If asked to name a superhero, a person’s likely response would be a character from either the world of Marvel or DC [Detective Comics] — such is the extent of their influence and power. From Spider-Man, The Hulk, and Iron Man to Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman, these giants of the comic book industry seemingly […]
Ned Kelly, in life, as in death, was a polarising figure. During his outlawry Ned became an adversary to the establishment but a crusader to the common folk. When he rode the trails of North East Victoria it was the fight for land between squatter and selector that drew the battle lines. Regularly, Ned’s portrayal […]
This essay begins to explore the influence of Australian stock characters and archetypes on Western popular culture by examining the mythology and folklore which encompasses the story of Ned Kelly. Ever since Edward ‘Ned’ Kelly emerged from colonial obscurity in 1878, his story has continued to fascinate. Whether historical, imaginative, or a combination of both, […]