NorsePlay.

Director John Milius filmed a sequence in Conan The Barbarian (1982 CE) where usurper King Osric (Max Von Sydow) gets assassinated by his own bodyguards who turn out to be Thulsa Doom's secret court agents! Note the backdrop of both these scenes contains tapestries that are Viking picture stone adaptations , the first being from  Stora Hammers Stone I: [second panel down, right side.] And the second being Odin from the Andre III picture stone: [on Sleipnir, upper right] The metaphysical implication being that Odin is claiming King Osric for Valhalla using this final conflict, which is along the lines of what happens to many kings & heroes in the Sagas. Except this storyline gets cut as the ending voiceover says Princess  Yasimina gets returned to her father (and the novelization adds that Conan is offered Yasimina, and essentially the kingdom of Zamora by marriage, but refuses Osric) and Conan instead goes adventuring in the West, with just the tapestries' edges...

Odin crafts the dome of night from Ymir's skull ! We like the barely visible line drawing of the Allfather 's thoughts of the skull as building material being executed into the overlaying reality of the scene. [illustration by Troy Howell from Favorite Norse Myths .] #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

Baby Driver. Clyde Barrow. Allfather Odin? No wait, stop and think about this for a second: Odin essentially runs a long con to heist the Mead of Poetry . Like some Icelandic outlaw sagas, Americans enjoy stories where one goes outside the system to boldly and bravely come out on top via skills & wits , which is why 1967's Clyde & 2017's Baby also show the throughline of this tradition from ancient Norse Lore all the way to today.  And we know Odin would rock the one-eyed sunglasses and beat both of these wheelmen in a street race , 8-hooves or cylinders down. #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neolog...

Team Odin vs. Fenrir.  War God Odin bestride fastest Sleipnir, with Freki & Geri flanking, Huginn & Muninn from above, and never-miss Gungnir all together could totally take the wolf in this one. Go Team Odin! [and we'd love to know who did this piece, so comment below if you know.] #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

Before NorsePlay emerged from the nothingness of Ginnungagap, I dressed as Odin in 1981 for Halloween. The strips of cardstock constructed helmet got spraypainted in silver, the white wings handdrawn & photocopied, earth-maroon jean Toughskins, socks over shoes with torn strip leg wraps, bedsheet cape, costume store beard, cardboard & broomhandle Gungnir, all lightly modeled on Jeff Dee's 1980 illustration of Odin for Dungeons & Dragons ' Deities & Demigods . I'd crafted an eyepatch too, but it came out too tight and broke when I tried it on, so this is a pre-Mímir's Well depiction. #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, an...

"I have as many names as there are winds, as many titles as there are ways to die." This is the reveal we all know ahead of time on American Gods : that Mr Wednesday is Odin, but it takes a seasoned actor of Ian McShane's caliber to drive it in like a spear and make it feel like we didn't know that in the first place. And in this clip he reveals many of the Allfather's names with gravity & power. [from season1, episode 8, directed by Floria Sigismondi.] #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field ...

Kevin Eugene Johnson's cover art for Poul Anderson's Time Patrolman (1983) features Odin walking away from a timecycle tucked away in the forest! Done specifically for the second novella in the book The Sorrow of Odin the Goth . Inquiry: If Odin actually rides a time machine, then does Sleipnir's eight legs really represent a blurring temporal quantum super-position field? #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

Modernized Odin in a polo with a nametag (if the ravens & patch aren't a total tip off), as re-imagined in Rick Riordan's Magnus Chase series . [If same artist as the covers, it's John Rocco.] #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

Odin by Bror Marklund (1939-1952), on the door of Swedish History Museum in Stockholm. #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

Swedish postage stamp with iconic  Odin bearing spear Gungnir , charging on 8-legged Sleipnir , sided by Huginn & Muninn . At bottom, Fenrir begins his fateful swallowing of the Allfather, starting with his left leg, which makes this his doomed moment at Ragnarök . The Allfather seems younger here at time's end, perhaps manifesting his helpful magicks on himself for a glorious last stand. [1981 issue.] #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to o...

Old Norse specialist Jackson Crawford gets lecturebombed by Odin?!? #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

Odin challenges Vafþrúðnir to a contest of wits, which Odin wins. The court of giants, and the danger their numerical presence presents, countered by the implied magic of Odin's avian producing cloak train add to the situation's drama. [Prints available here: https://www.inprnt.com/gallery/jasonrainville/odin-in-the-house-of-giants/ ] #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

In Avatar Press' Wolfskin , a berserker northman consults his patron one-eyed god . Wrod shown here is an obvious NorsePlay analogue for our Odin. [Art by Juan José RyP, written by Warren Ellis.] #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

Bolverk, secretly Odin, runs serious game on Gunnlöd to score some quality time with her & win the ultimate in free drinks -- the Mead of Poetry. Note the huge Óðrerir vessel in the foreground from which we can infer where Thor gets his drinking skills from, since Odin is supposed to empty that in a single draught. [ Odin and Gunnlöd by Emil Doepler , 1900 CE] #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

Odin by Juan Casini . We like the underlit red light accenting the figure, contrasting with the his luminous pale blue eye. Instead of actually being Óðinn, we have the impression that this art deco bas relief's on a supercomputer case with the lights indicating power/processing, and antenna wire-wrapped Gungnir serving as a wi-fi dongle. #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

This looks sooooo 16-bit 1990, but no, Völgarr The Viking is a 2013 retro throwback scroller made by Crazy Viking Studios . Note the apparition of Odin wearing the pauldron to protect his blind side, pointing the player to go forth and power up. #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

Which eye do you believe Óðinn sacrificed to gain a drink from Mímisbrunnr? And state why you think one way or the other. [Detail from Madeline von Foerster's Odin Exchanging His Eye for Wisdom (oil, 2003).] #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

Emil Doepler's rendition of Odin and Fenrir, Freyr and Surt (1905) . Definitely a product of Germanic romanticism, the tableau has a doom-shadowed tone, with predominant reds & oranges appropriate of a fiery Ragnarök. Surt appears diminutive, as if Frey could've just ridden him down, and Fenrir appears to be able to shoot flames from his mouth, his baleful eye fixed on Odin. Note Sleipnir's curious absence. #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offe...

Perhaps instead of the overkill of throwing Gungnir over your side of the battlefield, or sending an already busy Valkyrie to fetch your post-death being thither to Asgard's halls, or taking the personal time to masquerade as a wayward guest to test your hospitality, what if Odin instead just hit you up via digits on your phone? Your unprepared reaction to his caller ID might sound like this . [phone case art by Aloysius Patrimonio, blog title phrase credit to Eric "Word-Weaver" Sjerven. ] #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in...

We sought a modern visual of Odin and ran across this version in a three-piece suit. Not quite contemporary but not too far back either. And there's this untouchable 1960s Marvel Odin on the streets of NYC: #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .