Brer Rabbit - Brer Rabbit (Brother Rabbit) like many characters used by Disney, predated that usage and has multiple origin sources. Known as a trickster and manipulator of situations and people in authority, Brer Rabbit got by on his wits.
He is most famous prior to Disney for his part in the Uncle Remus stories set in the Southern United States and indeed his 1946 Disney film debut in 'Songs of the South' drew from these origins. But Brer also has older origins - Joel Chandler Harris whose works featured Brer and the Tar Baby, published in the 1870's, got his materials from Native Americans, specifically the Cherokee. The story was first recorded in an 1845 collection of the Cherokee Advocate.
Before even this, oral traditions among African slaves suggest that the tales of the trickster Brer Rabbit, was brought over in some form by Africans.
In the Mythlands we find a milder version of Brer - either that or he is keeping a low profile, working as a buffet server in the Skylight Rooms of the Lucky Cactus, under the management of the Golden Goose. Brer is present when Styrr the troll attacks and he calls security.
Pig at the Urinal - An upright pig in a tuxedo shares a urinal with Vali, son of Loki. Though I can't tell you the pig's name, I can reveal he is a bit on the 'porky' side and st st stutters. Some Brothers by the name of Warner introduced this character in 1935's 'I haven't got a hat.'
He's certainly a loony character, but not one in the public domain so fair use only permits minimal usage. In this case a cameo. In Part Two more loonies will appear in slightly bigger roles, still permitted by fair use and not explicitly named. "Th-th-th-that's all folks!"
Punchinello - While there have been several characters called Punchinello, the one appearing in the Mythlands is actually an Italian version of Punch which hails right back to the character's roots as a Neopolitan stock figure called Pulcinella - the anglicized name is Punchinello. The original was introduced in 1620 in commedia dell'arte by Silvio Fiorillo. Commedia dell'arte was an early form of professional theatre that originated in Italy.
Characterized as a trickster and 'lord of misrule,' Punchinello was quickly brought to England (his first recorded appearance was May 9th 1662) performed by Italian puppeteers. From this tradition, Punch developed into the character we now know, with his wife Joan - later renamed Judy.
The Mythlands Punchinello combines the original character with aspects of Punch - he is a puppet/doll but more in the vein of a larger ventriloquist's dummy (a few feet tall) - Punchinello speaks with a thick Italian accent, wears either dark suits or tuxedos and is an assassin for hire.
When we first see Punchinello, he is drinking cocktails in the Lucky Cactus and has been ordered by Loki to retrieve the golden apple before The Hare can. He continues to act as an agent of Loki throughout the story. Although small, Punchinello is extremely dangerous.
Zeus Panhellenios - Zeus is the Skyfather/head of the Olympian Pantheon of Graceo-Roman gods, sometimes known as Jupiter. The Olympian realm forms part of the Godlands, an area of the greater Mythlands. His anecdotes in mythology are well known and this version is a standard mix of myth and the Marvel Comics version.
Zeus is first seen in his own court as Loki, son of Odin pays an unofficial visit. The Norse and Olympian gods are close allies. While it is hinted that Zeus and other 'godheads' play important roles in the geo-politics of the Mythlands, he is not seen much in the story.
Eris - Eris is the Olympian goddess of strife and discord. She is mentioned in Greek mythology (the poet Hesod's Works and Days circa 700bc) and is a daughter of Zeus and his wife Hera.
Dedicated to discord and acting as an agent of chaos, Eris is one of the many dark natured gods that allign with Loki to bring about the end times of the Mythlands. She is a trusted confidant and partner of the trickster, whose machinations allow Loki to discover information that Zeus has, that is essential to his plans.
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Mythlands: THE HEIST
FantasyOnce more, the Hare is up to his old tricks ... but has he met someone even trickier who is about to talk him into doing something, very, very stupid. From the domain of the Mythical Creatures, across the border to the land of the Aesir and on...
