The Marvel incarnation of Hercules is a far cry from the figure from Roman and Greek mythology. He's really an embarrassment to the Avengers, drinking, carousing, rarely using his power for good unless some super-villain happens to spill his beer. Bob Layton's previous Hercules limited series had fun with this hedonistic hero, and it worked. But Frank Tieri tries a different tack, one that's welcome. He delves into the title character's mythic origins and explores the elements that are lacking from this super-hero -- namely, a gallery of arch-enemies. Unfortunately, a good part of this issue is still devoted to the old interpretation of the character, and I really don't know if Tieri is staying the course or taking the property in much-needed new direction.
Hercules has got some problems. He's alienated his friends in the Avengers for lashing out at them for failing to honor Thor along with other recently fallen heroes, but the Avengers just hadn't known about Thor's fate. Furthermore, Herc has no idea that the producers of the reality show he's signed on for plan to ruin his reputation rather than boost it. And on top of that, something lurks in the men's room at his favorite strip club -- and it's not a pervert looking for covert action, if you know what I mean.
Given the lighter tone of the story at several points in this issue, Mark Texeria's dark, gritty style doesn't seem like a good fit for this project. He tells the story clearly enough, but things don't look quite right. The title character fails to convey that larger-than-life quality, as do the mythic figures we glimpse in the flashback sequences. The strip club scenes are remarkably sketchy when it comes to background detail. It's as though the bar was established in some kind of dark limbo.
It's been a while since we've seen Frank Tieri's name on a Marvel title, and the link here to the events of Avengers Disassembled makes it clear this isn't an old project that was retrieved from Marvel's files, dusted off and released in a clearinghouse effort. I like what Tieri has in mind for the title character. He recognizes that the name "Hercules" was once synonymous with power and accomplishment, and those aren't notions that one would associate with this incarnation of the demi-god.
The problem is that much of this first issue embraces the old approach to Hercules, portraying him as a blowhard and playing him for laughs. Hercules is far from the most likeable character in this first issue, and the comedic elements conflict with the darker ones and the drama. Herc's outrage over Thor's omission in a tribute is understandable, but those feelings suddenly disappear as Herc embarks upon another alcohol-soaked night of debauchery and revelry. It makes no sense. 5/10
