Warning: Spoilers for Disney Villains: Hades #1Disney’s Hercules was inspired by mythology, but a larger cast has just joined its universe within comics, as Disney Villains: Hades reveals that Hades was planning his takeover of Olympus for much longer than fans believed. In fact, his plot has been in the works for so long, that another mythical hero was pitted against the Lord of the Underworld: Jason, of the Argonauts.
Disney Villains: Hades #1 – by the creative team of Elliot Kalan and Alessandro Ranaldi – continues Dynamite Comics’ line of comics centered around iconic Disney villains, including Maleficent and Scar. The Hades series serves as a prequel to Hercules, depicting the Lord of the Dead’s antics before Hercules was born – with the first issue revealing he had multiple plans for usurping his brother’s rule of Olympus.
Hercules Introduces Several New Heroes & Villains
Although Hercules was the main crux in Hades’ plans to takeover Olympus, he actually wasn’t the first hero to oppose the underworld’s ruler. Disney Villains: Hades #1 has revealed that Jason – the leader of the Argonauts – will impede the titular villain’s ability to reach his goals. It also reveals that the Lord of the Underworld’s plans involved many other well-known figures from antiquity, in a mythic team-up of epic proportions. Before he released and rallied the Titans, Hades tried to pull off a heist with Medusa, Arachne, Orpheus, and Icarus. This confirms that the world of Disney’s Hercules encapsulates much more mythology and prior adventures than shown in the film.
Hades #1 Sets The Stage For An Epic Mythological Heist
Hades’ plan involves obtaining the legendary Golden Fleece of Colchis from the watchful eye of a dragon that doesn’t sleep. To pull it off, he forms a team of A-list and D-list mythical beings, all of whom, have something to gain from the Golden Fleece’s transformation ability, which can make “all reality…obey your whims.” Orpheus could regain Eurydice, Arachne could get her human body back, Icarus could gain never-melting wings, and Medusa could remove her ability to turn people to stone, which has caused her to live a lonely life. However, as Hades #1 makes clear, Jason and his Argonaut crew will also be trying to attain the same item.
Hercules Canon Is Now Ripe for Spin-Offs
Of course, Hades does not rule Olympus in Hercules, meaning Disney Villains will somehow see his plan fail, likely due to Jason’s interference. While past heroes were mentioned by Philoctetes – Achilles, Jason, Perseus, and Theseus – this aspect of the universe remains little explored. While some expansions were made by the 1990s prequel show, Hercules: The Animated Series, which included other mythological figures, Disney Villains: Hades could effectively rewrite Disney canon. Hades’ own Ocean Eleven is short just one member and his frustration with Olympus reach farther than previously believed. Whatever happens next, Hades will have his hands full, now that Disney’s Hercules universe has expanded to include more heroes and villains.
Disney Villains: Hades #1 is available now from Dynamite!
