Hercules Appreciation

[Vic's Aegis]

Hey Herc fans, go over to the Marvel Comics board and vote on the AVX Bowl: Mighty Division - Round 3 thread for Hercules over Human Torch!!

http://forums.comicbookresources.com...d.php?t=401987

Go Herc!!

[It's Superman]

Marvel Comics version of Hercules is cool.

P.S I think True Blood's Joe Manganiello would make a great live action Hercules.

[Vic's Aegis]

Herc fans!!! Vote on the Marvel Comics Board in the AVX Thread Round 5!!

Show your support for Hercules over Storm!

Go Herc!!

http://forums.comicbookresources.com...d.php?t=402707

[Old Sparky]

I know Herc doesn't have the popularity to go the distance on this, but I'm enjoying the hell out of however far he goes in that thing. Round 5 already? Woot! Go Herc, go!

[Vic's Aegis]

Hercules gets mentioned in the Avengers Academy article on Marvel.com. It mentions him being naked, which if you've seen the previews you already know, but it also mentions that he will battle Sebastian Shaw as well! Hopefully Herc will come out victorious, however, knowing this is an Avengers Academy series and not a Herc series, I'm sure one of the AA kids will be the victor.

Well here's the link and a cover too!
http://marvel.com/news/story/18095/a...engers_academy

Would have liked to see Herc on the cover Hopefully there'll be a variant with Herc!

[Lee-Sensei]

Here's an answer to my question from this weeks Axel-in-Charge regarding future appearance of Herc.

Vic's Aegis is playing detective in following the fate of one specific Marvel character, asking: "Axel, Pak and Van Lente turned Hercules into my favorite Marvel character. Herc has had two great series recently and I know he is to appear in Hulk 49. Are there any plans to have him in any new series soon as a regular? A team book perhaps?"
 
Alonso: Let me turn this one over to Senior Editor Mark Paniccia. Mark?
 
Mark Paniccia: Herc was a character I never had any affinity for, but when Greg and Fred wrote him in "Incredible Hercules," they had such an undeniable magic, I couldn't help but love the big ol' lunk. And, thus, he became one of MY favorite, too, Vic. There aren't any plans for a new series right now. We had a great run -- about 40 issues worth -- and we're grateful for the fan support that made that possible. But don't let that stop you from passing the love and recommending the collections of all those crazy adventures to your friends and family. And look for Herc in "Avengers Academy" during the months of "AvX."

And some art from May's Avengers Academy 29







As you can see, Herc is in his "classic" outfit; at least in the beginning of the issue.

He really is a God among men.

He's changed back to his classic costume, and he doesn't have his weapons with him. Does that mean he has his powers back?

[Old Sparky]

Costume doesn't make the man. It doesn't matter what he wears, Herc is still Herc (though I prefer the regular attire). As for his powers... probably not immortal, probably not invulnerable, but likely still super strong. He is Hercules after all. I suspect, like his golden mace over the years, Herc keeps those other magic items stashed somewhere until he needs them.


Oh yeah, and since we've got "classic" Hercules showing off in public, here's a little more:

[PaxHouse]

Oh yeah, and since we've got "classic" Hercules showing off in public, here's a little more:

Not surprizing, especially if you know your Greek history...

And yes, I noticed that particular look that Firestar had from the scene shown...!!

[Lee-Sensei]

What issue? I don't remember reading that one.

[PaxHouse]

What issue? I don't remember reading that one.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #673, IIRC (Epilogue to the SPIDER-ISLAND Saga)

[Lee-Sensei]

^Ah. Thanks.

Kind of related, but I heard that they're going to retcon the Hulk vs. Zeus fight. That Hulk wasn't really trying or something. Is that true?

[Vic's Aegis]

Costume doesn't make the man. It doesn't matter what he wears, Herc is still Herc.


Oh yeah, and since we've got "classic" Hercules showing off in public, here's a little more:

I love this panel. Herc only appears in this one panel of ASM, but it is worth so much! You can tell that clothing is only just that to Herc...clothing. It doesn't make you who you are and it doesn't make you something you are not. You as an individual do that. Herc is so relaxed and comfortable being himself, he isn't concerned about his outfit, he is reflecting on a past adventure and willing to share that experience with others! Not that all the others want to share that experience right at that moment!

[Vic's Aegis]

Kind of related, but I heard that they're going to retcon the Hulk vs. Zeus fight. That Hulk wasn't really trying or something. Is that true?

I haven't heard anything about this. But it wouldn't suprise me. When new writers take over a character, and since Hulk is in an upcoming movie, stories are altered to reflect current desires.

They can retcon it if they want, it's their character, but seriously, Hulk stronger than Zeus...never gonna happen!

[seekquaze]

^Ah. Thanks.

Kind of related, but I heard that they're going to retcon the Hulk vs. Zeus fight. That Hulk wasn't really trying or something. Is that true?

It's not so much an outright retcon as a different interpretation of events during the battle. At one point Hera reads the Hulk's mind to learn why he is fighting Zeus. Something about how Hulk thought if he sacrificed himself to Zeus Zeus would fix all of the problems of the rest of the Hulk family. Hence, Zeus's comment at the end about "wrong religion." The idea of self-sacrifice being more a Christian concept than a Olympian one.

If the Hulk was trying to sacrifice himself than he wouldn't really fight back or reach the higher levels of rage he might have been able to reach. So Zeus didn't really defeat an enraged Hulk. He beat the crap out of one who was not fighting back or reaching his true potential.

[Old Sparky]

Stronger than Zeus? Actually, the Encyclopedia Mythologica list Zeus as being able to lift about 90 tons. Its Hercules (fully empowered) that I don't think Hulk should be stronger than. Zeus would, of course, still be much more powerful than the Hulk overall...