Hades (DC Comics)

Last updated
Hades
Hades by Jones.jpg
The Rebirth-era Hades as depicted in Future State: Wonder Woman #2. Art by Joëlle Jones.
Publication information
Publisher DC Comics
First appearance Wonder Woman (volume 1) #16 (1946)
Created by William Moulton Marston, Harry G. Peter, Joye Hummel
In-story information
Species Olympian God
Team affiliations Gods of Olympus
Notable aliases Pluto, Hell
AbilitiesImmortality
Vast mystical abilities

Hades (also sometimes Pluto or Hell) is a fictional character appearing in DC Comics publications and related media, commonly as an adversary and sometimes-ally [1] of the superhero Wonder Woman. Based upon the eponymous Greek mythological figure, he is the Olympian god of the dead and ruler of the underworld.

Contents

Publication history

Pluto (the Golden Age Hades) in Wonder Woman #16 (March 1946); art by Harry G. Peter. Pluto by Peter.png
Pluto (the Golden Age Hades) in Wonder Woman #16 (March 1946); art by Harry G. Peter.

Hades first appeared under his Roman name Pluto in Wonder Woman #16 published in the summer of 1946, written by Wonder Woman creator William Moulton Marston. [2] In this story, he kidnaps women from Earth, using them to decorate his castle on the planet Pluto, before being defeated by Wonder Woman and her allies. He would next encounter Wonder Woman in a 1962 Silver Age adventure in issue #131 of her monthly title, in which the hero ventures underground into Hades (referred to in-story as "the Underworld") at the behest of her mother Queen Hippolyta, battling Cerberus along the way and cannily avoiding a skirmish with Pluto's ghostly subjects. In 1978's Adventure Comics #460, Wonder Woman once again undertakes a journey to Pluto's realm (referred to both as "the Land of the Dead" and "Hell") to retrieve Steve Trevor's soul from the god's clutches. Here Pluto is depicted with Mephistophelian features, including devil horns and scarlet skin.

Later in the Bronze Age, the character would be rechristened Hades (as part of writer Mindy Newell's move to standardize the use Greek names for DC's Olympian pantheon) in Wonder Woman's final pre-Crisis adventure in Wonder Woman #329. He would be re-introduced as a more benevolent character, again named Hades, in writer/artist George Pérez's post-Crisis reboot of the Wonder Woman mythos in 1987. Yet another version of the character would debut in 2011 as part of DC Comics’ New 52 publication event, which again revised Wonder Woman’s continuity. This incarnation, referred to primarily as Hell and sometimes as Hades, presents the character not as an adult man, but as a young boy in black and red armor, his head and face crowned with a dripping mass of melting candles.

Fictional character biography

As in classical mythology, Hades is a member of the Olympian gods, the immortal children of the Titans Cronus and Rhea. Along with his brothers Zeus and Poseidon, he ruled a significant portion of the ancient world. As the god of the Underworld, Hades had dominion over the spirits of the dead. His realm was divided into four sub-sections: Tartarus (abode of the damned), the Asphodel Fields (a misty after-world), the Elysian Fields (where the righteous dwell) and the Isle of the Blessed (the paradisal resting place of those deemed great heroes). Hades rules these realms with his niece and queen Persephone. [1]

Pre-Crisis

The late-Bronze Age Hades in Wonder Woman (vol. 1) #329 (February 1986); art by Don Heck. Hades by Heck.jpg
The late-Bronze Age Hades in Wonder Woman (vol. 1) #329 (February 1986); art by Don Heck.

Hades did not figure frequently in the adventures of Wonder Woman until the end of the first volume when Hades was tricked by the Anti-Monitor into making a pact with Ares to conquer Olympus. The plot was thwarted when Persephone (referred to in-story as Kore), inspired by the love between Wonder Woman and Steve Trevor, went to her husband to profess openly her love for him. Hades pulled out of the scheme, and Steve Trevor freed the gods while Wonder Woman engaged Ares in final combat. [3]

Post-Crisis

The Modern Age Hades in Wonder Woman (vol. 2) #216 (May 2005); art by Rags Morales. Hades by Morales.jpg
The Modern Age Hades in Wonder Woman (vol. 2) #216 (May 2005); art by Rags Morales.

As a result of the machinations of the alien dark and demon god Darkseid, the Olympian gods were each split into separate entities for many years, existing as both their Greek and Roman variations. Hades' Roman counterpart, Pluto, ruled his own dimensional variant of the Underworld, occasionally coming into conflict with his "brother". The pantheons were eventually merged once more centuries later.

