One of the aspects of this comic that makes it so great is that Pak and Van Lente are capable of throwing off witty lines with such consistency.  For instance, in issue 138 when Aphrodite is about to make mad and passionate love to Ares she says, “Ah, sex and violence.  Together again.”  This issue doesn’t have any such lines.  Oh well, no one bats a thousand.  But it continues with the tongue in cheek tone towards Greek mythology that has become the hallmark of the series.  Hephaestus has a crush on Athena, but she of course, does not requite his love because she can’t.  The situation is not explained here, but Athena remains a virgin because were she to have a child, it is foretold that the child would overthrow Zeus.  As a daddy’s girl, Athena would never want Zeus to lose his position.  Since he can’t have Athena, Hephaestus is hoping for the next best thing.  Much to Delphyne’s outrage and disgust, he is going to make a mold of Athena’s now stony body that he can turn into an automaton sex toy.  This plot point is kind of a creepy adaptation of the Pygmalion myth.  Meanwhile, Hercules is trying to rescue Athena, and Hephaestus tries to stop him, using among other things, the adamantine net that he once caught Aphrodite and Ares in as Aphrodite was cheating on him.   Meanwhile, Zeus and Hera reconcile just in time for Typhon to blow Hera’s head off.  Perhaps Hera will be resurrected as a child, and she and Zeus can grow up together.  Aw, wouldn’t that be cute?  And Athena can rule Olympus as regent.  I’m hoping that Athena gives her champion, Amadeus Cho, the Aegis so that he can be a superhero in his own right, and not just a brilliant sidekick.  It would make Cho’s involvement in battles with supervillians a lot more realistic.  The Avengers were forgotten this issue, but Pak and Van Lente did such a good job otherwise that I forgive them.  I’m sure we’ll see the Avengers show up next issue.  I enjoyed the art.  Buchemi’s pencils are whimsical, yet sexy.

            This issue also has an “Agents of Atlas” backup.  When the Agents had their own title, I thought the story telling tended to meander.  This backup is short and focused.  The Agents are at long last going to face the wrath of the enraged and scantily clad Aphrodite!  I’m a little confused about this situation because the Sirens have been around for thousands of years.  Why is Aphrodite only finding out now that they have been impersonating her?  Furthermore, what can the goddess of love do in a fight?  They say that it is often true that “love hurts,” so we will find out.  Aphrodite did leave Ares practically catatonic after their lovemaking, so maybe she has something up her sleeve!  If only she had a sleeve!