The Trickster as Superhero

[@Zinervawyrm]

When I think of the trickster hero, I instantly think of Zorro every time. The original masked rebel who rides in the night, dresses like a bandit, and fighting against injustice and the most skilled swordsman in all of California. By day, he is the shy, awkward, and even sometimes straight up cowardly and pathetic Don Diego la Vega. I'm surprised you didn't mention him at all.

[@ProfessorGeekMC]

Excellent choice!

[@Zinervawyrm]

Thank you! ^__^

[@willie_the_monkey_king]

Spider-Man is my favorite, then the Flash. This is truly interesting. My brother and I used to study comics academically for fun, so this is a cool learning experience.

[@alecperdeau650]

I've known about these archetype videos for a while and wanted to wait until I had something good to contribute to them. I know that this topic is mostly about comics, books and movies but I actually want to put in a suggestion from a video game. Midna from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. Midna is the Princess of the Twilight Realm, a world exists between dimensions in perpetual twilight with there never being total light or total darkness. She is usurped by the villain Zant who curses her to be a small imp and is cast out of the Twilight Realm. With her newfound anonymity she uses her remaining magic to help the hero Link by hiding within his shadow to traverse the world of light called Hyrule. As an imp, she is able to put aside her regal mannerisms to be much more sassy and talk more snarky all while helping Link literally from the shadows. In game, you are notified when she can assist you via mischievous laughter. By the midpoint of the game though, the truth behind her origins becomes more apparent to Link in which Midna then displays more of her regal mannerisms and femininity up to the end where her heroics are rewarded by the gods who break her curse turning her back into the beautiful Princess of Twilight. Midna blurs the line between royalty and commoners with how she revels in her anonymity to speak plainly with her imp form showing that there is a unique freedom to being a commoner when the standards for royal etiquette is not in place. She also shows how profound femininity is by how even while appearing as a small monster she can display feminine gestures and body language to firmly ground it as something that can't be taken away by Zant. I'm probably being too brief with this but its the best example I got. Hope to see these types of videos return someday

[@superlord1428]

One of my favourite trickster story's is the story of how Hermes stole Apollos Cattle as a baby. it so funny and serves as great origin story for hermes.

[@randalldowling1068]

Bro....no Deadpool?! He is the ultimate superhero trickster, even more than Spider-Man, IMO. I would be horribly disappointed if not for that awesome "sticky fluid" joke.

[@ProfessorGeekMC]

lol Deadpool is most definitely a trickster. I classify him more as an antihero, though, rather than an embodiment of the American monomythic hero.

[@onemoregodrejected9369]

technically he started as villain... and he is if else, a bit of a villain XD a cool one tho

[@ianpaullbailey]

as usual, i love the vid. i think two aspects of tricksters should be highlighted: humor and creativity. they seem to be foolish, but, before they become full jester who is pathetic and cow-towing to the powerful people, they come along with wisdom and innovation. they blur lines through creating. not only art but inventions.

[@Rosefire]

I thank you for another fascinating and entertaining explanation of the varieties of superheroes. I didn't realize until you pointed out the Trickster is necessary to cross boundaries and does more than make us laugh a bit, he questions the status quo.

[@rodburnett5935]

Such a wonderful topic. Excellent vid btw. I could listen to Professor Geek all day long. Yup!

[@bigalbowski1]

Though not comic hero... but i admire the trickster in Odysseus from Homer's epics!... :D

[@LiSfan2000]

My favorite trickster hero is Trinity as played by Terence Hill in the Trinity movies. He's great.

[@LJK193]

Alright! Awesome! Somebody else knows those movies; I thought I was the only one.

[@cameronhicks8196]

My favorite trickster of all time is Sonic The Hedgehog

[@kingsadvisor18]

Ed, Edd, & Eddy is my favorite cartoon growing up so I have considered this topic for a long time, great video. Also I have question: what's your opinion on Steve Ditko's notion that "what are the chances that the hero would know the villain personally?", basically the less dramatic hero/villain dynamic vs the dramatic destiny battle? (also favorite trickster hero is Wally West)

[@Scoonertuna]

Could DC's Vixen count as a Trickster? Her totem, which allows her to take on traits/qualities of an animal hails from an African trickster...she blurs the boundary between human and animal...And she has been known to challenge a lot of social conventions both in and out of costume

[@ProfessorGeekMC]

Absolutely!

