Symbolism, character foil and carefully constructed plot all benefit when not constrained by the haphazardness of real life.

What do Homer's Odyssey and R F Kuang's new novel 'Katabasis' have in common? We explain the ancient concepts of katabasis ...

Comic books play it straight. Batman never kills, Superman is an indestructible Boy Scout, Spider-Man is filled with teenage angst -- even in his late 20s -- and Wolverine abides by a code of honor ...