Skip to content

Please note that when you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Thanks!

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Thanks!

Hercules Reading Order (Marvel Comics)

  • by

Everybody knows Thor, the God of Thunder and one of Marvel’s most popular heroes. When the Norse God was adapted into a Marvel character in the sixties, a pantheon of deities and heroes was also introduced, such as Hercules Panhellenios. 

Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, Hercules first appeared as a rival to Thor and is portrayed as a screw-up demi-god who is frequently cast out of Olympus by Zeus. From there, he quickly became a regular guest star in Thor’s adventures, went on to smash against the Hulk, and has been part of The Champions, The Avengers, and, more recently, the Guardians of the Galaxy. 

While Hercules may not be a big name in Marvel Comics, the Prince of Power has maintained a regular presence in the superhero community. From his origins to becoming The Incredible Hulk and his many battles alongside the Avengers, follow our guide to discover the Hercules comics to read!

Herc on a Budget: Your Essential and Best Hercules Comics at Marvel!

Become familiar with Herc with the following collected editions, reprinting the best of Hercules at Marvel Comics:

For some ’80s Herc goodies, check out Bob Layton’s Hercules series, starring an alternate version of Hercules (from the 24th Century).

The Complete Hercules Comics Collection

As stated above, Herc was initially a guest star in Thor stories and later assisted The Avengers regularly. For more information, check out:

Hercules in the Silver Age: Part of the Avengers and The Champions! 

There have been different representation of Hercules during the Golden Age of Marvel Comics, although the modern version of the character as we know him today was introduced in Journey into Mystery Annual #1 (October 1965), after it was revealed that the Hercules appearing in the pages of Avengers #10 was an impostor!

Because Stan Lee refused to bring back Thor to the Avengers, The Prince of Power took on his place, in a way, and became a guest at the Avenger House in #38. He doesn’t become an official member until #45. He also became part of the Champions during the 70s after the team helped him defeat Pluto and even has a short fling with the Black Widow! 

Thor and Hercules in Thor #426

Hercules in the 80s

Hercules continues to be a supporting player in Thor and The Avengers during the eighties.

Hercules in the 90s: Active Avenger

For a short time, Hercules becomes officially an active Avenger during the “Collection Obsessive” storyline (#334-339).

The X-Men and the Avengers fought Onslaught during an event that Hercules missed as he wasn’t on Earth at a time.Whe he came back, he discovered that most of the Avengers has disappeared and were presumed dead. Hercules became a wanderer hero in search of new adventures, serving for a time in Heroes for Hire before joining the S.H.I.E.L.D. as Agent 125.

When the Avengers returned from the pocket universe to Earth-616, Hercules is present to help reorganize the team but chooses to be an inactive member of the group. This is a period where Hercules acts more as a guest star in several titles. As he appears in more issues than the one listed below, don’t hesitate to write to us or leave us a comment if you think something worth reading is missing!

 

 

Hercules and the Civil War

Brian Michael Bendis took over the Avengers and led the team during quite a tumultuous period. For Herc, it leads him to have a new series before joining Cap’s side during the first Civil War.

 

The Incredible Hercules by Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente

After the smashing event of World War Hulk starts one, if not the most celebrated period in Herc’s history. The Prince of Power was recruited by a young Amadeus Cho to be one of Hulk’s allies. When everything is said and done, they find themselves outlaws! Hercules took center stage, becoming The Incredible Hercules for the occasion:

In the aftermath of Secret Invasion, Norman Osborn emerged as a hero and rose to national power. This led us to Dark Reign, a period in the Marvel Universe where the former Green Goblin was in control. Amadeus Cho and Hercules joined Dan Slott’s Mighty Avengers after Incredible Hercules (2007) #125.

 

The Dark Reign era is over. The Heroic Age Starts here! Herc’s partnership with Amadeus Cho comes to an end during that time, as Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente concludes their run on the character with several limited series and a Hercules-centric event! 

 

Hercules in Marvel Now 

A new Chapter in the Marvel Universe was launched with Marvel Now!, although one where Hercules is hardly present. During those few years, he is called called upon to act as a guest instructor at Avengers Academy when most of the main faculty were preoccupied with the events of Avengers vs. X-Men.

Interlude: Back to the Eighties with a 24th-century Hercules

Created by Bob Layton, Hercules from Earth-829 made his debut in the 1980s when he embarked on an extraterrestrial odyssey and found out that there are more gods in the heavens than he imagined! Following two limited series, his adventures were completed 20 years later with a last story.

*

Also, during Marvel Now, another version of Hercules (from Earth-12025) appears in a few issues of X-Treme X-Men, collected in X-treme X-Men Vol. 2: You Cant Go Home Again and X-Men: Age of Apocalypse – Termination.

 

Hercules in All-New, All-Different Marvel

After the world-shattering event of Secret Wars, an All-New, All-Different Marvel emerged, with Hercules starring in his own limited series written by Dan Abnett. The Lion of Olympus undertakes a new quest and is quickly thrown into battle, which is concluded in the Civil War II mini-series, Gods of War. In the aftermath of this conflict, Herc joins the newly reassambled Avengers, and  becomes a member of the Underground, the resistance movement against Hydra during Secret Empire.

 

Hercules, Fresh Start and Beyond

Hercules, member of the Guardians of the Galaxy? The Greek Gods are reborn as Dark Olympians during Al Ewing’s run, with Herc helping the team in their fight against his relatives before staying with the team for more adventures.

Herc in Guardians of the Galaxy (vol. 6) #2

After some adventures in space, the Prince of Power is back on Earth. He recruits Thor to help him solve a mystery, before becoming a member of Steve Rogers’s new Avengers squad.

Marvel M Logo

Did we forget an important issue? Did we make a mistake? Let us know in the comments!

Pin
Tags:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *