Hercules: Start Here – The Essential Marvel Echoes Primer

Origin Spark: The God Who Chose to Be Human

Before he was an Avenger, he was... well, he was Hercules. Unlike most Marvel heroes, Hercules's origin isn't a single event; it's the actual Greek myth. Born in Thebes millennia ago as the demigod son of Zeus, King of the Olympians, and a mortal woman, Alcmena, Hercules (or Herakles, as he was known) was a legend before America was even a concept. He was blessed with godlike strength that rivaled any Olympian, but he was also cursed by the jealousy of his stepmother, the goddess Hera.

His early life was defined by tragedy, most notably when a magically-induced madness caused him to take the lives of his own wife and children. To atone for this unspeakable sin, he undertook the legendary Twelve Labors, battling monsters and performing impossible feats. These trials not only earned him his redemption but also his eventual ascension to Olympus as a true god. For thousands of years, he lived the life of a god—immortal, powerful, and, to be honest, a little bored. He was a hero of the past, a myth... until he picked a fight with the wrong Asgardian.

Hercules's modern story truly begins in Journey Into Mystery Annual #1 (1965), brought to life by the legendary team of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. After an accidental journey through a mystic portal, Hercules and his fellow god of thunder, Thor, cross paths. Seeing the Asgardian as a worthy challenger (and a fun way to kill an afternoon), Hercules instigates one of the most spectacular brawls in Marvel history. The fight is a perfect stalemate, and in it, Hercules finds a kindred spirit and a new rival. More importantly, he finds a new home: the modern world.

Charmed by Earth's vibrant life (and its many taverns and beautiful women), Hercules decides to stick around. This doesn't sit well with his father, Zeus, who sees his son's "slumming" with mortals as an embarrassment. After a series of misunderstandings and manipulations (often by his half-brother, the war god Ares, or his nemesis, Pluto), Zeus banishes Hercules from Olympus, stripping him of his full godhood and stranding him on Earth in The Mighty Thor #126 (1966).

Now a god without a home, Hercules does what he does best: he finds adventure. He quickly falls in with Earth's Mightiest Heroes and is officially welcomed into the Avengers in The Avengers #38 (1967). He becomes a core member, his boisterous loyalty and overwhelming strength serving as a perfect foil to the more reserved Captain America or the brilliant Tony Stark. Though he would eventually regain his godhood and reconcile with Olympus, his heart was already set. He wasn't just a god visiting Earth; he was an Avenger, and his loyalty was now to his new family. This decision, this choice to be a hero for mortals, would come to define his entire future and set the stage for both his greatest triumphs and his most profound tragedies.

Allies and Adversaries: Olympus & Beyond

Herc's social life is just as epic as his battles, spanning thousands of years and two pantheons.

• Thor: His greatest rival, his truest friend, and his #1 drinking buddy. Their relationship is the benchmark for all other god-hero friendships.
• Amadeus Cho: The seventh (and later eighth) smartest person in the world. As his teenage sidekick, Amadeus became the brain to Herc's brawn, and their bond is one of the most celebrated in modern comics.
• The Avengers: His chosen family. He is fiercely, almost terrifyingly, loyal to the team, especially founding members like Captain America and The Wasp.
• Ares: His half-brother and the literal God of War. Ares despises Hercules for his "softness" and his love of mortals, making their family feud a bloody, recurring problem.
• Hera: His stepmother and Queen of the Olympians. Her ancient jealousy of Zeus's mortal son has never faded, and she has spent millennia trying to destroy him.
• Typhon: An ancient, chaos-breathing giant from the dawn of time. As one of the original enemies of the Greek gods, he represents a primal threat that Hercules must often face.

Resonance Arcs: The Labors of a Modern God

The God in the City: The Mighty Thor #126-131 (1966)

This is the arc that truly introduces Hercules to the Marvel Universe. Fresh from his fight with Thor and officially banished from Olympus by Zeus, a depowered (by Olympian standards) Hercules is stranded in 1960s New York City. Written by Stan Lee and drawn by Jack Kirby, this story is a classic "fish out of water" tale. Hercules tries to navigate the modern world, which he finds baffling and wonderful. He signs a movie contract, fights the classic Thor villain the Enchanter, and ultimately battles to regain his place on Olympus, all while his boisterous, larger-than-life personality clashes with the mortal world. It establishes his core conflict: the pull of his divine home versus his newfound love for humanity.

