| Mercury | |
|---|---|
 | |
|
Real Name |
Mercury, Hermes |
|
First Appearance |
Greco-Roman Myth |
|
Original Publisher |
Greco-Roman Myth |
|
Created by |
Unknown |
Origin[]
Mercury (or Hermes in Greek myth) was the patron god of financial gain, commerce, eloquence (and thus poetry), messages/communication (including divination), travelers, boundaries, luck, trickery and thieves in Greco-Roman mythology; he was also the guide of souls to the underworld and one of the Twelve Olympians.
The son of Zeus and Maia, one of the seven daughters of Atlas. Mercury was the messenger of the gods and also a trickster god in some myths like Loki or Coyote in other mythologies. His symbols and attributes included the herma, the rooster and the tortoise, purse or pouch, winged sandals, and winged cap. However, his main symbol was the herald's staff, the Greek kerykeion or Latin caduceus which consisted of two snakes wrapped around a winged staff which is used as a medical symbol to this day.
Public Domain Appearances[]
- America's Greatest Comics #5
- Boy Comics #10
- Hit Comics #31, 33
- Humdinger vol. 1 #4
- Kid Eternity #5, 9
- National Comics #32
- Wham Comics #1
- Yellowjacket Comics #1-10
Notes[]
- When Billy Batson transformed into Captain Marvel he would gain the wisdom of Solomon, the strength of Hercules, the stamina of Atlas, the power of Zeus, the courage of Achilles, and the speed of Mercury. The wizard Shazam, Captain Marvel Jr., and the Lieutenant Marvels also possess the same powers.