Hercules 4

Hercules: The Knives Of Kush #4 (of 5)
Written by Steve Moore
Illustrated by Cris Bolson & Manuel and Leonardo Silva
Lettered by Todd Klein
Coloured by Doug Sirois, Cliff Cramp, & Steve Firchow
Edited by Renae Geerlings
Character (& Logo) designed by Jim freaking Steranko
Published by Radical
Covers by Langley & Targete

As Egypt falls into an all-out civil war between Pharaoh Seti II and his upstart brother Amenmessu (who is aided in his thirst for power by the mysterious assassins guild of the Knives of Kush), Hercules and company are doing their best to help the Pharaoh retain control. After the warpath venture of last issue, Hercules and the other victors return to Memphis, while crafty Autolycus and sensible Iolaus sneak into the stronghold at Thebes on a covert spy mission, where they find themselves neck deep in a good old-fashioned orgy.
Yes, a drunken revelry of potions and spirits, barely-clad women, and animals. Sexual tensions run amok as they learn a startling secret about the sorcerous head of the Knives of Kush, prompting the two heroes to flee back to share the information with Hercules and the Pharaoh in hopes of turning the tide at last.
Steve Moore is nearing the end of an incredible take on an iconic character here. Honestly, when most people hear the name Hercules nowadays, they immediately think of the intelligence-insulting syndicated television series of the 90's from the otherwise great Renaissance Pictures, or of the tired, stuck in the past and borderline spoof Marvel character. This is something far more interesting, something historically accurate enough in research as to tell an action adventure tale without breaching too far into the fantastic or mythological. This is a world where sex and politics admittedly go hand in hand, and where even heroic warriors might cut throats to serve the perceived greater good. Moore's Hercules is not as grim and silent as someone like the comparable Conan, in fact he is sharp enough to play convincingly the role of field tactician, as he does later in this issue, as a massive battle explodes with all sides of the struggle fully entrenched in the bloody spectacle of warfare. And, there is finally a point where the claimed birthright of Hercules comes into play, making for a well-conducted sequence of raw power.

Illustrated well by Bolson, who received some support in this issue although the transition was hard to spot directly. I wonder if he did the layouts for the pages he did not finish himself. And the colouring again, is a great highpoint for the series, as Sirois paints each frame with so much life and accomplishes so without resorting to hues from the more extreme ends of the spectrum. Everything is vivid, while remaining real in composure, in feeling. Very pretty, full bleed pages.

With one chapter left to go, iss four of Hercules: The Knives Of Kush is loaded with an imaginative story of bloodshed and cults and nefarious traitors, and artwork that reads like absolute eyecandy.
Hercules: The Knives Of Kush is one of the better books right now from the good people of Radical, and I hope this entire creative team is given more work soon, preferably on the same book- whether a new Hercules mini or something else entirely. A world of talent and without the undeservedly excessive hype given to certain other creators these days.
For fans of sword and sorcery fantasy, gory barbarian combat, and somewhat historically-enthused action and adventure with suggestions of comedic nuance and sexual innuendos, this is your stout cup of mead.

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