Data courtesy of the Grand Comics Database under Creative Commons license.

Issue Details

Issue #1
Published October 1967
Cover Price $0.12
Pages 36
Editing Dick Giordano
Notes detailed synopsis courtesy of Dean Webb for each sequence

Cover Details

Characters Hercules
Genre fantasy
Pencils Sam Glanzman [as SJG]
Inks Sam Glanzman [as SJG]
Notes detailed synopsis courtesy of Dean Webb for each sequence
Reprinted in Charlton Classics (Charlton, 1980 series) #1 (April 1980) [cover image is reversed on reprint and recolored]

18 page Hercules story "Adventures of the Man-God Hercules"

Characters Hercules; King Philip; Helen of Troy; Alexander the Great
Synopsis Hecules begins his 12 labors. The story though begins in the mountains as Hercules has sought the Gods. After the death of his mother Alcmene, he calls out to his father Zeus who responds to him by unbodied voice that he must complete nine tasks or labors and submit to the judgment of Eyrystheus before he can be allowed among the immortals. Hercules agrees to this and heads off to Nemea to confront the Lion, the first of his assigned labors. But a guard takes issue with Hercules leaving as King Phillip has ordered him to stay for the games. Hercules refuses and a fight ensues. Hercules is chased by the guards at the command of Phillip but he knocks over a bridge defeating his pursuers. He then saves a beautiful redhead from three thugs, only discover she is Princess Helen betrothed of Prince Alexander. This doesn't stop them from striking up a friendly relationship though so when Alexander sees Hercules later with Helen he's jealous but has to give Hercules his appreciation when he learns Hercules saved his intended. Hercules then joins Alexander and his troops in a battle agains Phillip and Hercules is instrumental in defeating the other army. Then Hercules at last turns his attention to the Nemean lion. Helen goes with him to the challenge, but he sends her away as he battles the beast. Using his massive strength, he subdues the lion and kills it. Taking the lion's skin as his mantle, he leaves after rejecting a sword from Alexander, saying he doesn't need weapons. As Hercules leaves, they speculate that he doesn't seem completely human.
Genre fantasy
Script Joe Gill
Pencils Sam Glanzman
Inks Sam Glanzman
Reprinted in Hercules (Charlton, 1968 series) #8 (December 1969); in Charlton Classics (Charlton, 1980 series) #1 (April 1980)

1 page text story "Meeko the Microbe"

Synopsis It's the story of a classroom science experiment gone wild as a microscopic microbe grows to vast proportions but becomes the pet of a fifteen year old girl. She goes on to vast fame as scientists all across the globe come to see her remarkable pet, and they agree that she and she alone can make money from the creature. As the story closes her fortune is assured as many flock to see Meeko.
Genre science fiction
Letters typeset

8 page Thane of Bagarth story "Chapter One: The Feud"

Characters Thane of Bagarth
Synopsis The story is set between the two halves of the epic Anglo-Saxon saga Beowulf. It's after Beowulf became killed Grendel and became King but before he confronted the Dragon and was killed. After the battle with Grendel, Beowulf gave "vast tracts of land" to his thanes. Wigmenric was made the Thane of Bagarth, and on his passing his eldest son Hrothelac became Thane. This is the story of Hrothelac. In this story titled "Chapter One: The Feud" written by Steve Skeates and drawn by Jim Aparo, we find a feud has been going on between Bagarth and Rothor. Some peasants are attacked and in retalation a Guardsman of Bagarth kills a Guardsman of Rothor. This comes to the attention of King Beowulf who demands the truth from his Thanes. Hrothelac comes and tells his side, the truth, but it differs from the story told by Garmscio Thane of Rothor. Beowulf demands evidence and the liar will be banished. Hrothelac goes to his younger brother Eowanda for help, but he doesn't suspect Eowanda wants himself to be Thane of Bagarth. On his way to see Eowanda, Hrothelac sees Freahulf the daughter of a local scholar. As the chapter closes both Garmscio and Eowanda plot to bring down the current Thane of Bagarth.
Genre sword and sorcery
Script Steve Skeates (signed)
Pencils Jim Aparo (signed)
Inks Jim Aparo (signed)
Letters Jim Aparo
Notes Origin of Hrothelac, a thane under Beowulf.
Reprinted in Hercules (Charlton, 1968 series) #8 (December 1969); in Thane of Bagarth (Charlton, 1985 series) #24; in Swords of Valor (A-Plus Comics, 1990 series) #1