Ratchet's Hulk Collection

The Incredible Hulks #626 (2011) – The Review

attleboro and Hulk 022 — The Incredible Hulks #626

I am starting off a new way of reviewing things – trying out a new format and all – hope you all enjoy – let me know what you think. Also, just trying to catch up on things now… sorry posts have been so slow.

THE POSITIVE: Let’s begin with the fantastic art as Grummett takes over! The art is a huge part of the enjoyment of these funny books for me, I mean, everyone has their own tastes as to what is and what is not good art but like I’ve stated in the past I love most of Purves run while many a Hulk fan try to forget about that time period. Also, I am jazzed that Cho is back with Banner! Although – have they addressed why Cho was wrong in assessing Talbot not being an LMD? If I were Banner I would totally be questioning Cho’s claim at being one of the smartest after that huge blunder. Still having Cho have your back should put you at ease – but with a partner as unpredictable as the Hulk… good luck with any plan going according to… well, plan. Lastly, I hate to say it but Betty has never been more enjoyable to read. She has gone through a lot of transformations in the era of Hulk comics – but never has she been more difficult and a source of frustration for the Hulk. It breathes new life into the character that we didn’t see happen with Ross as the Red Hulk (Of course, that could have to do more with the writer).

attleboro and Hulk 023 — Tyrannus... sleeps with that thing under his pillow

THE NEGATIVE: Why is this book still titled in the plural form – did the Hulk not shed most of his team in the last issue? Are they still counting Betty and Rick? Whatever – I am just happy they are focusing more on the Hulk now – and even bringing back some of Hulk’s original foes such as Tyrannus. Although, Tyrannus is and always has been one of the least interesting original villains of all time. I can’t say I was completely jazzed when I saw it was him. And the whole issue is using the Hulk’s strength and rage against him. This is a plot point that has been around since the inception of the Hulk and when used right can really have an impact on the story. Here though… I saw the twist coming from a mile away. Betty’s in the vault? Really? Come on – Cho didn’t see that coming either? Maybe he was a bit too worried about the Hulk causing damage – which is exactly why he is a flawed sidekick. A smarter person would have figured a way to work the Hulk into a situation rather than trying to make Bruce stay calm and repress the beast within. Especially when Bruce was going after Betty. If there has been a Hulk triggering switch in the past – it’s Betty. Always has been, always will be.

attleboro and Hulk 024 — Hulk doesnt need no stinkin combination!

AND THE RELEVANT: Now this is the part of the review where I can discuss what relevance the storyline may have on the Hulk continuity. Such as – if I had reviewed the Hulk issues when the Red Hulk first showed up I would still say the character’s origin was crap – but I would also admit that the relevance would be great because I think the character was here to stay… good or bad. This issue is hard to say if will have lasting power as it’s just the first issue of a two-parter but they are off to a good start with Betty turning to the dark side and even using the Hulk to do the dirty work. Let’s see how the next issue shapes up.

attleboro and Hulk 025 — Tyrannus and Betty... who is now going for the Elvira look

CONCLUSION: Absolutely buy this issue and read the hell out of it.

Skaar: King of the Savage Land #1(of 5) (2011) – The Review

attleboro and Hulk 026 — Skaar: King of the Savage Land #1

THE POSITIVE: There’s a whole lot of humor in the first issue. That makes comics so much more fun to read. There’s also a bunch of pretty great action – you have to love people beating up Dinosaurs! Also, there are a bunch of intersecting storylines with Ka-Zar trying to connect the Savage Land and the rest of the world, Shanna trying to “welcome” Skaar into the ways of the Savage Land, and of course Skaar fighting humongous robots and unlocking some great ancient evil from an underground prison.

attleboro and Hulk 027 — Im sorry - what were you saying Shanna? My thoughts were... elsewhere.

THE NEGATIVE: Amazingly enough, there’s not too much negative to talk about here. I mean, the art is fantastic, the story is funny, interesting and moving at a nice pace. Overall, nothing to complain about here.

attleboro and Hulk 028 — Seriously Skaar? Act like a man!

