The Mighty Hercules is a classic American cartoon that first aired in 1963 and continued until 1966 — around the time when those epic Sword-and-Sandal (Peplum) movies were popular, including a few of these movies about Hercules (or Heracles) listed here. Believe it or not, these Mighty Hercules cartoons even kept popping up as reruns into the mid-70s, often as filler before the next show started. Each episode of Mighty Hercules is just a quick burst of action — about five minutes long — and while they loosely take inspiration from Greek mythology, don’t expect a history lesson. Think of it more as a sci-fi spin on the legendary hero’s adventures.
Hercules resides on Mount Olympus in this classic animated series, but his main mission is clear: to rid the world of evil and assist the people of Ancient Greece whenever they need him. Here’s the catch — if he ever steps down to Earth, he would lose his powers! Fortunately, Zeus grants him a mighty ring. When Hercules slips it on, lightning strikes, and he gains incredible superhuman strength — ready to face any villain that dares to cross his path.
I’ve just watched two DVD volumes of “The Mighty Hercules” cartoon series — Volume 1 and Volume 2. So, yeah, I’m all set to share my honest opinion about it. They’re a bit pricey these days, but I lucked out and snagged Volume 1 for just $12 and Volume 2 for $10 — total bargain! Though, I have to admit, the cover of Volume 2 has definitely seen better days.
So, what kind of adventures does the Mighty Hercules go on? Mostly, he faces off against formidable foes — especially Daedalus, an evil wizard who appears in most of the episodes across both volumes. He also encounters a few other wicked characters, like Wilhelmine the Sea Witch, who has a pet bird named Elvira. There’s also Murtis, an invincible warrior — at least, he believes so — who wears an iron helmet known as the Mask of Vulcan.
Now, what can you actually learn from watching The Mighty Hercules? And which DVD volume is the better pick — Volume 1 or Volume 2? That’s what I’m here to figure out, based on my own viewing experience!
The Mighty Hercules Cartoon: Volume 1 Review
The Mighty Hercules Volume 1 is pretty cool to watch. It’s packed with some great moments and imaginative scenes. Sure, the animation might look a bit old-school and simple by today’s standards, but don’t let that fool you — the creative ideas shine through. Like, just take a look at this wicked purple villain…
And then there’s the Crystal Rock of Dodonis — a mystical mirror into the world used by the seer of Mount Olympus to sense trouble brewing on Earth. Yeah, Mount Olympus is packed with some seriously amazing and magical stuff — no doubt about it…
In Greek mythology, Daedalus is known as the brilliant inventor of the Labyrinth. But in this version, he’s turned into an evil wizard. Just look at him holding a Medusa staff in this scene from The Mighty Hercules. But don’t worry — Hercules is about to break it soon!
The backgrounds in this animated series are usually pretty simple, but they still manage to become interesting every now and then. Like in this scene, Hercules and his centaur buddy Newton are on a mission to snag some shiny golden apples.
The Mighty Hercules Cartoon: Volume 2 Review
Meet Wilhelmine the Sea Witch, accompanied by her pet bird Elvira, in a cartoon linked to Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea. You can often catch her in Volume 1 & 2 of The Mighty Hercules.
Zeus himself steps in to assist Hercules in his crucial battle against the Sea Witch, entrusting him with Poseidon’s mighty trident — a powerful weapon that could turn the tide of the fight.
You’ll also see Helena in The Mighty Hercules — she’s actually Hercules’s girlfriend. She often finds herself in trouble, and guess who’s usually the one to come to her rescue?
But in this instance, Helena actually ends up saving The Mighty Hercules himself.
The Mighty Hercules Cartoon: Great Zeus!
And that’s how this Mighty Hercules cartoon review comes to an end. If you’re a fan of Hercules or just love classic Greek myth cartoons, I highly recommend checking out at least a few episodes — especially the early ones. Just a heads-up: you’re gonna hear Hercules’s signature shout of “Great Zeus!” and Newton the centaur’s “Suffering Psyche!” quite often. Newton also tends to repeat his lines frequently, which might get a little annoying.
On the flip side, the music is a major highlight — upbeat, catchy, and perfectly matching the action. Here’s another interesting fact: most episodes end with Hercules racing toward Mount Olympus, shouting “Olympia!” after defeating the villain.
You’ll probably find most episodes on YouTube, so there’s no need to buy The Mighty Hercules Volume 1 & 2 DVDs to enjoy this classic animated series. So, really, there’s no excuse — go ahead and give The Mighty Hercules from the 1960s a try.
Tip: If you decide to buy a DVD, I recommend going for The Mighty Hercules Volume 1. In my opinion, it’s so much better than Volume 2.
I’d give The Mighty Hercules Volume 1 a 7 out of 10 for its unique charm and wild imagination. However, Volume 2 only earns a 4.5 out of 10 — I didn’t enjoy it nearly as much. Maybe I simply grew bored by that point, who knows? Still, I’m really glad I watched all the episodes on both DVDs.
Looking for more Greek mythology cartoons and anime? You’ll definitely want to check out 33 Anime, Cartoons, and Graphic Novels inspired by Greek Mythology — a must-see collection for fans of myth and legend!
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