – Cairn-man – Pillar of Stone – Toddler
This man is not a god he is a pillar. An offspring of gods yet was born as an embodiment of an orgiastic pillar. Dance near him if you dare. Hermes is Priapus the totemistic virtue of a phallic pillar or cairn no less.
His mother was Maia and if there was such a thing as fatherhood back then we would be saying his father was Zeus. Maia met Zeus because she was the daughter of Apollo then afterwards being with child she had a score to settle with her father for mistreatments. Gods being gods they grow fast, and Hermes grew fast, very fast, especially in intellect. By seven months he had mastered the bow and invented many things, then Themis gave him nectar and ambrosia of the gods or should that be Nectar of the Gods and Ambrosia of the Gods; and he was ready to adventure. Ready for that vengeance from beyond the womb.
He was followed by a gathering band of nymphs they made a wicked wilful travelling party. He was befriended by Cyllene. They played and sang and laughed. Cyllene showed off her enchanting musical ability and Hermes claimed he could make something far more mystical than that. Cyllene bid him to show it was true, Hermes said he would need some cattle hide to make the strings. Then when Cyllene told him of Apollo’s herd he knew he could get his revenge and build his instrument, he knew so much more too. Well well before we discover how great he is, he knew.
Yes this merry band agreed that little Hermes and they could smuggle the herd, but Apollo would simply follow and they would be found.
Hermes bid them cut large patches of bark from the Fallen Oak and to cut long grass to bind into cord. From these he showed them how to fashion shoes for the cattle and away they were led along a trackless path.
The cattle were gone.
Apollo was livid.
Apollo he searched but there were no tracks.
Then, by chance in his raging stampede around the land he found the Satyrs, led by the rogue Silenus they were greedy for reward, great reward, for Apollo was angry, very great reward.
Eventually, in Arcadia, the Satyr gang heard something unusual, unique in fact; strange music like no melody ever heard before yet dulled and distant. It seemed to be coming from far away and yet from everywhere. It seemed to be coming from below the earth and yet, – no it was, it was down below, it was. Eager as they were they could not help but dance. Dance, as they hunched and sniffed and searched
Then suddenly they noticed a little way ahead by a gateway in a leafy copse the sultry, haughty, Cyllene idly taking the air. The music led them towards her.
It was louder behind her and there at the back of the glade was a cave; the music was coming from there. “What is that music of the nymphs we have never heard before?”
Cyllene swung gently round towards them, “No nymph plays that marvellous tune upon that unique instrument.”
“No one can play better than the nymphs, no one has a better instrument than they.” The satyrs gaggled together in panic behind him, staring in quizzical fear.
“Hermes does.”
“Who is Hermes?”
“Hermes is a babe.”
The Satyrs stood mesmerised as Cyllene gracefully articulated the story of the babe who was born within this cave. He who had adventured across the lands at so young an age, who had acted with great skill and created a marvellous lyre like nothing ever heard before. Silenus enquired what this lyre was like and Cyllene told him how it was shaped like a tortoise because he had fashioned it out of a tortoise and cow hide twine. “So where did he get this twine?” “Are you calling him a thief!” Just as a fierce argument sprung up a few things happened at once. A great long-winged bird landed in the glade; this was the Sacred Crane sacred to Hermes and because of Hermes. Silenus glanced his eyes around the glade and there were two cow hides stretched between branches to dry. The grandfather of the babe of course had known that the crane was sacred, sacred to Hermes, and had followed it; Apollo suddenly appeared.
Silenus pointed at the hides, thus establishing himself a right to the reward, then to seal the deal he pointed at the cave.
Apollo strode in and down with a procession following. There lay Maia sleeping deeply a bundle in her arms. “Bring me that quickly grown man Hermes now,” shouted the mighty Apollo, “For he has stolen my cattle and shall be made to bring them back to me, at least all that live.”
Maia threw back the covers and revealed a babe still in its swaddling bands and wrapped in a large leather hide. “How could it be that a babe such as this has done this thing you say?”
“I recognise the hide!” boomed Apollo and he snatch up the child and fled the cave.
“Father of Heaven,” (and father of the babe unfortunately), cried Apollo as he bent to his knee in front of Zeus, “I accuse this babe”, (the bundle unrolled from his arms as did the other two hides from the glade), “of theft of all my herd.”