Hades shared a sometimes tense relationship with Wonder Woman's people, the Amazons of Themyscira. The Amazons had been appointed to guard an entryway to his realm, Doom's Doorway, behind which were trapped many monsters and undead abominations. Over the centuries, many Amazons lost their lives when the Doorway was occasionally breached. Despite their loss, the Amazons always attempted to show proper respect to the lord of the underworld, as one of the honored gods of their faith. They even built a large tabernacle to the god of the Dead which carried its own priestess who served a 1,000 years before being replaced by another. In time, most of the gods' followers died off or ceased to believe, leaving the Amazons an important part of Hades and the Olympians' continued existence.

Like her Amazon sisters, Wonder Woman has often had an uneasy relationship with Hades. Early in her career, she descended through Doom's Doorway, slaying most of the monsters and freeing her people from their terrible burden. [1] On other occasions, she has journeyed to the Underworld to request a boon from its ruler or to free the soul of a slain comrade, such as the Amazon Artemis and the murdered Messenger god Hermes, which she succeeded in.

For most of his life, Hades clothed himself in a classical Greek toga and wore his black hair in ringlets. In recent years, however, many of the gods adopted modern clothing in an attempt to evolve with the times. Hades took to dressing in a dark black suit with top hat and cane, similar to that of a Victorian era Undertaker.

Recently, a shift in power occurred in the Olympian pantheon. While Athena assumed the throne of Mount Olympus from her deposed father Zeus, Hades was stabbed in the back by his nephew Ares. As a result, the former War God soon became the new ruler of the Underworld. [1] As it was revealed that Olympian gods do not truly die, only become citizens of the underworld, Hades presence may still be evoked.

The new Olympian order of rule was again changed when the New Gods of Apokolips captured the Olympian pantheon and tampered with their memories. Hence, the current ruler of the Olympian underworld is still in question. This is further compounded by Ares' recent demise at the hands of Wonder Woman, putting the question of Olympian Underworld rulership in a greater state of confusion.

The New 52

The New 52-era Hades in Wonder Woman (vol. 5) #16 (May 2012); art by Cliff Chiang. Hades by Chiang.jpg
The New 52-era Hades in Wonder Woman (vol. 5) #16 (May 2012); art by Cliff Chiang.

In The New 52 rebooted DC's continuity, Hades appears to be but a child with pasty white skin, a dark suit of armor and most unusually a number of candles where the melted wax obscures most of his face above the nose. As a more modern name for himself he tells Lennox to call him "Hell". [4] He is still the ruler of the underworld and the dead, [5] but his realm and everything in it is now an extension of his will and essence. [6]

Hades suffers a degree of self-hatred, as his realm (and by extension, himself) is filled with suffering. Hades has difficulty appreciating and expressing his own values, even if he tries to flatter occasionally. This includes going so far as refusing to believe it is possible for a Lasso-ensnared Diana to be capable of loving everyone, including him. [7]

Though Diana wishes to aid him, Hades refuses to be aided, leaving Diana to shoot him with one of the Pistols of Eros while he is looking at his own reflection, and the bullet should make him fall in love with the first person he sees. [8]

In other media

Television

Hades as he appears in Justice League. Hades in Justice League episode Paradise Lost, Part 2.jpg
Hades as he appears in Justice League.

Hades appears in series set in the DC Animated Universe (DCAU):

Film

Hades appears in Wonder Woman , voiced by Oliver Platt. This version is overweight and employs the spirits of the dead as personal servants.

Video games

Miscellaneous

Hades appears in Smallville Season 11: Olympus . After being imprisoned by Zeus, he became angry and resentful over not being able to see Olympus again. In the present, he strikes a deal with Felix Faust and Mister Bones, promising them immortality in exchange for freeing him. [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zeus (Marvel Comics)</span> Marvel Comics fictional character

Zeus is a fictional deity, appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character is based on the god Zeus in Greek mythology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maxie Zeus</span> Fictional DC Comics character

Maximilian "Maxie" Zeus is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, primarily as a minor enemy of Batman. He is depicted as a mentally ill former history professor who is obsessed with Greek mythology and believes himself to be the god Zeus, becoming a crime lord in Gotham City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olympians (Marvel Comics)</span> Fictional comic book species

The Olympians are a fictional species appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. These characters are based on the Twelve Olympians/Dii Consentes and other deities of Classical mythology. During the beginning of the 1960s, the exploits of the Asgardians Thor and his evil brother Loki demonstrated that an updating of ancient myths could again win readers. In 1965, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby introduced the Olympians in Journey into Mystery Annual #1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pluto (Marvel Comics)</span> Fictional deity in the Marvel Comics Universe

Pluto is a fictional deity appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character is based on the Greco-Roman god of the same name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ares (Marvel Comics)</span> Marvel Comics fictional character

Ares is a fictional character, a deity appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character is based on the Greek god of the same name. He first appeared in Thor #129 and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Ares has commonly appeared as an enemy of Thor and Hercules and starred in his own self-titled series in 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ares (DC Comics)</span> Supervillain appearing in DC Comics

