Broken Frontier

You can't keep a good god down. Despite a recent major de-powering, Herc is back with a vengeance. Hercules may no longer be the Prince of Power, but he still has what it takes to front a solo ongoing book. The usual creative team suspects of Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente are the brains behind this latest look at the exploits of an ex-Olympian. Following after the NYT bestselling Incredible Hercules and the cosmic crossover Chaos War, Herc will follow the continuing adventures of Olympus' favorite son as he takes on the Big Apple. Join Broken Frontier as we sit down with Pak and Van Lente and see what's new in Herc.

BROKEN FRONTIER: How did the initial ideas for this project first come about? How long have you two been knocking around the idea of giving Herc a new ongoing series?

FRED VAN LENTE: It's something Marvel would have preferred launching out of an event like Chaos War in the first place. Events kind of have to generate new ongoings otherwise they're seen largely as a missed opportunity, and rightly so. Because I was so satisfied with and proud of Incredible Hercules I wasn't sure I wanted to come back and do a new series, though. Greg and I kicked back a couple of ideas and this one really struck me as something we could do really neat stuff with that stood on its own, separate from iHerc.

GREG PAK: I wanted to do a flashback series with Herc and Ares vying for the love of Jane Austen, but I figured this was a good alternative. ;-)

BF: In Greek myth Hercules was originally a super-powered mortal being elevated to godhood. Now that he's a mortal again but with no powers this time, how will he adjust to being a human again after thousands of year of godhood?

 VAN LENTE: It will be an adjustment, but as Herc was always the most human of deities, it may not be that big a source of angst -- he is still the same bon vivant we know and love. But he can't lift buildings when they get dumped on him (like in the first issue) and when he shoot him, he bleeds. A lot (like in the first issue). So there are some huge dangers and challenges ahead for him.

PAK: I'm interested to see how it affects his drinking.

BF: Is being mortal again a blessing in disguise for Herc? Is he getting a second chance to rediscover his lost humanity?

VAN LENTE: Kind of the other way around. Even though he's a regular human, he has many of the same responsibilities as a god. He is tormented in his dreams by prayers of the persecuted in Brooklyn. While some gods might be like, "Sorry, can't help you, mortal now," Herc's response is to break into the armory of Ares and steal all the most powerful magical weapons in Greek mythology and descend from Mount Olympus to go medieval on the ass of crime.

PAK: It's worth noting that as an immortal, Herc was always the most human of the gods. But it's kind of easy to revel in your human foibles when you have superhuman endurance and strength and can avoid most of the physical consequences. In an interesting way, as a mere mortal, Herc may develop a much more intense respect for his responsibilities as a god.

BF: One of the biggest changes in Herc from iHerc is the initial absence of Amadeus Cho. How will Herc cope without his constant sidekick? Who will deliver all the punchlines?

VAN LENTE: We will all miss Amadeus, but Herc will have an all-new supporting cast, befitting his new job he gets -- a bartender, of course -- and I suspect readers will have a blast getting to know them.

PAK: And this being a Herc book, there will be ladies.

BF: In Herc, mortal Hercules is fighting crime in the back alleys of Brooklyn. Since you both are New Yorkers, how does your experience of living in NYC influence your portrayal of the city in fiction?

FVL: We love where we live. We also have been here long enough to see its flaws. So expect an affectionately satirical version of Brooklyn, of hipsters and old-timers and immigrants, kind of like no one can tease you quite like your closest family.

BF: Now that Herc is a mortal human is there any chance we see him take on a human identity like he did in “Civil War” as IT specialist Victor Tegler?

VAN LENTE: Yes, exactly! See #1.

BF: Even though Ares returned to the land of the dead at the end of Chaos War, we certainly haven't seen the last of Herc's aggro older brother. What role will Ares play in Herc?

VAN LENTE: He will play a huge role. His worshippers, the Warhawks, have taken over crime in Brooklyn and have much more nefarious plans that will break out during Fear Itself. They may even be planning on resurrecting the God of War (again)...

BF: From what I've seen of Neil Edwards' artwork, it looks like a great fit for Herc. What has made you most excited about the pages you've seen from him so far?

VAN LENTE: The opening sequence is done, and it is amazing. Neil's work is a huge break from Incredible Hercules and makes Herc stand on its own right. Marvel will run that sequence in select comics in the coming months, and you'll see what I mean.

PAK: Big shout outs go to the whole team. Scott Hanna's doing some gorgeous inking and Jesus Aburto's colors are just amazing. The art has the kind of texture and depth that's associated with a nearly photorealistic style. But the action's always dynamic, fluid, and BIG BIG BIG, as befits a Herc book. Neil also gets big points for great "acting," nailing all the grim and funny little character moments that are at the heart of the book. It's been a blast seeing this coming together.

BF: Hercules has gone through all sorts of flux and change recently: He's been “dead”, he had “All-Father” powers and now he has no powers at all. Is it safe to say that this new direction will stick for awhile? 

VAN LENTE: Indeed. It took us three years to wrap up Incredible Hercules, and who knows, maybe Herc will last that long -- or even longer. We hope so.

PAK: Call your local shop, friends, and preorder today! Seriously, that's always the best way to ensure a book endures -- tell your local shop you want it! http://comicshoplocator.com/

Herc #1 will hit stands April 6 from Marvel Comics.