Quarto
The Encyclopedia of Epic Myths and Legends Is Out NOW!
As I’ve mentioned in a couple of previous blog posts, I recently wrote a nonfiction book called The Encyclopedia of Epic Myths and Legends. Why am I mentioning this? And why am I mentioning this TODAY of all days? Because The Encyclopedia of Epic Myths and Legends came out TODAY from Quarto Publishing Group’s Wellfleet Press imprint. In this book, I retell a variety of classic myths and legends from all over the world, presenting a truly diverse mélange of powerful, resonant stories about gods, monsters, heroes, and villains. But the whole “retelling” thing? That’s only part of this book. The other part is an analysis of how these ancient tales have influenced and informed modern-day pop culture.
Hey! Want to read a glowing review of the book? Sure you do!
Here are some pictures from the “Epic Myths and Legends” panel I moderated at the San Diego Comic Con back in July. The panel was so much fun! It was a great way to promote the book, and it also gave me a wonderful excuse to hang out with some of my fellow writer friends (aka the panelists)!
And here’s the official publisher description of the book:
In this unique exploration of world mythology, discover how ancient tales across cultures have influenced today’s pop culture, from Beyoncé to Game of Thrones.
Fun and engaging, The Encyclopedia of Epic Myths and Legends details the influences of classical stories on contemporary popular culture. Without these myths, passed down through the generations over three millennia, many of the stories we enjoy in our current media wouldn’t exist!
Along with colorful illustrations and graphics, author Arie Kaplan makes unexpected connections in our everyday lives. Are you wearing Nike shoes? The company is named after the Greek goddess of victory. Big on astronomy? Most of the planets in our solar system, like Mercury, Jupiter, and Mars, are named after members of the Roman pantheon. Kaplan takes you on a deep dive into mythology from around the world and shows that Superman and Achilles are connected, Frankenstein and Prometheus were cut from the same cloth, and how an Egyptian sun god has inspired video games, the musical stage, and the silver screen.
The Encyclopedia of Epic Myths and Legends deftly combines history and modern pop culture to enrich your experience of both worlds. This captivating book covers:
- Not only the Greek Pantheon but mythology from cultures from all around the world, from West African mythology to Egyptian, Roman, Incan, Celtic, Indian, Zoroastrian, Norse, Japanese, Chinese, and British myths, to name a few.
- Unexpected correlations between things we see in our everyday lives and mythology, like Beyoncé’s use of imagery of the Yoruba water goddess Osun, the Marvel Universe and Norse gods Loki, Thor, and Odin, and Superman’s conception through Hercules, King Arthur, and Moses.
- Fascinating sidebars that break down legendary lore such as unicorns, the Tooth Fairy, and Stonehenge, as well as examinations of mythic masters who have expertly woven these timeless tales into pop culture like Neil Gaiman and George Lucas.
- A deep dive into the fascinating folklore from all around the world, and how we all are connected, no matter how far apart we might be.
With countless Easter eggs revealed throughout, The Encyclopedia of Epic Myths and Legends is an exciting way to learn about ancient mythology. You may think you know what
inspired The Hunger Games or Percy Jackson, but now you can truly discover the source of these modern tales.
The Wonderpedia series offers comprehensive, display-worthy illustrated references on a range of intriguing topics, including archeological discoveries, world mythology, pop culture, global superstitions, and the fascinating stories behind signs and symbols. A cross-cultural exploration of what makes humans tick, this series magnifies the connective threads between us across time and geography and demystifies the surprising, confounding sides of life.
You can order the book on the Quarto site if you click HERE.
And you can order it on Amazon if you click HERE.
So How Was Comic Con, Arie?
I went to the San Diego Comic Con last week. How was it? Pretty good. Here are a few things that happened:
On Thursday July 25th, I went to a mixer for animation writers organized by Charlotte Fullerton. It took place at Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop just a few blocks away from the convention center. I hadn’t seen Charlotte since the last time I was at SDCC, back in 2019. So it was great catching up with her, and with various other folks. Saw some old friends, made some new ones, had a ton of ice cream.
The following day, on Friday July 26th, I had lunch with fellow author Stacia Deutsch. Stacia and I both belong to an organization called the International Association of Media Tie-In Writers, or IAMTW for short. After lunch, we went to the IAMTW’s Comic Con panel, which started at 2pm. Stacia was one of the panelists, and the panel doubled as the ceremony for the Scribe Awards, which are given out each year by the IAMTW. The Scribe Awards acknowledge and celebrate excellence in licensed tie-in works based on TV shows, movies, and games (video games, computer games, RPGs). It was a great panel, and even though I wasn’t one of the panelists, the panelists pulled me up on stage with them after the event to take a couple of pictures, because I am a member of the IAMTW.
