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Post by Doctor Bong Crosby on May 16, 2013 20:55:22 GMT -5
Pretty self-explanatory, I guess... . Which is your favorite incarnation of the Hulk?
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Post by wundagoreborn on May 17, 2013 12:31:54 GMT -5
I never had a taste for any flavor of the Hulk. I tolerate the times he smashes down into the midst of a title I am reading, then relieved when he leaps away.
So my "other" vote is for "Hulk somewhere else"
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Post by spiderwasp on May 17, 2013 15:00:45 GMT -5
I liked Hulk when he couldn't get enough beans and referred to people as "Sword girl" "Cat girl" and "Bird Nose." It's just occuring to me that my actual favorite Hulk would be under other - namely "Avenger movie Hulk"
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Post by Marvel Boy on May 18, 2013 0:35:20 GMT -5
Hm, really need to broaden my views of Hulk. Have a smattering of Joe Fixit issues, need to read Planet Hulk. Most of the issues I've read of Hulk have been with Banner's mind in control (back when Hulk was first pardoned, a storyline done by Mantlo I think?)
So I guess I'll vote for Smart Hulk.
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Post by humanbelly on May 20, 2013 22:02:08 GMT -5
Boy, a person gets a bit overwhelmed with work and family and outside projects, and the conversation around here just explodes all over the place! I thought I'd never get a chance to chime in on this subject that's one of the dearest to my fanboy heart-! Now let's see, I believe ol' Wundyborn had a comment below. . . ? I never had a taste for any flavor of the Hulk. I tolerate the times he smashes down into the midst of a title I am reading, then relieved when he leaps away. So my "other" vote is for "Hulk somewhere else" . . . GNNAARGH! Can't. . . breathe. . . can't. . . breathe. . . ! As I've stated manymanymany times around and about this board, I have been an enormous Hulkophile since probably late 1968/early '69 (figure shortly after the time issue #123 came out). Yes, there was the obvious attraction of the juvenile wish-fulfillment of being the absolutely strongest creature on the planet-- but even as a little kid I was far, far more drawn to the misunderstood, childlike monster aspect. He was largely portrayed at that time (and for a couple of decades after) as basically an inherently good character who unfortunately could be easily provoked into a violent rage, or duped into mistaken violent acts. He was perpetually looking for peace and to be left alone. . . or to find a friend or two. . . and that was perpetually and heartbreakingly denied to him. I also, of course, completely bought into the Beauty and the Beast aspect of his relationship w/ Betty at that time. The book was an astonishingly long (and at its weakest, terribly repetitive) soap opera-- with subplots that dragged on and meandered into each other for years and years and years. The Sandman's transformation to glass in issue #114 ultimately contributed to the creation of Doc Samson in issue #143. Hulk's trip to Jarella's world (K'ai) in #140 finally had it's heartbreaking resolution in #205 (or so), as well as in that month's Defenders. And don't get me started on the Betty/Bruce/Glen triangle that started fairly early in the Tales to Astonish run, and finally saw its end when the estranged Talbot met his disappointing end in issue #260 (which was, wow, exactly 200 issues later!). But to the point. . . That incarnation of ol' Greenskin always held the greatest appeal for me. He was a big, extremely simple soul-- and SO easily hurt by cruel words. Calling him a monster was the surest way in the world to set him off. That, and shooting at him w/ weapons that couldn't possibly hurt him. There was often an endearing chunk of Lenny from OF MICE AND MEN in him, albeit w/out the relentless good-nature. He was also a very unique character in the comic book realm. Not a costumed do-gooder; not a driven anti-hero-- just a loose cannon out there. . . one who often didn't even exist at all. . . and who had no broader goals or plans whatsoever. He just wanted to "be". Ah, it's late (for me). Believe it or not, I could go on at much greater length, but one must call it a night. . . HB |
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Post by Doctor Bong Crosby on May 21, 2013 5:13:04 GMT -5
And who do you think I was (mostly) thinking of when I created this poll, HB?  Anyway, for me it wasn´t an easy decision. Hulk´s my second favorite character in the MU (it used to be the third, but for many years now Marvel has ruined Spidey for me and I don´t think I can ever feel for him again the way I used to , but I digress...). I absolutely LOVE David´s long run and so I almost voted for the smart green Hulk. It´s not an easy call, as I said, for me nobody has handled the Hulk better than David, and the fact that his run was so long only makes it more complicated for me to decide but, in the end, because of the sheer weight of the body of work which presents him as the misunderstood, lonely monster with a good heart plus all those classic adventures of his with the Defenders (an important factor in my decision) I, too, went with the dumb green Hulk. I always thought the dumb Hulk naturally belonged with the Defenders, while a smart Hulk would better fit with the Avengers. Which is more or less what we´re getting to see now, I guess. Too bad (for me) then that I´m not a True Believer anymore (in the sense that I no longer follow current books). But I must say I´m surprised there isn´t a nostalgic individual out there who holds TV Hulk as his/her favorite... . But then again, we are so few, us AArs, these days, that perhaps it shouldn´t come as a surprise at all... . |
