Why Is Hercules treated so poorly in the DCU?

[Tyr]

Hercules or Heracles, is one of the classic Greek heroes. Though not particularly clever, and downright impulsive, he had a strength of heart, he tried to do what was right regardless of the cost or risk to himself. Which I think is the essential part of any hero. Though he made many disastrous mistakes, he always admitted his faults and tried to atone for them the best he way he could, granted sometimes he went a little overboard, like trying to wrestle death to bring a friends dead wife back after being a drunken fool at her funeral. But I always felt that was a part of his charm.

So why has he been treated so badly in the DCU?

I mean he becomes a horridous villain in dealing with the Amazons in Perez's Wonder Woman, even worse then in the actual myth, only to have him atone for it later. Then it looks like he goes back to being a villain again in Heinberg's run. What does DC have against this guy, anyway?

[phantom1592]

Hercules or Heracles, is one of the classic Greek heroes. Though not particularly clever, and downright impulsive, he had a strength of heart, he tried to do what was right regardless of the cost or risk to himself. Which I think is the essential part of any hero. Though he made many disastrous mistakes, he always admitted his faults and tried to atone for them the best he way he could, granted sometimes he went a little overboard, like trying to wrestle death to bring a friends dead wife back after being a drunken fool at her funeral. But I always felt that was a part of his charm.

So why has he been treated so badly in the DCU?

I mean he becomes a horridous villain in dealing with the Amazons in Perez's Wonder Woman, even worse then in the actual myth, only to have him atone for it later. Then it looks like he goes back to being a villain again in Heinberg's run. What does DC have against this guy, anyway?


1) DCU shows the perspective of the Amazons as opposed to the normal greek. they don't like him :)

2) Marvel already did the Hercules as a hero, DC probably wanted a different take.

[Lester C.]

The Greek Gods exist in the DCU to act as a foil to the Superheroes whereas in Marvel they are superheroes. Thus the contrast in how Marvel and DC treats them.

[J. Torres]

Hercules or Heracles, is one of the classic Greek heroes. Though not particularly clever, and downright impulsive, he had a strength of heart, he tried to do what was right regardless of the cost or risk to himself. Which I think is the essential part of any hero. Though he made many disastrous mistakes, he always admitted his faults and tried to atone for them the best he way he could, granted sometimes he went a little overboard, like trying to wrestle death to bring a friends dead wife back after being a drunken fool at her funeral. But I always felt that was a part of his charm.

So why has he been treated so badly in the DCU?

I mean he becomes a horridous villain in dealing with the Amazons in Perez's Wonder Woman, even worse then in the actual myth, only to have him atone for it later. Then it looks like he goes back to being a villain again in Heinberg's run. What does DC have against this guy, anyway?

Have you read my Wonder Girl miniseries?

http://www.dccomics.com/dcu/graphic_novels/?gn=9551

J.

[AdamYJ]

Have you read my Wonder Girl miniseries?

http://www.dccomics.com/dcu/graphic_novels/?gn=9551

J.

You're one of the few who doesn't write Hercules as being all that awful.

Generally, the reason is that it's easy to play Hercules as a villian compared to DC's "enlightened Amazons". This, however, is practically backwards compared to traditional mythology in which the Amazons are barbaric and dangerous.

Personally, I'd just like to see more of the great Greek heroes appearing in superhero universes in general. They were always the most interesting part of mythology for me. I mean, I know they all met their predestined end, but we've seen lots of superheroes get misplaced in time or brought back from beyond the grave. So, why not. It could be an interesting idea. Imagine you're one of a group of people who, no matter how hard you seem to try otherwise, always brings about their own tragic end. What would you do if given a second chance at life?

[Batgirl]

Have you read my Wonder Girl miniseries?

http://www.dccomics.com/dcu/graphic_novels/?gn=9551

J.

Off-Topic......I usually seriously hate Cassie, but I actually kind of liked her in your mini-series. Which made me mad at myself. CURSE YOU, TORRES!!!! ...:tongue: Seriously, I liked it.

On Topic....I like how Hercules is written. I personally don't want to see him as some "knight in shining armor". It's almost a little funny how he doesn't have a determined "side".

[edogawa1983]

isn't it the same reason why the male Dr. Light is treated so poorly?

[Tyr]

On Topic....I like how Hercules is written. I personally don't want to see him as some "knight in shining armor". It's almost a little funny how he doesn't have a determined "side".

Well the classic Hercules wasn't a knight in shining armor. He was impulsive, boisterous, and temperamental, as a result and because of his enormous strength he would end up accidently injuring people or even killing them. So he had a rather serious character flaw. Thing was though, he new it was wrong and would try to make amends, no matter how accidental the situation or how slight the insult, sometimes he go overboard with the amending.

