One of my favorite runs of Marvel Comics is Walt Simonson’s Thor and thus I loved the hell out of this.

Pack and Van Lente have provided a fast-paced story that manages to use Greek Myth to it’s full advantage in a way that moves the plot forward and provides depth to the lead. Regardless of the fact that most of my greek mythology is learned from the old Kevin Sorbo TV show, it never lost me, and let me appreciate how much research these guys have done.

But as much as I enjoyed the history lesson, the real meat to this series is the fluid mix of character moments and dynamic action. Both Hercules and his sidekick Amadeus Cho are both allowed to shine, and developed almost to the point where I can stand Cho, despite his interesting turn in this issue. The colouring is also done incredible well, with the reader being able to easily tell between the flashbacks and the current story. It’s a shame the colourist Stephane Peru had to pass away so young.

I can’t forget the art though. Khoi Pham excells at displaying energy and movement, which is a must for a book wherein people get thrown threw the air every few pages. The problem I hae with the art though, is that while a sketchy style is good for action, it doesn’t always work for faces, some of which come across distorted in this issue and looking rushed.

I’d say this is one of the best title’s that Marvel is putting out right now, and probably my favorite with the possible exception of Iron Fist or Captain America. And it’s a shame that all the readers left this book with the Hulk, considering all the excellent smashing this book has to offer