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Post by Crimson Cowl on May 21, 2013 8:42:23 GMT -5
That incarnation of ol' Greenskin always held the greatest appeal for me. He was a big, extremely simple soul-- and SO easily hurt by cruel words. Calling him a monster was the surest way in the world to set him off. That, and shooting at him w/ weapons that couldn't possibly hurt him. There was often an endearing chunk of Lenny from OF MICE AND MEN in him, albeit w/out the relentless good-nature. He was also a very unique character in the comic book realm. Not a costumed do-gooder; not a driven anti-hero-- just a loose cannon out there. . . one who often didn't even exist at all. . . and who had no broader goals or plans whatsoever. He just wanted to "be". That's certainly the 'real' Hulk to me. I haven't answered the poll because I'm not familiar with many of the later versions. I quite liked some of the Grey Hulk revival, and the stuff with MacFarlane art was quite memorable, but the one you're talking about will always be the real thing to me. I actually used to be quite frightened by Lou Ferrigno's Hulk when I was a nipper. |
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Post by humanbelly on May 21, 2013 12:06:31 GMT -5
That incarnation of ol' Greenskin always held the greatest appeal for me. He was a big, extremely simple soul-- and SO easily hurt by cruel words. Calling him a monster was the surest way in the world to set him off. That, and shooting at him w/ weapons that couldn't possibly hurt him. There was often an endearing chunk of Lenny from OF MICE AND MEN in him, albeit w/out the relentless good-nature. He was also a very unique character in the comic book realm. Not a costumed do-gooder; not a driven anti-hero-- just a loose cannon out there. . . one who often didn't even exist at all. . . and who had no broader goals or plans whatsoever. He just wanted to "be". That's certainly the 'real' Hulk to me. I haven't answered the poll because I'm not familiar with many of the later versions. I quite liked some of the Grey Hulk revival, and the stuff with MacFarlane art was quite memorable, but the one you're talking about will always be the real thing to me. . That incarnation of ol' Greenskin always held the greatest appeal for me. He was a big, extremely simple soul-- and SO easily hurt by cruel words. Calling him a monster was the surest way in the world to set him off. That, and shooting at him w/ weapons that couldn't possibly hurt him. There was often an endearing chunk of Lenny from OF MICE AND MEN in him, albeit w/out the relentless good-nature. He was also a very unique character in the comic book realm. Not a costumed do-gooder; not a driven anti-hero-- just a loose cannon out there. . . one who often didn't even exist at all. . . and who had no broader goals or plans whatsoever. He just wanted to "be". That's certainly the 'real' Hulk to me. I haven't answered the poll because I'm not familiar with many of the later versions. I quite liked some of the Grey Hulk revival, and the stuff with MacFarlane art was quite memorable, but the one you're talking about will always be the real thing to me. . Something that was kind of cool about that particular characterization is that it took Stan quite awhile to really settle in on that third-person sort of "Elmo-speak" speech pattern that defined the character in so many ways (the simplicity, the childlike mind, the unsuspected deeper perceptions that it masked, etc). Hulk was still using first-person pronouns (I, me, my) fairly frequently even into the early 100's of his book-- but by about issue #114 they'd become scarce as hen's teeth. Stan had a surprisingly good feel for this convention, as did Roy shortly after- who wrote the book for a long stretch. And it's tricky, because it really is NOT a "Me Tarzan, you Jane" approach at all. . . and when Greenskin would show up in other books w/ writers that weren't accustomed to him, that's the road they invariably took, and it always sounded stilted and wrong. But in his own book, even as the writing chores had a period of ridiculous flux, that particular element somehow remained consistent and very strong (good editors?). Finally, Len Wein took over for a long, long haul, and had quite a gift for that idiom himself-- which preserved the character for several more years. With Roger Stern coming aboard, there was a clear desire to try to jettison the childlike nature, and have the Hulk become more embittered and generally just angry as his default setting. And although the character went through a lot of flux over the course of time before Peter David brilliantly revamped him with a number of different incarnations, we never ever quite got back to that simpler, more innocent Hulk being the driving character ever again. He'd make rare appearances, but I always feel like he's a beloved friend who moved too far away to ever see again. . . HB |
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Post by Shiryu on May 21, 2013 13:50:04 GMT -5