Dan Slott’s Portrayal of Hercules in She-Hulk #9 seems to be close to the classic Herc.

I actually liked Perez’s work, especially sense he did have Herc repent in Wonder Woman. But I’m not sure I’m really keen on the negative portrayal of the guy.

isn't it the same reason why the male Dr. Light is treated so poorly?

But Dr. Light is meant to be a villain. I know its an unpopular opinion, but I actually liked Identity Crisis, though it did have its flaws.

[K-DoG7p7]

Herc is an ass in the DCU for the same reason hyppo and the amazons are asses in the Marvel U..


Also DC needs to explore the Norse gods not that Marvel is REALLY pushing inn on the greeek turf!

[dreyga2000]

1) DCU shows the perspective of the Amazons as opposed to the normal greek. they don't like him :)


That's most definitely just look at the status quo of the Pantheon... Athena, Patron of the Amazons, rules Olympus... Ares, enemy of the Amazons, now rules the Underworld...

The only place Gods show up in the DC Universe is Wonder Woman...

[AllisterH]

I don't think he fits within the DCU honestly.

I assume you're reading Incredible Hercules over at marvel and there, they use his mythology but they don't sugar coat it (seriously, in terms of using Greek mythology to shape his stories, IH pretty much blows Wonder woman out of the water)

Hercules fits in perfectly with the feet of clay MU heroes. Not so much the Hal Jordan/Barry Allen/Superman archtype that DC uses. Furthermore, in marvel, even to this day, Hercules is still considered one of the strongest heroes (Thor, Hulk and now Sentry are his only peers) whereas in DCU, he;s not even as powerful as WW.

EDIT: The real funny thing about Hercules is something She-hulk once mentioned back when she used to star in the FF. "This is a guy who has become an ADJECTIVE, how can you NOT be in awe".

This just doesn't translate to the DCU.

[K-DoG7p7]

I don't think he fits within the DCU honestly.

I assume you're reading Incredible Hercules over at marvel and there, they use his mythology but they don't sugar coat it (seriously, in terms of using Greek mythology to shape his stories, IH pretty much blows Wonder woman out of the water)

Hercules fits in perfectly with the feet of clay MU heroes. Not so much the Hal Jordan/Barry Allen/Superman archtype that DC uses.

uuuhhmm..

you do know that Herk in the DCU is more of a villian then hero ... right?
(Or Ancient Hero that is WAAAAY out of touch with the modern world.. like Black Adam)

[AllisterH]

uuuhhmm..

you do know that Herk in the DCU is more of a villian then hero ... right?
(Or Ancient Hero that is WAAAAY out of touch with the modern world.. like Black Adam)

Which is my point actually....

Hercules in marvel is one of its most powerful heroes but is nowhere near perfect in attitude. This fits in perfectly with the MU.

In the DCU though? He's not even as strong as Wonder-woman and his actions that Perez attributed to him (I detested this revision) leaves him with no hook so to speak...

[K-DoG7p7]

Actually both DC and Marvel use real elements from the myth.. DC just use the worst parts.. and Marvel uses.. a bit of every thing..

[Tyr]

Herc is an ass in the DCU for the same reason hyppo and the amazons are asses in the Marvel U..


Which I'm not sure really fits for Hypp either. In the classic myths she was actually willing to give her belt to Herc freely, when she found out why Herc needed it.

It was Hera that screwed things up for Herc. She thought the task was way to easy.

[AdamYJ]

Which I'm not sure really fits for Hypp either. In the classic myths she was actually willing to give her belt to Herc freely, when she found out why Herc needed it.

It was Hera that screwed things up for Herc. She thought the task was way to easy.

Well, it wasn't Hyppolyta or Herc's fault the trial was too easy. It was Eurystheus's fault. He's the one who picked it. Hera should have messed with him. :biggrin:

[AllisterH]

Read the current Heracles.

Here's some scans (http://community.livejournal.com/scans_daily/6496969.html) of the latest issue and wonders of wonders, the marvel writers ACTUALLY get the scene right and portray both the Amazons and Heracles in a good light.

The true blame fully lies with Hera

[celticguy]

He gave shazam his strength he is not all bad.

[dreyga2000]

He gave shazam his strength he is not all bad.

Since Wondie's is stronger than Herc does that also mean she's stronger than Shazam?

[celticguy]

maybe but he got Stamina from Atlas so that might tip the scales.

WW might win at Arm wrestling though.

[celticguy]

Read the current Heracles.

Here's some scans (http://community.livejournal.com/scans_daily/6496969.html) of the latest issue and wonders of wonders, the marvel writers ACTUALLY get the scene right and portray both the Amazons and Heracles in a good light.

The true blame fully lies with Hera

that is Great Hera to you bub.