The Mighty Hercules in Popular Culture

After many millenia, the only thing that people remember of Heracles is his extraordinary strength.

Steve Moore's depiction of the divine hero in "Hercules: The Thracian Wars" was a mercenary who was tasked by the King of Thrace to train his army. Take note that the setting was part of modern-day Bulgaria, and the only notable thing about Hercules was the lion's skin around him. This was the Nemean Lion, which can't be killed by weapons because of its golden fur. This was the first of his twelve Labors, which the son of Zeus and Alcmene completed. He was rewarded with immortality, but Moore didn't want his readers to recall Greek mythology. It was a graphic novel, a modern retelling of the greatest demigod. He wasn't the only one.

Angry, bitter demigod

Rick Riordan's depiction of Hercules was negative, which was close to the legends about him. Hera had to put up with Zeus's dalliances, but Alcmene was different. She was the daughter of Perseus and Andromeda, and was said to be the most beautiful woman who possessed such wisdom. This was the reason behind Hera's intense hatred towards Hercules, driving him mad to kill his wife and children. The Twelve Labors were his atonement. Fans of "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" sensed this was the probable reason why Hercules was bitter.

In "The Titan's Curse", Percy met Zoë Nightshade, the leader of Artemis's hunters. What he don't know was she was once a nymph who lived in Hera's orchard. A grove of immortality-giving golden apples grew, but they were guarded by the Ladon, a hundred-headed dragon who never slept. Stealing an apple was one of Hercules's labor, and he did it with Zoë's help. But he never thanked her, not even reciprocate the affection she showed towards him. She was banished.

In "The Mark of Athena", the third book of "The Heroes of Olympus" series, six demigods (led by Percy) were on the way to Europe to prevent a prophecy (about the fall of Greek and Roman deities) from happening. Near Gibraltar was an island only seen by the likes of them. Hercules was the only inhabitant, but he was sent there to guard the entrance to the ancient lands. He resented the thought of spending an eternity in that isle, believing the gods forgot the 12 Labors. He also didn't take a liking to Jason Grace, the son of Jupiter.

But there was only one

There were many tales about heroes who rose to the occasion, doing feats that no mortal would dare. They were assisted by the gods, but this didn't make them less heroic. If strength were the only basis, Hercules was above the rest because he was the son of Zeus. He was also related to Perseus, who saved Andromeda from the sea monster Cetus. The son of Danaë, daughter of King Acrisius of Argos, had to slay Medusa, a Gorgon with hair made of living, venomous snakes and whose stare would turn anyone into stone. This was another valiant story never forgotten.