They mention Gotham but then show all Marvel characters. They are trying to make my head spin!
Old School Ads Part 80
12 inch AND removable clothes – those are my favorite terms ever!
The Good, The Bland and the Ugly Comic Reviews – The Incredible Hulk #9 (2024)
| Writer: | Phillip Kennedy Johnson |
| Artist: | Danny Earls |
| Artist: Colors | Matthew Wilson |
| Cover Price: | $4.99 |
| Secondary Market: | $3.77-$29.99 |
| Covers: 4 |
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| Publisher: | Marvel Comics |
Frozen Charlotte: Part 1
Another town… another monster. Now Banner and Charlie find themselves in New Orleans. While I like the direction of having the Hulk fight monsters this series is starting to feel a little late 90’s CW prime time. The guest artist didn’t help much into making this issue exciting. While Danny Earls did a proficient job, following series regular, Nic Klein, highlights how much better Klein’s style fits with the tone and feel of this book. Even the gruesome transformation scene didn’t have the impact that other artists seemed to have nailed.
Overall, I am still along for the ride, but I am hoping to begin seeing a more focused direction. What is Banner’s ultimate goal? It’s not like he WANTS to fight monsters. Is Charlie just a magnet for evil? I hope Johnson begins giving his narrative a purpose rather than just introducing a new monster every storyline while changing the setting to make it seem new.
| Villains: | Frozen Charlotte |
| Rating: | Good BLAND Ugly |
More Hulk Items Not Added to the Collection
As usual, these are items I have come across in my travels that I decided not to purchase. As much as I would love to buy every Hulk item, these days, I am being a lot more selective about when gets added to the collection. I love the little backpack (above) but not for an astounding $70.
The price was not the reason I didn’t purchase the little fat, plush Hulk below, instead, the reason lies with the fact that I just have way too many of these stuffed figures. I just don’t need anymore!
Kohl’s is where I found the Disney Junior Hulk. It was a fine price and I would have certainly been fine adding him to the collection. This time, the reason he wasn’t added was because I was with my wife when I found him. You know that look that you get when you find a new Hulk item and you think about purchasing it and you see your wife staring daggers at you? Yeah, that was happening. I went back later to grab him when I was solo – but he was gone. I’m sure I will find him somewhere else in my travels.
The Good, The Bland, The Ugly Comic Reviews – Daredevil #5 (2024)
| Writer: | Saladin Ahmed |
| Artist: | Farid Karami |
| Artist: Colors | Jesus Aburtov |
| Cover Price: | $4.99 |
| Secondary Market: | $4.49-$16.99 |
| Variants: 5 |
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| Publisher: | Marvel Comics |
It’s always nice to see old friends which is really how this whole issue begins. Jen Walters runs into Matt Murdock on the subway and after the very casual lunch they head out onto the street where Jen continues her odd behavior, like destroying cop cars. Matt realizes something is up so he knocks the emerald beauty out and reveals the real villain, Mr. Hyde. After a quick scuffle, Matt realizes Jen is possessed by the demon, Gluttony. If that demon is around then the other 6 sins are lurking somewhere. He needs some help and who better than Dr. Strange himself? Is here there to help or fight? That’s a question for the next issue, I guess!
| Villains: |
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| Good/ Bland/ Ugly | BLAND |
The Good, The Bland and the Ugly Comic Reviews – The Incredible Hulk #8 (2024)
| Writer: | Phillip Kennedy Johnson |
| Artist: | Nic Klein |
| Artist: Colors | Matthew Wilson |
| Cover Price: | $4.99 |
| Secondary Market: | $3.77-$29.99 |
| Variants: 3 |
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| Publisher: | Marvel Comics |
Don’t the flowers smell sweeter now that there is a Hulk book is on the racks that isn’t a huge dumpster fire? The art is gorgeous, the writing is amazing, the Hulk is acting.. like the Hulk! It’s all good! Life is good!
Well, not exactly, the Hulk is currently being possessed by War Devil. Maybe the other demons out there should start a social club to let each other know that possessing the Hulk isn’t a real good idea, It never works out for the demon. Still, War Devil currently has the Hulk readying to destroy his hanger-on, little Charlie. Thankfully, WWII Rider comes to the rescue. Well, him and his rocket launcher.
The battle is packed with bad-assery and the Hulk forces the War Devil out. Now, the two heroes combine their strengths and beat the wart-hog looking creature to the ground.
