Hercules Panhellenios is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Debuting in the Silver Age of Comic Books, the character is based on Heracles of Greek mythology (despite using the name of his Roman equivalent, Hercules). Since his first appearance, he has been a perennial member of the superhero team the Avengers.
The character has appeared in various forms of media, including television series and video games. Brett Goldstein portrays the character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Thor: Love and Thunder (2022).
Publication history While several characters named Hercules appeared in Golden Age Marvel Comics, the mythological figure first appeared in U.S.A. Comics #7 (March 1943), in which he appeared in shadow behind a window to give a suit of power to Martin Burns, who became Marvel Boy. Two issues prior, in U.S.A. Comics #5, Menalaos had similarly given powers to Lon Craig as Roko the Amazing.Bob Oksner, "Marvel Boy," and Melville Henry and Jack Alderman, "Roko the Amazing" in Stan lee, Al Fago, Cory Seidlmeier (eds.) Marvel Masterworks Presents Golden Age U.S.A. Comics Volume 2 Collecting U.S.A. Comics Nos. 5-8. New York: Marvel Comics, 2011, p.36 (Menalaos), 171 (Hercules). In Young Allies #16 (May 1945), Tommy Tyme traveled to Hercules's time and witnessed his battle with Antaeus.
Marvel's modern version of Hercules was adapted from the Greek god Heracles by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby. The character debuted in The Avengers #10 (November 1964) as a minion of Immortus, although that appearance was revealed to be an impostor in the limited series Avengers Forever (December 1998–November 1999). The character's first formal appearance in the Marvel Universe became Journey into Mystery Annual #1 (October 1965), which established Hercules as being a rival of the Norse god of thunder, Thor.
Hercules became a regular guest star in the title The Mighty Thor, appearing in issue #126 (March 1966). The character guest-starred in Tales to Astonish #79 (May 1966), and his deadlocked battle with the Hulk, as told by Lee, Kirby, and Bill Everett, has come to be regarded as a classic. The tale parallels Hercules and the Hulk's titanic strength, short temper, and simple-mindedness, while contrasting their lot in life: Hercules being a beloved hero and pampered celebrity, while the Hulk is a hated and feared fugitive. The character teamed up with the Avengers in issue #38 (March 1967), but was not yet an official member; he was merely a guest of the Avengers during his banishment from Olympus. In issue #45 of The Avengers, Hercules became a "full-fledged Avenger" by way of Goliath's announcement to the press during the first annual "Avengers Day". Hercules also guest starred in Marvel Team-Up #28 (December 1974) and Marvel Premiere #26 (November 1975) before starring along with four other heroes in The Champions which ran for 17 issues (October 1975–January 1978). After this, Hercules made a guest appearance in Marvel Two-In-One #44 (October 1978).
Hercules starred in two limited series by writer-artist Bob Layton, with both set in an alternate universe. A 24th century version of Hercules starred in Hercules, Prince of Power #1–4 (September–December 1982), which was popular enough to spawn a sequel, Hercules, Prince of Power #1–4 (March–June 1984). The storylines dealt with Hercules's exile from Olympus, completion of a series of quests and opportunity to leave his past behind and create a new identity.
Hercules remained a constant guest star in both Thor and The Avengers, playing a significant role in the "Avengers Under Siege" storyline in The Avengers #270–277 (August 1986–March 1987), involving supervillain team the Masters of Evil. The story lead directly into the "Assault on Olympus" storyline in The Avengers #281–285 (July 1987–November 1987), in which Hercules left the team.
The character starred in the self-titled limited series Hercules vol. 3, #1–5 (June–Sep. 2005), and guest starred in the limited series Thor: Blood Oath #1–6 (Nov. 2005-Feb. 2006), a retrospective story that depicts the second meeting between the Hercules and Thor.
At the conclusion of the "World War Hulk" storyline, Hercules received a self-titled publication when Marvel changed the name of the third volume of the Incredible Hulk series to The Incredible Hercules, effective as of issue #113 (Feb. 2008), and written by Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente.GREEK WEEK Part I -Pak & Van Lente talk Hercules's Past, Comic Book Resources, March 17, 2008GREEK WEEK Part IV- Pak & Van Lente on Herc's Past & Future, Comic Book Resources, March 20, 2008Love, Olympian Style: Pak & Van Lente talk "Incredible Hercules", Comic Book Resources, September 4, 2008 The series concluded with The Incredible Hercules #141 (April 2010), and was followed by the 2-issue mini-series Hercules: Fall of an Avenger (March–April 2010). The mini-series is scheduled to lead into the relaunched new title, Prince of Power #1 (May 2010), also written by Pak and Van Lente.
Writers Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente started a brand new Hercules series, entitled Herc, featuring the hero without powers, but wielding mythical arms.
Marvel Comics continuity has been retconned so that the character Hercules, introduced in Young Allies #16 ("Battle of the Giants" by artist Charles Nicholas; summer 1945), was incorporated in the version of Hercules introduced in 1966.
