According to the reliable Grand Comics Database, the cover and interior art in The Mighty Hercules #2 (October 1963) is by Rube Grossman, who worked for various comic book companies beginning in the 1940s until his 1964 death. Grossman is clearly emulating the look of the cartoon, as did the artist in the first issue, so it's pretty much a shot in the dark whether Grossman drew the first issue. As with the first issue, the stories are written by the prolific and always dependable Paul S. Newman.
As with the first issue, there's two Hercules tales plus a direct adaptatioh of a Greek myth. The issue opens with "Journey to the Land of the Dead."
The evil wizard Daedalus' latest shenanigan is stealing the statue of Demeter from the city of Calydon. This ticks off Demeter, who allows the plants around the city to die. With the risk of a famine now looming over the city and Daedalus planning on holding the statue hostage unless he is declared the ruler--well, it looks like a job for Hercules.
The centaur Newton sees Daedalus teleporting the statue into a "Melos's Palace," a floating structure with no apparent entrance. Hercules travels to the city, but it turns out even his strength isn't enough to let him punch an entrance.
The builder of the palace--Melos--is dead. But that minor detail doesn't stop a Greek hero from questioning the man (or rather ghost) about hidden entrances. Hercules travels to the underworld, where he uses his wits and his strength to get by several obstacles. (Cerebus and the Furies, respectively.)
Hades directs Hercules to Melos, whose afterlife punishment is pushing a heavy boulder up a hill, only to have it roll down again. (Something taken from the story of Sisyphus--the cartoon Hercules' world is not an exact mirror of the original myths.)
Herc solves Melos' dilemma by digging a hole at the top of the hill so the boulder won't again roll down. In exchange, Melos tells him what bricks to press to open the door into his palace.
It's back to Earth, where Hercules and his friends gain entrance to the palace and find the statue of Demeter. Daedalus tries to stop them from leaving with a burst of magical fire, but (shades of Silver Age Superman!) Hercules uses super-breath to put out the flame. Demeter is returned and plants begin to grow again. The day is saved.
This sadly short-lived series continues to entertain. Like the cartoon episodes it is emulating, this tale is another example of quickly setting up the plot, then moving the story along quickly. Grossman's art helps keep it all fun and lively.
Next week, we'll look at the myth of Perseus, as told in this same issue.
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