HERA
Real Name: Hera
Identity/Class: Olympian god
Occupation: Queen of the Olympian gods; goddess of marriage
Group Membership: Olympian gods,
Olympus Group (Earth corporation) Affiliations: Achelous, Avengers,
Eurystheus Enemies: Cronus, Hercules, Megara, Mikaboshi, the Titans, Typhon Known Relatives: Cronus (father),
Rhea (mother); Gaea (grandmother), Ouranos (grandfather, deceased); Zeus
(husband/brother); Ares, Hephaestus (sons), Eilithyia, Eris, Hebe (daughters);
Chiron (half-brother), Neptune, Pluto (brothers); Demeter, Vesta (sisters);
Crius, Coeus, Hyperion, Iapetus, Oceanus (uncles); Mnemosyne, Phoebe, Tethys,
Theia, Themis (aunts); Asteria, Atlas, Leto, Epimetheus, Prometheus (cousins),
Menoetius (cousin, deceased); Apollo, Dionysus, Hercules, Hermes, Polyphemus,
Triton (nephews); Artemis, Athena, Persephone,
Venus (nieces), Alex Aaron (grandson) Aliases: Juno; formerly Augustine Jones Base of Operations: Olympus; sometimes Earth First Appearance: Thor I#129 (June, 1966) Powers/Abilities: Hera possesses the
conventional powers of the Olympian gods including superhuman strength (Class
25), vitality, longevity and resistance to injury. Hera also has many mystical
energy-wielding powers, not all of which have been depicted, that may surpass
those of all other Olympian goddesses. Her magical abilities are known to be
surpassed by those of her brothers Zeus, Neptune and Pluto. It is not known how
the energy-wielding abilities of her sisters Demeter and Vesta compare to
Hera's. Evidently, Hera's mystical powers enable her to fly at great speed,
shape-change her form to manipulate her size or very appearance to that of
another person, animal or object, and she can render herself and other beings
invisible from mortal eyesight. Hera can cast spells to change the form of other
beings or objects and is able to project mystic bolts of highly concussive
force. She is also capable of teleporting between dimensions such as from Olympus to Earth. Height: 5'10" History: Sometime after Zeus became ruler of the
pocket dimension called Olympus and of the race of Olympian gods, he
took his elder sister Hera to be his wife and Queen of the gods. The children
they bore together were the god of
the forge Hephaestus, the goddess of youth Hebe, the god of war Ares, the
goddess of childbirth Eilithyia, and the goddess of discord Eris. However, Zeus
was highly unfaithful and engaged in many love affairs. To add insult to injury,
the king of the gods not only dallied with goddesses but also with Earth mortals
whom Hera regarded as nothing more than inferior beings to be used as pawns by
the gods. In response to this treatment of their marriage vows and of her, Hera
was constantly jealous and angered by Zeus's conduct and thus was always driven
to punish her husband's mistresses and/or the children he fathered with them.
Some examples of this included her trickery in dealing with the Theban princess
Semele, the mother of Zeus' son Dionysus, which resulted in Semele's death.
Another incident involved her treatment of her own cousin, the goddess Leto who
bore Zeus's children, the twin gods Apollo and Artemis. There were other
accountings of Hera's behavior towards Zeus's lovers and illegitimate offspring.
The most notorious account of her jealous and vengeful responses is perhaps her
extreme disdain for Zeus's demigod son Hercules. When he was only an infant Hera
tried to eliminate him by placing two serpents in his cradle but he strangled
them displaying his already prodigious superhuman strength. (Hercules III#5 (fb) - BTS) - After Hercules had
passed out from a night of heavy drinking, Hera took control of his mind,
forcing him to slay his wife, Magara, and their children. (Hercules III#2 (fb)) - After the death of
Hercules enemy Eurystheus, Hera appeared on Earth and resurrected him so that he
might contend against Hercules in the future. (Greek-Roman myth) - Hera's hatred of
Hercules still endures to this day since he was transformed into a full Olympian
god by Zeus himself centuries ago and married her daughter Hebe upon ascending
to Olympus. To Hera, Hercules's existence serves as a constant reminder of
Zeus's past infidelities, especially his fascination with mortal
females. Hera was also known to exact revenge on
others if she felt slighted by them. During the Trojan War she sided with the
Greek warriors against the royal household of Troy because one of its princes,
Paris, decided that Venus was a more beautiful goddess over Hera
during a contest held amongst Hera, Athena and Venus to be awarded the title
of "the most beautiful". Hera was so enraged by this decision that even after
the destruction of Troy she still was vengeful against the survivors of the
ravaged city itself and acted against them and their leader Aeneas, the mortal
son of Aphrodite who became the ancestor of the Roman peoples.
