You have chosen some interesting figures: the giants, for your series, @ladyrebecca. Nordic mythology (which in some books is simply called "Germanic") is very little known to those of us who inhabit the American continent. It is striking how, in some way, mythology gives account of the ancient glaciations that originated much of later life, with that account of the melting of ice and warm winds. It is curious that the first living being is a giant and, in addition, associated with evil, the original component of the universe, seems to be postulated. And that, in addition, Odin, the most widespread Germanic god, be the son of giants, descendant of Ymir, then.
About the coincidence in the cultures of figures, stories, etc., I think it has an explanation in C. G. Jung's proposal: the collective unconscious and the archetypes, as I have commented before here. Thank you for this series you start today, @ladyrebecca; I'll keep an eye on it. Greetings.