No more critical analysis of science in comics books last week after finishing Men of War.  But actually I kind of do have some if archaeology can be considered a science (which most people consider it as.)  The perfect example was last week where Huntress visited ancient Pompeii.  Did the artists get it right?

 Sea Gate

This is one of the more famous structures which remains standing in Pompeii and served as part of the exterior defensive wall for the city.  The gates were named after the areas where they led to, so Sea Gate leads towards the sea (in the language of love the name is Porta Marina, which does not sound that romantic, but whatever).  I can’t say for sure because I don’t know what was going through the artist’s mind, but this is probably what he was going for here.  It is not a bad representation, with the more common double passageway, except that out of sea gate there is a substantial down slope which is not seen here.  Good to throw it in there, but not super accurate.

Verdict:  Half way between accurate and comic book convenience.

Gallery

 The Forum

This looks kind of non-descript and could really be anywhere.  From the buildings though and the kind of open area, plus the proximity to the Sea Gate which she just walked through, it is likely that this is the forum (where all the business gets done), or the houses nearby.  There wouldn’t be an arch in the background though, as there weren’t many of these on the roads in the city (as they don’t really serve any purpose.)

Verdict:  Comic book convenience

 The Amphitheater

Where the action for this issue goes down.  At first I thought this was one of the theaters or the gymnasium, but on closers inspection fits pretty well the layout and appearance of the amphitheater.  The amphitheater is overgrown a fair bit in the seating area and there are two large passageways, one of which is seen in the depiction here.  The only thing is that I don’t think there is really any place where Helena could change into her costume.  

 Verdict: Accurate

  As for the cover (below), I have no idea, the columns in back would suggest it is also close to the forum, but I can’t find any information on the drainage ditches of Pompeii.  I am not sure who the world expert on that is, though I don’t doubt that there is one.