As I've stated manymanymany times around and about this board, I have been an enormous Hulkophile since probably late 1968/early '69 (figure shortly after the time issue #123 came out). Yes, there was the obvious attraction of the juvenile wish-fulfillment of being the absolutely strongest creature on the planet-- but even as a little kid I was far, far more drawn to the misunderstood, childlike monster aspect. He was largely portrayed at that time (and for a couple of decades after) as basically an inherently good character who unfortunately could be easily provoked into a violent rage, or duped into mistaken violent acts. He was perpetually looking for peace and to be left alone. . . or to find a friend or two. . . and that was perpetually and heartbreakingly denied to him. I also, of course, completely bought into the Beauty and the Beast aspect of his relationship w/ Betty at that time. HB... do you remember what of the Hulk appealed to you as a child? I'm wondering if kids were attracted by his innocence, or if they were waiting for him to explode and smash everything in sight, as some sort of catartic, I-wish-I-could-do-that, moment. I'm asking because I remember loving the films from the 70s starring Terence Hill and the mountain of a man that is Bud Spencer and, funny as everything else was, the best moments were by far those where they would lose their patience and start punching and slapping crooks around. |
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Post by spiderwasp on May 21, 2013 14:55:13 GMT -5
HB... do you remember what of the Hulk appealed to you as a child? I'm wondering if kids were attracted by his innocence, or if they were waiting for him to explode and smash everything in sight, as some sort of catartic, I-wish-I-could-do-that, moment. This question amuses me because it reminds me of my cousin's son when he was just a little kid in the late 70s. We would watch the tv show and he would just keep saying "Make he change" over and over. |
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Post by woodside on May 21, 2013 17:57:28 GMT -5
WOODSIDE LOVE WORLD WAR HULK!!!!
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Post by humanbelly on May 22, 2013 19:13:19 GMT -5
As I've stated manymanymany times around and about this board, I have been an enormous Hulkophile since probably late 1968/early '69 (figure shortly after the time issue #123 came out). Yes, there was the obvious attraction of the juvenile wish-fulfillment of being the absolutely strongest creature on the planet-- but even as a little kid I was far, far more drawn to the misunderstood, childlike monster aspect. He was largely portrayed at that time (and for a couple of decades after) as basically an inherently good character who unfortunately could be easily provoked into a violent rage, or duped into mistaken violent acts. He was perpetually looking for peace and to be left alone. . . or to find a friend or two. . . and that was perpetually and heartbreakingly denied to him. I also, of course, completely bought into the Beauty and the Beast aspect of his relationship w/ Betty at that time. HB... do you remember what of the Hulk appealed to you as a child? I'm wondering if kids were attracted by his innocence, or if they were waiting for him to explode and smash everything in sight, as some sort of catartic, I-wish-I-could-do-that, moment. . I think, Shir, that it was truly a combination of both of those aspects, as well as maybe another element or two. I distinctly remember that his misunderstood, innocent nature drew me in immediately, but I wouldn't have seen it that way at the time. The identification was very much along the lines of him seeming so much like another kid, and that NO ONE ever listened to him carefully or tried to find out what his problem really was. I mean, any boy can probably tune in to that to some degree (especially a rather bookish, highly creative, not particularly athletic one). The second thing was, of course, the unlimited strength and perseverence he was able to call on-- the ONE thing that could be counted on in any extreme situation--- pure wish-fulfillment fantasy, of course. I mean, there were some GREAT moments in that run from #110 to 123. The third thing was (yes, I'll admit it) the budding relationship between the Hulk himself and Betty-- I think I was a rather sappy romantic even at that young age. "Why can't Betty just love the Hulk? He loves HER-!" I also totally got, at that point, that Bruce & the Hulk were indeed the same guy-- just wildly different aspects (which is a convention that was more or less disgarded w/ Peter David's re-imagining of the character). It's been completely overlooked, but Bruce is an incredibly (and quietly) heroic figure in that run. He DIES at the end of issue #110 after he literally saves the world. He saves the world again in issue #117, although only Betty really knows or acknowledges it. This is Bruce-- not the Hulk. The fact that he was a hero on both sides of his coin was tremendously appealing. And finally, at that time, the potential of there being a "cure" of some sort for Bruce hadn't become a tired, hackneyed plot device that we eventually became sick to death of seeing dangled out there (sort of like Ben Grimm's situation). It was still possible to root for Bruce/Hulk's finding some sort of perfect, happy resolution. I mean, as a kid, it doesn't occur to you that that would pretty much spell the end of the character as one knows it. So when I had #'s122 & 123, but not 124 for a VERY long time, I was riddled with anxiety about whether this could work or not. I think, in fact, that #128 was probably the next issue I obtained-- which indirectly answered my question in no uncertain terms (i.e.- no, it clearly hadn't worked-!). HB |
