The Hydra
The Lernaean Hydra, more often known simply as the Hydra, is a serpentine water monster in Greek and Roman mythology. Its lair was the lake of Lerna in the Argolid, which was also the site of the myth of the Danaïdes. Lerna was reputed to be an entrance to the Underworld.
Name:
The Hydra
Publisher:
Real name:
Aliases:
- Lernaean Hydra
- Lernean Hydra
Birth date:
None
Gender:
Female
Powers:
- Healing
- Immortal
- Longevity
- Poisonous
- Super Strength
- Unarmed Combat
First issue:
Chamber of Chills Magazine (1951) #13 The Lost Race
In the canonical Hydra myth, the monster is killed by Heracles as the second of his Twelve Labors. According to Hesiod, the Hydra was the offspring of Typhon and Echidna. It had poisonous breath and blood so virulent that even its scent was deadly. The Hydra possessed many heads, the exact number of which varies according to the source. Later versions of the Hydra story add a regeneration feature to the monster: for every head chopped off, the Hydra would regrow two heads. Heracles required the assistance of his nephew Iolaus to cut off all of the monster's heads and burn the neck using a sword and fire.