“Zeus looked down to Hermes, “I cannot believe that you did such a thing and I ask you to plead not guilty.”
“Well I did,” confessed Hermes standing proudly for all his small size, “and I am sorry. I shall return all that live and tell you of the flesh of the others”
Apollo stood looking dazed, enraged and confused.
I divided the flesh of each dead beast in to twelve pieces each as sacrifices to the twelve gods.”
“Twelve?” questioned Apollo, “Who it the twelfth?”
Bowing with a smirk the tiny Hermes said, “Why it is I”.
How Zeus laughed.
Hermes continued, “A twelfth of the flesh of each of the beasts I ate for I was ferocious hungry the rest I burned. Thus I have invented the first ever flesh- sacrifice. Now I shall give you recompense, follow me.”
He led Apollo in a flash back to the cave and he retrieved a bundle from beneath a sheepskin. “What have you there?” asked Apollo.
Hermes held up the tortoise-shell lyre in display and in the other hand held a plectrum, “This I also invented.”
The music was mesmerising, the singing was praise worthy; it was full of praise also. Praise of Apollo, his nobility, his dignity his grace, his intelligence and, of course, his generosity. It worked, Apollo forgave him and nevertheless little Hermes led him to Pylus, playing all the way, to the cave he had hidden the cattle. He released them to graze and offered the Lyre to Apollo, he took it and thankful he said as I keep this so you keep the cattle. Hermes held up his tiny tiny hand and Apollo solemnly shook.
From the distance they heard the mountain top laughter of Zeus as he watched all Hermes’ antics.
As the cattle grazed Hermes gathered long grasses and wove them into a pipe. He played and he declared, “This is the shepherd pipe that leads any sheep to you.”
“If you will let me have this pipe I will trade you my golden cattle-herding staff; it also has the power to send the spirits of the dead peacefully to heaven.”
“I accept, in part, for the reedpipe is worth far more than the golden staff and I will accept the deal if you also promise to teach me the power of augury.”
The distant laugh of the onlooking Zeus could be heard again from afar.
“I cannot but my three nurses the Thriae can. They will teach you on the isle of Parnassus to read the flowing pebbles in the swirling bowl.”
“This is indeed a very ingenious, eloquent and persuasive Godling.” Chortled Zeus.
Upon their return Zeus bellowed at tiny Hermes, “You must promise forever from now respect the rights of another’s property and never tell utter lies.”
“Then make me your herald great father, and I will never tell lies, although I shall not promise to always tell the whole of the truth in every detail. Furthermore I shall protect and preserve all divine property in your honour.”
(Apollo was chortling now.)
“You shall be my herald then, and you shall in that duty guide the dead to the underworld, oversee all matters of business, all treaties and all rights of way.
Even furthermore you shall teach us the twirling of sticks to make fire you shall assist the Three Fates (this he did and invented the knuckle bones, the alphabet, astronomy, boxing, the musical scale, gymnastics and weights and measures. He also learned the tree alphabet.)
Thus it was Zeus who chuckled quietly now for he had honoured and empowered him in such a way that he would forever be too busy.
So it was that the now growing Hermes was presented with the adornments of Herald and proudly stood in the round hat of rain protection, the fast flying golden sandals and the beribboned herald’s staff which commanded respect from all when Hermes was engaged in matters of administration, (of which there were many).
I have done a great deal of research in the build up to turning this very strange and ancient tale into a graphic novel so that it is all based on history, (unless it was the morphine). Some of the research work helped me create the individual features linked to below:
The Handwritten text boxes titled Information Snippet add background details from the research work.
Yes this is what I have been busy with over the past months while in and out of hospital and beginning my long recuperation by the sea.
I came up with the idea of developing a graphic novel around a Greek myth earlier in the year and an independent publisher is now on board with an interest in hybrid publishing (that’s when you publish online and with a major distributor too).
It has been a dream for many years to do something with the quirky and strange Typhon and the terrible Zeus; their battle suited my online graphic novels perfectly.
We are probably a couple of hundred hours from the ‘for sale’ version, but I shall update here as pieces and text boxes are completed.
