2022’s Thor: Love and Thunder was not a good film. However, as a comic book fan there are numerous elements of the film I do enjoy. Christian Bale was absolutely wasted as Gorr the God Butcher, but he was awesome to watch. It was nice to see Eternity in live action. It’s disappointing that the mid-credit scene featuring the first MCU appearance of Hercules has gone nowhere since. Still, it was great to see Hercules. I have been reading about Hercules and Thor in the comics for decades. Hercules made his debut in Journey Into Mystery Annual #1.
Seeing Hercules, Zeus and the Greek gods in a Thor film may have been confusing to casual readers. So, I will briefly explain the rivalry between Thor and Hercules in the comic books.
I also want to recommend investing in Journey Into Mystery Annual #1. It is a rare comic of historical importance in Marvel canon. Also, it has proven to maintain its value as a collectible. If you have $800 to $3,000 then you can invest in a CGC 8.0 to 9.2 grade of the comic.
Journey Into Mystery Annual #1 (Marvel) July 1965
This comic features several short stories, but the main story is “When Titans Clash!” Thor is Jotunheim and finds two giants atempting to open a portal to Olympus, home of the Greek Gods. Suddenly, Thor finds himself in Olympus and in conflict with Hercules.
This comic marks the first appearance of Hercules. This comic is also the first of many fights between the two characters. Comic book fans of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s would obsess over who would win in a fight, Thor or Hercules? (I know I did as a child.)
This comic was the birth of the classic rivalry between Thor and Hercules.
Hercules, Son of Zeus
Hercules has superhuman strength, reflexes, agility, and a fast-acting healing factor. He is also practically invulnerable and immortal. He is usually characterized in the comic books as brave, merry, beer-loving, heroic, and always ready for a fight. While Thor has Mjolnir, Hercules swings a club-like mace as a weapon.
Public domain ideology is fair play for creators. So, Hercules, Zeus, and other gods of Greek mythology are also featured in Marvel Comics. Thor is also an OG member of the Avengers in the comic books.
One of the few bright spots of Thor: Love and Thunder was the introduction of Zeus, the Greek pantheon, and the second post-credit sequence, which introduces Hercules into the MCU.
Russell Crowe portrays Zeus in the film. Zeus, wounded by Thor, makes his son Hercules vow to take revenge.
Brett Goldstein, star of Ted Lasso, makes a very brief cameo as Hercules. Kneeling before Zeus, Hercules rises in an extremely comics-accurate costume, swings his mace, and menacingly whispers, “Yes, father!”
Will we ever get to see Goldstein as Hercules in the MCU again? Never say never, but it does not look likely. However, that does not mean we will never see another actor portray Hercules in the MCU in the future.
Invest in Journey Into Mystery Annual #1
This comic is rare and has historical canonical value in Marvel Comics lore. A copy of this issue with a CGC grade of 8.0 has a current collectibles market value of $850. A CGC 9.0 copy is worth over $9,100. This is a comic has maintained its value in the past and should in the long run too..
If you’re in the market to start somewhere with investing in collectible comics, this would be a great place to start.
Thor Vs. Hercules is a 198-page paperback that collects all of the best fights between Thor and Hercules. This paperback contains Journey Into Mystery Annual #1 and dozens of Marvel Comics from 1966 through 1996. Each story features the rivalry, fights, and teamups between thor and Hercules.
Buy it now at Amazon for $49.99.
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