Embodiment (function) – The character embodies a function of the universe. Embodiment is also known as Personification. Similar to (002) Abstract Objectification .
Literary Critique of Embodiment (function)
Generally, gods of mythology embody the functions of the universe as well as abstract entities especially in the Marvel universe. Gods have bodies while abstract entities do not. The god with a body has interests other than their function this will be discussed in more detail below. Gods can be very egotistical. Superheroes tend to be more selfless. Gods have bodies like superheroes. The bodies of gods may be superior to those of humans. For example, Asgardians (Marvel) have a body density that is three times denser than normal human beings, contributing to their superhuman strength and weight. Their superior physical vitality enables them to harness magic more easily than humans though both races possess some extent of mystical potential. Still some superheroes like Superman (DC) have bodies that are far stronger and durable than almost all gods. So, what makes gods inherently superior to superheroes?
Sun Boy (DC), a superhero, may be able emit solar energy. Apollo, the Greek god, can also emit solar energy. However, Apollo unlike Sun Boy is supposed to actually be the Sun and rides in a chariot to accomplish this function. If Apollo doesn’t get on his chariot and ride around then no sun rise! Gods served the cosmological function that scientific law now serves. Gods caused the universe to work. Science has supplanted mythology in the “real” world. However, in the speculative fiction world of comic books and other types of fiction, gods and scientific law coexist.
Finally, sometimes gods are defined in terms of domains. The domain approach towards gods misses what makes a god a god. A superpower of Sun Boy and Apollo can be defined as being in the domain of solar energy. However, a god also serves a function above and beyond the domain of their powers! This is a list of characters that embody functions not just domains!
As an embodiment of a function the characters powers operate in a manner similar to natural law i.e. minus volition. If Hela (Marvel) dies then beings stop dying as shown in Thor V1 #190. Death is treated in a similar manner in the Vertigo (DC) universe. I deal with the subject of the death of death in detail in (223) Immortality (others). However, Hela shares her function with other death gods as shown in Annual Thor V1 #10.
Gods are not examples of Abstract Objectification which are abstract objects. Death is an example of abstract objectification as shown in both the Marvel and DC universe and is omnipresent like natural law and creates bodies as needed to interact with none abstract objects. Gods are not omnipresent like natural law. Unlike gods, abstract entities such as Eternity and Death in the Marvel universe are omnipresent within a universe of the multiverse but there are different versions of Eternity in different universes. In one universe Eternity even dies (What If V1 #32).
The Endless (DC), which includes the DC version of Death and Dream, are also probably abstract entities that have been portrayed as omnipresent. However, while there is a Sandman in every planet with beings that dream, each Sandman is actually different and localized as shown The Sandman – Overture #2 (Vertigo). Omnipresence is achieved in the DC universe via multiple selves of the same abstract entity.
Generally gods do not even function at a global level but can achieve their function with specific cultural groups on a specific dimensional plane and/or planet. Different planets have different gods or at least in the Marvel universe. In Incredible Hercules #119-120, the idea of war between pantheons from different planets is shown for the first time as the Skrull Pantheon (Marvel) fights the God Squad (Marvel) which consists of the best and the brightest of the Earth pantheons.
Below is a list of gods and abstract entities categorized by the function that they personify and/or embody.
Egypt – Bast – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Bastet – House of Mystery V1 #186 (DC)
Bast – The Sandman-Season of Mists V4 (2011)
India – Garuda – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Native American – Snake-Man – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Artisan
Egypt – Seker – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Greek – Dionysus – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
India – Tvashtri – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Japan – Ama-Tsu-Mara – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Balance
Equinox (DC) – Batman: The Brave and the Bold (TV Series) – Mystery in Space!
Living Tribunal (Marvel) – Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe V2 #7
Blacksmith
Celtic – Goibhnie – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Finland – Ilmarinen – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Greek – Hephaestus – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Chao & Order Relationship – DC vs Marvel
In the DC universe, Lords of Chaos and Order are described as being in a war across reality in Who’s Who Update ’88 #2.
Lords of Chaos and Order (DC) demonstrate wildly different cognition and communications styles in Sandman #3 (Vertigo).
In the Marvel universe chaos and order have similar communication styles and work together as shown in their first meeting below.
Lord Chaos and Master Order (Marvel) – Marvel Two-in-One Annual #2
Despite this good relationsip, the fact that chaos and order become one being Ultimates 2 #3 is still a shock!
