Norse mythology provides a rich and diverse source which many later writers have borrowed from or built upon. The most well-known example is probably The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien, although he was by no means the first writer to help himself to this source. Norse or Scandinavian mythology comprises the pre-Christian religion, beliefs and legends of the Scandinavian people, including those who settled on Iceland, where the written sources for Norse mythology were assembled. ... The Lord of the Rings is an epic high fantasy novel written by the English academic J. R. R. Tolkien. ... John Ronald Reuel Tolkien CBE (January 3, 1892 – September 2, 1973) was an English philologist, writer and university professor, best known as the author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. ...

Literature

The Victorian adventure writer H. Rider Haggard, for example, wrote an epic adventure in the style of the Nordic sagas, "Eric Brighteyes". The children's writer Alan Garner is another writer who has found inspiration in this rich seam of mythology, and borrowed many Norse concepts, such as the tale of Freyja's necklace Brisingamen and the hard winter (Fimbulwinter) which portends the end of the world, Ragnarok in his classic story, The Weirdstone of Brisingamen. Episodes of Doctor Who have also referenced the Norse twilight of the gods. The Book of the Dun Cow combines Norse legends with biblical themes. The Ballad of the White Horse includes references to Norse gods although they are portrayed in a negative light. The ballad portrays Catholicism as the true religion and the Norse religion as pagan. H. Rider Haggard, author Sir Henry Rider Haggard (June 22, 1856 – May 14, 1925), born in Norfolk, England, was a Victorian writer of adventure novels set in locations considered exotic by readers in his native England. ... The Saga of Eric Brighteyes is the title of an epic viking novel by H. Rider Haggard, and concerns the adventures of its eponymous principal character in 10th century Iceland. ... Alan Garner (born Congleton October 17, 1934) is an English writer whose work is firmly rooted in his local Cheshire. ... Freyja (sometimes anglicized as Freya), sister of Freyr and daughter of Niord (), is usually seen as a Norse fertility goddess. ... Heimdall returns Brisingamen to Freya Brisingamen is said to be the (principally amber) necklace of the goddess Freya from Norse Mythology. ... The fimbulwinter is an element in Norse pagan eschatology. ... Look up Ragnarok in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The Weirdstone of Brisingamen is a fantasy story by the author Alan Garner, first published in 1960. ... Doctor Who is a long-running award-winning British science fiction television programme (and a 1996 television film) produced by the BBC. The series shows the adventures of a mysterious time-traveller known as the Doctor, who explores time and space in his TARDIS (Time And Relative Dimension(s) In... The Book of the Dun Cow is a novel by Walter Wangerin, Jr. ... The Ballad of the White Horse is a poem by G K Chesterton about the exploits of the Saxon King Alfred the Great, published in 1911 AD. Despite being written in ballad form, the work is also considered an epic poem. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Wycliffe Tyndale · Luther · Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      As a Christian ecclesiastical...

Other writers who tangibly draw on the Nordic pantheon include L. Sprague de Camp, David Lindsay, C.S. Lewis, [[Edward Plunkett, 18th Baron Dunsany|Lord Dunsany], J. R. R. Tolkien, and most recently, J. K. Rowling. Lyon Sprague de Camp, (November 27, 1907 – November 6, 2000) was an American science fiction and fantasy author. ... David Lindsay (1876-1945) was a British author now most famous for the philosophical novel A Voyage to Arcturus (1920). ... Clive Staples Lewis (November 29, 1898 – November 22, 1963), commonly referred to as C. S. Lewis, was an author and scholar. ... John Ronald Reuel Tolkien CBE (January 3, 1892 – September 2, 1973) was an English philologist, writer and university professor, best known as the author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. ... Joanne Jo Rowling OBE (born 31 July 1965[1]) is an English fiction writer who writes under the pen name J. K. Rowling. ...

