Hercules Receives Long-Awaited Sequel in Comic Form
Even the most hardcore fans of Disney's Hercules may not realize that the 1997 animated film already has a sequel. The beloved movie follows Hercules as he attempts to earn his place among the gods of Olympus, only to reject godhood after falling in love with a mortal. For years, the story has ended there, but a new continuation reveals what happens after Hercules chooses Megara.
In 2024, Dynamite Entertainment released Hercules, a 6-issue comic series written by Elliott Kalan with art by George Kambadais, Giulia Giacomino, Jeff Eckleberry, and Simona Guida. It features the return of Hercules, Megara, Phil, Pegasus, and Disney's unique depiction of Greek gods and goddesses in a brand-new story.
Although the film's original sequel was canceled in 2006, Dynamite's take on a Hercules sequel gives Disney lovers the follow-up they've yearned for. This overlooked tale is the perfect read for fans of Hercules and mythology alike, paying homage to the iconic film while introducing creative additions to its lore.
Kalan and Kambadais pick up right where 1997's Hercules left off, as the titular hero grapples with his newfound mortality and its consequences. He gets to continue his relationship with Megara and live his life by her side, but Zeus and the other gods look down on him for his controversial decision. The gods' disdain towards her partner results in Meg resenting them further, deepening the divide between Hercules' two worlds as he nonetheless tries to see the best in his divine family. The film ends on an uplifting note, whereas the comic explores the deeper implications of Hercules' choice to become mortal.
Amidst Hercules' strained relationship with the gods, they suddenly start disappearing left and right, and he steps up to save them with help from his friends. Hercules, Megara, and Philoctetes cross paths with various mythological figures in their quest to unravel this mystery, from Pygmalion to Artemis. As for the villain, Hades is certainly a tough act to follow, but this comic's antagonist is a shocking deep-cut that no one could predict. The initial movie has often been criticized for its changes to Greek mythology, so it's refreshing to see this story incorporate more faithful references and streamline the adaptation.
As mentioned before, Dynamite's Hercules isn't the first attempt at a successor to the Disney classic. Hercules had a sequel in the works entitled Hercules II: The Trojan War that was scrapped during production, and '90s kids will recall the animated Hercules series that serves as a prequel to the movie's events. However, this comic marks the first true sequel to the film that directly builds upon its ending. The characterizations are translated masterfully from the screen to the page, bringing Hercules and his supporting cast to life with the same balance of humour and heart.
While Kalan and Kambadais' series has drawn to a close, Hercules' journey is just getting started. The last issue ends on a major cliffhanger with a message indicating that the story will be continued, which means another Hercules sequel could be on the horizon. After decades of speculation surrounding a sequel's possibility, Disney fans can at last rest easy knowing that this fun-filled re-imagining of mythological characters is here to stay. The tale of Hercules didn't end with the original movie, and by the looks of it, his adventures won't end any time soon.
Hercules is available now from Dynamite Entertainment, and all 6 issues will be collected in Hercules Vol. 1: The Monster Hunter on April 16th, 2025.
