A.R.T. Epic Hero Brawl
Introducing the challengers for the A.R.T. Epic Hero Brawl, inspired by Beowulf: A Thousand Years of Baggage.
Predict the winner of the whole shebang, and be entered into a drawing for TWO FREE TICKETS TO BEOWULF: A THOUSAND YEARS OF BAGGAGE! Submit predictions by April 1st by filling out this form, and keep track of the brawl on Facebook and Twitter (#epicherobrawl).
The tournament pits the greatest heroes and most dastardly villains from literary, cinematic, comic and videogame history against one another to determine, once and for all, WHO IS MOST BADASS? Check our Facebook page regularly for a new match-up. Your votes will determine the winner!
THE CHALLENGERS
Beowulf (Beowulf)
The bad boy of the Medieval Denmark so awe-inspiringly powerful and fearless that they had to name a poem after him. Beowulf answers the call to troubled meadhall Heorot to defeat the troublesome Grendel, which he does WITH HIS BARE HANDS. Then he beats up Grendel’s demon mother. Then he kills a dragon. No big deal.
Heracles (Shield of Heracles)
Also known as Hercules, Herc, or Kevin Sorbo, Heracles is the quintessential ancient strongman responsible for fulfilling a famously tough series of labors. The fun-loving hero completed twelve labors, which included slaying a Hydra, capturing Cerberus and cleaning the Augean stables in a single day. That’s right…one single, smelly day. That’s heroism.
King Arthur (History of the Kings of Britain)
Arguably the most famous King of all-time (or at least the most represented in literature), Arthur personifies the Knight in Shining Armor. Armed with the legendary sword Excalibur, Arthur led his Knights of the Round Table in the defense of his realm, before retiring to immortality on the mythical island of Avalon. There’s a Holy Grail quest in there, too.
Odysseus (The Iliad/The Odyssey)
Known for his craftiness (see: Trojan Horse) and his 10-year voyage home from the Trojan War to Ithaca. Upon arriving home to his wife, Odysseus finds suitors lined up to woo his wife, Penelope…he slays all of them. Honey, I’m home!
Grendel’s Mother (Beowulf)
Her description in Old English is variably translated as “monstrous hell-bride,” “monster woman” and “ugly troll-hag,” which gives you some idea of how serious the situation is when Beowulf confronts Grendel’s mother after killing her only son. Beowulf almost meets his match in the grip of her “horrible claws.” Apparently, she can also reanimate corpses (this is one bad momma).
Harry Potter (The Harry Potter Series)
The “boy who lived” is an orphan who learns, on his 11th birthday, that he is a wizard. Through a series of misadventures at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry hones his wizarding skills, makes some friends, dates his best friend’s sister, and saves the world from the incredibly powerful and evil Lord Voldemort. He’s also highly skilled at the made-up sport of Quidditch.
Count Dracula (Dracula)
Inspired by the real-life Vlad Tepes, scourge of 15th century Romania, Count Dracula was born in the pages of Bram Stoker’s gothic horror novel Dracula. Since then, the Count has become synonymous with the word “vampire,” and persists in our imagination as the OG of creepy bloodsucking fiends. Highly magical, weak vs. sunlight.
Fang La (The Water Margin)
The primary antagonist of the 108 Liangshan heroes in The Water Margin, a classic of Chinese epic literature. Fang La is a rough-and-tumble rebel leader camping out in a far-flung province of China, stirring up trouble for the Empire as the Liangshan heroes come through to bust up his operation. Having just come off two flawless victories against similar rebel armies, the Liangshan heroes have no idea what’s coming– as Fang La’s squad decimates 59 of the 108 heroes in one fell swoop. His conviction and leadership skills cause him to be feared by even the Emperor himself.
Frodo Baggins (The Lord of the Rings)
Frodo Baggins is a hobbit (or halfling) who is unwittingly thrown into an epic quest to rid the world of an incredibly powerful ring and, in the process, save Middle Earth from the clutches of the evil Sauron. Though seemingly weak and guileless, Frodo’s determination and presence make him a rallying point for a fellowship of powerful heroes.
James Bond (James Bond Series)
The best-known superspy made his debut in Ian Fleming’s 1953 novel Casino Royale; since then, Bond has become the epitome of suave subterfuge (not to mention, seduction). Not only would he be caught dead in anything less than a three-piece suit, but he can survive explosions, hold his own against giant men with metal teeth, and is a crackshot with his signature Walther PPK.
Siegfried (The Nibelungenlied)
Anansi (West African Myth)
Mr. Spock (Star Trek)
Jaws (The Jaws Series)
Spiderman (Marvel Comics)
Gaius Helen Mohiam (The Dune Series)
Wonder Woman (DC Comics)
Darth Vader (Star Wars)
Satan (Paradise Lost)
Humbaba (The Epic of Gilgamesh)
Arjuna (Mahabharata)
Ganon (The Legend of Zelda Series)
Lord Voldemort (The Harry Potter Series)
Lara Croft (Tomb Raider)
Wicked Witch of the West (The Oz Series)
Lyra Belacqua (His Dark Materials)
Magneto (Marvel Comics)
Ravana (Ramayana)
The Joker (DC Comics)
Commander Shepard (Mass Effect)
Mulan (The Ballad of Mulan)
Loki (Poetic Edda)