The Hidden Power of Diamonds in Your Favorite Comics!
From Phantom and Batman to TinTin and Nagraj – comic heroes across generations have moved mountains in the pursuit of natural diamonds.
Across the diverse and exciting history of the medium, natural diamonds have been incorporated into comic book storytelling, often serving as plot devices and providing visual splendour.
From being referred to as tears of God to becoming the coveted possession that popular comic book characters must protect with their life – exquisite natural diamonds have not only been central to comic book storytelling as objects of desire, but also represented virtues that the lead characters must possess and sharpen over the course of a story.
From Superman’s capability to crush coal into diamonds with his bare hands, to Scrooge’s vault full of diamonds that he will not share with anyone, or the Nagmani that Nagraj encounters in the forest, comic books have brought about the allure of exquisite diamonds by making them central to many stories.
Natural diamonds are often used in comics to give the character power and authority
Diamonds as
Plot Devices
A MacGuffin is a plot device that drives the action of a story without being the focus of the narrative. Diamonds have often been used as MacGuffins in comic books.
The Infinity Stones in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) are quintessential examples of MacGuffins. The Infinity Stones were six immensely powerful gem-like objects tied to different aspects of the universe. Each one allows its owner extreme control over one aspect of the universe: time, space, reality, mind, power, and soul. When all six are directly worn together, nothing is impossible for their wearer. They serve as a catalyst for epic battles, betrayals, and moral dilemmas, driving the narrative towards its conclusion. The stones’ diamond-like appearance is a visual representation of their incredible power and durability. Since natural diamonds are often associated with strength, resilience, and eternal life, they became a fitting symbol for these cosmic artifacts.
In one of the most famous Phantom storylines, the villainous organization, “The Devil’s Hand,” seeks to control the diamond mines of Bengalla. They view diamonds as a symbol of wealth and power, and their desire to possess them drives their evil plans and the diamond hunt stories that follow.
Much like their counterparts in the real world, comic book characters often go to great lengths to procure, preserve, and harness the powers of these rare jewels
Everyone’s beloved detective Tintin too investigates the sudden vanishing of a precious diamond in the court of an Indian king on his visit to India in the 1941 theatre adaptation of the story Tintin in India: The mystery of the Blue Diamond. In true Hergè style, the story unfolds with a plethora of intriguing characters, all talking about the exquisite diamond that must be found.
Mixing Fantasy
and the Real World
allude to mystery and have been protected by secret agents and gemologists
While the natural diamonds depicted in comics are fictional, the world of power that is structured around them mirrors the real world. Gemologists that keep secrets across generations, special agents that protect them and the headlines that make the world look in awe – all bring the reader closer to the allure of natural diamonds, wanting them even more, making owning them even more special.
Stories of Natural Diamonds often transcend earthly boundaries, transporting the precious jewels to outer space with their otherworldly radiance
In the Batman series, the Gotham Museum of Antiquities holds the most precious legendary Russifer Diamond, reminding one of the Kohinoor diamond and the Jewel House at the Tower of London where it is kept. Both the diamonds are kept under strict security measures and protected with glass cases – one in real life and the other inside the pages of a comic book. In the story, the curator of the museum, Margaret Pye becomes madly fascinated by the jewels she was curating and turns to crime and names herself Magpie – stealing from the museum till Batman and Robin put a stop to it, reminiscent of many headlines one sees in newspapers even today.
Character Motivation
and Desires
Emma Frost, Marvel Comics’ most notable and powerful female heroes, goes from being an enemy of the X-Men to becoming a superhero and one of the team’s most central members and leaders. This transformation is represented by her power to transform herself into a flexible, near-invulnerable, diamond-like substance. She becomes translucent, and is able to hold up incredible amounts of weight. Her diamond body does not produce any toxins, does not need water or food either, making her virtually tireless. She becomes invulnerable – impervious to cold, resistant to heat. Literally turning into a diamond with superhuman strength – a character that can withstand any test that comes along.
Superheroes embody the invulnerable, timeless quality of natural
diamonds in comics and on-screen adaptations
Interestingly, this representation takes another shade when it comes to villains in the stories. In the DC comics universe, Harley Quinn, madly in love with Joker, wears the harlequin pattern of diamonds on playing cards as her outfit, while aiming to steal the Harlequin Diamond from the Museum of Antiquities.
Mixing myth and reality, legends and facts, comic book creators over the years have created culturally relevant and relatable stories about natural diamonds. These works of fiction come alive for the reader when an underdog in a dark space, shines bright like a diamond and saves the world, undergoing transformation just like a natural diamond would. Or when superheroes stand up for what is right, to protect all that is precious with all that they have got, being real, rare and responsible. Winning love, power and wealth in the most righteous ways.