Ares is a character appearing in DC Comics publications and related media. Based on the eponymous Greek mythological figure, he is the Olympian god of war and major recurring adversary of the superhero Wonder Woman. He has been featured significantly as a persistent foe throughout every era of Wonder Woman's comic book adventures, and in many adaptations of her stories in other media.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Circe (character)</span> Fictional character in DC Comics

Circe is a fictional character appearing in DC Comics publications and related media. Based upon the eponymous Greek mythological figure who imprisoned Odysseus in Homer's Odyssey, she is a wicked sorceress and major recurring adversary of the superhero Wonder Woman. She has been presented variously since first appearing in 1949’s Wonder Woman #37, though her characterization has consistently retained a key set of features: immortality, stunning physical beauty, a powerful command over sorcery, a penchant for turning human beings into animals and often, a delight in humiliation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hippolyta (Marvel Comics)</span> Comics character

Hippolyta is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in Thor #127. She is the queen of the Amazons and the daughter of Ares. Hippolyta is known under the codename Warrior Woman. She has faced the X-Men and the Fantastic Four at various points in her history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hercules (DC Comics)</span> DC Comics character

Hercules is a fictional Olympian god in the DC Universe based on the Greek demigod and hero of the same name.

The Olympian Gods are characters based upon classical mythology who appear primarily in Wonder Woman, Captain Marvel and Aquaman comics.

Athena is a fictional deity appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. She is based on the Greek Goddess of the same name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hera (Marvel Comics)</span> Comics character

Hera is a fictional deity appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character is based on the Greek Goddess of the same name. Hera first appeared in the pages of Thor #129, written by Stan Lee and drawn by Jack Kirby.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neptune (Marvel Comics)</span> Comics character

Neptune, also called Poseidon, is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character is based on the Roman God with the same name and his Greek counterpart. Neptune is the god of the sea in the Olympian pantheon, and the patron god of Atlantis. Neptune first appeared in Tales to Astonish #70 and was adapted by Stan Lee and Gene Colan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Poseidon (DC Comics)</span> Comics character

Poseidon is the name of a DC Comics deity who is based on the Greek god of the same name. Due to his status as Greek god of the sea, the character has figured primarily in stories relating to two of DC Comics' main superhero properties: Wonder Woman and Aquaman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Children of Ares</span> Fictional characters appearing in DC Comics publications and related media

The Children of Ares are several fictional characters appearing in DC Comics publications and related media, commonly as recurring adversaries of the superhero Wonder Woman. Primarily based on eponymous Greek mythological figures, they are malevolent progeny of Wonder Woman's nemesis, the war god Ares. Three in particular – Deimos, Phobos and Eris – have emerged as especially enduring characters, appearing in every era of Wonder Woman's comic book adventures since debuting in 1969's Wonder Woman #183. Beginning in the Silver Age of Comic Books, these three characters have often been presented as Ares’ principal legates in his campaigns for universal conquest, and have also confronted Wonder Woman on their own, individually as well as with one another, as antagonists independent of their father.

Ares has appeared frequently in modern popular culture; he usually appears as the ancient Greek god of war in the most generally familiar classical mythology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">First Born (comics)</span> Comics character

The First Born is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly as an adversary of the superhero Wonder Woman. Created by Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang, the character first appeared in Wonder Woman #13.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zeus (DC Comics)</span> DC Comics character

Zeus is a fictional deity in the DC Comics universe, an interpretation of Zeus from Greek mythology. His appearances are most significant in stories of Wonder Woman. With the 2011 relaunch of DC Comics dubbed The New 52, Zeus has received a prominent role in the Wonder Woman mythos, as he is now the biological father of Wonder Woman through Hippolyta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hades in popular culture</span> Depictions of the Greek god

The mythological Greek deity Hades often appears in popular culture. In spite of his present neutrality and lack of bad deeds, he is often portrayed as a villain due to his association with death and the underworld.

Hephaestus is the name of a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. He is adapted from the Greek god of the same name. Hephaestus first appeared in Wonder Woman #226.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Wallace, Dan (2008), "Hades", in Dougall, Alastair (ed.), The DC Comics Encyclopedia, New York: Dorling Kindersley, p. 152, ISBN   978-0-7566-4119-1, OCLC   213309017
  2. Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Korte, Steve; Manning, Matt; Wiacek, Win; Wilson, Sven (2016). The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe. DK Publishing. p. 136. ISBN   978-1-4654-5357-0.
  3. Wonder Woman #329
  4. Wonder Woman (vol. 4) #5
  5. Wonder Woman (vol. 4) #6
  6. Wonder Woman (vol. 4) #7
  7. Wonder Woman (vol. 4) #8
  8. Wonder Woman (vol. 4) #16
  9. Smallville Season 11: Olympus #1-4