Comics

During the 1960s, Marvel Comics writer/artist team Stan Lee and Jack Kirby introduced Thor as a comic book superhero. The character was very popular, and he remains a foundation of the "Marvel Universe" today. Walt Simonson's tenure on the series during the middle-to-late 1980s is considered its high point by many fans, as Simonson drew heavily on the Norse myths for inspiration. The graphic novelist Alan Moore is also thematically influenced by Norse mythology. The 1960s decade refers to the years from January 1, 1960 to December 31, 1969, inclusive. ... Marvel Comics is an American comic book line published by Marvel Publishing, Inc. ... Stan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber on December 28, 1921[1]) is an American writer, editor, was the Chairman Emeritus of Marvel Comics, and memoirist. ... Jack Kirby (August 28, 1917 – February 6, 1994) was one of the most influential, recognizable, and prolific artists in American comic books, and the co-creator of such enduring characters and popular culture icons as the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, the Hulk, Captain America, and hundreds of others stretching... Thors battle against the giants, by Mårten Eskil Winge, 1872 Thor (Old Norse: Þórr) is the red-haired and bearded god of thunder in Norse Mythology and more generally Germanic mythology (Old English: Þunor, Old Dutch and Old High German: Donar, from Proto-Germanic *Þunraz). ... A comic book is a magazine or book containing the art form of comics. ... Star Slammers graphic novel (1983) Walter or, usually, Walt Simonson (born September 2, 1946) is a comic book writer and artist. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Alan Moore (born November 18, 1953, in Northampton) is an English writer most famous for his influential work in comics, including the acclaimed graphic novels Watchmen, V for Vendetta and From Hell. ...

Neil Gaiman's novel American Gods touches extensively on the Norse mythos (amongst others). *SPOILER!* One of the central characters is called Wednesday and is subsequently revealed as the god Odin; Loki (nick-named Low-Key) is also depicted in this novel. *SPOLER ENDS* The Æsir gods are also figures in Gaiman's graphic novel series The Sandman, most notably in the Season of Mists and The Kindly Ones story-lines. Jeff Smith's graphic novel Bone draws heavily on Norse mythology, including the use of dragons. Neil Richard Gaiman () (born November 10, 1960) is an English author of science fiction and fantasy short stories and novels, graphic novels, comics, and films. ... American Gods is a novel by Neil Gaiman. ... For other meanings of Odin, Woden or Wotan see Odin (disambiguation), Woden (disambiguation), Wotan (disambiguation). ... It has been suggested that Loki and the dwarfs be merged into this article or section. ... In Old Norse, the Æsir (singular Ás, feminine Ásynja, feminine plural Ásynjur, Anglo-Saxon Ós, from Proto-Germanic *Ansuz) are the principal gods of the pantheon of Norse mythology. ... Trade paperback of Will Eisners A Contract with God (1978), often mistakenly cited as the first graphic novel. ... The Sandman was a comic book series written by Neil Gaiman and published by DC Comics for 75 issues from 1988 until 1996. ... Season of Mists (1992) is the fourth collection of issues in the DC Comics series, The Sandman, written by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Kelley Jones, Mike Dringenberg, Malcolm Jones III, Matt Wagner, Dick Giordano, George Pratt and P. Craig Russell, coloured by Steve Oliff and Danny Vozzo, and lettered by... The Kindly Ones (a translation of the Greek Eumenides, kind-hearted) is a euphemistic reference to the Furies in Greek mythology. ... Jeff Smith is an American cartoonist, best known as the creator of the self-published comic book series Bone. ... Bone is an independently published comic book series, originally serialized in 55 irregularly-released issues from 1991 to 2004, notable as one of the longest-running self-published comic book series by a single writer/artist. ...

The graphic novel manga series Ragnarok, by Myung-Jin Lee, is based on Norse mythology and the events of Ragnarok, the prophesied fall of the gods. The Norse Pantheon heroes are also the main characters of Japanese anime Matantei Loki Ragnarok. Manga )   (pl. ... The main cast of the anime Cowboy Bebop (1998) (L to R: Spike Spiegel, Jet Black, Ed Tivrusky, Faye Valentine, and Ein the dog) For the oleo-resin, see Animé (oleo-resin). ... The Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok (魔探偵ロキＲＡＧＮＡＲＯＫ, matantei loki ragnarok) is a manga by Sakura Kinoshita, as well as a television anime based upon the manga series. ...

See also

• Norse mythology in popular culture

	Norse mythology
	List of Norse gods | Æsir | Vanir | Giants | Elves | Dwarves | Troll | Valkyries | Einherjar | Norns | Odin | Thor | Freyr | Freyja | Loki | Baldr | Týr | Yggdrasil | Ginnungagap | Ragnarök
	Sources: Poetic Edda | Prose Edda | The Sagas | Volsung Cycle | Tyrfing Cycle | Rune stones | Old Norse language | Orthography | Later influence
	Society: Viking Age | Skald | Kenning | Blót | Seid | Numbers
	People, places and things