God Complex (Image) is about Apollo hiding out in a human form to escape his family, the Greek Gods.

Athena (Dynamite) is about the goddess Athena in human form working as a detective/superhero something or other, not remembering her old life.

Olympus (IDW) is about Greek Gods hiding out on earth, waging a secret battle with fiends that have escaped from Hades.

Greek Street (Vertigo) is about the Greek Gods and mythic characters playing through the same stories they’ve previously experienced, in the modern day, in human form.

So obviously, there are differences in each story. And I want to stress, I’m not calling “stolen!” at any of these, things move in trends, and that’s my point: what’s with the focus on Greek myths all of a sudden? They’re certainly eternally fascinating stories with a large cast of built in interesting characters, so there’s that going for it. And it may be a bit of a reaction to the immense amount of Judeo-Christian mythology that has seeped into comics of late (Superman has to leave his people for a desert planet where he has conversations with Zod, aka The Devil? That doesn’t sound reminiscent of anything at all to me).

But four different publishers, with very similar ideas certainly indicates a trend. The question is, how long can the comic book market support so many titles about Greek Myths? This isn’t even taking into account Incredible Hercules, which deals with the subject intelligently and hilariously on a monthly basis. Or JMS’ Thor, which is possibly the genesis of this whole trend in the first place (Norse gods in human form).

And regardless, just to emphasize, a new Mike Oeming series is always an event, so regardless of any similarities, I can’t wait to check it out.

By the way, my new comic book, “Vampires vs. Olympus” should be announced any day now. It’s about vampires hiding out in Olympus as Greek Gods. Should be a blast.

The following review is excerpted from Comic Book Revolution (click here to read the full review)

Writers: Greg Pak & Fred Van Lente
Pencils: Clayton Henry
Inks: Salva Espin

Art: 8/10
Story: 8/10
Overall: 8/10

This title is nothing but pure fun and that makes it a real breath of fresh air from the typical doom and gloom that we seem to be getting on the majority of the comic books currently on the market.

Incredible Hercules #122 certainly supplies tons of action as the reader never has to go more than a couple of pages without getting an action scene. Yet, at the same time, this issue is not a mindless brawlfest. This is a very hard thing to do but Pak and Van Lente manage to pull it off. Also, a writer always earns bonus points in my book when they can work a sound effect like “Crakkajamma!” into a fight. Classic.

There are numerous moments that make the reader break out into a smile or chuckle, nicely integrated within the context of the story and never feel shoehorned or out of place.

Up until now, I have always found Hercules to be a somewhat boring character. Often, Hercules came across a bit generic and nothing more than a poor man’s Thor. Not anymore. Pak and Van Lente have done an amazing job with Hercules and have made him an extremely fun and charismatic character. It is hard not to love this version of Hercules.

I dig that Van Lente and Pak are playing up Hercules as a simple minded brawler who loves a good adventure, drinking and bedding women. Hercules is rather hedonistic and it fits his character perfectly. This is a refreshing change of pace from your typical modern day comic book hero who is either damaged or traumatized in some way or they have a Spartan view of life and do not allow themselves to indulge in the riches of life.

Clayton Henry and Salva Espin have a nice clean style of art that effectively conveys the story to the reader. Plus, Henry is great at nailing the facial expressions of the various characters.

Overall: This is a great action adventure comic book that offers something different from your typical dark, moody and somber comic book that dominates the market.