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!

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…

Stretch Hulk 2003

Let’s talk about old stretchy here – you are all well aware of the Mego Stretch and Deny Fisher Stretches from the 70’s – but some noodnick has made up an entirely ridiculous price frame for those – so until they come down in price I will settle for this bad boy from the 2003 movie. Who doesn’t love a toy that you can stretch their arms out? But while the older version of stretch toys were filled with a corn syrup type mixture these new stretches are filled with what feels like tiny, plastic balls.

Hulk's angry look

And take a look at the mug on this bastard! I mean bastard in a good way, by the way, like George Costanza meant it. And here’s the best part – I was able to get this guy in a lot of figures – so divided equally – I probably paid about $4.  The shirt has one button that snaps together and can break open – and I think he makes noise – this figure doesn’t at the moment because I think the battery is dead – but there’s a little button on his right thigh that I can only imagine is there to make the noise…

The Mysterious Hulk Thigh Button

I will say that some of the 2003 aren’t my favorite – but this figure is the exception because it’s really well done.  The top half, in all it’s squishy glory, is in complete contrast to it’s hard, plastic bottom – but it does make it easier to stand and display. 

Hulk need new shirt... yup, he does!

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!

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.

For all of you in the NJ and NY area – make sure you stop by Zapp next weekend for a once a year sale that includes 50% off back issues and 40% off statues and busts! Check it out!

THRU TUES NOV 10

Make sure you check it out! Here’s their website: http://www.zappcomics.com/

I even have the list of what’s available to purchase!

Check it out!

HULKBUSTER IRON MAN
RED HULK
BUCKY
EXCLUSIVE METALLIC CAPTAIN AMERICA WITH SHIELD ON HIS BACK
FALCON
DESTROYER
BLUE ANGEL
ARMORED DAREDEVIL ON GARGOYLE
YELLOW DAREDEVIL ON GARGOYLE
RED DAREDEVIL ON GARGOYLE
SILVER SURFER
ROUGE
CLASSIC IRON MAN
70′S MS MARVEL
KRAVEN
ULTRON
LIZARD
ZOMBIE
DEATHLOK
BLUE QUICKSILVER
LUKE CAGE BALD
DEATH
BULLSEYE
TERRAX
STORM WHITE COSTUME
MODERN IRON MAN
MODERN STEALTH IRON MAN
BLACK KNIGHT
GREEN SMASHING HULK
ABOMINATION
NOVA
FAUX BRONZE 1ST APP IRON MAN
FAUX BRONZE LOKI
KAUX BRONZE CLASSIC IRON MAN

WE ALSO HAVE OVER 75 BOWEN MINI-BUSTS IN-STOCK AS WELL

Herb Trimpe Boston Comic Con 2009 Commission

So, I finally met Herb Trimpe and he was as nice and fun to talk to as all the stories I heard.  He was quite the popular guest at the show too – I’m glad I got there early!  But the funny part is – Herb was late.  Doors opened at 10:00 – and I rushed to his table… only to be met with empty chairs.  But that was okay because it gave me time to slip into the Tim Sale line and get the fast pass.  Then, after walking the con – I went back to the table and saw Herb!  I introduced myself – he remembered me from all of my emails – I felt a bit like a stalker – but he was really, genuinely cordial about everything!  I, of course, asked him about a commission.  He said he’d be happy to do one and then he pointed out that he did bring some pieces with him and to check the folder because I might like something in there.  I began to flip and was excited to see quite a few pieces that tickled my fancy.  I wanted a classic Hulk – just a Hulk – and when I saw this piece I figured this is exactly what I would want if he were to do one that day for me – so I picked it up.  I cannot wait to get it framed and to have it in a displayed proudly when the Hulk room gets back to normal. 

A Trimpe for the ages!

Hulk Stamp Postcard

I love the images chosen for the 2007 Super Hero stamps… and it was pretty amazing luck when I happened into the post office 2 years ago to see the stamps – I didn’t even know they were releasing them! I just happen to be in the post office that day – and there they were!  Well, this is almost the same thing – I walked into Outer Limits – and that guy has some really cool items – but man, his prices are hard to swallow at times – but I did see these postcards in the spinner and picked them up.  Pretty short and story I know – but what do you want – I just finished with work and I’m tired!

Hulk Stamp Postcard #2

Magnetic Hulk

I got this in a lot on ebay.  I love the vintage stuff – really!  I mean, this Hulk has a great mug – a classic, Trimpe-looking Hulk!  It’s a hollow piece with a large, round magnet in the back.  He’s also holding what’s supposed to be a huge piece of metal above him – which he is bending at an amazing 45 degree angle at either side!  So, the only thing I don’t know is if this piece went to anything or he is just a stand alone piece.  I think it worls as a stand alone piece – but wouldn’t be surprised if it was part of a bigger playset sort of thing.

Back of Figure

"Hulk bend metal bar! Because that is what do!"

Hulk #15

Hulk #15 had 58,000 in sales – that’s down almost 20,000 in one month! Without it’s 200:1 incentive cover to drive up sales the series seems to be losing more readers than… I don’t even know what – that’s how bad it is – I can’t even come p with a funny analogy! We could almost do a commercial for this series – like the ones they do for starving children… You could say “The Red Hulk series losses something like 6,500 readers everyday. Please help” But by Please help we would mean stop buying it and put this lame duck out of its misery!

