Heracles and the Nemian Lion

Sunday, 09 August 2026
  • By
  • Jeff Ammons

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This is truly an oldie. I made this for a class project when I was maybe 15-17.

My camera at the time was a Miranda G with a 50mm lens.

I also had a little home darkroom kit that I would set up in a bathroom in my parents' house.

Fun fact about the Miranda is that it had NO light meter. You either had to have an external light meter or trust your instincts for dead reckoning.

The location was a little cave my brother and I had dug in the side of a bank by our driveway.

I used an assortment of GI Joes who by this time were missing enough parts to look like they had been through an actual war.

These were the old GI Joes that were 12 inches (30 cm) tall.

The part of Heracles was played by Bulletman who had chrome arms and helmet. I removed the helmet and painted the arms to match his flesh tone. At least in black and white they matched. His schtick was that he could be launched headfirst at enemy structures and smash through them with his helmet and metal arms.

“I ain't got time for traumatic brain injury,” should have been his motto.

Fun fact, my brother badly broke his leg jumping off the couch over the little string you would slide Bulletman down.

A green scrapbook cover reading 'HERACLES Photo Album' with several cut-out black-and-white photos of an action figure, and a hand-lettered caption reading 'And The Nemian Lion.'
The cover of a homemade photo-album comic: Heracles and the Nemean Lion.
Jeff Ammons - All rights reserved
A toga-clad action figure reclines on a rocky hillside in front of a small stone doorway.
"Heracles relaxing by the temple"
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Heracles sits beside a companion figure with an arm wrapped in a sling, in front of the stone doorway.
"I fought the Nemian Lion, and it claimed my left hand."
Jeff Ammons - All rights reserved
Heracles stands over a fallen figure and a stuffed lion toy lying in the underbrush.
He remembers the encounter.
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A tiny figure of Heracles approaches a dark cave entrance in a rocky hillside, seen from a distance above.
Heracles tries the indirect approach in an attempt to catch the Lion unaware.
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Heracles ties a rope on a wooded hillside in preparation to enter the lion's lair.
He ties his rope...
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Heracles, seen from behind, descends over the edge of a rocky slope.
And down he goes!
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Heracles climbs down a rope into a dark cave opening.
Almost there!
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Heracles swings into the cave on a rope, ready to confront the lion.
He swings in, ready to fight.
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The lion springs onto Heracles inside the cave, its paws on his shoulders.
The lion springs on him.
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Heracles grapples with the lion against the cave wall, beginning to gain the upper hand.
Heracles begins to take the advantage.
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Heracles hoists the lion over his head, about to dash it against the cave rocks.
Heracles thrusts the beast over his head and with a mighty effort dashes it to pieces on the rocks of the vile creature's lair.
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Heracles stands triumphantly with the lion's pelt draped over his shoulder and arm raised.
"The head I shall return to Eurystheus, but the impenetrable hide will be my armored cape."
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Heracles, wearing the lion's pelt as a cape, shakes hands with another robed figure in the woods.
"Thank you, my friend, for ridding the land of the terrible enemy," Freddus says as he shakes Heracles's mighty hand.
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A close-up portrait of Heracles reclining against rocks and brush, wearing the lion pelt cape.
Heracles: Defender of Right
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A young photographer crouches in the woods, carefully positioning the action figures for a shot.
Behind-the-scenes: setting up a shot for the comic.
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Heracles hoists the lion overhead inside the cave as Spock looks on, with bones scattered at his feet.
"Highly illogical, Captain," Spock says as Heracles hoists the lion overhead inside the cave.
Jeff Ammons - All rights reserved