(Thor Annual#8) - During the war, Hera observed the arrival of the Asgardian god Thor, who had traveled back in time
and become involved fighting on the side of Troy.
(Greek-Roman myth) - Hera's actions against Aeneas and his fellow Trojan survivors were only abated after Zeus
interceded and commanded her to desist in any further retaliation. It is said
that Hera did so only after Zeus compromised with her that the survivors would
not name their rebuilt civilization Troy, the name of their former homeland but
instead would give it another name. To this Zeus agreed thus giving way for the
civilization of Rome to eventually be founded. When the civilization of Rome was
established the worship of the gods spread throughout the empire, similarly as
it did in Greece many ages past, and Hera's worship carried over where she was
revered under the Latin name of Juno. (Thor Annual#5) - Hera was present when Hercules attempted to convince Zeus to wage war against Olympus. Hera was against the war at first, but after Loki masqueraded as Thor to launch a cowardly attack on Hercules, she sided with Hercules.
(Thor I#129) - Hera was present when Hercules was consigned
to replace her brother Pluto as Monarch of Hades.
(Avengers I#173) - Hera and Zeus were secretly observed by the cosmically powerful Korvac, who at that time had designs on supplanting the great powers of the universe.
(Thor I#301) - Hera was present in Olympus when Thor requested the aid of Zeus in reviving the Asgardians slain by the Celestials.
(Hulk vs. Hercules: When Titans Collide#1 (fb)) - Hera observed as Olympus was invaded in turn by the Hulk, Cronus, giants and other creatures of Tartarus.
(Avengers#284-285) - When Zeus attempted to destroy the Avengers for injuries Hercules had suffered while serving with them, Hera conspired with Prometheus to heal Hercules' injuries
so that he could explain the Avengers' innocence to Zeus. Hera brought the Wasp to safety, and had Hermes bring Captain America and Dr. Druid to Prometheus for healing. Thanks to Hera's efforts,
Zeus was finally able to see his error, and forbade Olympians from journeying to earth in the future.
(Avengers I#349) - Hera challenged Ares to a contest to see who could
cause Hercules more sorrow. She therefore set into motion a plot against him concerning his growing love
for the mortal Taylor Madison, who was actually a creation of Zeus.
(Avengers I#357) - Hera spied on Hercules and Taylor Madison from Olympus. (Thor I#467) - Hera observed the personal combat between Pluto and Sif, over the good name of Thor.
(Avengers Annual#23) - Hera was present in Olympus when Typhon attempted to destroy their life-forces with the Promethean Flame. She was saved by the Avengers, who defeated Typhon.
(Avengers I#380-382) - Hera assumed the form of Augustine Jones, and became the roommate of Taylor Madison.
(Avengers#384) - In the guise of the human Augustine Jones, Hera escorted Taylor Madison to Avengers
Mansion. Hera revealed herself and attacked the Avengers, their butler Jarvis,
and Taylor. Hercules arrived and fought with Hera who revealed her centuries-old
hatred of Hercules as he was the illegitimate son of her husband Zeus and the
mortal princess Alcmena. Desiring revenge, Hera attacked Hercules with mystical
bolts but he was able to endure them. Zeus interrupted their battle with a
lightning bolt and revealed that he knew of Hera's plot all along to torture
Hercules since their son Ares betrayed their contest by informing Zeus of it. Zeus returned Hera to Olympus. (Incredible Hulk: Hercules Unleashed) - Hera was present when Zeus was overlooking
Earth and Hercules from a mystic pool on Olympus. She confronted Zeus with his
previous infidelities, which incited his anger. (Hercules III#1 (fb) - BTS, Hercules
III#1-2 - BTS) - Hera plotted with Eurystheus to arrange a set of twelve modern
labors designed to destroy Hercules. (Hercules
III#3) - Hera met with Eurystheus, replacing the previous 9-12th labors to make
them harder for Hercules (Hercules
III#4) - Hera convinced the other Olympians to vote against Zeus to not
interfere in Hercules' current labors. (Hercules
III#5) - Hera met with Eurystheus after Hercules had successfully completed his
final labor. Though disappointed she continued to plot for the future. When
Eurystheus criticized her, she threatened to kill them, then decided to leave
him for Hercules. (Ares#1) - After a battle with Pluto, Hera met with the other gods of Olympus as they discussed how distasteful Ares' brutality was to them.
(Ares#2) - Hera witnessed Ares' return to Olympus after his son Alex Aaron had been stolen by Mikaboshi, the Japanese demon who had come to invade Olympus. Ares was infuriated that his family had taken Alex to Olympus just to provoke him to come to their aid, and blamed Hera for the decision, although she apologized to him.
(Ares#3) - Hera fought for Olympus as it was invaded by Japanese demons led by Mikaboshi, and looked to Ares for strategy on the battlefield.
