Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente the writers of the new Marvel Comics series “Herc” will be appearing at West Hollywood’s own Golden Apple Comics Wednesday, June 15 from 6-8 PM signing copies of their new Hercules series that is set in Brooklyn.
In the first three issues of the new “Herc” series, a new path is set up for Hercules who has been stripped of his godly immortality with only his strength and years of battle expertise to help him protect himself and the people of Brooklyn. (Oh yeah and he has a big bag of Mythological Greek weapons to help.) Hercules seems much more cunning than he has been portrayed recently. The removal of his immortality has led him to use his wits and a more disciplined style of fighting than his typical barroom brawling style.
Pak and Van Lente use a great technique of mixing the mythologies of ancient Greece with the modern super hero myths. Using the iconography and images from ancient Greece adds a different feel to the super hero story and gives insight into the long history of the character in and out of the comic books.
From Hercules’ new occupation as a bartender to his protection of the people of Brooklyn the book is setting up to be a new take on the classic character. A new cast is introduced and the hero finds a love interest.
However, some of the characterization should delve deeper into who the characters are. Herc and his new girlfriend seem best connected physically instead of emotionally. This seems more fitting for the immortal Hercules instead of the new crafty Herc, or is it just that an old dog can't change his ways?
Pak and Van Lente should be applauded for their choice of villains that Hercules fights. He battles old Spider-Man villains in the Hobgoblin and the Kingpin and confronts an extortion ring to ingratiate himself into his new neighborhood. In issue three, the “Fear Itself” tie-in story, Hercules is fighting against four villains with their own ties to Greek mythology. These are characters that make a lot of sense together with their ties to Greece. Wrapped up in his fight with the Greek-themed villains, Herc must then turn around and save these same villains from an even bigger bad guy which seems to open a can of worms with his new friends in Brooklyn.
The series is penciled by Neil Edwards with inks by Scott Hanna. They deliver clean clear art throughout the first three issues of the series. Herc’s look is distinctive and he stands out above the crowd. He is not a gleaming and shiny hero like Thor or Iron Man. He is a rough and ragged hero of the people and this clearly shows in the art.
The decision: Hercules fans should rejoice that the hero is back. He is finding his new purpose and is in the capable hands of writers who definitely appreciate the history that surrounds the hero.
Please be sure to visit Golden Apple Comics on June 15th to meet the creators of this comic.
Read more about Golden Apple Comics here.
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