| Mercury | |
|---|---|
 From Humdinger #4 | |
|
Real Name |
Mercury, Hermes |
|
First Appearance |
Greco-Roman Myth |
|
Original Publisher |
Greco-Roman Myth |
|
Created by |
Unknown |
Golden Age 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.
Golden Age Appearances
- America's Greatest Comics #5 - With the peace of Mt. Olympus disturbed by World War, Mercury travels to New York with the other gods.
- Boy Comics #10 - Yankee Longago met several of the twelve Olympians including Mercury.
- Hit Comics #31, 33 -Mercury was summoned by Kid Eternity
- Humdinger vol. 1 #4 - Mickey and Mr. Starlight are told of the Twelve Olympians by the Old Hermit.
- Kid Eternity #5, 9 - Mercury was once again summoned by Kid Eternity.
- National Comics #32 - Uncle Sam and Buddy encounter the Twelve Olympians
- Wham Comics #1 - Craig Carter could summon the Twelve Olympians, including Mercury, and other mythological figures to his aid with his magic ring.
- Yellowjacket Comics #1-10 - Mercury assisted his half-sister Diana the Huntress along with fellow Greek/Roman deities such as Zeus, Hercules, Apollo, and Discordia.
Notes
- The Flash was inspired by Mercury both in powers and appearance.
- Silver Streak's sidekick Meteor/Mercury was originally called Mercury after the Roman god.
- Mercury was one of the gods who empowered Captain Marvel.