In the end, with the town saved and everyone cheering, the Hulk is ready to move on. The Ghost Rider offers up some sage-like advice about keeping Charlie safe and how she’ll be the one to save him.
| Villains: |
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| Good/ Bland/ Ugly | GOOD |
Old School Ads 79
Who is the guy in the middle? The Green Goblin? Why is he bald? I pretty much own all these items and the utility belt continues to be my favorite item that has even been produced.
The Good, The Bland, The Ugly Comic Reviews – Blade #7 (2024)
| Writer: | Bryan Hill |
| Artist: Penciler | Valentina Pinti |
| Artist: Inker | KJ Diaz |
| Cover Price: | $3.99 |
| Secondary Market: | $2.77-$6.99 |
| Variants: 1 | Wolverine Variant |
| Publisher: | Marvel Comics |
In this issue, the Hulk makes a fantastic guest spot. The Hulk is having a heck of a time trying to kill these demons but Blade shows up to help. He quickly slices through the evil beings and then sits down for a cup a joe with Banner. Bruce brings Blade up to speed about what’s happening in the little town so Blade agrees to stay and help exorcise the demon out of its host. Once accomplished, the Hulk goes on a classic “Hulk Squish!” rampage! It was a fun issue, way better than the She Hulk and Thanos guest spots that the Hulk appeared in.
| Villains: | Demons |
| Good/ Bland/ Ugly | GOOD |
The Good, The Bland and the Ugly RETRO Comic Reviews – The Incredible Hulk #454 (1997)
| Writer: | Peter David |
| Artist: Penciler | Adam Kubert |
| Artist: Inker | Mark Farmer |
| Cover Price: | $1.95 |
| Secondary Market: | $3.00-$7.00 |
| Variants: 0 | No Variant |
| Publisher: | Marvel Comics |
With issue #454 the series began a new direction. You see, back in the day – the better times – they wouldn’t just renumber the series to get an artificial bump in sales. The series would roll on, legacy numbering still intact, rewarding the loyal collectors. The biggest deal about this issue is the introduction of a super-star artist coming to the series, Adam Kubert. this dude, and his brother, were always newsworthy when headlining a title but this was especially exciting as Kubert’s style was such a perfect fit for the Hulk’s monstrous look. Kubert’s run was consistent, although, due to the monthly grind, Kubert had to look to his father for a few fill in spots. You can do worse than a legend like Joe Kubert helping you catch up on your artistic duties.
The premiere issue really did set the readers up for the excitement that this part or Peter David’s 12 year stint had coming. Not only did it pair up the frenemies that every fan seems to clamor for, Hulk vs Wolverine, but it also gave a chance for Adam to promote his brother’s new Ka-Zar series launch from the month before.
Hulk in the Savage Land is such a great idea that not enough writers explored. Hulk vs. dinosaurs has such potential to be a blast to read but writers don’t seem to share my enthusiasm for the idea. Even here, the Hulk’s Savage Land adventure lasted just this one issue. Years later, Jason Aaron and Marc Silvestri would give us a Savage Hulk that had been separated from Banner but let’s not give that bore of a story much more attention. The only thing I will say is that Adam Kubert’s is a far better Hulk artist than Silvestri. Don’t get me wrong, Silvestri is on the top of my list when illustrating a character like Wolverine – but his Hulk was downright too skinny and unimpressive.
The Hulk displayed some of his most monstrous tendencies at the start of this issue. From his nonchalance over eating the heart of the dinosaur he helped kill to feed the Locot Tribe to his enthusiasm in getting involved in the battle against the Nowek tribe. To this day, nothing makes me laugh louder than the moment that The Hulk realizes that his constant battle buddy, Wolverine, brought bone claws to a fight.
The Hulk has always been a mystery to the other heroes – a loose cannon whose allegiance is never certain – so when facing the beast some take to attacking first, asking questions later. Wolverine takes that route in that issue and it turns out to be a wrong turn. Logan is batted about tossed around but ultimately saved by a rogue dinosaur! The beast chomps down on the jade giant and then tosses him miles away!
The dino turns out to be a blessing in disguise as the two tribes suddenly stop fighting each other and turn their attention to taking down the giant lizard! Thousands of arrows later, the beast falls, the tribes break bread together, celebrating a truce… only – it’s a ruse as one tribe has poisoned the food and the other has poisoned the drink. Alls well that ends well, I suppose.