Lord Chaos (Marvel) – Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe V2 #7
Lords of Chaos – Sandman #5
Entropy (Marvel) – Captain Marvel V4 #4
Eradictor (DC) – Superman V3 #30
Egypt – Ptah – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
India – Vishnu – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
India – Ushas – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Abstract Entity – Death (DC) – Death Gallery
Abstract Entity – Death (Marvel) – Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe V2 #3
Celtic – Arawn – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Central America – Mictlantecuhtli – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
China – Yen-Wang-Yeh – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Egypt – Anubis – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Egypt – Seth (Marvel) – Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe V3 #7
Finland – Tuonetar – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Greek – Hades – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Greek – Pluto (Marvel) – Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe V2 #10
India – Kali – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
India – Yama – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Norse – Hel – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Norse – Hela (Marvel) – Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe V2 #5
Death (Marvel) – Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe V2 #3
Madame Xandu – Fantomas #21 (Editoriales Navarros)
Sinister Dexter – “Death is a Lonely Donnecan” – 2000 AD #1111
Strange Suspense Stories (Fawcett)
“The Birth of Death” – Star Reach Classics #1 (Eclipse)
Hercules (Marvel) – Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe V1 #5
Egypt – Geb – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Emotions (other love)
Delirium (Vertigo) was delight in The Sandman-Brief Lives V7.
Delirium (Vertigo) – The Sandman-Season of Mists V4
Desire (Vertigo) – Sandman-Endless Nights
Despair (Vertigo) – The Sandman-Season of Mists V4
Numinus (Marvel) – Power Pack V1 #51
Enmity (Marvel) – She-Hulk-Cosmic Collision #1
Fear Lords (Marvel) – Journey into Mystery #633 (2012)
Deimos & Phobos (DC) – Who’s Who Update ’87 #2
Epiphany (Marvel) – Captain Marvel V4 #5
Evil
Central America – Tlazolteotl – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
China – Lu Yueh – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
China – Ma Yuan – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
China – No Cha – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Egypt – Seth – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Finland – Hiisi – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Finland – Louhi – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Finland – Loviatar – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Finland – Son of Pohjola – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Norse – Fenris Wolf – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Norse – Fenris (Marvel) – Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe V2 #4
Norse – Loki (Marvel) – Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe V2 #7
Norse – Thrym – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Norse – Norns – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Destiny (Vertigo) – The Sandman-Season of Mists V4 (2011)
Moirai (DC) – Wonder Woman V2 #45
Norns (Vertigo) – The Sandman-Season of Mists V4 (2011)
The Sisters of Eternity (Marvel) seem to be a more cosmic version of the Three Witches (DC) and appear in Thanos V2 #9. The Sisters of Eternity (Marvel) call Death (Marvel) a sister. The DC version of Death has a similar familiar relationship with the DC version of the three furies which may or may not be some version of the DC Three Witches. Perhaps, the furies are agents of the Three Witches.
The Sisters of Eternity manipulate the Phoenix Force, sci-fi concept rather than mystical concept, with ease in Thanos V2 #12. The DC Three witches would never do something like this, The DC Three Witches are powerful and operates in the shadows, dreams and houses of mystery and secrets not at the center of the cosmos. I think this shows that DC tries to keep the mystical side of their universe separate with the Vertigo imprint while Marvel combines sci-fi and mystical sides of their universe with a “cosmic” perspective.
The Three Witches (Vertigo) appear with some string in Sandman #57. The Three Witches are probably more universal version of the Norns of the Vikings and the Moirai of the Greeks that are centered within a particular culture.
Am I the only that has noticed the fact String Theory explains causality, the modern conception of fate, and how the Moirai, Norns and Three Witches all play with string?
In particular, can some persons interact with a special type superstrings known as cosmic strings and by this means know the past (363) Psychometry) and future (356) Precognition)? Are Ley Lines in fact lines that align with cosmic strings?
Seneca (Top Cow) – God Complex – Dogma #4
Deimos & Phobos (DC) – Who’s Who Update ’87 #2
Fear Lords (Marvel) – Journey into Mystery #633 (2012)
China – Kuan Yin – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Egypt – Isis – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Central America – Huhueteotl – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
India – Agni – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Native American – Hastsezini – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Norse – Surtur – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Babylon – Gilgamesh – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Finland – Lemminkainen – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Finland – Vainamoinen – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Greek – Bellerophon – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Greek – Heracles – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Greek – Perseus – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Japan – Oh-Kuni-Nushi – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Japan – Raiko – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Japan – Yamamoto – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Japan – Yoshi-Iye – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Native American – Hiawatha – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Norse – Uller – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Lady Justice V1 #1 (Tekno Comix)
Norse – Forseti – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Council of Godheads (Marvel) – Thor #300 (1980)
Norse – Odin – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Sumer – Enlil – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Liberty
Roman – Libertas – Statue of Liberty
United States – Uncle Sam (DC) – DC Who’s Who V1 #24 (1987)
Norse – Balder – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Norse – Balder – Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe V2 #1
Abstract Entity – Mistress Love (Marvel)-All-New OHOTMU A to Z #7
Babylon – Ishtar – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Ishtar-The Sandman-Brief Lives V7 (2011)
Greek – Aphrodite – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Norse – Freya – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Sumer – Inanna – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Luck
