Marvel Universe’s Doc Samson (2010)

MU's Doc Samson

Alright – here is the other new release from MU.  I have this week of posts planned out, and yes, I will make sure I post the review for the new Hulks issue by the end of this week, but I want to make sure to show off the new MU figures first.  Seeing as the new wave is just hitting the shelves and wave 11 hardly made an appearance these figures are still a novelty to see.

There's the guy who almost stole Betty away!

SAMPSON!?!? WTF?

The best thing about the Samson figure?  The little base that the figure comes with says “Sampson”.  That’s right – they spelled the name of their own character wrong!  And while we’re on the subject of these bases – WTF?  The figures now come with just bases?  I know the cards/SHEILD file was cheesy – but at least it was something!  And now that they are trying to raise the prices on these figures - the absence of the sparingly simple extras is insulting!

One of these are for Steve Yarish - One of them is mine!

If Marvel expects fans to pay this much for these figures – we should get something worth our money – the WWH is an outstanding figure – but even  I  have a hard time justifying a $10 price tag for it.  This figure is mediocre at best.  But good luck to all who wants one!

Hulk #18 (2009) – The Review

Hulk #18

I am a bit spent of doing all these reviews!  I just want to show some Hulk records or glasses or something!  But if I slip on one review then I will start getting backed up because there is a Hulk comic coming out practically EVERY week!  And the kicker is – they are starting to get really good too!

Hulk #18 - McGuiness Santa Hulk Variant

I am going to start this review with the fact that, while reading this issue, I had to flip to the back a few times, at the very least three times, to check that this issue was actually written by Loeb.  The reason?  I actually liked it… a lot.  I liked it so much, I was enjoying it so much, that I was in shock it was written by Loeb!  Not only that – Portacio’s art is a welcome change from McGuinness’ cartoony, overly bulky Hulk!  Don’t get me wrong – I like Ed’s work – but I like other artists better.  This issue bums me out a bit because I missed out on getting a commission from Portacio at the early ’09 Con.  Missed out might be the wrong word – I had the rare, unpleasant experience with Whilce and his wife – as they gave my commission away to another person, right in front of me.  Then, they tried to pawn off another piece – not as nice – to me.  It was really unfortunate.  I’ve heard Whilce and his wife are wonderful to work with.  Like I stated, my incident with them was rare.  Maybe someday in the future I can get another shot at a piece from him…

Samson loves bondage!

Alright, let’s get into it!  I will try to go through this issue pretty quickly – only because I’m getting a little sick of doing these reviews and have some cool Hulk items to show off!  This issue focuses on Samson – and his history with the Hulk, and his involvement with the new Red Hulk.  The psychiatrist on the couch talks through his father’s practice – and what a man-whore he was – and the shrink keeps walking on egg shells – trying not to upset Samson too much – but he also discusses his first encounter with the Hulk – the technology he, as a simple psychiatrist, had access to.  How did he get such amazing technology?  Where did it come from?  Who was he aligned with from the very beginning?

Samson taking on the Hulk - Biggety BAM!

I’m telling you – this issue was real good!  It ends in the essence of Peter David with Samson’s personalities all fought for ultimate power!  The end has M.O.D.O.C.K. saying Samson is ready…

Samson taking on Samson!

Wow – just freakin’ wow!  Loeb wrote this?  Well I guess the sun shines on a dog’s butt every once in a while.  I mean, let’s not forget this man did write The Long Halloween – so he is capable of a good story.  It’s just good to see him use it on the Hulk title for a change.  Grade: A-

Other McG variant

A Week of Leonard Samson – TIH #442

Here’s another cover without Samson’s calling card shirt!  WTF?  But notice, he’s also teamed up with She Hulk… again… these two always seems to fight together against a common cause.  I mean – let’s get this straight – She-Hulk has always been written as a sexy character – but I would not be able to get past the green skin.  It’s like that lady who was attacked by the pet chimp that was on Oprah this week – I wouldn’t be able to have a conversation with her that didn’t start with “OHMYGODWHATHAPPENEDTOYOURFACE!”

A Week Of Leonard Samson – TIH #406

Yesterday I made fun of the lightning bolt t-shirt – well, here is a rare cover that the infamous shirt is absent!  Take it in!  It’s almost like, when you’re a kid, you see your teacher in the mall or something.  You know it’s your teacher – but she’s not at school – where she’s supposed to be – and she looks so strange out in public.  Especially if she’s wearing jeans or something!  Freaky!

