This seems like it would be an obvious bone of contention should these two heroes ever meet. I imagine it would be a fun issue, as both characters are known as much for their cheerful personalities as they are for their incredible powers.
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This was a great idea. I loved the cover proposal for the 'reason' for this meeting. One more story I would read.
ReplyDeleteI could never understand how Solomon - a myth from Hebrew mythology (the Bible, the Koran and the Hadiths) - ended up among the "immortal elders", composed of all the other gods and heroes of Greek mythology: Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles and Mercury. I'm curious to know, at any time, that in the comics. It seems to me a freedom taken by Bill Parker just to make the hero's anagram work ... without understanding this unique intrusion on immortals. Does anyone risk a good explanation? lol
And speaking of mythological encounters, I cannot avoid this opportunity to suggest 'Ares vs. Ares' ... 'THIS MEANS WAR!' (making bouth debut here in great style!)
During the 80s (or maybe it was the 90s) DC did a SECRET ORIGINS story detailing how the Wizard Shazam hunted down the mythological figures that gave Black Adam his powers, and after that turned out to he a failure, he sought other beings to secure powers for his later protege. The difference between the Greek and Roman pantheon was stressed, with Mercury being a different god from Hermes, and Solomon being the final procurement, as the wizard wanted to make sure his new hero would have the blessing of the Hebrew God.
DeleteI can see this going down, with the two fighting and Billy trying to talk sense into Herc until they figure out that Loki was pitting them against each other while he did some sort of mischief in Fawcett City, at which point they team up to stop him. Then, afterward, Herc tells Billy he can go ahead and keep the strength, as he's using it in such an honorable fashion.
ReplyDelete@Paganini: I'm pretty sure that you got the real-world reason right; after all, Mercury is Hermes' Roman name. I'm curious, too, about whether there's ever been an in-universe explanation.
Will the battle lead to the two of them drinking like Hercules and Galactus? Of course, there is the dilemma of Billy Batson being underage. Oops!
ReplyDeleteSolomon was an actual historical person in Hebrew history! It would seem they could've used another Greek god or simply use the term "Hazam!" for the hero!
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting crossover, definitely not the same Hercules as in Shazam, so I would imagine if he knew about the powers he would have something to say about Captain Marvel having them!
I have technical problems with internet but want to mention while I have access, how much I appreciate your work for entertainment and encouragement when we seem to only hear bad news lately! The anniversary issue and your completion of 10 years doing this show you have a good thing and do it well! Thank you that you can still produce quality ideas and works like this, when it's really needed!
Another good one! Still haven't seen the film but I like seeing Captain Marvel (the original!) pop up on the blog.
ReplyDeleteAlso, there have been various comics versions of Hercules. Ever thought of having them all meet up here?
A slip of the tongue (or maybe it was a moment of disphasia) gave me an idea for another strange team-up: Roger Rabbit and Roger Ramjet. (Given the effect that a shot of alcohol has on the former Roger, I shudder to think what would happen should he take a Proton Energy Pill!)
ReplyDelete@Crazy Ivan: Thanks for those details! Hopefully someone will be able to find a TPB with that story (if one exists).
ReplyDeleteAnd, of course, DC had their own version of Hercules and Marvel had their own Captain Marvel.............hey.
ReplyDeleteOf course! DC's Hercules Unbound vs Marvel's Captain Marvel. I'd buy that for a dollar!
DeleteBrilliant postulation, Ross! :-)
ReplyDeleteThe only way this might be surpassed is if you had Jim Carrey, as Stanley "The Mask" Ipkiss, versus...
...Tom Hiddleston as Loki.
I could have sworn that this explanation of the comics would come from you, @Bob Greenwade. I always enjoy reading your encyclopedic comments (lol). I say this without kidding, honestly (I am always afraid that my comments will appear rude or authoritarian without that being the intention).
ReplyDeleteBut I am grateful to @Crazy1van for the details that this mix of mythologies has already had a place in DC comics.
With that information, I believe the answer to the question must lie in SECRET ORIGINS #03 CAPTAIN MARVEL SHAZAM! ORIGIN', written by Roy Thomas, penciled by Jerry Bingham.
I like it. This reminds me of the DC vs. Marvel series when Wonder Woman tore into Hercules from the Marvel Universe for what the DC Hercules had done to her mother.
ReplyDeleteAlso... and idea (I know Bob has a lot thrown at him, so sorry), what about a major Saturday morning team-up of all the Saturday morning shows superheroes? That would be a lot of characters! Could it be done?
Ordinaryguy2
@Carycomic Well, we don't have the version with the respective actors (yet!), but the meeting between 'The Mask vs. Loki' can be seen on the cover #2263, of June 24, 2018. ;)
ReplyDelete@Ordinaryguy2 You mean that in 'JLA / Avengers Vol 1 #2'? I laughed a lot.
ReplyDeleteHere, at the STF, Wonder Woman and Hercules unite on the cover #99, on May 10, 2012.
@Paganini: What appears to be encyclopedic knowledge on my part is, in reality, more often Wikipedic knowledge -- I'm good at looking stuff up. The exceptions are things that happen in movies or on TV, and even then if it's sufficiently long ago I double-check my perennially-faulty memory.
ReplyDeletedidn't the original version of Wonder Woman have an origin that showed after her birth on the clay mound, she got gifted abilities from a lot of the gods? Pretty much like Cap but without having to switch identities all the time. And without having to shout out a password? (the wizard sent me!)
ReplyDeleteHow about Negan vs. Harley Quinn in "Batter's Up!"
ReplyDeleteIf I were a betting man, my money would be on Harley. Too many guys still take her ditzy tone of voice at face value.
ReplyDelete@Isaac: Or, failing that, how about Johnny Dollar (former arch-enemy of Now Comics' Green Hornet) vs. The Green Team?
ReplyDeleteNow you've got me thinking of the radio insurance agent "(Yours Truly) Johnny Dollar vs the aforementioned bad guy!
Delete(Don't think there was a comic version of him though, but you never know since a lot of radio shows ended up with comic versions at one point or another.)