Heros The Spartan appeared in ''

Eagle Eagle is the common name for many large birds of prey of the family Accipitridae. Eagles belong to several groups of genera, some of which are closely related. Most of the 68 species of eagle are from Eurasia and Africa. Outside this area, just ...

'' from 1962 to 1966 and was created by Ken Mennell but was written solely by Tom Tully. It seems reasonable to assume that the film Spartacus (1960) inspired some of the story's creation. The comic strip began as a double-page centrespread colour strip and told the adventures of a Spartan, discovered as a child by the Roman commander Arcus and then adopted by him. On the death of his Roman father, Caesar sends for Heros. The Emperor explains that to become a legion commander he must prove himself by sailing to the ‘Island of Darkness’. From there the stories return to Rome and Caesar's treachery becomes apparent in the impossible tasks he sets. The 'sword and sorcery' stories take place in the Roman Empire but with many fantasy elements. The remainder of the "Heros" stories were illustrated by

Luis Bermejo Luis Bermejo Rojo (12 August 1931 – 12 December 2015) was a Spanish illustrator and comics artist known for his work published in Spain, Italy, Great Britain, and the United States. He has illustrated a number of novels, and worked for a while ...

in the comic and the Annuals, although in an interview Eric Kincaid tells of how he was asked to produce an episode in Bellamy's run but Bellamy hit the deadline and Kincaid's was never published. Some artwork by Bellamy and Bermejo was used by

Al Williamson Alfonso Williamson (March 21, 1931 – June 12, 2010) was an American cartoonist, comic book artist and illustrator specializing in adventure, Western, science fiction and fantasy. Born in New York City, he spent much of his early childhood in ...

in his ''Creepy'' #6 story "Thumbs Up". and

Barry Windsor-Smith Barry Windsor-Smith (born Barry Smith, 25 May 1949) is a British comic book illustrator and painter whose best known work has been produced in the United States. He attained note working on Marvel Comics' ''Conan the Barbarian (comics), Conan th ...

also was inspired by Bellamy's work on "Heros".
A reprint of Frank Bellamy's run on "Heros" was published in two formats in 2013.

Story titles

* "Island of Darkness" ''Eagle'' Vol. 13:43 - 13:52, 14:1 - 14:9 (27 October 1962 - 29 December 1962, 5 January 1963 - 2 March 1963) - Illustrated by Frank Bellamy * "The Eagle of the Fifth" ''Eagle'' Vol. 14:10 - 14:43 (9 March 1963 - 26 October 1963) - Illustrated by Frank Bellamy * "The Man of Vyah" ''Eagle'' Vol. 14:44 (2 November 1963) - Vol. 15:22 (30 May 1964) - Illustrated by Luis Bermejo * "Axe of Arguth" ''Eagle'' Vol. 15:23 - 15:42 (6 June 1964 - 17 October 1964) - Illustrated by Frank Bellamy * "The Wolfmen" ''Eagle'' Vol. 15:43 (24 October 1964) - Vol. 16:8 (20 February 1966) - Illustrated by Luis Bermejo * "The Slave Army" ''Eagle'' Vol. 16:9 - 16:30 (27 February 1965 - 24 July 1965) - Illustrated by Frank Bellamy * "Heros the Outlaw" ''Eagle'' Vol. 16:31 (31 July 1965) - Vol. 17:3 (15 January 1966) - Illustrated by Luis BermejoIn Eagle 16:39 (25 September 1965) the story changed to a single colour page * "Battle with the Gauls" ''Eagle'' Vol. 17:4 (22 January 1966) - Vol.17:26 (25 June 1966) - Illustrated by Luis Bermejo * ''Eagle Annual 1965'' - Illustrated by Luis Bermejo (4 pages) * ''Eagle Annual 1966'' - Illustrated by Frank Bellamy (8 pages) * ''Eagle Annual 1967'' - Illustrated by Luis Bermejo (8 pages)

References

{{reflist Spanish comics artists English comics artists Eagle comic strips