Hey everybody, I hope you all are having a great weekend! I’m right back here to present another character spotlight in Marvel Snapshot! None other than the mighty Hercules will be under the microscope this week, and we know he has a rich history for sure. Hercules (the Marvel version) was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby back in 1965 (Journey Into Mystery Annual #1).
As we all should know by now, Hercules is the son of Zeus and an Earth woman named Alcmena, that he tricked into sleeping with him (in the guise of her husband). Hercules was born and bred to be a warrior, and had to prove his worthiness to his father many times over. The twelve labors, constant fighting against other gods, and so on, have given him a tough skin, but also he’s still a compassionate hero. He’s also been a reoccurring antagonist for Thor, as well. The two have met many times and usually as friends, but also as foes. One of their biggest brawls came when Herc beat down a depowered Thor, but then once Thor got his powers back, he helped Herc defeat Pluto in his own realm.
Herc eventually came to join the Avengers, and immediately butted heads with Namor. The two would keep their differences aside to help the team succeed. Herc would also prove his toughness against people like The Hulk, Typhon, and everyone in between. There were some dark days as well, though, as the entire team of Avengers, including Herc, were beaten to within an inch of their lives by Baron Zemo and his Masters of Evil. This put him in a bit of a downward spiral, but he eventually came out of it. He actually defeated the mighty High Evolutionary during his Evolutionary War. He then was one of the few heroes that wasn’t part of the Heroes Reborn nonsense thanks to his taking Deathcry (Shi’Ar) back to her home. Eventually, Hercules took over the Incredible Hulk title and it was renamed Incredible Hercules. At this point, Herc always had his sidekick Amadeus Cho with him. The two went on many adventures, fought against the Skrulls in Secret Invasion, then Hercules sacrificed himself so that Cho could take over as the new Prince of Power. Cho didn’t want the title, though, and stopped at nothing to find Hercules, who he believed was still alive.
Hercules has since returned, but now he doesn’t have his immortality or super strength, only mystical weapons to help him fight against evil! Check below for my recommended reading list and some great Herc covers from over the years.
Recommended Reading
Essential Thor vol. 2 – Tpb
Essential Avengers vol. 2 – Tpb
The Avengers: Kang – Time and Time Again – Tpb
The Avengers: Under Siege – Tpb
The Avengers: Avengers Disassembled – Tpb
Incredible Hercules HC vol. 1 & 2 (2008)
Billy Dunleavy
billy@comicattack.net
