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Post by Marvel Boy on Nov 24, 2012 23:32:38 GMT -5
I plan on picking up the new Indestructible Hulk NOW! title by Waid and Lu when payday hits next week. Love Waid and his concept for the character and the book sounds like fun, so if you've read it, please share your thoughts on it.
As for Then, I was wondering what everyone's favorite run or version of the Jade Giant was. Do you like classic 'Hulk Smash!' or do you prefer Banner's intelligence running the show?
I first started reading Hulk during Mantlo's run, somewhere around the #270s, when Banner's intellect first came to the forefront when he was the Hulk and he was pardoned for all his previous crimes. For some reason, his fight(s) with the U-Foes really stood out for me, probably for the simple reason that they were the 'Evil' FF.
I read a smattering of PAD's run, with the Grey Hulk and McFarlane growing by leaps and bounds. When Byrne came aboard for, what was it, 7 or 8 issues, I read all of those as well.
Greg Pak seems to have done more for the character than anyone else in recent memory though oddly enough, I have yet to read Planet Hulk.
And if someone could explain to me the significance or need for Red Hulk, I would appreciate it.
Thoughts?
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Post by humanbelly on Nov 26, 2012 21:40:59 GMT -5
I plan on picking up the new Indestructible Hulk NOW! title by Waid and Lu when payday hits next week. Love Waid and his concept for the character and the book sounds like fun, so if you've read it, please share your thoughts on it. As for Then, I was wondering what everyone's favorite run or version of the Jade Giant was. Do you like classic 'Hulk Smash!' or do you prefer Banner's intelligence running the show? I first started reading Hulk during Mantlo's run, somewhere around the #270s, when Banner's intellect first came to the forefront when he was the Hulk and he was pardoned for all his previous crimes. For some reason, his fight(s) with the U-Foes really stood out for me, probably for the simple reason that they were the 'Evil' FF. I read a smattering of PAD's run, with the Grey Hulk and McFarlane growing by leaps and bounds. When Byrne came aboard for, what was it, 7 or 8 issues, I read all of those as well. Greg Pak seems to have done more for the character than anyone else in recent memory though oddly enough, I have yet to read Planet Hulk. And if someone could explain to me the significance or need for Red Hulk, I would appreciate it. Thoughts? HAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA! Ohhhh, MarvelBoy. . . I promise you-- PROMISE you-- that, as I figuratively stand here talking to you, several board old-timers are figuratively facing you from a point somewhere behind my figurative left shoulder, making frantic "cut-off" motions and desperately mouthing "Ix-Nay! IX-NAYYYY!!!" before I can turn around and catch them in the figurative act. "DON'T ask him to explain his favorite Hulk identity!", they're saying. "DON'T get him going on the careless use of the word 'monster'-!", they implore. "And for GOD'S SAKE, DOOOOOOON'T get him started raving about issue #111-!!!", they tearfully plead. This thread would fit right in at the old Lonely Hulk Corner, which has lain fallow for quite awhile, I must confess. Gets the old juices flowin', though, it does. Upon a recent read-through of the whole series (starting w/ the first TtA appearance, anyhow), I discovered a new-found appreciation for both the Joe Fixit and "Professor" Hulk personalities. Both were legitimately compelling and interesting characters. But-- the "real" Hulk, the one that always comes to mind, the one that I've always found to be the most endearing and empathetic is the "child-like" simple Hulk that began to develop late in the Tales to Astonish run and continued on, more or less (there was a darkening of this personality over time), until that period where you yourself picked up the book. And we never really got back to that personality template for any length of time ever again, which I've always regretted. That version is derided by many-- and there's certainly plenty of fodder for criticism. But it always touched me- always- so I feel that any defense I raise doesn't necessarily have to rise any farther than that. If I'm an audience of one, so be it-- I'm glad it's there for me and vice-versa. Now, not surprisingly, my favorite run would be the first one I read & owned, which showcased this very Greenskin in his early prime: Issues #110 through 123 (minus #115 for several years). Maybe not the best run-- but it wins for me on sentiment. Plus, it has issue #111 in it. Which I raved about in, like, my fifth post on this board. . . and probably a couple of others. . . But honestly? With the exception of a few definite clunkers (#152/153--"Trial of the Hulk" comes to mind), really the entire run from #109 through about #175 just makes me. . . happy to be reading comics-- I don't think I can give you a better rationale than that--! After that point, Herb Trimpe's art really starts to slip, and a years-long subplot just becomes unbearable to care about any more. Planet Hulk was excellent. Truly excellent. I also admire Pak for later on using elements DEEEEEP in the Hulk's history, and using them intelligently (a heavily armored suit from the first TtA appearance, in fact--- thought we'd never see that old thing again-!). But-- I absolutely hate the whole Ross/Red Hulk convention. Just hate it. Don't like Betty as the Red She-Hulk, either. But it's still an improvement over Betty being a) dead, or b) somehow surgically transformed into being Eurasian or hispanic or something. At least she's sort of a real Betty again. *whew* Okay, there ya go, man! HB