A Week of Leonard Samson – TIH #380

Right after the new “merged” Hulk was debuted PD did a great Samson solo story about the Doc who discovers the woman he gave testimony against and is sent to the electric chair might have been, well, innocent.  I love this issue – but the best part is the warning on the front of the cover informing you that Hulk is not in this story.  Of course  – if my psychiatrist wore a shirt with a huge yellow lightning bolt on it… I might have to reschedule my visits… indefinitely…

Leonard Samson Lead Figure (2009)

Leonard Samson... and his perfect hair

I was actually excited to hear about a Leonard Samson figure for this line! This is turning out to be one of the better lines for Marvel products. We Have both Hulks, a Leader, Abomination (even though they ruined a nice display by changing his base), Absorbing Man, and Valkyrie. I’m hoping they hang in long enough to start making more “B” list villains – like Aquon! Come On! You totally knew I was going to go there, right? I actually may go back and try to pick up the Surfer and Namor and Strange – if they even made them – have myself a Defenders display!

Here's the whole deal... Stop drooling Hulk Man...

Anyways, I’m going off on a tangent – back to Samson. This sculpt is actually better than most of the others I have seen in this line – and the paint job is freakin’ terrific! I have been talking about Samson for a bit now – I think it’s time to do a week of Leonard Samson!  The only real issue I have is that these figures don’t seem to be up to scale.  The Hulk should be taller than Leo… but such is not the case…

The Good Doctor and his Patient

The great thing about Samson is that he has success to back up his bravado!  He’s almost as strong as the Hulk – he’s smart enough that he actually cured the Hulk in his first meeting – he was the first to discover that the Hulk was a separate being from Banner – and if Loeb had any clue how to write a character driven story – he might even be interesting in the latest series as a dual personality hero/villain.  But… we’ll have to see how that pans out.  These are great little figures to pick up and go for pretty cheap – so check them out!

He's too sexy for his shirt! Too sexy for his shirt - so sexy it hurts!

A Week of Leonard Samson – Doc Samson #1 & 2

Doc Samson #1 and #2

The good old doctor here has had a couple mini-series.  This mini has a villian called Patchwork – and if you’ve read it you know why he’s called that.  And the reason is pretty gross…  But this is obviously a mini-series from the 90′s – you can tell just by the art.  It has that old “Liefeld” kind of style – especially the She Hulk on the cover to #2.  Look at those legs!  They go on FOREVER!  And the Hulk on issue #1 has the awesome 90′s Hulk haircut.

Hulk #6 – The Review

Green and Red Hulk variants for issue#6

Well, I am as confused as ever.  As always if you don’t want any spoilers then don’t read any further than… HERE!  Because I basically go through the whole issue.  And since I posted 4 – that’s right 4! – times yesterday this will be the only post today.  I spoil you guys…  Alright, here we go.

The story open immediately after the end of issue 5 with Iron Man, She Hulk, Ares, The Thing, The Human Torch and Namor all coming to help the Hulk take out Red.  Hulk refuses help and even calls Ares “Broom Head” (the whole exchange is pretty funny).  A-Bomb stares down the Thing in a face off of the uglies while She-Hulk tells the Hulk everyone thinks Red is Samson.  Hulk jumps off to fight Red and Iron Man questions how he even knows where to look.  So, the rest of the heroes start to clean up the damage done to the city – and that’s it for them.  By page 6 their contribution to the story is over. Man, it’s really good that they were used so effectively.  Nice writing Loeb.  That was a waste of our time…

Green Hulk finds Red who is still patting himself on the back from the fight with Thor.  They battle for a few pages – and just as it’s getting good Thor comes in with Mjolnir and starts to beat on Red himself – saying that he shouldn’t talk about his victory against him.  Hulk gets up to join in the fight again when A-Bomb points out that the Red gets hotter (temperature wise you freaks!) the madder he gets.  Wait, A-bomb can’t get through a sentence without saying his own name but he’s the one to figure this all out?  Okay, moving on…

Now, Thor is just to get the best of Red when Hulk steps back into the fight.  A-Bomb does a little butt-kissing to Thor and asks him to stay out of the fight.  Thor agrees. There is another Hulk/Red exchange of fists.  While Hulk is getting his ass handed to him Red finally notices that he is getting really hot.  Then this happens:

Green Hulk stops Red Hulk - get it?

Hulk stands over Red boasting how the only real Hulk is green (which is what I’ve been saying all along!) and then Thor and Hulk make nice with each other.  Hulk walks off into the desert saying he is tired – while transforming back into Banner – just as A-Bomb, who is turning back into Rick Jones, is trying to tell him who the Red is.  He never gets to because he is shot, and knocked out by… Leonard Samson!  That’s right – and even more – he has long hair!  See for yourself:

No Shirt No Shoes No Service

General Ross stands over Red saying that he failed.  They gave him everything he needed to kill the Hulk and he still failed.  Then he says Red is on his own as he walks away.  The End.

