I begin today a series of reviews of Charlton's late 60's series Hercules.
Hercules #1 is dated October 1967. The title on the cover and on the splash page reads "Adventures of the Man-God Hercules" but the official title of the book is just "Hercules". There are no credits for the opening story, though the script is attributed to Joe Gill and the artwork is undoubtedly by Sam Glanzman. The whole comic was edited by Dick Giordano. The story has no title other than "Adventures of the Man-God Hercules". The splash shows an unbearded Hercules facing off against the Nemean Lion.
The story though begins in the mountains as Hercules has sought the Gods. After the death of his mother Alcmene, he calls out to his father Zeus who responds to him by unbodied voice that he must complete nine tasks or labors and submit to the judgment of Eyrystheus before he can be allowed among the immortals. Hercules agrees to this and heads off to Nemea to confront the Lion, the first of his assigned labors. But a guard takes issue with Hercules leaving as King Phillip has ordered him to stay for the games. Hercules refuses and a fight ensues. Hercules is chased by the guards at the command of Phillip but he knocks over a bridge defeating his pursuers. He then saves a beautiful redhead from three thugs, only discover she is Princess Helen betrothed of Prince Alexander. This doesn't stop them from striking up a friendly relationship though so when Alexander sees Hercules later with Helen he's jealous but has to give Hercules his appreciation when he learns Hercules saved his intended. Hercules then joins Alexander and his troops in a battle agains Phillip and Hercules is instrumental in defeating the other army. Then Hercules at last turns his attention to the Nemean lion. Helen goes with him to the challenge, but he sends her away as he battles the beast. Using his massive strength, he subdues the lion and kills it. Taking the lion's skin as his mantle, he leaves after rejecting a sword from Alexander, saying he doesn't need weapons. As Hercules leaves, they speculate that he doesn't seem completely human.
The text feature in this issue is "Meeko the Microbe". It's the story of a classroom science experiment gone wild as a microscopic microbe grows to vast proportions but becomes the pet of a fifteen year old girl. She goes on to vast fame as scientists all across the globe come to see her remarkable pet, and they agree that she and she alone can make money from the creature. As the story closes her fortune is assured as many flock to see Meeko.
The second feature in the comic is "Thane of Bagarth", a fascinating series done roughly in the style of Hal Foster's Prince Valiant. The story is set between the two halves of the epic Anglo-Saxon saga Beowulf. It's after Beowulf became killed Grendel and became King but before he confronted the Dragon and was killed. After the battle with Grendel, Beowulf gave "vast tracts of land" to his thanes. Wigmenric was made the Thane of Bagarth, and on his passing his eldest son Hrothelac became Thane. This is the story of Hrothelac. In this story titled "Chapter One: The Feud" written by Steve Skeates and drawn by Jim Aparo, we find a feud has been going on between Bagarth and Rothor. Some peasants are attacked and in retalation a Guardsman of Bagarth kills a Guardsman of Rothor. This comes to the attention of King Beowulf who demands the truth from his Thanes. Hrothelac comes and tells his side, the truth, but it differs from the story told by Garmscio Thane of Rothor. Beowulf demands evidence and the liar will be banished. Hrothelac goes to his younger brother Eowanda for help, but he doesn't suspect Eowanda wants himself to be Thane of Bagarth. On his way to see Eowanda, Hrothelac sees Freahulf the daughter of a local scholar. As the chapter closes both Garmscio and Eowanda plot to bring down the current Thane of Bagarth.
I'm fascinated by this comic. The idea to create an ongoing comic book featuring the labors of Hercules is a natural one, though I admit it doesn't seem all that marketable. Getting Sam Glanzman to do this was inspired. Backing it up with a series that echoes Prince Valiant is inspired and gives the complete package a real upscale adventure quality. Two great myths are adapted in one dazzling package by some really rock-solid professionals. Hercules #1 points to a fantastic series of stories which begin straightforwardly enough, but will becomes quite bizarre indeed. The comic was reprinted in Charlton Classics #1 in 1980, though Thane of Bagarth was not. Both got reprinted in 1968 in the one-shot B&W Hercules magazine from Charlton. Thane of Bagarth was reprinted as seperate comic in 1985. ACG (Avalon) has reprinted the stories several times.
More next time.
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