Possibly Even Better Than Incredible Hercules
More first issues should be as strong as this one. Hercules' new ongoing series hits the ground running and really should not leave any readers behind. It manages to be rewarding for long-time readers of the character but equally satisfying for readers only now giving him a try.
The accessibility of this issue is impressive. Despite resulting from an epic saga that started all the way back with World War Hulk, much of Herc reads like it could almost be Hercules' first appearance. The story exists very much in the now, and although this issue gives a summary of all Hercules has been through at the end, none of it is really necessary to know. Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente have come upon an iconic story here that is easy for readers to immediately grasp. Hercules, having become mortal again, continues to be a hero anyway using an arsenal of ancient mythological weapons. While this is fallout from the events of Chaos War, it is a simple enough idea that no one really needs to know the complicated details of how it happened, and the story is self-contained enough that it does not go out of its way to make any direct references to such past events.
Pak and Van Lente use a very cool storytelling device of referencing the ancient weapons Hercules uses that really works well. It is total exposition but packaged in a unique way that makes it appealing. It also immediately gives life to the idea of Hercules has this arsenal of special weapons.
In interviews leading up to this, the writers said Herc would not be as comedic as Incredible Hercules, and that is a promise they have kept to. That is not to say that this book is dark or that Hercules has become a gritty character, though. Hercules is still Hercules, but extra elements like the sound effect gags are gone. One way to describe the new tone is that Hercules is now starring in his own action movie rather than a buddy action comedy. The character's humorous and sometimes irreverant nature is still there, but he is now in more serious surroundings.
Two storylines are actually kicked off in this issue, and both fit the tone of Hercules' new title well. One has him making enemies of organized crime, and the other has him hounding street gangs of Ares worshippers. These two plots cross in a confrontation with the new Hobgoblin, who is apparently the formerly heroic Green Goblin. Since I do not read Amazing Spider-Man, this is my first exposure to him in this form, and like everything else, it works fine that I know nothing about him.
Speaking of the Ares worshippers, this issue brings up something I have always wanted to see explored more in the Marvel Universe. You would think, with all these actual gods around, new cults or religions would spring up in worship of them. Pak and Van Lente seem to be touching on that notion, and they are not doing that only with Ares. There are indications that even Hercules has his own modest faction of worshippers now. It is an interesting concept that will hopefully be explored more.
Neil Edwards is a new artist to me, but he absolutely nails this issue. The art on this book is great, and sadly, I do not think it will be long before Edwards is stolen away for higher profile work.
Herc is a great read for new and old readers of Hercules alike and is a perfect place for people to either try or come back to the character. It is impressive how two writers who have been writing a character so much already can switch gears like this and still make it as good as ever, if not better.
