Hercules Today Mark

Hercules Amongst the North Americans

In 1986 a compilation of Hercules' amazing adventures in our nation was published by Penguin Books, with a warning that it WASN'T one of their Classic titles. The chronicler, Mark Marek, had previously sold these tales to such venerable venues as High Times and the National Lampoon.

Marek's frenetically drawn comic strips, detailed maps, colorful paintings and wise commentary lay bare the brave soul of Greece's greatest hero as he wends his way through Americana Bizarro-land. Marek's Hercules is one part Euripides and two parts Peplum. I'm a very big fan of both.

Hercules battles a giant flying moose, harrows a bleak carnival underworld, topples Heavy Metal gods and tackles beefy football players. He triumphs in his 348th & 349th Labors, and chastises modern religious leaders who doubt the gods.

Hercules finds love, lust, lost treasures, heroic quests galore and even a chance to atone for recent misdeeds in the pages of this tome.

As if this wasn't enough, and I've only scratched the surface of the tales, there's even a 4-Star Guide to Greek Restaurant authored by Hercules himself. How can anyone possibly top that?

Hercules Amongst the North Americans is, alas, long out of print and quite difficult to find.

Its bold originality and quirky humor, laden with social commentary through anachronism, make the quest to locate one a worthy and worthwhile endeavor.

Happy Hunting!

Review by Hercules Invictus