AND THE RELEVANT: I guess we can all admit at this point that Skaar was a great idea. He came off of an amazing Hulk storyline and has continued strongly throughout. Even how he came to be in the Savage Land and stay was a decent enough story… well, HIS part anyways. And I will be the first to admit that he is a perfect fit for the Savage Land! Who wouldn’t want to see a weekly bout with dinosaurs! And, as with the Hulk storyline at the moment, this is the first issue of a mini – so I really can’t give you a definitive answer on whether or not this little series will have an overall impact.

attleboro and Hulk 029 — Crap, Skaar - now you are IN for it!

CONCLUSION: You should get this comic and read it a few times. Then read it again!

Getting ready for the Boston Comic Con

I am thinking about getting a jam piece together. A piece that each artist I ask will contribute to – not too sure what I am looking to do exactly – but I still have a bit of time. I have been searching out some Hulk art and found this thread with some excellent examples – and I thought I’d share! Click on the image above – and enjoy!

New GG Bust?

Gentle Giant has released a prototype of the new bust that will be coming out. I think it has potential – based off a Keown drawing – not one of my favorites – but still, the bust looks decent enough! I believe the apparent seams will be filled in – I am not too worried about that – but GG doing full torso busts? Cool!

Marvel Legends Hulkbuster Iron Man (2005)

Lex Bath Greenfield 058 — Marvel Legends Hulkbuster Iron Man

One of the best things about the ML line was the articulation – they always loaded the figures with all sorts of articulated points! I love the fact that you can not only pose the arms and hands – but even each finger! This figure is an excellent portrayal of the Hulkbuster figure – I actually like the 3″ figure a bit better. But let’s get real here – who doesn’t LOVE huge action figures? I love huge action figures and this one is no exception!

In addition to the articulation the other thing I love when it comes to action figures – the details! And this figure has details up the wah-zoo! I don’t have an open figure – but I have seen enough reviews and videos on this figure to know that you can open the helmet to reveal Stark’s head! The inside has all sorts of gadgets and buttons… which makes you wonder… how does he press those buttons that high? With his tongue? That’s disgusting! Can you imagine how the inside of the suit smells? Ewwww… This is definitely worth a pick up though!

Custom Hulk Comiquette – Planet Hulk!

ph com2 — The Face even looks better when done up so amazingly!

If this is what the comiquette looked like upon its release – I would have happily shelled out the clams for it! But sadly, it’s customizers who have to improve upon the mass produced SS product. Man, I LOVE this! I can’t explain or gush over this enough! And the size compared to the dio… well, let’s just say there is no comparison! WOW!

ph com3 — I love how the obedience disc is painted up!

And for those of you who might ask – no I have not yet gone to my LCS and picked up the Skaar in the Savage Land issue. I will most likely be reviewing it later this week – but feel free to let me know how you liked it!

Marvel Heroes Glass Set #2 (2011)

Lex Bath Greenfield 063 — The Hulk Glass

Marvel seems to be releasing more and more of these sets – and I do like the ones I have seen – but I can also see myself getting to the point where I don’t feel like collecting anymore glasses. This set is a bit different though – instead of just the image on a glass this set is colored glasses with the heroes faces on the side!

Does the image look familar? It totally should – not only from the hat I posted earlier but also the can hugger I just posted. So, of course you have Marvel’s heavy hitters – Cap, Wolvie, Spidey and the Hulk – blue, yellow, red and green. Like I stated – this set is a bit different than any I have seen before – and the set is pretty cool – but they need to be handwashed… as usual – and if these images fade… well, you will be left with a strange looking colored glass.

Lex Bath Greenfield 064 — I just might have to seek another one of these out!

