Hercules has been given the task of securing three Golden Apples from the Garden of the Hesperides and learns from three maidens he must discover its location from the shape-shifting Old Man of the Sea. Hercules finds the Old Man asleep but holds him fast as he changes into a number of creatures. Defeated, the Old Man finally tells Hercules the location of the garden. On the way there, the hero encounters Atlas, a god who supports the Heavens on his shoulders. Only Atlas can enter the garden so Hercules agrees to temporarily support the Heavens. Atlas strides off and, when he returns with the Golden Apples, refuses to take the Heavens on his shoulders again. Hercules tricks him into doing so, then sets off for home with the three Golden Apples in his possession.

Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).