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Post by sharkar on May 22, 2013 22:46:01 GMT -5
Wow, after such a heartfelt panegyric, I'm ashamed to admit the main reason I became interested in the Hulk was because of the old cartoons. Hulk had the best theme song--well, after Cap's of course. ;D For Bong's poll: I have to go with the early incarnation, the green dumb Hulk (grey in Hulk #1). You know, I think he looks rather Brandoesque in his first appearance, as depicted by Kirby and Reinman:  ![]() |
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Post by humanbelly on May 23, 2013 20:16:14 GMT -5
Wow, after such a heartfelt panegyric, I'm ashamed to admit the main reason I became interested in the Hulk was because of the old cartoons. Hulk had the best theme song--well, after Cap's of course. ;D For Bong's poll: I have to go with the early incarnation, the green dumb Hulk (grey in Hulk #1). You know, I think he looks rather Brandoesque in his first appearance, as depicted by Kirby and Reinman: ![]() i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/sk17/brandohulk[/IMG][/quote] Oh wow, Shar-- I'd give you TWO exalts for this post, if I could! First for using the word "panegyric", and the second for yet another brilliant picture match--- Okay, so clearly-- CLEARLY-- Kirby HAD to have been using that photo of Brando as a model for that panel, yes? Right?? Oddly enough, the Hulk's face in that picture has always looked kind of odd or out-of-place to me. Maybe that's why? 'Cause it was a quick insertion of Brando's pate? Geeze, even the bangs on his forehead. . . HB |
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Post by Marvel Boy on May 23, 2013 22:39:06 GMT -5
One big appeal to me for the Hulk is simple: his anger. Unfortunately, I inherited my mother's anger and over the years, I hate to admit that it's got the best of me sometimes. So the wish-fulfillment of your anger making you stronger to the point where you can unleash upon whatever it was that made you angry had definite appeal to me. This was part of the appeal for the TV show as well, which I did enjoy while growing up. The walking music, the famous line of 'Don't make me angry', the situations Banner would find himself in, and Ferrigno was quite good as the angry Hulk. I met the man a few years ago at HeroesCon and the TV screen does not do him justice. That man is HUGE!  Recently found out that David wrote the issue wherein Jim Wilson dies of AIDS. I only recall Wilson from a unique-to-the-time collectible, a comic-book record. They would release a full comic book story along with a vinyl record of the story's dialogue and sound effects. You'd play the record while you read the book. I had books of the Hulk and Superman. So much fun to hear the Hulk and Wilson take on the Abomination. |
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Post by humanbelly on May 24, 2013 15:56:48 GMT -5
One big appeal to me for the Hulk is simple: his anger. Unfortunately, I inherited my mother's anger and over the years, I hate to admit that it's got the best of me sometimes. So the wish-fulfillment of your anger making you stronger to the point where you can unleash upon whatever it was that made you angry had definite appeal to me. This was part of the appeal for the TV show as well, which I did enjoy while growing up. The walking music, the famous line of 'Don't make me angry', the situations Banner would find himself in, and Ferrigno was quite good as the angry Hulk. I met the man a few years ago at HeroesCon and the TV screen does not do him justice. That man is HUGE! Recently found out that David wrote the issue wherein Jim Wilson dies of AIDS. I only recall Wilson from a unique-to-the-time collectible, a comic-book record. They would release a full comic book story along with a vinyl record of the story's dialogue and sound effects. You'd play the record while you read the book. I had books of the Hulk and Superman. So much fun to hear the Hulk and Wilson take on the Abomination. It makes people that know me crazy to hear it, but the television version of the Hulk is my least favorite. With no disrespect aimed at Mr. Ferrigno whatsoever-- it simply wasn't a character. He was mute. He couldn't talk or express himself in any way other than wrecking things in a rage (or saving folks who were imperiled). I liked the show itself okay, although I lost interest after awhile 'cause it was pretty much The Fugitive in a brighter wrapper. But I do recognize that there was a pretty significant inherent scripting & casting challenge at work. Apart from the physicality, those speech patterns (which read so well on the page) tend to sound absolutely inane when spoken aloud. It really takes exactly the right actor w/ exactly the right voice to pull it off (Fred Tatshore, f'rinstance). I have a Hulk telephone that utters Hulk "phrases" when it rings, and the voice was obviously done by some rich-voiced announcer-type of fellow, using deep, mellifluous tones. It's an abomination (no pun meant, heh). I tend to yell at it. So. . . that's why I try to be at least a little forgiving of the television incarnation in spite of my aversion to it. I understand the challenges it presented at the time. HB |
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Post by Crimson Cowl on May 25, 2013 3:26:06 GMT -5
[/IMG][/quote] Seconded on the exalts. What an amazing spot. |
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Post by sharkar on May 28, 2013 17:24:40 GMT -5
HB and CC: I appreciate it--thank you! |
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