I have seen a lot of interpretations of Hercules in print and media, and they are all entertaining to some degree. There are a couple of competing films coming up, one starring The Rock in the title role. Of course there are the classic films as well as Disney's animated version. I was a fan of the fun, if sometimes hokey Hercules: The Legendary Journeys TV show, although I enjoyed the spinoff, Xena: Warrior Princess, more. Despite all of these incarnations, my favorite Hercules is the Marvel Comics version. I love his huge personality, and how he interacts with other characters around him. He is a great addition to any story.
Marvel's Hercules rarely looked better than when Don Heck drew him in all his Steve Reeves-inspired glory. They've done a lot with the character since I quit reading Marvel, so I don't know what's up with him now, but he was always as you say a lot of fun when he showed up. The one exception was when he was pummeled by the Wrecking Crew in the Avengers and suffered some short-term brain damage. With all the discussion about concussions these days in the NFL and elsewhere, it was a sad period for Herc.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite Hercules though is Charlton's tasty version as drawn by the great Sam Glanzman. I hoped he was the one teaming with Supes, but Marvel's version is great nonetheless.
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Superman "really" (i.e., in canon) encountered Hercules a couple of times in Action Comics in 1960-61. DC's version of Herc looked more like a pro wrestler, or maybe a silent movie Tarzan. "My" Hercules would be the mid-1960's Charlton or Marvel version, as drawn by Sam Glanzman and Don Heck, respectively. Both were probably influenced by sword-and-sandal movies starring Steve Reeves. And I liked the Hercules and Xena TV shows at first, when the emphasis was on action-adventure with plenty of tongue-in-cheek comedy relief. I lost interest in both when they started to take themselves seriously, and turned into angst-ridden soap operas. (But Lucy Lawless, Hudson Leick, and Alexandra Tydings were hot, and Renee O' Connor was super-cute.)
ReplyDeleteDidn't Hercules attempt to steal Lois away from Supes, in the early 70s?
ReplyDeleteHey Ross, why not combine all the various comic, movie and tv versions of herc in one team up. You could title it Hercules unbound! Se what I did there! As for other team ups, have Darth Vader & Darkseid teamed up yet?
ReplyDeleteNot yet, but there will definitely be more Vader appearances in the future.
ReplyDeleteHercules tried to woo Lois away from Superman in Action Comics #267 and #268 (1960). Both were reprinted in Superman #239 in 1971.
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