In this first photo, you can see (from left to right) Scott Sigler, Chris Ryall, Jonathan Maberry, David Avallone, Stacia Deutsch, Deborah Daughetee, Jennifer Brody, and me.
In the second photo, you can see (clockwise from left to right): Me, Jesse J Holland, Stacia Deutsch, and Scott Sigler.
Although Jesse is also a member of the IAMTW, he was not on the Scribes panel. But he WAS on the panel I moderated at 7pm that very same day. This was the “Epic Myths and Legends” panel, which I put together to help promote my upcoming nonfiction book The Encyclopedia of Epic Myths and Legends. Aside from Jesse, the panelists were Mark Hoffmeier and Jonita Davis. During the hour-long panel, the four of us discussed the connection between ancient mythology and modern pop culture, a subject which is examined at length in my forthcoming book.
The panel went really well! There was a good-sized crowd, and the panelists were amazing. It was – wait, what do optimistic people say when they talk about how they enjoy something? Oh yes, that’s right: “Fun.” It was fun. The panel was fun.
Now, two days after the “Epic Myths” panel, I was also supposed to be a panelist on another panel discussion called “Neurotic Superheroes Across the Multiverses.” But my immune system had other plans, because early in the morning on Saturday July 27th, I tested positive for COVID. At this point, you’re no doubt saying to yourself “Oh, no!” To which I counter: “Oh, yes!” Because of my new – um – status quo, I had to skip the last two days of Comic Con, which obviously also entailed bowing out of the “Neurotic Superheroes” panel.
So now I’m at home in NYC, recuperating. And honestly, even though I was only there for the first 60% of the Con, I had a really nice time. That probably has something to do with the fact that I tried to pace myself this time around and not get too overcommitted with too many meetings and too many parties and too much hectic stuff in general. It probably also has to do with the fact that I tried to spend as much time as possible with my wife Nadine and daughter Aviya. But – you know – don’t tell them I said that. It would go against my hard-won reputation as a god-tier buzzkill. And I fear that my loved ones would reject the newer, sunnier, me.
Here’s My 2024 San Diego Comic Con Schedule!
Are you going to the San Diego Comic Con next week? If so, you can see me on two different panels, one of which I’m moderating, and one of which I’m not. Here’s the pertinent info for both:
On Friday, July 26th at 7:00pm, in Room 29AB, I’ll be moderating the “Epic Myths and Legends” panel. You see, I wrote an upcoming nonfiction book called The Encyclopedia of Epic Myths and Legends, and like the book, this panel will be all about the influence that ancient mythology had on modern-day pop culture. Here’s the official description of the event from the SDCC site:
The Encyclopedia of Epic Myths and Legends is a forthcoming nonfiction book by Arie Kaplan that details the influence of classic stories on contemporary pop culture. Without these myths, many of the most beloved fictional universes— everything from the Marvel and DC superheroes to Star Wars and Lord of the Rings—wouldn’t exist. Moderator Arie Kaplan (Frankie and the Dragon, LEGO Star Wars: The Official Stormtrooper Training Manual) and panelists Jonita Davis (The Black Cape, We Gon’ Be Black Today: Exploration of Black Nerd Culture), Mark Hoffmeier (Legend Quest: Masters of Myth, Avengers Assemble), and Jesse J. Holland (Black Panther: Who Is the Black Panther?, Star Wars: The Force Awakens—Finn’s Story) will discuss the influence these ancient myths have had on Hollywood blockbusters and comic book worldbuilding.
More info on the “Epic Myths” panel HERE.
And the second panel – the one I’m not moderating – is called “Neurotic Superheroes Across the Multiverses,” and it’s happening on Sunday July 28th at 2:30pm in Room 29CD. It’s moderated by Travis Langley and Danny Fingeroth. Here’s the official description of the event:
Dr. Travis Langley (Batman and Psychology; Spider-Man Psychology) and Danny Fingeroth (author, Superman on the Couch; editor, Spider-Man) lead this lively discussion of superhuman angst, guilt, suffering, and pain: Is Spidey the most neurotic superhero? Did Wolverine, Deadpool, Daredevil, Jessica Jones, or another take the title? Or has Batman topped the list all along?
For a comparison of how superhero neuroses have manifested over the years, across multiverses, and between different media depictions, join Gerry Conway (Amazing Spider-Man; Detective Comics), Deric A. Hughes (Arrow; The Flash), Natasha Lee (Insomniac Games), Arie Kaplan (From Krakow to Krypton), Justine Mastin (Blue Box Counseling; Starship Therapise), and maybe a surprise multiverse wrecker. Could the most neurotic superhero be the most human of them all?
More info on the “Neurotic Superheroes” panel HERE.
Who will end up being the most neurotic superhero? Will it be…ME? I mean, I can hope, right? Speaking of which: I hope to see you at both of these pulse-pounding panels! (See what I did there?)