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Post by Marvel Boy on Dec 2, 2012 1:30:24 GMT -5
Hahaha, alright, a closet Hulk fan! ;D Not that there's anything wrong with that. I've never read of the child-like Hulk from TtA. My knowledge of the history of the character is rather limited. I'd imagine that after they hit upon the idea of having Banner in control of the Hulk or straight-out mindless, enraged Hulk or the idea of split personalities in general, that the concept of child-like Hulk wasn't as intriguing or innovative as they needed. Which is a shame, sounds different. May have to track down some Essential trades for this. I can't recall if it was Mantlo or Englehart or whom, but I do remember reading the issue about the heart of Banner's rage, the abuse seen and felt at home during his childhood. That really served to hit the source of this rage and fantastic power, by tying it into a real social and domestic issue. I've also heard wonderful things about Harlan Ellison's story with Jarella. I keep meaning to read that but as with everything else, that list only seems to get longer and longer. If you have read it, would you agree with that review of it?
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Post by humanbelly on Dec 12, 2012 20:14:51 GMT -5
Hahaha, alright, a closet Hulk fan! ;D Not that there's anything wrong with that. I've never read of the child-like Hulk from TtA. My knowledge of the history of the character is rather limited. I'd imagine that after they hit upon the idea of having Banner in control of the Hulk or straight-out mindless, enraged Hulk or the idea of split personalities in general, that the concept of child-like Hulk wasn't as intriguing or innovative as they needed. Which is a shame, sounds different. May have to track down some Essential trades for this. I can't recall if it was Mantlo or Englehart or whom, but I do remember reading the issue about the heart of Banner's rage, the abuse seen and felt at home during his childhood. That really served to hit the source of this rage and fantastic power, by tying it into a real social and domestic issue. I've also heard wonderful things about Harlan Ellison's story with Jarella. I keep meaning to read that but as with everything else, that list only seems to get longer and longer. If you have read it, would you agree with that review of it? Ha! Well, I'm a closet Hulk fan pretty much in the sense that Popeye's pal Wimpy is a closet cheeseburger-lover. I may actually fall uncomfortably near the realm of Hulk Militant Activist. . . a Hulk-hugger, as it were. . . Harlan Ellison's first Jarella story was indeed very touching, and set up a terrific intermitent arc for the Hulk-- but I think later installments of that saga were actually superior to it (Issue #155, for instance). I'm . . . not the hugest Ellison fan, as I feel like his work always has an underlying tone, somehow, of self-admiration. I also had a couple of college professors that had dealings with him, and he came across consistently as a bit of an egomaniac. BUT-- that aside, he really did create a wonderful, rich, complex little world with K'ai. There was an immediate sense of depth, history and long-winding intrigue-- and surrendering to it was almost effortless. One wonders why some writers succeed at that, whereas with others it seems so forced. Another credit for Greg Pak is that he also did this so incredibly well with PLANET HULK. Jarella's whole saga, if you're able to buy into the child-like Hulk as completely as I do, is just about as heartbreakingly bittersweet as comics can get-- and in such an unexpected venue. It's the classic story where, every time you read it, you hope that THIS time it will end differently. . . *sigh* HB
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Post by woodside on Dec 13, 2012 1:03:06 GMT -5
I am not a big Hulk fan -- but I know a good Hulk story when I see 'em. The ones that stand out the most to me are the early Bruce Jones stories (up until the end of the Abomination arc) and the Planet Hulk/World War Hulk epics. Outside of those and a few scant Peter David issues, my Hulk experiences are fairly limited.
On the Red Hulk stuff, I think it's overplayed and worn-out. This was something that I wished had been resolved a while ago and Ross as Hulk should not have been dragged out into a recurring character. But I do like Betty as Red She-Hulk -- it takes her out of that victim position she's been in and puts her on level ground with Bruce.
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