Superman Through the Ages! Forum

I used to love these cartoons back in the day but I never noticed until now HOW MUCH THIS GUY LOOKS LIKE SUPERMAN!!! Is this a coincidence or by design? In this clip The Mighty Hercules battles The Mask of Vulcan!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDyeAypYPpQ

He is similar to Superman but when I think about it, he's most like Capt. Marvel --kind of innocent, lots of dopey cartoon friends, and he holds up his ring and is hit by thunder.  An M.O. that was also ripped off by He-Man (one part Kirby's New Gods, one part Shazam).

 

That little centaur and satyr must be the most annoying characters in the history of animation!

What a great find; I never knew this cartoon existed. Boy, I am going to have to agree. Hercules' design looks exactly like TAS Superman. It's frightening.

Telle, I always figured Captain Marvel was similar to Young Samson.

He looks just like the modern cartoon version of Superman. The animation is really bad, they barely move.

I Need Samson Power!

Well I do have their powers!  And Holy Moley! Isn't that little centaur guy from a box of "Lucky Charms" breakfast cerial?

I seem to remember back when STAS was starting, it was pointed out that these Herc cartoons heavily influenced the Superman character design.  But now I can't remember if it was other people pointing it out, or Timm himself.

Anyway, it's a hoot to see this cheapo animation.  Notice how long the bad guy (off camera) holds the mask to the camera, then holds it over his head with his back turned, and finally turns around...AFTER the thing's on his head.  So we're 30+ seconds in without having to show the guy's mouth moving even once.  Genius.

But waitaminnit.  Did Hercules live on Mt Olympus?  I thought as a demi-god he was a resident of terra firma.

Hey, if anyone has Time Warner Cable, you can watch Herc episodes for free through On Demand. Episodes of Dick Tracy are also available.

Unfortunately the ones Ive seen were missing the great opening theme song.

Hercules,
hero of song and story
Hercules,
winner of ancient glory
fighting for the right
fighting with his might
with the strength of ten
ordinary men
Hercules,
people are safe when near him
Hercules,
only the evil fear him
softness in his eyes
iron in his thighs
virtue in his heart
fire in every part
of the mighty
Hercules!



You could buy this and play it before the cartoon starts:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00000DCVS/?tag=tvpartycom

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIWsWcdGAs0&mode=related&search=

Yeah, it IS Johnny Nash, never thought about it

iron in his thighs???????? :D

IN them, not between them !

however, on the site I got the lyrics from, someone questions the straightness of the cartoons:

http://www.tvparty.com/herc.html

Great song! What possessed the owners to change it? When the thunder claps hit, I thought the Milton the Monster song was going to start.  :D

and so it shall:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcnvBfCRpGM&mode=related&search=