The Incredible Hulks #625 (2011) – The Review

So, Planet Savage – aka Miek’s revenge – wraps up in this issue. Thank goodness… sorry but I was not a fan of this storyline. Every story arc now seems rushed as they wrap up in a quick 3 issues. I remember back in the day of Bruce Jones all the storylines were 6 issues long because that was the size of collected trades. Now they seem to put less in the books – Marvel’s seems to be trying to find a balance of just how little they can give the fans and just how much we will still pay for it. I have to admit – I like the HC collections – but most of them that I get are more than 50% off. I am still looking forward to Pak’s swan song after “The Spy who Smashed Me!”

lex kingston 057 — The Hulk playing dress up...

The issue begins with everyone still looking for the Hulk and the bugs attacking the Sakaarians. The Hulks are able to take care of them – but Korg comes running out of the jungle – running from the Hulk! The Hulk is being controlled by Miek and he starts beating on everyone. But Miek comes along to explain things. After WWH, inside the human’s prison, Miek changed genders and began to lay eggs. None of the babies were strong enough to survive though, even in the Savage Land where Miek was using the Red People as hosts, the babies were not strong enough to survive.

Until the Hulk – the Hulk is strong enough to host Miek’s babies – but the Hulk is, after all, the Hulk and he turns on Miek. Smashes him right into the side of a volcano! But that’s not the end of our old friend, oh no – then the Hulk decides to rip the babies right out of his chest and crush them right before him! But it is Skaar who saves them. Skaar who wants to help the babies continue to get stronger.

lex kingston 059 — This is how the Hulk gets rid of heartburn!

Miek sees the opportunity to get rid of the Hulk AND have a strong host! He tries to chem with Skaar but the Hulk puts a stop to that – and his writing career – by severing his arm. He hits him across the Savage Land and then, ultimately, even after trying to help him, Miek falls into a deep cavern. The Hulk returns to see Skaar with Miek’s babies walking away on his own. And the Hulk decides it’s finally time to set his team free as well. End of The Incredible Hulks.

lex kingston 060 — The soft and squishy babies...

Good issue, like I said before, happy to be at the end of this particular storyline – now on the next! Grade: C+

Hulk Can Hugger (2011)

Lex Bath Greenfield 052 — Hulk Can Hugger

They are using this image more and more – and it’s a classic image, a classic artist, so I have no complaints… alright, one complaint. It looks as though he’s winking. THAT – or Hulk is having a stroke. On the Hulk hat I bought they made another eye – but with this can hugger (call me crazy, but these things were called can cozies when they first appeared on the market, no? I guess can cozy sounds a little too Un-Hulk like) The best thing is – it seems like the Hulk is reassuring you here. Like he’s saying “Hey bro – no problem – I will keep your canned beverage slightly cooler than it would’ve stayed if you had not wrapped me around it *man-ly wink* Can a real man wink? Well, I guess a real man can do anything he wants. But still, somethings look out of place when they do it – and winking is one of them!

Congrats to the… Miz??!?!?

Early reports are now saying that the wrestler The Miz is the front runner for the Hulk in the new television show. Del Toro wants an old-school feel to the show and has opted for a real life muscle bound “Hulk” of a man to portray the character – rather than have the Hulk be CGI, which would be rather expensive for a television series. My thoughts? The Miz? Really? He’s a bit… puffy, no?

Click on the image for more info…

Large Hulk Mug (2010)

I was excited to get this mug for Christmas. It’s image – which is a great Hulk image – is on a whole lot of newer Hulk stuff… I already posted a tumbler with the same Hulk on it. I am looking into getting a beautiful display cabinet for the Hulk room and if it does work out then maybe I’ll be able to set up all these glasses and mugs together. By the way – I also found a rockin’ new Marvel glass set – I will post that next – because now it is out of the bag….

Gary Gets into Byrne’s Hulk Head!

Over at Gary’s blog he has done a 4 part 3 part blog. You read that right – he did a 3 part blog posted in 4. That sneaky guy! Anyways, the posts are all about the Byrne years – not only a review of the Byrne issues – but what was supposed to come before he left – and maybe WHY Byrne left. His ideas are pretty interesting – if you agree with him or not. Check them all out here:

Some Hulk Magents, Pins and Stickers (2011)

hulks nov 014 — 2003 Puffy Hulk Stickers - Bought from a yard sale...

