Notes on Promethea

Promenient symbols in Promethea include the balance between light and darkness. The shadow that chase after the interviewer is named Twee--he is a living shadow, a creature that is the very definition of darkness. He cannot be killed, and therefore is able to live on in the umbras of N.Y.C. Then, as his opposite, are the gods and stories. Whenever they are around, they are radiating with light. Even Promethea stops Twee using flames and fire--much like how Prometheus brought fire and knowledge to the Greeks. Another symbol is that of Caduceus, the staff wielded by Thoth-Hermes and by Promethea herself. It is also mistaken as the Rod of Asclepius, but because it has two snakes, I believe it to be the before. It is a symbol held by the messenger--which makes sense for Promethea to own it. She is a living embodiment of a story, which means that she brings messages and heralds ideas to writers, comics, artists, etc.

I really connected with the comic when the gods brought in Promethea as an idea. It was an interesting notion--rather than the girl dying in the desert, the gods brought her in and cared for her during a time when they knew they would become endangered. It was a cool idea, and one that's always fascinated me: is there another way to live on? And could that way still allow us a chance to live on Earth and influence it? I also really liked the element of darkness in a neon city. In most cases, I suspect it must be difficult for something like Twee to live a city so open and alight. In fact, even the Police are constantly showing a light on the city in their saucers. It is impossible to hide in so much light, and yet darkness still continues to thrive. It just goes to show that you can't have on without the other.

For this story, I think I'd use animation as the medium. Something that's great with animation is that you can basically do anything--everything is made from scratch, and therefore becomes its own world. I also think 2D animation might be best to use instead of 3D, since Twee is a two-dimensional character built to run along walls and darkness. And because it would be in 2D, the style can still retain it's comic-book look. I do think some things in the comic would need to be streamlined, but it can still keep it's original look rather than modifying it to suit the technology. A prime example of this would be the adaption of Batman in Batman: Gotham Knight, especially the last animation in that series. It's modified but without straying from the original look.

Overall, I was generally confused in the beginning about Promethea, but was delighted after sticking with it for a while. I think this would be a great story to bring to a new audience, as long as it is remade in a proper way. And, as long as the beginning is made clearer.