The chadcel/Boomer types whining about the "nihilism" of JOKER don't get it: heroism is dead. Heroic literature will not make a comeback in our lifetimes. A dying civilization cannot produce works that celebrate virtue. It is literally impossible.
Heroic literature of the Homeric type arose from a society that was in its formative years. People had a bright future to look forward to. No one has a bright future now, regardless of their age, race, or social class. The prerequisites for heroism are simply not there.
The Greeks themselves went through this stage. Sophocles openly disdained Homer and believed the ILIAD and ODYSSEY were bullshit. Similarly, the prophets of our era, writers like Houellebecq, acknowledge the fundamental falseness of the myths of OUR past.
There's a boomer I like who nonetheless posts cringe takes about how Bukowski and similar writers are dead. Nah, Homer is dead. The listlessness and apathy of Bukowski, Houellebecq, JOKER are far more resonant to a generation of men with nothing to look forward to.
A close friend of mine wrote an epic poem years ago in the style of Roy Campbell's FLAMING TERRAPIN. Even he acknowledges now that it sucked, largely because it's an attempt to force epic, heroic ideals on a world that no longer has any room for them.
Nietzsche himself remarked that only a civilization in decline can produce great art. Heroic literature will not return until our civilization is dead and a new one rises from the ashes. Attempts to force this transition by LARPing as Beowulf doom you to eternal cringe.