Please do share with friends as we will be asking for help shifting the finished product later in the year.
PS the first graphic novel from Viking Comics Inc. The Hammer Flies is almost ready for release as a slide show presentation – my first movie!
PPS Soon to become an epic poem, a poetess has commissioned me to illustrate.
Some dark satisfaction comes from the destruction of all that offends him.(wrong image?)
It is a satisfaction tainted with anger. These stupid mortals, these rebellious Gods, Slimy Giants, these ravaging Titans; they must be watched.
They never learn.
Zeus had already destroyed humanity three times, he killed Titans here and there, Cyclops fell on a ferocious whim, Goddesses lost loves, teachers lost livers.
He fumed. He hardly even was aware in his mighty rage that he was hated. What did the dissatisfaction of others matter to the one who was all powerful! – Master of the Earth.The Earth Mother Goddess.She mattered.
The Earth Mother Goddess.
The Earth Mother Goddess, the Mother of the Earth, the Earth itself, some call Eurynome; creation from chaos: She mattered.
And she was a mother – the Mother!
“Zeus killed my children
and I shall revenge.”
“Let my earth bring its very bones to life and bring forth to birthing my rage. For a huge child, has been born to me.”
“Typhon”“Typhon, my child, my monster, my destructive force personified.”He darkens the sky. Largest monster ever born.“Let him rise,” he is too giant for the earth.”My Typhon” His very thighs are snakes writhing across the world beneath him.
“Behold the God-slayer.” Each arm a myriad of snakes; in their multitudes, they stretch across the very heavens.
“Burn him, crush him, poison him.” His eyes are fire.
“Shatter his bones to feed me” From the bellowing maw of his huge mule head burst mountainous boulders; deafening, crushing.
“This is my son.”
How Zeus laughed to hear.
How Zeus quaked to see.
How Zeus screamed.
The Goat-god Pan he screamed.
All the gathered Gods – they froze in fear.
“Change shape! Be monstrous. Save us.” “Mighty mighty Zeus.”
A lion. A thunderbolt. An eagle. A quail. A wren. A sheep.
They all became sheep.
He ran.
And as is the way with sheep, they all ran.
Panic flicker-flashed across their psyches, multitudes of animal images blasting out of sheep-skin into other beings.
Meanwhile, in sumptuous splendour lay Athene; pampered, petted, soothed and bathed.
These beautiful handmaidens were nothing as beautiful as her. This sensual existence is far too ecstatic for a mere mortal to bare.
Look on Athene!
While far far away
Rubble roared, bellows broke the peacefulness.
Athene heard.
Athene flew.
Raced across the wide seas in the very first ever ship. Her crafted craft. The ship.
See the peak of Olympus.
Rising up, flying, over the fires.
To the meadows far beyond.
She lands among the May flower and bee song to see fields of sheep silently grazing.
She sees one sheep.
She stands beside it.
“I know who you are beloved King of Heaven.”
“See over flaming mountains; the creature will seek you.”
“Die sheep or become brave.”
Quail, wren, serpent, thunderbolt, eagle.
It is Zeus.
“Fly high our beloved god, for you must defeat him.”
Rising up to his mountain. Almost returning to true form.
The thunderbolt flies.
The great beast is engulphed in a cataclysm of lightning.
Out of the fiery storm burst mountainous boulders.
Zeus is knocked backwards, flattened as
the monstrous Typhon bellows boulder after boulder.
Hermes bursts out of his ovine masquerade and lets fly towards Zeus his sharp and powerful flint sickle
to spin through the air.
Zeus slices through the stone, the boulders split and fall.
Zeus stands to slice again.
Burning eyes fire down upon him.
Zeus falls in faint.
Typhon looms above him; scooping him up in hundred league snake arms.
Then like wind of thunder, a hurricane of heat, he rises flies, blows fierce…
Gods and Goddesses look on in horror at Typhon disappearing across the sea.
High among the mountains, bellowing, Typhon stands.
Zeus’ sickle in his hand he swings high to cut.
Down the sickle sinks into wrists and spine.
Zeus’ very sinews are exposed.
A myriad swarm of snake limbs grapple as teethed maws snatch.
His snake arms pull.
The very sinews from inside Zeus’ limbs.
