When I read “The Iliad,” my favorite part of the story was not the speechifying of the heroes or even the descriptions of the battle maneuvers, but the interactions of the gods.  Homer paints a picture of the gods as a conniving, plotting, backbiting, dysfunctional family.  Pak and Van Lente continue with that dysfunctional family theme in this comic, where the gods are struggling over who will control their Olympus Group business holdings.  If the Greek gods actually existed, Pak and Van Lente would share the fate of Arachne for having mocked the follies of the gods.  I like the inclusion of minor deities like Nyx, who looks like she could be the patron goddess of Batman.  Speaking of Batman, some are saying that the ending of this comic suggests a storyline similar to the one taking place in “Red Robin.”  I’m not reading that title, but I suspect that the creative team on “Hercules” will end up doing something fresh.

            I don’t know whether the popularity of Hercules as comic character would actually justify it, but I think Marvel’s current take on the character would make a magnificent film.  After all, Hercules’ name is certainly better known among the general public than Thor’s, and the name recognition would make for a certain box office appeal.  Most film versions of Hercules’ life have focused on his twelve labors, but the Pak and Van Lente modernization of the character would resonate in current times.  For instance, the ancient Greeks were firmly capitalistic, so it makes sense that the Greek gods would seek to maintain power in the world by forming a corporate conglomerate.  Although not one of the founding members, Hercules is an Avenger, so perhaps Marvel might introduce him in his own film, and work him into a later Avengers movie. 

            Imagine the following scene in the upcoming Thor film:  Outside a Greek diner, Thor and Loki tear up Manhattan as they slug it out.  Inside the diner, a petite blond woman and a hulking muscular man drink coffee, seemingly unconcerned by the chaos outside.

Blond woman:  Well, Hercules, little brother, it looks like it is time, once again, for the Gods to take an active interest in the affairs of mortals.

Muscular Man:  Yes, dear Athena, you appear to be correct, as always.

            Ah, one can dream!

            Olivetti seems to have more than his share of detractors, but I think his painterly style is perfect for this story.  His art alludes to the work of the Old Masters who specialize in depicting stories of the divine.  The male gods look hulking, Athena looks girlish (just as she has been portrayed since her introduction in the Hercules comics) and Phobos looks convincingly child-like. 

            The ad-on story by Paul Tobin and Reilly Brown is OK.  It’s kind of cutesy, but it does advance the characterization of Hercules as a god with a heart of gold.