Asia – Seven Lucky Gods
India – Ganesh – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Japan – Daikoku – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Japan – Ebisu – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Japan – Kishijoten – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Japan – Kishijoten – Traditional Statue
Japan – Tsukiyomi – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Japan – Tsukiyomi – Chizuruotohime
Japan – Tsukuyomi -BT03-073EN-C
Sumer – Nanna-Sin – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Gaea (Marvel) – Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe V2 #4
Greek – Hera – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Celtic – Silvanus – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Finland – Mielikki – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Greek – Pan – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Sumer –Ki – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Anomaly (Marvel) – Quasar V1 #20
Destruction (Vertigo) – The Sandman-Brief Lives V7 (2011)
Dream (Vertigo) – The Sandman-Season of Mists V4
Eternity (Marvel) – Strange Tales V1 #138
Eulogy (Marvel) – Captain Marvel V4 #25
Expediency (Marvel) – Captain Marvel V4 #25
Infinity (Marvel) – Quasar V1 #24
Mirage (Marvel) – Iceman V1 #3
Nothingness (DC) – Justice League Dark #2
Nothingness (Vertigo) – Sandman Presents-Thessaly-Witch for Hire #3
Oblivion (Marvel) – Iceman V1 #3
Stranger (Marvel) – Silver Surfer V3 #31
Unbeing (Marvel) – Quasar V1 #18
Order
Lords of Order (DC) – Sandman #5 (Vertigo)
Master Order (Marvel) – Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe V2 #8
Central America – Tlaloc – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Celtic – Manannan Mac Lir – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Finland – Ahto – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Greek – Poseidon – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Babylon – Anu – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
China – Shang-Ti – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Egypt – Horus – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Finland – Ukko – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Greek – Atlas – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Greek – Zeus – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Greek – Zeus (Marvel) – Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe V2 #15
Norse – Odin (Marvel) – Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe V2 #9
Odin (Vertigo) – The Sandman-Season of Mists V4 (2011)
Star
China – Tou Mu – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Japan – Susanowo – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Susanoo-no-Mikoto (Vertigo) – The Sandman-Season of Mists V4 (2011)
Norse – Aegir – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Central America – Tezcatlipoca – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Egypt – Ra – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Ra (Vertigo) – The Sandman-Dream Country V3 (2010)
Greek – Apollo – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
India – Surya – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Japan – Amaterasu Omikami – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Norse – Frey – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Sumer –Utu – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Abstract Entity – In-Betweener (Marvel) – Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe V2 #6
Greek – Janus
Terminus (Vertigo) uses the Sandman to send Augustus a message in The Sandman-Fables and Reflections V6 (2011).
Babylon – Mardruk – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
China – Lei Kung – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
India – Indra – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
India – Rudra – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Japan – Raiden – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Leir (Marvel) vs. Thor (Marvel) – Thor V1 #386 (1987)
Thor (Marvel) vs Zeus (Marvel) – Annual Thor V1 #8 (1979)
Native American – Thunder Bird – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Norse – Thor – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Time
Eon (Marvel) – Captain Marvel V1 #28
Epoch (Marvel) – Quasar V1 #27
Time (Vertigo) – The Sandman-Overture #4
Greek – Hermes – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Greek – Odysseus (Marvel) & Loki (Marvel) – Annual Thor V1 #8 (1979)
Greek – Odysseus – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Greek – Prometheus – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Native American – Coyote – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Native American – Raven – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Norse – Loki – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Vengeance
China – Chih-Chiang Fyu-Ya – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Greek – Furies – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Erinyes (Vertigo) – Sandman #13
Victory
Greek – Nike – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Celtic – Morrigan – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Celtic – Nuada – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Central America – Huitzilopochtli – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
China – Chao Kung Ming – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
China – Huan-Ti – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Egypt – Anhur – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Greek – Ares – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Greek – Ares (DC) – Who’s Who Update ’87 #1
Greek – Ares (Marvel) – Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe V2 #1
India – Karttikeya – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Japan – Hachiman – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Norse – Sif – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Norse – Tyr – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Norse – Valkyries – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Native American – Shakak – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Norse – Frigga – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Central America – Quetzalcoatl – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
China – Shan Hai Ching – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Native American – Hotoru – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Egypt – Thoth – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Greek – Athena – AD&D Legends & Lore 1984
Ascencion can be a ticket to godhood. Gods are embodiments of functions in many cases and a mortal is picked for a function due to merit and knowledge of a function during their mortal life. Hercules is probably the most famous ascended mortal in Western mythology. China has many ascended humans that serve a function for the heavens. So I will deal with the fascinating topic of ascension in comic books below!
Jane Foster becomes an Asgardian god with new perception in Jane Foster & the Mighty Thor #1 (Marvel).
Doctor Nemesis (Marvel) has superhuman intelligence and has a interesting theory on the topic of divinity and the power of worship in Legion of X #2 (Marvel). I realize this is slightly off-topic but a great read for total comic book nerds!
WereVerse Universe Baby!