Incredible Hercules #126 (Marvel Comics)
by Fred Van Lente, Greg Pak, Rodney Buchemi & Greg Adams/Pak & Takeshi Miyazawa

Who would have thought that an ongoing title featuring Marvel’s incarnation of Hercules would not only last well into a second year but would garner solid sales and critical acclaim? Writers Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente have done an amazing job of breathing new life into the title character, balancing both his history in the Marvel Universe with ancient Greek myths. But more than that, they’ve managed to transform the blowhard character into someone the audience can cheer for, but they’ve done so without completely undoing what’s come before them. The origin story that serves as this issue’s main feature is immersed in the mythic side of the character, obviously, but the script does a great job of capturing that classic feel with a more grounded tone. The art by Buchemi is absolutely lovely, and the historical and mythic qualities are reinforces by the muted colors and the lettering.

As a bonus in the backup feature, writer Greg Pak re-teams with the artist he worked with on the very first Amadeus Cho story from Amazing Fantasy v.2 #15 a few years ago. The plot isn’t one that was screaming out to be told — Cho seeks out his pet coyote, which was replaced by a Skrull infiltrator — but it’s a treat to see Cho in the spotlight and looking appropriately youthful, thanks to Miyazawa’s art. This short story will be a must for fans of Amadeus Cho, who merits the spotlight this series and Mighty Avengers has afforded him as of late. 8/10