Under Siege: The Avengers #273-277 (1986)

This is one of the most brutal and defining moments in Hercules's life. Written by Roger Stern and drawn by John Buscema, this story sees Baron Zemo and his massive new Masters of Evil do what no one thought possible: they invade and conquer Avengers Mansion. The heroes are ambushed, isolated, and taken down one by one. But the most harrowing part of the assault is reserved for Hercules. He is lured into a trap and ambushed by the entire Wrecking Crew. What follows isn't a fight; it's a beating. They swarm him and beat him into a coma. It was shocking. It showed that even a god could be broken. His long, painful recovery redefined his relationship with the Avengers, cementing his bond with them as a family he would die—and did die—to protect.

The Incredible Hercules: The Incredible Hulk #106-111, The Incredible Hercules #112-141 (2007)

This is, without a doubt, the defining modern take on the character. Following World War Hulk, Hercules is branded an outlaw by S.H.I.E.L.D. for his support of the Hulk. He goes on the run with teenage super-genius Amadeus Cho, and what follows is one of the best "buddy-cop" comics ever made. Written by Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente, this series is pure magic. It perfectly balances laugh-out-loud humor with incredible pathos. Herc and Amadeus travel the country (and other dimensions), fighting mythological beasts, conning casinos, and replacing a "dead" Thor in the God Squad during Secret Invasion. It's a road trip that re-establishes Hercules as a brilliant, compassionate, and deeply feeling hero, all while being the charismatic life of the party.

Chaos War: Chaos War #1-5 (2010)

The epic climax of The Incredible Hercules run. The Chaos King, an ancient god of nothingness, is unleashed and begins destroying reality itself, consuming the afterlives and enslaving the gods. Hercules, back at his full power, assembles a "God Squad" of heroes to fight a literal war against oblivion. This is Herc at his absolute peak. He isn't just a brawler; he's a general, a leader, and an inspiration. The series culminates with Hercules achieving ultimate power—becoming the all-powerful God of Gods—and using that power not to rule, but to sacrifice himself, using his very being to repair the entire multiverse. It's the ultimate heroic act, proving his journey from selfish god to selfless hero is complete.

Avengers: No Road Home #1-10 (2019)

This is the story that sets Hercules's current status quo. When the goddess of night, Nyx, is unleashed from her cosmic prison, she plunges the world into darkness and begins a campaign of divine murder, slaughtering the entire Greek pantheon. Hercules, teamed with a small band of Avengers, is forced to watch as his entire family—Zeus, Hera, all of them—are killed. It's a profound, defining tragedy that rips his very foundation away. At the story's climax, Hercules is granted a single wish with the power to do anything. He could bring them all back. He could restore Olympus. Instead, he wishes to save the universe for everyone else, sacrificing his one chance to undo his family's slaughter. It's a gut-wrenching moment that severs his last tie to his divine past and cements his future as a hero of Earth, first and foremost.

Legacy and Echoes: The Prince of Power

While Hercules hasn't had a direct "legacy" character take up his name, his influence is felt in two major ways:

• Amadeus Cho (Brawn): By mentoring Amadeus, Hercules helped shape one of the greatest heroes of the next generation, who would go on to become the new Hulk and Brawn.
• The Avengers: His legacy is the team itself. He helped define the Avengers as a "found family," proving that loyalty isn't about where you were born (even if it was Olympus), but about the people you choose to fight for.

The Primer: Essential Hercules Reading List

Ready to raise a glass with the Prince of Power? Here are the essential collections to get you started on his epic journey.

• Thor: When Titans Clash Epic Collection: Collects his first appearance in Journey Into Mystery Annual #1 and his "God in the City" arc from The Mighty Thor.
• Avengers: Under Siege: Collects the entire essential "Under Siege" storyline. A must-read for any Avengers fan.
• The Incredible Hercules: The Complete Collection Vol. 1 & 2: Collects the entire, perfect run by Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente. If you only read one Hercules story, make it this one.
• Chaos War: Collects the 5-issue event that serves as the grand finale to his Incredible Hercules saga.
• Avengers: No Road Home: Collects the 10-issue series that defines his modern tragedy and sets up his current status quo.

Hercules is so much more than a party animal. He's a warrior, a lover, a tragic figure, and the most loyal friend you could ever ask for. He's the god who saw humanity, with all its flaws, and decided it was worth fighting for.

So grab a collection, jump in, and discover the real Prince of Power. You won't regret it.

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GettinJiggly

Author & Editor

William has been reading Marvel comics since the early ’90s, starting with the X-Men and never looking back. Raised on X-Men: The Animated Series, he fell in love with the characters, the drama, and the wild twists that made every issue feel like a revelation.

Marvel has always been his go-to universe—whether it’s flipping through classic origin stories or catching every MCU movie and show the moment they drop. Through Marvel Echoes, William shares the stories that shaped his fandom, hoping to help others discover the heroes, villains, and cosmic oddities that make this multiverse so unforgettable.