The

Adventures

of

A Short Story

By Susie Christian and Grace Wheeler

Venus:  The Inspiration for Betty Byrd

 

 

 

 

 

KEY CHARACTERISTICS

  • NAME OF GOD Venus (Aphrodite)
  • GENDER Female
  • CULTURE OF ORIGIN Roman (Greek)
  • PERSONALITY TRAITS Beautiful, confident, unbudgeable.

RATIONALE

I chose Venus (Roman) or Aphrodite (Greek) as my Superhero goddess inspiration.  Venus is the goddess of love, sexuality, beauty, vitality and has the power to make all who gaze upon her immediately fall in love with her.  Her less flattering traits are vanity, jealousy and ill temperment when she doesn’t get her way.  On the plus side, Venus has the ability to turn into any bird she chooses, becoming an avian shape-shifter.  I feel I can create a formidable force with Venus as my muse.

Description of Primary Powers

Power to make all who gaze upon her immediately fall in love with her.

Venus has the ability to shapeshift.

http://www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/Arts/Aphrodite.htm

 

Description of Secondary Powers

Venus also represented fertility, domesticity, and prosperity.  Brides often made offerings to Venus to ensure a happy marriage and family.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venus_of_Willendorf

 

Description of Primary Weakness

 

Venus’ less flattering traits are vanity, jealousy and ill temperament when she doesn’t get her way.

Description of Secondary Weakness

 

Venus was in a loveless marriage with Vulcan.  She was unfaithful and had many lovers.

 

http://witchesofthecraft.com/2015/02/06/deity-of-the-day-for-feb-6th-is-venus-goddess-of-love-and-beauty/

 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Guillemot,_Alexandre_Charles_-_Mars_and_Venus_Surprised_by_Vulcan_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg

 

Iconic Inspirations

Hedy Lamarr, Actress and Mathematician

 

Betti Page Pin Up Queen of the 1940’s and 50’s

 

Lynda Carter of Wonder Woman fame.

The Development of Betty Byrd

Pop X: The Rise of the Super-Heroes

and Their Impact on Pop Culture

A Smithsonian Educational Project

1. Mythic and Iconic Inspirations

 

Venus: The Inspiration for the Superhero Betty Byrd

 

2. Social Issues and Superpowers

 

Betty Byrd: The Protector of the Elderly

 

3. Superhero Origin Story and Alter Ego

 

Venus and the Origin of Betty Byrd

4. The Supervillain

 

Vulcan and the Origin of Supervillain Scissorman

5. The Story

 

The Adventures of Betty Byrd (or Betty Bryd vs. Scissorman)

 

 

 

Copyright © 2015, Susie Christian

All Rights Reserved