The hot rumor entering Phase Four is that Hercules will be the star of the Eternals. If that’s the case, he is going to need a godly adversary, and there’s one already established in the MCU: Ares. Here are three of the God of War's key issues you'll want before the rumor mill starts churning.
Marvel Studios has been vocal about their upcoming Eternals movie, especially when it comes to the casting. Recently, it was reported that Angelina Jolie was in talks to portray Sersi. The studio also is supposedly looking for an openly-gay actor to play a lead role in the film. Considering the Eternals are named for various mythical Greco-Roman deities, it makes sense that Hercules would be heavily featured if not the star. For more on Hercules, read yesterday’s post “Time to Collect Hercules Keys.”
Let’s assume that Hercules is the main protagonist of the Eternals. A hero is only as good as his villain, and the Prince of Power will need someone to match his strength and fighting prowess. Who would fit into an MCU movie about Greek/Roman gods with the skill and power to challenge Hercules better than Ares?
The thing to remember about the war god is that he’s already in the MCU. In Thor: Ragnarok, his face was among the four champions etched into the Grandmaster’s tower. Not only does that put Ares in the MCU, but it also establishes that he is part of the cosmic realm. The MCU has ventured more into the cosmos, and Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige has said that the Eternals will be a space adventure. Put those two facts together, and Ares is perfect for the Eternals with or without Hercules.
In the comics, Ares met his demise during the Siege storyline after he was literally torn in half by Sentry. However, he has been resurrected in for War of the Realms, which is a positive sign that he could play a role in the MCU. Although nothing has ever been said publicly, it stands to reason that Marvel wants to reacquaint readers with a character who could grace the silver screen. Here's where you can start for a quick Ares history lesson.
It makes sense that Ares' first appearance had Hercules on the cover. Since he was revamped so well for the modern age, and it’s easy to forget that he came from the silver age. He was among the Stan Lee/Jack Kirby creations from 1966. That being said, high grades of such an old comic are pricey, but this isn’t exactly a major key, either. A 9.4 sold for $347 last year, while a 9.2 is averaging less than $200.
Herc and Ares squared off in this limited series that established the God of War as an antihero. If my prognosis is correct and Hercules and Ares are the central characters in an Eternals movie, then this one-shot issue will pick up. While the Olympians have been featured in Marvel comics for decades, this comic truly unites them with the other characters in the Marvel Universe, and you can get a 9.8 for under $40.
A limited series from 2009, these issues showcased the brutality of Ares in his modern setting. The story takes place during the Dark Reign story when Norman Osborn assumed control of the Avengers, posing villains as their heroic counterparts. These issues aren't going to suddenly become holy grails, but they are essential reads for Ares fans.
While not the first time Ares came to blows with Herc, this is a modern classic when it comes to a battle between the two deities. Like the other Ares keys, it’s cheap and is worth the investment. Plus, it’s a fun read. Personally, I like the variant cover with a modern Ares charging off the page.
