Summary
Hercules is going cyberpunk in a new series fromImage Comics, asNullhunter#1releases this October from the premiere comics publisher.Reimagining the Twelve Labors of Hercules in a sci-fi dystopia, Image Comics’ new series should appeal to fans of classic mythology and action-packed stories in a cyberpunk setting.
Coming from the creative team ofMichael Walsh (The Silver Coin)and Gustaffo Vargas (Marvel’s Voices X-Men),Nullhunteris described as a reimagining of the classic Greek myth of Hercules that “interplays 80s-inspired dystopian storytelling and art in the same vein as fan-favorites likeRoninandBlade Runner.”
October 23rd, 2024
Cover Artist:
Michael Walsh
InNullhunter, Clay is a war hero who faces unspeakable tragedy after returning home. Seeking justice, he’s forced into service for his estranged father’s powerful company, OLYMP0S. His first mission takes him to faraway N3M-3A on the trail of a hijacked shipment of war lions. In seeking exoneration, this quest of twelve near-impossible labors will lead Clay to the very edges of space as he discovers the true source of evil in the cosmos.
The solicitation provides many familiar variations of names and concepts that should be recognizable to any Greek mythology buff, with sci-fi takes on Olympus, Zeus and the Nemean lion. Judging from the preview pages, it also appears thatNullhunterwon’t be shying away from the darker aspects of the Hercules/Heracles myth.
NullhunterReimagines Hercules as a Sci-fi/Cyberpunk Epic
Hercules (or Heracles) is one of the greatest heroes in Greek mythology, the son of Zeus born to a mortal woman. While in a fit of madness induced by Zeus' jealous wife, Hera, Hercules murders his wife and children. Upon realizing what he has done, he seeks a way to atone for this atrocity. The Oracle of Delphi instructs him to journey to his cousin, King Eurystheus, and serve him for 12 years. Eurystheus instructs Hercules to perform a series of tasks thought to be impossible, including slaying the Nemean lion and the nine-headed Hydra, cleaning the Augean stables in a single day, and capturing Cerberus, the three-headed dog who guards the gates of the Underworld.
“When I was a kid, I was obsessed with Greco-Roman mythology,” writer Michael Walsh says. “I’d spend hours poring over old mythology books that I’d rented from the library while drawing my own versions of Hercules, Zeus, Poseidon, and all the larger-than-life gods and monsters.” For Walsh,Nullhunterprovides an opportunity to finally tell a new story based on these old myths, but in a completely new context: “For a long time, I’ve wanted to take a crack at making a Hercules comic, but I could never find a unique and original way in.”
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Walsh goes on to describe how the project came together, including the process of finding the right artist to tackle this intriguing new take on the Hercules myth:
“I first conceived ofNullhunterwhile I was working onThe Silver Coinand had originally planned to draw it myself after that series had wrapped. WhenThe Silver Coinperformed exceedingly well and shifted into ongoing status, the long and arduous hunt for an artist forNullhunterbegan. When I first saw Gustaffo’s art I knew he’d be the perfect artist for this comic.HisPeruvian Cyberpunkseries is chock-filled with incredible designs, kinetic action sequences, and deft character work.All the things that I knew would make this comic book sing. I’m so excited to introduce the world to these classic stories in a whole new light.”
Hercules’ Twelve Labors Get a Sci-fi Makeover inNullhunter
Gustaffo Vargas proved more than up to the task, and the artist was excited to take on the project:
“When Michael told me his idea about making a Cyberpunk saga of Hercules in space, my brain got loaded with tons of ideas, and I couldn’t wait to start building this world. I do my best work when I’m inspired and challenged, and this is exactly what I get from Michael and the team.Nullhunteris my best work to date, and I think readers will be able to enjoy this visual feast and powerful story.”
Classic mythology has long been asource of inspiration for comic booksand science fiction, soNullhunterwill hopefully play into that proud tradition when it launches this fall. The preview certainly looks to be keeping true to the moredark and horrific aspects of the Hercules myth, reimagined for the modern day with an infusion of cyberpunk aesthetics.With an exciting creative team and an intriguing concept,Nullhunterhas all the makings of an all-timeImage Comicsclassic.
