Warning: Spoilers for Disney Villains: Hades #1
The ’80s and ’90s were full of Disney animated series inspired by hit films, but now Hercules’ prequel series is being rewritten by Dynamite Comics. The animated series followed the titular hero’s quest to become a hero as he interacted with numerous mythological figures, but now, Disney Villains: Hades has made a few characters – including a fan-favorite – obsolete.
Disney Villains: Hades #1 – by Elliot Kalan and Alessandro Ranaldi – reshapes Hercules canon with its inclusion of a very different Icarus than the one depicted in Hercules: The Animated Series. Within the series, Hercules’ best friend was Icarus, who was a bit zany due to his wing incident – however, even at that time, there were often canonical discrepancies with the Disney movie.
Disney Villains: Hades Completely Reboots The 1990s Animated Characters
The first issue of Disney Villains: Hades reveals that long before his feud with Hercules, Hades put together a team to complete a heist, bringing together Medusa, Arachne, Orpheus, and Icarus – though none match their animated counterparts from Hercules: The Animated Series, which debuted in 1998, a year after the original film. Instead of being a not-quite-sane companion to Hercules, the Icarus in Hades is a resident of the Underworld who loves to race and move fast. He seeks to gain new, real wings from Hades’ current plan, and his design is a far cry from that of the animated series beloved by fans.
Dynamite’s Hades Is Usurping Hercules: The Animated Series Claim To Canonicity
Medusa, Arachne, and Orpheus have also been redesigned for Disney Villains: Hades, effectively setting them apart from their previous in-universe appearances. Disney hasn’t confirmed whether these villain stories are canon, though Disney Villains: Hades might be closer to canon than the animated series, considering the show’s discrepancies with the film. Consequently, the best elements of the show, Icarus included, have now been made into an alternate continuity, of sorts. Alternatively, given the mythological inspiration for the film, both Hercules: The Animated Series and Disney Villains: Hades #1 could be considered myths in their own right – narratives passed along with potential discrepancies based on the “teller” of the story.
The latest series in the Disney Villains comic line from Dynamite presents an intriguing look at Hades, while recontexualizing other characters. Long disregarded by his Olympian family and left to the most grim part of their world, it’s no wonder Hades would seek revenge. Based on the film, and his inquiry towards the Fates, it makes sense that Hades attempted to take over Olympus prior to Hercules, who was just the latest wrench in his plans, one needed to evaluate as a possible threat. Hercules: The Animated Series may no longer be canon, if ever it was, but Disney Villains: Hades #1 is presenting a strong argument for its canonicity with Hades’ new adventure.
Disney Villains: Hades #1 is available now from Dynamite.