Wait, what?!?  Who the hell is the Red Hulk?  Still, we have no idea!  And the story just got more confusing!  So the Red works for Samson and Ross – okay fine – but why did Samson have short hair when the story first started – and why did he kill the Abomination?  What was the point?  Wow, I feel like I’m reading an episode of LOST.  The ending is intriguing – and I have no idea where they are going with this – but seriously?  Could they draw out this whole Who is Red Hulk thing any longer?  Not to mention – issue 6 should have been out in June – and it’s September.  A more enjoyable issue than the last few - hopefully with more answers to follow.  I give it a D

Doc Samson vs. Hulk SHS

Samson / Hulk SHS

Here is the first SHS of wave 3 that decided to show, mainly because it’s the most disappointing.  And that’s because this 2-pack was first promised to come with a Red Hulk but instead we get a re-issue of the first series SHS Hulk.  No really – the exact figure – not repainted or anything!  Even if they tried and gave him grey skin – this series has a grey Hulk but I doubt anyone would complain about 2 grey Hulks!  Here’s a photo of the Samson/Hulk 2-pack with the Hulk/Wasp 2-pack.  As you can see – same exact figure!  Well, at least they did pose his arms a bit different…

Series 1 Hulk with... the same exact Hulk!

Just kidding – still feel a bit ripped off.  But no worries – the rest of the line gets better from here!

Doc Samson Marvel Legends (2008)

Doc Samson Marvel Legends

This here is the Doc Samson figure.  It’s actually not too bad but I would rather of had Valykrie.  This is far and away the weakest figure in the new line – I mean, look at that hair!  Actually, I heard the hair is not only ugly but also restrictive to the neck articulation.  Samson has the classic lightning bolt red shirt that he appeared in from the beginning in Incredible Hulk #141 – where did he get that thing anyways?  And how many does he have?  He’s always wearing it – and there has been times that he’s ripped his shirts.  Does he have back ups?  He must!

Listen, other than anyone who wants to complete the line or the Fin Fang Foom figure, really doesn’t need to pick this figure up.  It’s not bad – but that doesn’t make it good.

Vidal Sassoon? I believe it is!

Incredible Hulk #141 (1971)

 

I realized something when thumbing through this story… the main emotion that fuels the Hulk lore is jealousy.  This story really brings that to light. 

Just like Spiderman is driven by guilt and Batman by revenge…

Hulk is driven by jealousy.  Emil, the scientist who worked with Banner in the very first comic, detonated the Gamma Bomb because he was jealous of Banner’s position and power.  Hulk has always been jealous of people’s acceptance of each other.  The Leader is jealous of the Hulk’s power – as is the Abomination.

Well, this story revolves around Leonard Samson who promises he can, not only cure Betty Ross (who has been crystallized), but get rid of the Hulk forever.  As the Hulk searches for Jarella – the microscopic green lady who first shows the Hulk true love (you have to read it) he comes across Major Talbot.  As Hulk is about to crush Talbot, Samson projects an image of Betty Ross and makes Bruce Banner come out.  Bruce agrees to let Samson try to cure him and save Betty.  Long story short – but Samson’s laser works – Betty becomes flesh again and Samson cures Bruce.  Then, Samson, jealous of Hulk’s might, uses the laser on himself and becomes a muscle bound scientist.  He sets his sights on Betty – who still loves Bruce, but lets Samson take her out – Banner gets jealous of Samson’s new mighty physique and his new interest in Betty and turns the laser back on him.  He unleashes the Hulk again – and Samson jumps into action – trying to beat him down.  Samson gets his ass handed to him and his ego bruised, but in a horrible twist of fate, Betty comes running to Samson’s side – rather than worrying about Bruce’s return of the Hulk.

Great story.  I recommend everyone read this.

Bowen Doc Samson Bust (2005)

I admit – this isn’t the Hulk – and I actually don’t have many things with the Hulk’s supporting cast, but this bust of Doc Samson was done really well (well, of course, it is a Bowen creation after all) and it was marked down… a lot.  I do like the way this bust looks and have seen other busts of Hulk’s supporting cast , including Wendigo and Sasquatch and the very well done Abomination – but I haven’t picked up any others.  Maybe when I am satisfied with the amount of Hulk stuff I’ve accumalated then I will go back and collect his supporting cast.  Except for the Leader – I will get anything the Leader as well, because he’s the bomb!