[@JefAlanLong]

Nice! Also the teenage mutant ninja turtles (at least the Eastman/Laird originals), their friend UsagiYojimbo and Booster Gold.

[@brycedouglas620]

What books do you recommend where I can learn about this stuff? I know there's your book but what others? I'm a writer and I just want to have as much information on this stuff as possible. Thanks in advance.

[@ProfessorGeekMC]

Sadly, there really isn't a book that addresses heroic archetypes for the purposes of a writer. That's why I'm writing my book on these sub archetypes of the superhero, their effects, and what each of them require. Stay tuned to my channel for details. For more on the psychology of superheroes, you can check out Robin Rosenberg, Travis Langley, and Janina Scarlett.

[@rodburnett5935]

What are you writing?

[@robsmoviecollection3715]

Ha, ha I was just thinking about Bugs when you mentioned him! Oh man that sticky substance comment had me laughing! Ok, Ok, would Plastic man fit into the trickster category? He's literally malleable and though for a long time he was mostly clownish, he has since been portrayed as being one of the most powerful beings in the DC universe. ( I think it was in Justice League) But he blurs those lines. between being buffoonish and yet being a competent hero. PLus, wasn't he actually a criminal when he first started? The others heroes certainly don't always want him around and yet are often grudgingly grateful when he helps save the day.

[@ProfessorGeekMC]

ROB'S MOVIE COLLECTION Plastic Man is the perfect trickster! I can't believe I didn't think to mention him myself!

[@robsmoviecollection3715]

I love Plas!

[@craigcochrane2284]

Are all Rogues (like Han Solo) automatically Tricksters? Or is that a separate archetype?

[@DarkInception]

My favorite trickster is Batman (Beyond)/ Terry McGinnis. Like Spider-Man, he too blurs the line between boy and man. But additionally, due to his highly advanced batsuit, he even blurs the line between man and machine.

[@MrRobot-0]

Nigthwing is my favorite hero so i would say him even if the trickters factor is dwindled, bu guy gardner he blur the line of what mean to be a hero, a cop, a vigiliante etc that is what make him work despite all the shit he got.

[@studogable]

Jacob from Genesis. 100% trickster.

[@aaronquinn2449]

I like your videos a lot. Can you do one on The Phantom. a kind of hero we don't see much more. I would like to see you do a video about what you think of him.

[@ProfessorGeekMC]

That's a great idea! He needs to make a comeback. Have you been following Mitch Breitwiser's upcoming Red Rooster campaign? The Red Rooster will also be a generational superhero titled handed down from father to son.

[@aaronquinn2449]

It is the first I have heard of it. Sound like it might be a good read. Do you know where i might be able to read some online? I like to watch old cartoon heroes. like Prince Valiant. And some cartoons from the 80's and I agree whit what you said about cartoons in your video about the thundercats. About how they help teach kids. I like how you showed how good story telling is important in a show like that.

[@ProfessorGeekMC]

Thanks! I appreciate it. Nothing from Red Rooster is available yet. Mitch is going to release the Indiegog campaign on July 5th. You can get updates and art work from his KZbin channel: The Last Comic Book Artist, and his Twitter.

[@aaronquinn2449]

thanks I will look for it.

[@victorgastonnogueira8137]

Not a hero but Desire from the Endless is the trickster of the bunch?

[@SidneyJupiter]

Plastic man is my favourite trickster hero

[@willie_the_monkey_king]

No Peter Parker is just spraying some “web” fluid. :p

[@summermoore8901]

Spider man and the flash

[@SidneyJupiter]

If you think about it superman is a trickster because he blues the boundary between man and god

[@AlitaMovieUpdates]

Right now, only Squirrel Girl comes to mind.

[@brickercustom]

What archetype is Robinhood?

[@danielhuelsman76]

Why are speedsters tricksters? They don't seem to be like those other superheroes who are in between two states.

[@danielhuelsman76]

shadowspider9 Therefore it's not a historically thematic trickster, but a byproduct of the powers themself.

[@leightonwatson5555]

could bacchus or dionysus count is i spelled that right

[@ProfessorGeekMC]

Absolutely!

[@LogicalMayhem00]

Would you consider Satan in the christian mythology as the trickster archetype?

[@MDWolfe-ks5fu]

Logical Mayhem I don’t really think so. Sure, he does a lot of deception but with a main goal is to make everyone miserable as he is. So, he is no hero.

[@connollybrosproduction8838]

Uncle grandpa