Hercules (Vol. 3)

(Marvel, 2005)
™ and © 2005 Marvel Characters, Inc.

Hercules has become “The Anna Nicole–Smith of the super–hero set,” according to the producer of the television show Hercules: The New Labors, and he’s decided to take liberties in his portrayal of The Prince of Power.

While The Avengers unveil a memorial dedicated to their fallen comrades, Hercules sits drinking in a strip–club, with a cameraman in tow, and reminiscing about his ancient labors. There is little reaction from the club’s clientele after Hercules is surprised in a bathroom encounter with the River God Achelous, dragged through the club by the bullish creature, and taken to a limousine that contains none other than Eurystheus, the ancient King of Mycenae, who’d first charged Hercules with his legendary 12 labors.

Kirby’s Hercules this ain’t, with most of the action happening in flashback, as this issue provides setup for the five–issue mini–series. But it will be interesting to see how this Access Hollywood take on modernizing the Greek legend pans out. And Texeira’s dynamic art should be a good fit, once the action does get rolling.

— Michael Tierney

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