Re-reading some of these classic issues really bring me back to a better and exciting time of comic reading. I tell you, the amazing artwork and fun story was just as good as it was back when it was released.
| Villains: |
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| Good/ Bland/ Ugly | GOOD |
The Good, The Bland and the Ugly Comic Reviews – The Sensational She-Hulk #4 (2024)
| Writer: | Rainbow Rowell |
| Artist: Penciler | Andres Genolet |
| Artist: Inker | Dee Cunniffe |
| Cover Price: | $4.99 |
| Secondary Market: | $4.49-$16.99 |
| Variants: 3 |
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| Publisher: | Marvel Comics |
Good lord, I have zero idea why anyone is reading this book – I mean, I know I am, but I hate myself for doing so! This issue has everyone blaming She Hulk for all the damage during the Hulk’s quick visit. She tries to hide out in her apartment, but Patsy Walker and Carol Danvers make her go clubbing. Jack of Hearts was going to join them but then he gets a case of the “I don’t want to’s” and ducks out.
During the clubbing dance party Patsy suddenly sees monsters – and then the issue ends. Really quick issue with no real action or point.
| Villains: | Club Cover? |
| Good/ Bland/ Ugly | UGLY |
Old School Ads Part 78
Man, I love the sketch ad from Marvel back in the 90’s. I don’t even know what’s going on here other than he’s tangling with the U-Foes again!
The Good, The Bland and the Ugly Comic Reviews – The Sensational She-Hulk #3 (2023)
| Writer: | Rainbow Rowell |
| Artist: Penciler | Andres Genolet |
| Artist: Inker | Dee Cunniffe |
| Cover Price: | $4.99 |
| Secondary Market: | $4.49-$16.99 |
| Variants: 4 |
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| Publisher: | Marvel Comics |
She Hulk comes to the defense of her cousin but the fight is just another distraction so that April’s husband, Mark can just steal some Hulk blood. Another writer who doesn’t bother actually knowing that the Hulk’s skin is too tough to use a simple needle. This kind of stuff is the kind of stuff that kills me! Mark is trying to create a cure for his wife but it seems like she’s not looking for one.
Jen and Hulk find a quiet place to have a pretty boring talk about Jen’s upcoming wedding and whether Hulk’s should marry. Then Hulk jumps away and Jen’s boss sees the mess Jen has just created.
| Villains: | April Booth (New She Hulk) |
| Good/ Bland/ Ugly | BLAND |
The Good, The Bland and the Ugly Comic Reviews – The Incredible Hulk #7 (2023)
| Writer: | Phillip Kennedy Johnson |
| Artist: Penciler | Nic Klein |
| Artist: Inker | Matthew Wilson |
| Cover Price: | $4.99 |
| Secondary Market: | $3.77-$29.99 |
| Variants: 4 |
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| Publisher: | Marvel Comics |
When there is a good Hulk series on the racks I am usually in a much more noticeably good mood. There is just something about getting a monthly dose of genuine good Hulk stories that sates the angry comic nerd inside. Like I mentioned last month, I wish there was more story per issue but what we are getting is super enjoyable.
In this issue, the Rider realizes that the Hulk isn’t going to go down easy. Charlie tries to get the people of the little town to call the Rider off but, it turns out, no one controls the Rider. With the two heroes battling it out, this allows the Sunset Monster to creep its way in and rip one of the men’s throat out! When the heroes realize what is happening they go into action. Between the two of them, they beat the snot out of the little monster!
They aren’t out of the woods though, as campfire tales reveal that the Hulk is having some pretty disturbing images running through his head. That and he’s hearing voices – neither of which is good! Turns out, War Devil is coming back!
I am really warming to the Charlie character. She’s a nice replacement for Rick Jones, although I am really hoping to see him again real soon. Rick Jones has been out of the picture for way too long!
What did you guys think? Leave a comment below!
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| Good/ Bland/ Ugly | GOOD |
Hulk Knows How to Ring in the New Year!
Sometimes you stumble across images that you forgot existed. Sometimes you wish you never came across them again… but here’s Hulk ringing in 1991 with a slight assistance to ushering out the year before!
Poor Grim Reaper. That rump is going to be sore for a week!
Old School Ads Part 77
I remember these! I HAVE the Hulk one still!
Ratchet's Hulk Collection 