Greek Myths
Back to Supporting Cast Main > Greek MythsCharon
Real Identity: Charon
Appearances: This Little Piggy
Powers: Unknown
The ferryman of the dead. Souls of the deceased are brought to him by Hermes and Charon ferries them across the river Acheron. He only accepts the dead which are buried or burned with proper rites and if they pay him an obolus (coin) for passage. For that reason, an obolus would be placed under the tongue of the deceased by relatives. Those who are unable to pay are doomed to wander along the banks of the Styx for a 100 years.
Charon helped ferry Medusa to the banks to meet with Justitia, Batman and Zatanna in return for an obolus, of course.
Hephaestus
Real Identity: Hephaestus
Appearances: Hawk and Dove
Skills: Blacksmith
Voiced By:Ed Asner
From Greek mythology, Hephaestus is known as the god of fire, more commonly the blacksmith's fire. He is also the patron of all craftsmen and metals. Today, he is revered in both Athens and the island of Sicily. Hephaestus is often associated with living in volcanoes with the fire within representing a smithy's furnace.
Hephaestus was the son of Hera, however, he was weak and crippled. It was said that Hera threw Hephaestus from Mount Olympus in which he fell for nine days and nine nights until landing on the island Lemnos. There, he was nursed back to health by nymphs. On Lemnos, Hephaestus conducts his tasks.
Hephaestus builds for the Greek gods, historically in the Justice League universe, he has made battle armor for Hippolyta and a weapon for Ares. However, besides his own brand, Hephaestus also leaves a weakness in all of his creations in resignation of Zeus and his perfection.
When Wonder Woman confronts Hephaestus about Ares' weapon, Hephaestus is seen working on a golden throne. In Greek mythology, Hephaestus constructed a magic throne to get revenge on his mother, Hera. Hera fell for the ruse and was entrapped on the throne. Only after receiving Aphrodite, the goddess of love, as a bride, did Hesphaestus release Hera.
Hermes
Real Identity: Hermes
Appearances: Balance
Powers: Teleportation
Voiced By: Jason Bateman
Hermes, in Greek mythology, is the messenger of the gods. Hermes is usually depicted as wearing winged sandals and a petasos ( a traveller's hat; sometimes with wings as well). He also carries a herald's staff that acts as a magic wand, too. Also considered the god of travelers and roads, Hermes' statues mark crossroads in Attica, Greece. One of Hermes' other aliases is Psychopompos ("transporter of the souls") because his other function is to take the dead to the underworld. Hermes' staff is also seen often adorned with two intertwined snakes which symbolize soil and the underworld.
In the Greek hierarchy, Hermes represents transaction and exchange, thus making him the god of commerce as well. This role of exchange applied to his other capacity as 'carrier of the divine word to the mortals'. His most famous story is the slaying of Argos. Hermes was said to have lulled the 100 eyed monster Argos to sleep with his own stories then killed it as it slept.
When Tartarus was opened by Felix Faust, in control of the Annihilator, Zeus dispatched Hermes to order Wonder Woman to go back and restore order. Wonder Woman found Hermes awaiting in her quarters in the Justice League Unlimited Watchtower undetected.
Justitia
Real Identity: Justitia
Appearances: This Little Piggy
Powers: Unknown
Voiced By: Laraine Newman
The Roman goddess of justice, Justitia is often portrayed as a woman blindfolded and holding the scales (of justice measuring good and evil) and a sword.
When Batman and Zatanna were looking for information on Circe's whereabouts, they appealed to Justitia. She gladly obliged, revealing she was thankful for the Justice League's efforts and endeavors done in her name. When a deed is done, her scale moves in accordance to the action.
Medusa
Real Identity: Medusa
Appearances: This Little Piggy
Powers: Gaze turns men into statues
Voiced By: Laraine Newman
One of the Gorgons of Greek myth, Medusa's gaze can turn nay man into stone. She was said to have originally been a beautiful maiden but she desecrated Athena's temple by lying there with Poseidon. Athena turned her hair into living snakes and cursed her.
Imprisoned to the Pits of Tartarus, Medusa was Circe's cellmate. Most likely out of spite, she gladly gave information to Batman and Zatanna which helped them track down Circe. Judging by her sentence, Medusa won't going free anytime soon.