Mythpunk

Mythpunk is a way of telling stories that takes traditional myths, legends, and folklore and turns them upside down. It's kind of like when you make a funny face by flipping your nose upside down - it's still your nose, but it looks different and maybe even a little weird.

Instead of just retelling the same old stories, mythpunk authors take elements from different myths and combine them in new and surprising ways. They might mix characters from different myths, or change the way things happened in the original story. For example, imagine a story where a character from Greek mythology, like Hercules, teams up with a character from Japanese mythology, like the Thunder God Raijin, to fight a giant monster. It's still a story about heroic gods fighting monsters, but it's been turned upside down and made fresh and exciting.

Mythpunk also often explores social and political issues. By looking at myths from different angles, mythpunk authors can question things like gender roles, colonialism, and power structures. They might also take characters who were traditionally seen as villains and show them in a sympathetic light. For example, imagine a story where Medusa, who was originally portrayed as a terrifying monster, is actually a victim of bullying and abuse.

So, in short, mythpunk is a way of telling stories that takes traditional myths and turns them on their heads by mixing different elements and exploring social and political issues. It's a fun and exciting way to hear old stories in a new way.