Sometimes I get really busy – and can’t post – while I appreciate the people who come to this site everyday and want to see new posts – and trust me, I will keep posting as long as I have things to do so - there’s a lot of work I have been doing on this site that you might not see right away.  Look at the COMICS pages above – for a while people wanted a check list of the Hulk issues.  It was a task I wanted to take on – but also knew it wasn’t an easy thing to do… that it was going to take A LOT of work and take a while to complete.  Well, I was right.  It is a lot of work – especially since I am linking each title to a post that shows that comic so that people can see the issue rather then just having a list.  So, if you don’t see a post – check out the other areas of the site!  It’s a fun thing to do – but I also have to keep it in check and remember that I started this to have fun – not to make it feel like a job.  Alright, I’m done whining – somebody call me the WHAAAA-mbulance and I will get back to posting!

Also – one of the great things is finding other Hulk sites to post for you guys to check out – for instance, click on the image above and you will be brought to a site that has the Hulk stories from the Hulk LP downloaded for your listening pleasure!

Hulk #16 - Red She Hulk... Shrulk?

I have to start this review with this… the art in this story line is just horrible. Nothing in it looks good – and I’ve seen Churchill’s stuff in the past – it doesn’t look like this bad. Why does it look this way in this book? Maybe Ian was just trying to match the art to the writing… sloppy, ugly and seems rushed. Either way, from the people I have talked to, even fans of this title are hating this storyline – which makes sense since everything in this series is different from book to book. In one book Red Hulk can take on a Celestial Being – and in the next he has trouble handling a 5-foot Canadian. How does that contrast sit well with Loeb? How can he write that and pat himself on the back later?

Wolvie takes on Shrulk

This installment – which I refuse to go through in a detailed manner because it’s just not worth it – introduces the Red She Hulk.  As we saw in the last issue she came out to save Red Hulk from Wolverine.  She lies and is over-confident just like her male counter part.  It’s as boring as it sounds…  Basically – and I’m saying REAL basic – Red She Hulk takes Red Hulk into the sewers while the rest of his “team” stays on street level and talks to a mystery guest who turns them against their “leader”.  It ends with the Red Hulk’s team all ready to take him down.  Seriously, that’s it.  That’s all that happens. 

Red She Hulk works out her problems

Unfortunately,Loeb fills this comic with so much nonsense that it takes way too long to get to the end.  Maybe after all the complaints that the comic is always too short of a read Loeb decided get long winded and fill it with ridiculous side stories and nonsensical  moments that it feels like a never-ending marathon.  I think Loeb got confused when people said it was too short – it’s amazing too – he has a fight with Silver Surfer last one panel – yet draws out a walk in the sewers through an entire book.  Mr. Loeb – do us all a favor and quit writing.  Anything.  You shouldn’t even be allowed to write an email at this point…

The team turns on Red Hulk *yawn*

There’s another 200:1 Deadpool variant.  I know a few people who were actually angered that they would put out another rare variant for this issue – after they just did it for the last.  I also know a few comic shops that refused to partake in it this time around because they are left with too many issues that they can’t get rid off.  Marvel’s pathetic attempt to keep sales up on a fledgling title is desperate at best.  Try writing a worthwhile story – that may keep sales up.  Grade: D+

Variant Cover 1:15

The Savage She Hulk #6

Alright kiddies!  I want you to checkout the cover above… I love this cover – but always wanted an Iron Man with a Hulk reflection – and something better then the Red Hulk on Hulk #2 – which I was not a fan of.  So I brought up this idea to Jeff Wamester at the Comic Con – I asked him if he’d try to do something like this.  At first he seemed hesitant – not sure how to execute it exactly – but my only other idea was for him to draw me an Abomination – and since he had the reference above he decided to go with it.  And, man am I glad he did – because he created a piece that I was floored by – something that I was in total shock of how cool it was when I saw it.  Get ready and scroll down…

Wamester's vision - a masterpiece!

Make sure you check him out if he’s ever in your area – better yet – contact him right away and get something done by him – his website is:

http://www.jeffwamester.com/

Pretty easy, right?  Check out the ART page to see the other pieces he has done for me.  They absolutely rock!  This has to be my second favorite – right behind the piece he did for my daughter

For all of you in the NJ and NY area – make sure you stop by Zapp next weekend for a once a year sale that includes 50% off back issues and 40% off statues and busts! Check it out!

THRU TUES NOV 10

Make sure you check it out!  Here’s their website:  http://www.zappcomics.com/

The last time I checked this beautiful copy of 181, graded at 9.8 is at $11,100!  $11,100 is a lot of scratch!  That’s an amazing piece of history – and it’s not even finished yet!  As I was talking to Herb Trimpe in Boston this past Saturday he told me that in the past 3 to 4 months he has had more requests to draw Wolverine than any other character.  More than Hulk!  More then Godzilla!  That makes me a bit sad… I mean, let’s look at the facts here – Herb drew Wolverine’s first appearance – but he did not create that character – he didn’t even design him!  He said it himself – someone asked him if he was upset that they never credit him with the creation of the character – he said “No – it doesn’t bother me!  I mean, I just drew him.  They showed me what to draw and I did it.”  It’s not a character that Herb basically DEFINED for an entire generation!  Yet- this is what people want to see from him as of late… oh well such is life.

The best thing about this book – it’s not even about Wolverine.  It’s about the Wendigo!  And I know too many people who own this book who have never even bothered to read the story!  What is up with that?  You pay enough for a copy of a book – you should know the story front to back!  Just my opinion – but I can’t imagine it being way off base!