Olympian (character)
The Olympian is the name of two fictional characters in DC Comics.
Publication history
The original Olympian first appeared in "The Super Friends" #9 (December 1977) and was part of a 3-issue story arc that introduced other international super heroes, and the Wonder Twins, to DC continuity.[1] Later, a two-story arc appeared in "The Super Friends" issues #45 & #46 (June & July 1981) where Olympian once again teamed up with several international heroes and The Super Friends.
Olympian later appeared in DC Comics Presents #46 (June 1982) and was the first time that he and the other international heroes were working as a team, under the name The Global Guardians. He was created by Nelson Bridwell and Alex Saviuk.
The second Olympian first appeared in Wonder Woman (volume 3) #30 (May 2009) and was created by Gail Simone.
Fictional character biography
Aristides Demetrios
Olympian | |
---|---|
Ultramarine Corps Justice League | |
Notable aliases | Aristedes Demetrios |
Abilities | Golden Fleece grants powers of the fifty Argonauts |
Aristides Demetrios is a Greek national who wears the mythical
While in possession of the
Olympian is a founding member of the
A romantic relationship with Dorcas Leigh (
The Olympian is later seen as a member of the
Achilles Warkiller
Olympian | |
---|---|
Publication information | |
Publisher | DC Comics |
First appearance | Wonder Woman (vol. 3) #30 (May 2009) |
Created by | Gail Simone |
In-story information | |
Place of origin | Thalarion |
Team affiliations | Gargareans Outsiders |
Notable aliases | Achilles, Warkiller, Achilles Warkiller |
Zeus created him when he felt that the female Amazons had failed in their mission and a new race of all-male heroes would need to rise to carry out his plans. Named Achilles and charged as the new leader of the Gargareans, he was created from the heart of the Hawaiian god Kane Milohai.[4] He eventually becomes an ally to the Amazon princess. At one point, he is crowned the King of Themyscira (replacing Hippolyta and for political reasons chose the Amazon Alkyone as his Queen). However, Alkyone plotted to kill Princess Diana (as part of her overall quest to return Hippolyta to the throne). Achilles and Diana worked together and overthrew Alkyone.[5] Later, Diana introduced Achilles to a man named Patrick Cleese, whom he recognized as the reincarnation of his beloved Patroclus from ancient times. He eventually settles in Markovia and joins the Outsiders.
Sexuality
In the Wonder Woman stories, Achilles marries a female Amazon for purely political purposes. After the dissolution of their marriage, he is introduced to a man that he believes is the reincarnation of Patroclus, with whom he had a relationship during ancient times. Although not directly indicated on-panel, Gail Simone (creator of Achilles) revealed in an interview that the character Achilles is gay.[6]
Powers and abilities
Aristides Demetrios wields the Golden Fleece which grants him the power of fifty Argonauts.
Zeus granted Achilles Warkiller superhuman strength, speed, stamina and durability; the ability to fly; and regenerative abilities. He also rides into battle on-top of Mysia, a mystical flying elephant with three eyes and two trunks.
Other versions
- Issue #16 of the Trinity maxi-series features the Olympian (Aristides Demetrios) in an altered, unstable reality. He is working with a recon team trying to penetrate a wall of energy surrounding Europe. He and the 'Bloodlines' hero Lionheart perish upon contact with the wall.[7]
- In The Multiversity Guidebook #1 there is an Earth-35 version of Olympian. He is a superhero with sports-themed equipment and a member of the Super-Americans and is an homage to Fisherman of Awesome Comics, created by Alan Moore in his run on Supreme, himself a pastiche of Green Arrow.
In other media
Television
A character loosely based on the Olympian appears in the Powerless episode "Sinking Day", portrayed by Matthew Atkinson. This version is Alex, a Wayne Enterprises accountant who is believed to be the Olympian.
Miscellaneous
- The Aristides Demetrios incarnation of the Olympian appears in the Super Friends tie-in comics.
- The Aristides Demetrios incarnation of the Olympian appears in Batman: The Brave and the Bold #7.
See also
- Captain Wonder
- Wonder Boy
- Wonder Man
References
- ISBN 978-1-4654-5357-0.
- OCLC 213309017
- ^ Justice League Quarterly #17 (Winter 1994)
- ^ Wonder Woman (vol. 3) #30 (May 2009)
- ^ Wonder Woman (vol. 3) #33 (August 2009)
- ^ Gail Simone – The Gay Times Interview, Bleeding Cool
- ^ Trinity #16 (2008)