Always two there are

Have you noticed how fantasy universes seem to come in pairs?

For the superhero we have the Marvel Universe and the D.C. Universe. As much as we may want to see Superman square off against the Hulk, or Charles Xavier match wits with Lex Luthor, it’s probably not going to happen any time in the near future.

Similarly, Star Trek and Star Wars may share a film director from time to time, but they clearly exist in very different Universes. That long awaited face-off between Q and Emperor Palpatine is probably not coming soon to a theater near you.

This seems to be a tradition that goes way back. For example, early in the twentieth century you could choose between two major fantasy Universes: Middle Earth or Narnia. J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis were friends in real life, and fans of each others’ work, but their visions were strikingly distinct. It would be very interesting to hear Galadriel debate questions of metaphysics with Aslan, but I am not going to hold my breath waiting for it.

Is this recurring pattern of bifurcation merely a coincidence? Or was Yoda onto something?

4 thoughts on “Always two there are”

  1. I think this is why I was so delighted so see Billy Joel and Elton John together in concert a few years ago. In my teenage years they existed in parallel universes.

  2. (My last comment was a laughing emoticon, which seems to have disappeared. So, LOL!)

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