You know, we sometimes think ancient people were somehow primitive and delusional to have their mythological heroes...and completely gloss over the fact that we most certainly have our own. Here's a few:
Superman - in a study a few years back he was more recognizable globally than Jesus.
Sherlock Holmes - written, rewritten, you name it. Everyone loves to play with the great detective.
Nikola Tesla - who's even a real person! The original mad scientist. And somebody else everyone loves to play with. Hero or villain? Depends on the writer.
Let's have some more?
The characters of the original Star Trek. Probably Spock most of all.
ReplyDeleteBatman, definitely (maybe more than Superman, even).
MacGyver - the name has become a verb, and Ithink that qualifies him for the list.
Mickey Mouse is less of an icon than he was in the 20th century, but I'm sure he's still globally recognizable, as are trickster figures such as Bugs Bunny.
ReplyDeleteKing Arthur and Robin Hood aren't ancient, but they've been inspiring storytellers since the Middle Ages. Since you mentioned historical figure Nikola Tesla, I'd say that Albert Einstein and Marilyn Monroe have become larger than life.