Huntsman (Cephalus)
| Huntsman | |
|---|---|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Ka-Zar Quarterly#1/2 (August, 1970) |
| Created by | Allyn Brodsky Frank Springer |
| In-story information | |
| Team affiliations | Olympian Gods |
| Notable aliases | Huntsman of Zeus |
| Abilities | Ability to instill fear in others, Superhuman strength, stamina, and durability |
The Huntsman is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe who is a tracker/hunter of the Olympian Gods for Zeus. Over the years he has appeared mainly as an enemy of Hercules.
Fictional character biography
The Huntsman is not based on any known mythological character. In his first appearance, he was dispatched by Zeus to retrieve Hercules. Zeus had been deceived by Ares. The Huntsman battled Hercules, Namor, and some other members of the Avengers. Eventually, Zeus recalled the Huntsman and ended the battle.[1] Some time later, again at the instigation of Ares (as well as Hippolyta and Pluto), he was sent to Earth to retrieve Hercules and Aphrodite in order to force them to marry Hippolyta and Ares. He initially succeeded in capturing them and defeating their allies the Champions, but in the final battle on Olympus itself was knocked out by Angel.[2]
He reappeared some decades later when Huntsman, now serving Hera, was sent to kill Aegis, a hero blessed by the goddess Athena. Huntsman initially surprised him in his apartment and used his staff to turn the aegis breastplate against him. Thinking Athena would protect him, Aegis jumped out of the window and fell 12 stories to his death. Huntsman was then sent by Hera as part of her plan to lure Hercules and Athena into a trap using Aegis's body as bait. After luring in Athena, Hercules and Amadeus Cho, the trio are attacked by the Huntsman alongside Hera, Typhon, Delphyne Gorgon and Pluto. The battle was interrupted by the Dark Avengers, allowing Hercules and his friends to escape.[3] He was later seen with the aegis in his custody.[4]
While Hercules and the Avengers are determining how to enter the Olympus Group building, it is revealed that Huntsman stands sentry on the roof. Their plan involves Hebe acting as a decoy, and as she approaches the building she is first spotted by Huntsman who alerts Argus of her presence.[5]
Powers and Abilities
The Huntsman draws his power from Zeus through contact with a magic staff, and, following Zeus' death, presumably from Hera. The staff grants him a wide range of abilities, including interdimensional travel, energy blasts, and the ability to both inspire tremendous fear in gods and drain their powers on contact. The staff also grants him superhuman strength. When the staff is not in his hands, he loses his powers.