(Ares#4) - Hera stood at Zeus' side as Asklepios helped heal him of injuries incurred battling Mikaboshi.
(Ares#5) - Hera joined the Olympians in their last battle against Mikaboshi's forces. During the battle, she saw a centipede-like creature come at Hercules from behind, but didn't warn him, being ever spiteful. Aided by benevolent gods of the east, the Olympians prevailed, but they could find no trace of Zeus in the aftermath.
Comments: Adapted by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Hera is normally depicted as a blonde, but had black hair in Thor Annual#8.
Marvel Mystery Comics#86 featured the Cult of the Lightning. In this story Captain America encountered people claiming to be Jupiter and Juno. I am not sure if they were the actual Olympian figures. by Alex K and Prime Eternal
CLARIFICATIONS: images: (without ads) Appearances: Last updated: 05/19/08
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
Non-Marvel Copyright info
Weight: 435 lbs.
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Blonde
(Greek-Roman myth) - Hera
is the youngest daughter of the Titan-gods Cronus and Rhea and was born on the
Grecian island of Samos. Fearing that he would be dethroned by one of his offspring just as he had
overthrown his own father Ouranos, Cronus imprisoned each of his own offspring in Tartarus, the darkest section of Hades, the Olympian
underworld, as soon as he or she was born. (Later legends erroneously claimed
that Cronus had actually swallowed his children and
that they remained alive inside him until Zeus released them). Appalled, the
children’s mother Rhea gave birth to Zeus without Cronus’s knowledge and gave him to the primeval Earth
goddess Gaea to be raised in secret. The adult Zeus freed his siblings and led
them in a successful revolt against Cronus and the
Titans. During the power-struggle between Zeus and Cronus, Rhea sent Hera to her
aunt and uncle, the Titan water-deities Tethys and Oceanus for
protection.
--John McDonagh
Hera should not be confused with:
Avengers I#384, p8, pan4 (Hera main image)
Thor I#129 (June, 1966) - Stan Lee (writer/editor), Jack Kirby (penciler), Vince Colletta (inker)
Thor Annual#5 (1976) - Steve Englehart (writer), John Buscema (pencils), Tony DeZuniga (inks), Archie Goodwin (editor)
Avengers I#173 (July, 1978) - David Michelinie (writer), Sal Buscema (pencils), Joe Staton (inks), Roger Stern (editor)
Thor Annual#8 (1979) - Roy Thomas (writer), John Buscema (pencils), Tony DeZuniga (inks), Roy Thomas (editor)
Thor I#301 (November, 1980) - Mark Gruenwald & Ralph Macchio (writer), Keith Pollard (pencils), Chic Stone (inks), Jim Salicrup (editor)
Avengers I#284-285 (October-November, 1987) - Roger Stern (writer), John Buscema (pencils), Tom Palmer (inks), Mark Gruenwald (editor)
Avengers I#349 (July, 1992) - Bob Harras (writer), Steve Epting (pencils), Tom Palmer (inks), Ralph Macchio (editor)
Avengers I#357 (December, 1992) - Bob Harras (writer), Steve Epting (pencils), Tom Palmer (inks), Ralph Macchio (editor)
Thor I#467 (October, 1993) - Ron Marz (writer), Bruce Zick (pencils), Mike DeCarlo (inks), Mike Rockwitz (editor)
Avengers Annual#23 (1994) - Roy Thomas (writer), John Buscema (pencils/inks), Ralph Macchio (editor)
Avengers I#380-382 (November, 1994 - January, 1995) - Bob Harras & Terry Kavanagh (#381) (writer), Mike Deodato (pencils), Tom Palmer (inks), Ralph Macchio (editor)
Avengers I#384 (March, 1995) - Terry Kavanagh & Bob Harras (writer), Mike Deodato (pencils), Tom Palmer (inks), Ralph Macchio (editor)
Incredible Hulk: Hercules Unleashed (October, 1996) - Peter David (writer), Mike Deodato (pencils/inks), Mark Gruenwald (editor)
Hercules III#1-5 (June-October, 2005) - Frank Tieri (writer), Mark Texeira (pencils), Jimmy Palmiotti (inks), Axel Alonso (editor)
Ares#1-5 (March-July, 2006) - Michael Avon Oeming (writer), Travel Foreman (penciler), Derek Fridolfs (inker), Warren Simons (editor)
Hulk vs. Hercules: When Titans Collide#1 (June, 2008) - Greg Pak, Fred Van Lente (writers), Khoi Pham, Paul Neary, Dennis Calero, Eric Nguyen, Reilly Brown, Carlos Cuevas, Terry Pallot, Chris Sotomayor, Bob Layton (artists), Mark Paniccia (editor)
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