Deep into a cave he throws these strings.
Doll-like dead-limbed Zeus is laid in powerless torment.
As jelly laid in stony dark.
“I Delphyne sister-monster guards.” The voice it echoes out from cave to across the seas.
All Gods lay and wail in writhing pitiful despair.
“The world is ending while you wail!”
“This darkness will take us all, he will not rest at Heaven’s Father, the universe shall squirm.”
Hermes and Pan they clutch at each other and terrified towards the chariot they step.
The dark cave below.
Great Goat God leaps; from chariot to deep within.
Delphyne is waiting; serpent sister she has poisons ready see she writhes.
He screams. Pan screams.
He screams his terrifying paralyzing scream. Pan’s panic scream.
As poison drips from massive teeth Delphyne is catatonic gripped.
This is the moment Hermes needs. He leaps.(Above to be replaced)
And from the cave with Zeus to drag.
The sinews gathered drape across the lifeless God.
The chariot flies.
“We have him,” Hermes cries, “Be ready, run, run gods hide.”
Between them Athene strides.
“Zeus must save us, sew him, thread him, string him, stitch!”
The God of Heaven stands again; uncertain stands, at centre of his universe he stands.
He backwards falls.
Athene has lead his chariot behind him, and into this he falls.(Ade – import art 0029 b bx from PC)
“See great Father God, you simply need to stand.”
The Thunderbolt he suddenly clasps, the sickle once again; the glistening flint.
He takes the reins.
“Fly Father God, Great God, fly.”
“My spirit flies with you,” cries Athene, “As I am all the Fates I fly to aid.”
Upon the highest mountain amid enormous range it stands.
The Fates attend him. Flying to him.
He is besotted by three beauties bringing him rare treats.
“Behold our exotic fruits.” “With these we bolster you.” “Great strength we promise.”
“Typhon we love you.”
The beast feasts. Now…
Typhon has a whole huge mountain in his arms.
A tiny chariot high in sky as monstrous mountain flies.
The chariot tilts up and wide and fires a firebolt down.
The mountain bursts aside.
A mountain flies
The chariot climbs.
The thunder bolts.
A mountain flies
The chariot climbs.
(this may move)
The thunder bolts.
A mountain flies
The chariot climbs.
The thunder bolts.
Mountain after raging mountain, Typhon is unstoppable.
The final summit is his to wield now – Vesuvius.
The great Vesuvius, yes, this beast is monstrous strong.
The fates look on as he only just can throw this thing.
“We loved you,” whisper Fates from far cave, “we loved you and we strengthened you, but only for a short time. See you falter, weaken now.”
Zeus is higher now than even the stars. And flying down hard.
Gigantic Vesuvius is hurtling right at him.
“Let Heaven and Sky and Fate empower me!”
Fire thunderbolt, thunderbolt on thunderbolt on thunderbolt. All God’s energy is spent on this last mighty blast.Vesuvius repelled it falls.
Down with such increasing speed.
It hits the beast. Down
Down still through the earth it crushes down.
Typhon’s fiery rage it burns and builds and climbs. See the fire near as Typhon strives.
The very Vesuvius it burns because of him.
Very nearly he is out, he fights it still, see mountain rage.
Vesuvius volcano is his rage, and Typhon he may yet one day succeed.
Listen, hear his bellowing.
I have done a great deal of research in the build up to turning this very strange and ancient tale into a graphic novel so that it is all based on history, (unless it was the morphine). Some of the research work helped me create the individual features linked to below:
Yes this is what I have been busy with over the past several weeks while in and out of hospital and beginning my long recuperation by the sea.
I came up with the idea of developing a graphic novel around a Greek myth earlier in the year and an independent publisher is now on board with an interest in hybrid publishing (that’s when you publish online and with a major distributor too).
It has been a dream for many years to do something with the quirky and strange Typhon and the terrible Zeus; their battle suited my online graphic novels perfectly.
We are probably hundreds of hours from the ‘for sale’ version, but I shall update here as pieces and text boxes are completed.
Please do share with friends as we will be asking for help shifting the finished product later in the year.
PS the first graphic novel from Viking Comics Inc. The Hammer Flies is almost ready for release as a slide show presentation – my first movie!
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