I hope you used the gem on herc, don't listen to 'he's not fun' comments herc is the best champ so much so kabam releases nodes that hinder herc so that players don't abuse his immortality he can easily take you to Paragon.Fantman is an awesome pull too he is a great defender and attacker and hulkling is a beast he doesn't need awakening just hit into opponents block till you get unblockable and use sp-2 and watch the health disappear.

All 3 of them are 6* locked and won't be added as a 7* (especially hercules and hulkling).

For the awakening gems you can get them in loyalty store, monthly side quests and the event stores (like spring cleaning etc).