Aaahh, Heracles. Or Hercules, whatever suits you. A character as old as time (well, not really, but you get the idea, so just roll with it), the one who set the templates for our modern heroes. He was the first super-hero, if you will... A man against all odds, fighting for Mankind against the tyrannical Gods. He and his enormous strength gave us a wide array of adventures that are still celebrated to this day, cementing him as not just a Hellenic hero, but a cultural icon.



Like most, I was introduced to Marvel's version of Hercules through the good ol' Avengers. Herc, Black Knight, Captain Marvel, "all new" heroes for an all new era. An eclecting bunch of characters if anything, but a group that generated some really fun stories. But, as with most people, the version of Hercules that really grabbed me was the one "hijacking" the Hulk's title, the "Incredible Hercules". An excellent run, with great art, that managed to prove that the right writter, can make anyone interesting. Even long forgotten characters, based on a mythological icon whose story has been told countless times.



So just give the poor fellow some love, will ya? Because who knows, without him Superman, the granddaddy of super-heroes might not have existed. And in turn, your favourites might have been nothing more than simple thoughts in their creators' minds as well... Oh and, not to forget about it, buy the new Hercules book... What are you waiting for? Go and support the Lion of Olympus!