HYLAS

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Real Name: Hylas

Identity/Class: Normal human (circa 1290 BC (post-Hyborian era))

Occupation: Arms bearer/servant to Hercules

Group Membership: Argonauts (Jason, others);
   formerly Royal Court of the Dryopes

Affiliations: Hercules, fellow Argonauts

Enemies: Water nymphs

Known Relatives: King Theiodamas (father), Menodice (mother), Orion (maternal grandfather)

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Mobile in the far north-eastern Mediterranean Sea (1289 BC);
   formerly Dryopes (later known as Doris; now part of modern Greece)

First Appearance: Incredible Hercules#117 (July, 2008)

Powers/Abilities: Hylas is a young diligent arms-bearer and water carrier, as well as a trained warrior. He has a bewitching beauty that entrances all who gaze upon him, whether human or mystical (see comments).

Height: 5'6"
Weight: 135 lbs.
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black

History:

(Incredible Hercules#118 (fb) - BTS) - Hylas was the son of King Theiodamas, whom Hercules killed (over apparently slaying a prized bull). Hercules took on the hypnotically handsome Hylas as his arms-bearer (possibly to avoid revenge or more likely for his beauty).

(Greek/Roman Myth) - Under Hercules' tutelage, Hylas became skilled in archery and spear. Hercules and Hylas became close companions and lovers, and joined the adventuring group the Argonauts.

(Incredible Hercules#117 (fb)) - In 1289 BC, Hylas stood by Hercules' side aboard the ship Argo outside Iolkos, Thessaly.

(Incredible Hercules#118 (fb)) - Later that year, the Argo anchored off the coast of Mysia (now northwestern Turkey) so that Hercules could find lumber after his childish exuberance in a contest broke an oar. Hylas accompanied him to shore to find fresh water. Hylas discovered a pool but was abducted by water nymphs dwelling there, pulling him under, leaving no trace. Distraught, Hercules searched for days until the Argonauts decided to leave on their Golden Fleece quest without him.

(Incredible Hercules#118 (fb) - BTS) - Many years later, after his death and apotheosis, Hercules found out what had happened to Hylas.

(Incredible Hercules#118) - In the modern era, Nightmare trapped and forced Hercules to helplessly relive the loss of Hylas until the Skrull imposter of Kerberos (Kirby the coyote pup) intervened.

Comments: Adapted by Greg Pak, Fred Van Lente, Rafa Sandoval, Roger Bonet.

Hylas' bewitching beauty may be a mystical power gained from his nymph mother.

Variations of the Hylas myth (including his parentage) can be found on his Wikipedia page, although the core story remains where he became the servant to Hercules and was beloved of him (as father figure or lover), but forever lost to the kidnapping water nymphs.

One suggestion is that Hercules was Hylas' father, but this may be a confusion with Hercules' brutal warrior son Hyllus.

Variations on his fate exist, such as being turned into an echo or a state of immortality, but given that Hercules never found him again, it's more likely that Hylas is forever gone.

Other interesting information on Hylas' father, King Theiodamas, whom Hercules killed, can be found on a Greek Myths webpage, including potential justifications for the murder.

Profile by Grendel Prime.

CLARIFICATIONS :
Hylas has no known connections to:

images: (without ads)
Incredible Hercules#118, p10, pan3 (main image)
   p11, pan1 (headshot)

Appearances:
Incredible Hercules#117 (July, 2008) - Greg Pak & Fred Van Lente (writers), Rafa Sandoval (pencils), Roger Bonet (inks), Mark Paniccia (editor)
Incredible Hercules#118 (August, 2008) - Greg Pak & Fred Van Lente (writers), Rafa Sandoval (pencils), Roger Bonet (inks), Mark Paniccia (editor)

First posted: 06/02/2023 - happy Pride Month! (with a tinge of tragedy)
Last updated: 06/02/2023

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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