Case[]
The Constrictor v. Hercules involved the supercriminal Constrictor suing accredited Avenger Hercules two weeks after the hero had disfigured him during a battle in Manhattan, which also involved Jack O'Lantern and Armadillo, in order to obtain compensation for physical therapy, dental surgery, facial reconstruction, pain and suffering, etc.[1]
Attempts at agreement[]
Being represented by June Decker, Constrictor was looking at about $18 million dollar in damages, while Mallory Book of Goodman, Lieber, Kurtzberg & Holliway represented Hercules.
While Book tried to make her opponents withdraw their claims, mentioning the success rate for super-villains collecting damages, Hercules assaulted Constrictor.
Constrictor was shown some of Hercules' feats, which included protecting Hackensak, where Constrictor's mother lived, from Doctor Mechano's Killbots. Combined with other instances, Hercules had unwittingly saved the lives of Constrictor and his loved ones at least 85 times. Despite June Decker's protest, Constrictor proposed to drop the case in exchange for help to settle his hospital bills. That deal was accepted by Hercules, who proceeded to slap Constrictor's back in a friendly manner, causing further damages: he was completely plastered save for the head (already damaged, with braces, etc.), in a wheelchair, and could only said "Oylknn."[1]
Trial[]
Augustus "Pug" Pugliese joined Mallory Book in representing Hercules.[1]
Day One[]
June Decker consequently went in court, seeking $168 million dollar in damages for her client.[1]
Day Two[]
On day two, the main subject was the motion concerning "the tape," a video and audio recording of Hercules the day after the attack, in Orestes' Bar on 2nd Avenue, where Hercules celebrated the violence of him defeating and maiming Constrictor. Book claimed that it was extremely prejudicial and irrelevant, while Decker considered it relevant. The judge ruled that the tape was admissible.
Facing defeat, Hercules' defense team looked for other legal means:
- Pug proposed some kind of Diplomatic immunity, if the state of New York recognized Mount Olympus.
- Stu Cicero pulled from the long boxes a strategy: They could argue that Constrictor willingly confronts stronger superhumans (such as he did against the Incredible Hulk in Marvel Comics' Incredible Hulk #212).
- Mallory Book proposed to claim Hercules was Non compos mentis, forcing Constrictor's party to prove that her client was Hercules, instead of a mental person thinking he was Hercules (that proposal enraged Hercules).
Jen Walters proposed Hercules to pay up the full amount, as trying to twist the laws to skate away from his responsibilities would made him no better than the "bad guys." Hercules' honor made him accept that path. The trial was settled to $168 million dollar in favor of Constrictor.[1]