Many years ago, Zeus, King of the Gods, took human form and romanced a beautiful young woman named Alcmene - behind his wife Hera's back. The result of this tryst was a baby boy, half-mortal and half-god, who possessed a strength far greater than any man: Hercules.

Hercules found it difficult growing up without a father, but Hera's anger prevented Zeus from spending as much time with him as he would have liked-at least, that's the explanation Zeus has offered. For most of his youth, Hercules harbored anger toward his estranged father, believing-and rightfully so-that the King of the Gods had abandoned Hercules and his mother after having had his "fun."

Under the tutelage of Cheiron, the great Centaur warrior, Hercules and his friend Iolaus learned both the art of war and the way of the true warrior: to fight not with anger, but with a sense of justice and compassion. Mind you, the young heroes got into their share of trouble, but that is a tale for another time.

Years later, as Hercules journeyed through the world seeing the sights and performing good deeds, he met and fell in love with Deianeira. Together they helped free Prometheus from his icy cage by returning to him the Eternal Torch, which Hera had stolen from Mount Ethion in an attempt to destroy mankind.

Hercules settled down to the farmer's life with Deianeira, and the two produced three children: Aeson, Klonus, and Ilea. During this time, Hercules and Iolaus undertook a number of adventures, but throughout, the son of Zeus had found that he loved his family more than the excitement of his quests.

Hera, still holding a grudge against Hercules for the actions of his father, decided to strike once more at the hero. Realizing that her attempts to destroy Hercules himself had so far proven fruitless, she directed her next attack at the one thing Hercules valued most: his family. The wicked Queen of the Gods cast fireballs from the heavens that eradicated Deianeira, Aeson, Klonus, and Ilea in the blink of an eye. Hercules, filled with rage, shouted to the sky that he would make Hera pay for her actions for the rest of his life. But the loss devastated Hercules, and he turned his thoughts and emotions inward, preferring to grieve alone. Even Iolaus, his closest friend, could not shake him from his despondency.

After burning down his home, Hercules set off on a quest to destroy Hera's seven temples. Along the way, he refused to come to the aid of those who asked his help, but eventually, he saw the error of his ways and joined the battle to slay the She-Demon of Ister.

Hercules continued to journey across the world, most often with Iolaus at his side. Other times, he found himself the somewhat reluctant companion of Salmoneus, Autolycus, and various other mortals. At one point during his adventures, he helped Xena recognize the Greater Good and resurrect herself as a force against evil.

After his mother passed away, Hercules found himself elevated to full god status by his father. In reality, Zeus was seeking an ally to defend him from Hera, who sought to usurp the throne. In the end, Hercules watched Hera plummet into the depths of Tartarus, a victim of her own scheming. Hercules decided to eschew his godhood, opting to return to his place among mortals as a demigod, where he felt he could do the most good.

Hercules has asked Zeus to remove a decree the King of the Gods had set down many years before that protected Hercules from the other deities. Now, back on Earth, Hercules finds himself more vulnerable to the machinations of the gods than ever before.

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