Fictional character biography 1960s Hercules first appears when pulled from the past by the villain Immortus to battle Thor.The Avengers #10 (Nov. 1964) This story is not referenced in the character's next appearance, which depicts Hercules and Thor as apparently meeting for the first time.Journey Into Mystery Annual #1 (1965) The discrepancy is eventually explained when it is revealed by retcon that the first "Hercules" encountered was actually a Space Phantom in disguise.Avengers Forever #1-12 (Dec. 1998-Nov. 1999)
Hercules guest-stars in an extended Thor storyline, defeating Thor (punished by Odin for loving the mortal woman Jane Foster).Thor #126 (March 1966) Hercules unwittingly becomes the slave of fellow Olympian god Pluto when he signs a contract which he thinks is for a film, but actually states that he will now rule the Netherworld instead of Pluto. Hercules is eventually rescued by Thor (now at full strength) who battles and defeats Pluto's underworld minions. Pluto opts to void the contract rather than accept the destruction of his realm.Thor #127-131 (April-Aug. 1966) While under the contract, Hercules has a chance encounter with the Hulk, fighting him to a standstill.
Hercules reappears as the thrall of the Asgardian villainess Enchantress who is using water from the spring of Eros and tries to use him to destroy the Avengers.The Avengers #38 (March 1967) After being freed from the spell and being banished from Olympus for one year by Zeus for going to Earth without permission, Hercules aids the team for an extended period before leaving for Olympus.The Avengers #39-50 (April 1967-March 1968) Hercules returns briefly during a storyline set directly after the Kree-Skrull War, in which the Avengers witness an amnesiac Hercules being abducted by two Titans.The Avengers #88-97 (June 1971-March 1972) After dealing with a disruption in New York City caused by Ares, the Avengers travel to Olympus and free Hercules and the Olympian gods, who have been turned to crystal by Ares using the Ebony Blade. The Avengers learn that Hercules had lost his memory after being thrown from Olympus.The Avengers #98-100 (March 1972-June 1972)
1970s Hercules becomes a founding member of the Champions, aiding the group against the machinations of Olympians Pluto and Hippolyta.The Champions #1 (Oct. 1975); #2-3 (Jan.-Feb. 1976) Hercules appears during the Korvac saga, and after being kidnapped by the Collector is freed (with the other Avengers) by comrade Hawkeye to battle the cosmic entity Korvac.The Avengers #173-177 (July 1978-Nov. 1978)
1980s Hercules reappears during the "Celestial saga", joining an invasion force comprising Olympian gods and other allies that storms the realm of Olympia (occupied by the Eternals).Thor #290-291 (Jan.-Feb. 1980) Following these events, Hercules rejoins the Avengers.The Avengers #249 (Nov. 1984); Thor #350-352 (Dec. 1984-Feb. 1985)
In the storyline "Avengers Under Siege", Helmut Zemo assembles an army of supervillains to form the Masters of Evil. Courtesy of a paid pawn, Hercules is drugged at a bar in order to incapacitate him. Hercules returns to Avengers Mansion and singlehandedly engages the Masters of Evil until he is beaten unconscious by Goliath, Mister Hyde, and the Wrecking Crew. Although the Masters of Evil are defeated, Hercules is left comatose.The Avengers #270-277 (Aug. 1986-March 1987) In the subsequent storyline "Assault On Olympus", Hercules is taken from the hospital by fellow Olympian Hermes and returned to Olympus by Hermes. The Avengers discover they are being blamed by Zeus for Hercules's condition. As the Avengers battle several of the gods and Zeus himself, Prometheus restores Hercules to full health using part of his life force. Zeus learns that the Avengers are not to blame, but decides to ban the Olympians from Earth.The Avengers #281-285 (July 1987-Nov. 1987)
1990s Together with Thor, Hercules confronts the Wrecking Crew once again, and recovers his confidence and defeats the villains when Thor feigns defeat.Thor #418 (June 1990) After a brief appearance in the "Black Galaxy" saga,Thor #419-#424 (July-Oct. 1990) Hercules rejoins the Avengers as a reserve memberThe Avengers #329 (Feb. 1991) and is upgraded to active status during the "Collection Obsession" storyline.The Avengers #334-339 (July-Oct. 1991)
Hercules is summoned to Avengers Mansion along with all other active Avengers. They learn that the United Nations has forbidden them from interfering with a civil war in Genosha. The heroes are confronted by an army of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, who attempt to confine them to the mansion.The Avengers vol. 1 #368 (Sept. 1993) Hercules throws a massive piece of debris at the Helicarrier, clearing a path for some of the other heroes to escape.X-Men vol. 2 #26 (Sept. 1993) He and the remaining Avengers storm into an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council where they demand to take an active role in ending the conflict.Avengers West Coast vol. 1 #101 (Oct. 1993)
When Hercules falls in love with a mortal woman called Taylor Madison, the goddess Hera intervenes and attempts to kill her, although this is prevented when Ares warns Zeus. Hercules discovers that Madison was actually a construct created by Zeus to lure out Hera, and attacks his father. Zeus is angered by "his son's lack of respect", and strips Hercules of his immortality and half his strength, forbidding him from returning to Olympus.The Avengers #384 (March 1995)
2000s Hercules becomes a drunkard, dismayed at the dissolution of the Avengers during the "Disassembled" storyline,The Avengers #500-504 (Sep.-Dec. 2004); Avengers Finale #1 (Jan. 2005) and the destruction of Asgard and disappearance of Thor.Thor vol. 3 #85 (Dec. 2004) Hera takes advantage of Hercules's vulnerability and via her pawn Eurystheus (an ancient rival of Hercules during the Twelve Labors) proposes he complete a modern version of the classic Labors for a reality television show. Despite opposition from villains such as the Abomination, the organization Hydra, and awkward tasks such as retrieving the shield of Captain America, Hercules is successful. Hercules is also forgiven by former wife Megara, who Hercules accidentally killed.Hercules vol. 3 #1-3 (June-Aug. 2005) #4-5 (Sep. 2005)