Summary

• Classic myth meets cyberpunk in Nullhunter #1 from Image Comics, a dystopian reimagining of Hercules' labors in space.
• Michael Walsh and Gustaffo Vargas deliver an '80s-inspired sci-fi saga with a dark Hercules twist, providing an exciting new context for old myths.
• Explore Herculean adventure like never before in this nod to Greek mythology with a cyberpunk twist.

Hercules is going cyberpunk in a new series from Image Comics, as Nullhunter #1 releases 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 of Michael Walsh (The Silver Coin) and Gustaffo Vargas (Marvel’s Voices X-Men), Nullhunter is 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 like Ronin and Blade Runner.”

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 that Nullhunter won’t be shying away from the darker aspects of the Hercules/Heracles myth.

Nullhunter Reimagines 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, Nullhunter provides 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.”

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 of Nullhunter while I was working on The Silver Coin and had originally planned to draw it myself after that series had wrapped. When The Silver Coin performed exceedingly well and shifted into ongoing status, the long and arduous hunt for an artist for Nullhunter began. When I first saw Gustaffo's art I knew he'd be the perfect artist for this comic. His Peruvian Cyberpunk series 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 in Nullhunter

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. Nullhunter is 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 a source of inspiration for comic books and science fiction, so Nullhunter will hopefully play into that proud tradition when it launches this fall. The preview certainly looks to be keeping true to the more dark 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, Nullhunter has all the makings of an all-time Image Comics classic.

Nullhunter #1 will be available October 23 from Image Comics.