Hercules: Heart of Chaos #1
Even an Immortal Can Die
Anstice Castle in the host site for the annual International World Peace Referendum where dignitaries from around the world meet to discuss ending all war. This year, the meeting is cut short by the Warhawks. They are a paramilitary group formed by Ares, the Olympian god of war. After killing everyone in the case, Ares is pleased that they have quashed the goals of peace and stoked the flames of war once more.[1]
The following day at the Museum of Greek Antiquity, a guide is showing the children a golden cup on display. He tells them the story behind this ancient chalice. The legends speak of the constant conflicts between Hercules and his half brother Ares. The two would never stop fighting unless they were interrupted by their father Zeus. In every instance where Zeus had to intervene, he made the two half-brothers drink from the cup in an act of mutual peace.
Hercules himself is also present and is listening to the story. When the school children move on, Herc gets a closer look, happy to learn what became of the ancient cup. His thoughts are then interrupted when he is approached by a group of SHIELD agents led by Special Agent Alex DuPaul who asks if Hercules can speak with them in private. Herc agrees and they head out to a deserted part of Central Pack so they can discuss what DePaul wants. DePaul explains that with all the heroes who were lost during Onslaught, the super-villains no outnumber the good guys and SHIELD needs to recruit what remaining heroes to help pick up the slack.[2] Hercules refuses the request for help, even after learning that the trouble is being caused by his step-brother Ares and his Warhawks. This upsets one of DePaul’s colleagues, who only identifies herself as Agent 33, as she had studied Hercules’ career. However, he tells her his decision is final and tells the SHIELD agents to have a nice life.
Meanwhile, Ares and his Warhawks have returned to their base of operations in the jungles of South America. There he calls one of his operatives named Rakoloski. Ares is displeased with him as he has the lowest kill count among the other Warhawks. For that, Ares kills the man as the rest of the Warhawks cheer their master on. That’s when he receives word from his spy within SHIELD who tells him that Hercules did not take the bate.[3] The war god finds this unacceptable and decides to handle matter himself.
The following morning, Hercules leaves the Plaza Hotel and goes about his day. He still can’t get his mind off how Ares has returned. However, he cannot bring himself to find much joy in fighting or adventuring since the deaths of his friends Thor and Thunderstrike.[4][5] Unaware that he is being followed by Agent 33, Hercules walks the streets lost in thought. When some bank robbers run past him, Hercules doesn’t even take his eyes off the ground when he rips up a lamp post and uses it to trash their getaway car.
Hercules returns to the Museum of Greek Antiquities where he meets with the guide. The guide turns out to be Tharamus, the god of learning. He tells Tharamus about how Ares had return and his lack of desire to fight his step brother. Tharamus implores Hercules to deal with Ares, saying that it is his destiny, and points out that the woman who has been following Herc feels the same way. Agent 33 takes over form here, introducing herself as Kara Lynne Palamas. Kara reiterates how she has followed Herc’s entire career,[6] and how SHIELD really needs his help with the Warhawks. She reveals to him something that DePaul neglected to tell him the day before: There is a spy inside SHIELD that is working with Ares and Hercules’ outside help will be a benefit because he is above any suspicion. Regardless, Hercules still has no interest in joining up.
That’s when two black-market Mandroids come crashing through the wall. They have been dispatched by Ares who has come to personally see his step-brother destroyed. Even though his strength had been greatly decreased and he has been stripped of his immortality, Hercules is trash the Mandroid suits.[7] Pulling the Warhawk out of one of the Mandroid suits, Hercules tries to interrogate him. Rather than squeal on his boss, the Warhawk bites down on a false tooth to release a lethal poison.
While Hercules is busy, Ares goes to another part of the museum in order to steal an artifact called the Heart of Athena. Theramus tries to stop him, but Ares fatally stabs him and escapes just as Alex DePaul and another operative named John Ferrat arrive on the scene. Seeing that his old friend as been murdered, Hercules finally agrees to help SHIELD put a stop to whatever Ares is planning.[8]
Recurring Characters
Hercules, Ares, SHIELD (Alex DePaul, Kara Lynne Palamas, John Ferrat), Ares
Continuity Notes
If the Warhawks sound familiar to you, because they are the latest incarnation of a group that Ares first formed in Avengers #98.
The Avengers and Fantastic Four seemingly sacrificed their lives to stop the rogue mutant in Onslaught: Marvel Universe #1. What nobody knows at this point is that the heroes were transported to a pocket dimension by Franklin Richards. There, the heroes have been reliving re-imagined versions of their lives. They will be found and brought back to their proper reality in Heroes Reborn: The Return #1-4.
The SHIELD spy is revealed to be Agent DePaul in Hercules: Heart of Chaos #3.
Thunderstrike had also recently died in battle with Thor after being possessed by the Bloodaxe in Thunderstrike #22-24.
Herc also recounts how he had recently gone to the X-Mansion to recruit his old ally Quicksilver to go on an adventure, but that fizzled out. Herc paid a visit to Westchester County in X-Men (vol. 2) #59. In Quicksilver #7, it was revealed that Pietro decided against going on an adventure as he had to focus on raising his daughter, Luna.
Kara Palamas recounts the different teams that Hercules was on: He has been a long running member of the Avengers since he first associated with them in Avengers #38. He was a member of the Champions during their entire run in Champions #1-17. Lastly, she mentions Herc’s recent stint with Heroes for Hire. He was on the team briefly from Heroes for Hire #1-3.
Hercules was stripped of much of his power and his immortality when he refused to return to Olympus with Zeus in Avengers #384. Kara also notices that Hercules is speaking differently. Herc stopped speaking in his Olympian affectation in Avengers #390. As he previously started speaking that way in Incredible Hulk: Hercules Unleashed #1, this is more of a personal choice than anything. That all said, Herc’s powers will be restored in Ares #1-5.
As of this writing in January, 2023, Tharamus remains among the deceased.
Topical References
DePaul states that it’s been about a year since Onslaught happened. This should be considered a topical reference as it denotes the passage of time between publications. Per the Sliding Timescale, Onslaught would have happened a few months earlier rather than a whole year.
Hercules is depicted as staying at the Plaza Hotel, a historical establishment in New York City that has operated since 1907. While this is a real world business that has changed hands many times over the years, due to its historical status it’s depiction as a hotel would not be considered topical, only its ownership.
One of the Warhawk Mandroids mocks Hercules by saying he’ll need more than a “Schwarzenegger build” to defeat them. This is in reference to actor and former body builder Arnold Schwarzenegger. He is better known for his huge muscles than he is for his acting chops. At the time this comic was published he was at the height of his career due to his various roles in action films like Predator, the Terminator, and Commando. This should be considered a topical reference as, time of this writing in January, 2023, Arnold is now 75 years old and has retired from action roles in film due to his age.