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The Incredible Hercules!?

posted by Matt Knicl at 10:54 pm.

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The Incredible Hulkules

Media Credit:
Photo Courtesy of
www.marvel.com

I think we are all familiar with the Labours of Hercules:

1. Slay the Nemean Lion and bring back its hide
2. Capture the Golden Stag of Artemis
3. Clean the Augean stables in a single day
4. Capture the Cretan Bull
5. Steal the Apples of the Hesperides
6. Capture Cerberus, the guardian dog of Hades

Of course, you may not be familiar with the rest of his Labours:

7. Team up with Ghost Rider, Iceman, and Angel
8. Battle Godzilla
9. Join the Avengers
10. Get sued by a super-villain
11. Become a wanted felon and enemy combatant
12. Try to stop the Hulk from destroying Manhattan

Greek mythology has been infused with Marvel mythology since the 60s. Hercules has been a member of The Champions and Avengers, most recently aiding Captain America in his anti-registration Civil War resistance.

In the recent Marvel crossover World War Hulk, Hercules and former Champion Angel, as well as Namora and super genius child Amadeus Cho teamed up to aid the Hulk in his efforts to seek justice against the prominent Marvel heroes that exiled the not-so-jolly green giant.

With the conclusion of WWH, Bruce Banner has been taken to a secure facility and his adventures will continue in January with Hulk #1, written by Jeph Loeb (Heroes, Superman/Batman, Batman: Hush).

But, The Incredible Hulk comics will continue, only with a new name. The Incredible Hulk WWH tie-ins set readers up for the Hulk’s absence, focusing on the Hulk’s actions in WWH and his allies in The Incredible Hulk.

According to the Marvel press release:

Media Credit:
Photo Courtesy of
www.marvel.com

That’s right True Believers! After the earth-shattering—literally!—events of World War Hulk, the jade giant is seemingly no more and new heroes must rise up in Incredible Hulk #112! Written by World War Hulk architect Greg Pak and acclaimed author Fred Van Lente, and featuring the art of rising star Khoi Pham, this is the comic that everyone’s already buzzing about! When confronted by S.H.I.E.L.D., Hercules and Amadeus Cho are faced with quite possibly the toughest decisions of their lives and…well, let’s just say that their final choice will leave your jaw on the floor! As Hercules’ past, present and future collide, Pak, Van Lente and Pham set Incredible Hulk on a path so powerful, so controversial that the entire series must be renamed Incredible Hercules as of issue #113!

“Irresponsible Greek god, incorrigible teen genius, massive levels of wanton destruction, twisty plotting, snappy dialogue, unexpected emotion, and gorgeous art by the inestimable Khoi Pham,” smiled Pak. “What’s not to love?”

I couldn’t agree more. I like Hercules, and even though I feel fresh-faced Amadeus is a too political for his age, his ability to calculate the world for his benefit, usually in a fight, is a fascinating power.

I hope reading this new/old series won’t be a myth-take!

INCREDIBLE HULK #112
Written by GREG PAK & FRED VAN LENTE
Penciled by KHOI PHAM
Cover by ART ADAMS
Rated A …$2.99
FOC—11/29/07, On-Sale—12/19/07

Media Credit:
Photo Courtesy of
www.marvel.com

Media Credit:
Photo Courtesy of
www.marvel.com

Media Credit:
Photo Courtesy of
www.marvel.com

Matt Knicl: My name is Matt Knicl. I'm a U of I alumn and one of those unemployed English majors Garrison Keillor likes to make fun of. I've been reading comics since high school and one day I would like to write them. My goal is to expose readers to what is out there in the world of comics and using my English powers, show what is worth reading or not. I can be reached at buzz.comics@gmail.com.