For the past few months I have picked up quite a few little knickknacks – pins, stickers, patches and magnets. Showing these things off by themselves never seemed very interesting – but now that I have quite the collection of these things gathered so… here we go!

I love stickers. Who doesn’t love stickers? They STICK to things! If you put them into a girl’s hair – which I did many times as a kid – they stick! I think everyone had a sticker book at one time – and I have had plenty of different Hulk sticker – ones that glitter and ones that are puffy – but no scratch -n-sniff. How great would a scratch-n-sniff Hulk sticker be? What would the best smell for this sticker be? Remember the old “skunk” smelly stickers are? The Hulk scratch-n-sniff may have given that a run for his money!

hulks nov 016 — Doesn't he look... DIMENSIONAL!

I found something called “dimensional” stickers. I believe it was 465 who mentioned that these things existed and I went out and picked them up the next day. I think that is one of the best things about what came out of this site – fans helping fans! There’s a great poster named Toy Thinker who has many, many times given a heads up about Hulk product on the shelves. If I get a heads up I know there are other people who visit this site who also get a heads up – so anyone wanting to add their two cents – feel free to do so!

hulk 023 - Copy — Large Sticker won from a machine

The pins that I have – some were bought – but the first two below were given to me by one of my best friends. Both pins are from Hulky goodness in the past – the 1976 Marvel Calendar and the Marvel Treasury Edition #5. Each one is about the size of a half-dollar and have held up well over the years! They are dated 1975.

hulks nov 017 - Copy — This image is from the 1976 Marvel Calendar

hulks nov 017 — And.... Treasury Edition #5

I was also able to score a few pins from my LCS and I also wanted to include a shot of all the pins I have… I am not all that crazy for pins… it’s not like I seek them out – but I will pick one up if I see it.

hulk 022 — Hulk Pin - Image from TTA #97

scituate 035 — Pretty Much all the Hulk pins I own...

The magnets were purchased just recently at Double Midnight Comics in NH. The store was a bit lacking in back issues and comic selection but had some great Hulk items. My favorite is the puffy magnet – the one from the cover of #206. I’ve seen that image used so many times over – but this has to be one of my favorite uses!

Lex Bath Greenfield 045 — Hulk Puffy Sticker

Lex Bath Greenfield 049 — Hulk Magnet #2

Lex Bath Greenfield 051 — Hulk #181 - recreation cover

The patch I picked up… well, I don’t know – who even uses patches? I remember them being big in the 80’s or something… but don’t you iron these on? And didn’t metal heads have them ironed onto their jean jackets? Oh great… now all I have is the image of a metal head ironing…

Hulk #31 (2011) – The Review

scituate 036 — Hulk #31 - Who is Zero/One? My guess: A new villain with a terrible name?

Let’s get down to the nitty gritty! Hulk #31 is apparently the last $3.99 issue – and thank goodness. Marvel’s top selling books are still an outrageous $4 – but at least the Hulk books are not…anymore. The whole “8 extra pages of story” crap was not worth the extra buck. I liked the Omegex back story – but I am pretty sure they could have fit it into the regular storyline. Let’s get into the actual issue here…

scituate 037 — Oh, hey look! Spawn has a guest shot in Hulk!

Jacob was a tech at the Omnisapient Corp when the Iron Man and Red were called in to take care of the creatures overrunning the place. He was stuck in there when it exploded and is burned… well, everywhere. Unfortunately Jacob doesn’t have anyone willing to help him – no family willing to pay to finish his skin grafts – and so he is on his own.

scituate 038 — Zero/One - terrible name - nice boobs...

Red winds up at a barbeque and is joined by Annie – an LMD from Red’s Gamma Base. Annie puts the situation on the table – and then they discuss bathroom and sleep issues. Before you know it Fortean is back and sends a “care package” to Red – who jumps to detonate it so Annie is not harmed. Meanwhile, Jacob is visited by his former co-worker – Dr, Kurinji – who was trying to connect herself to the machine before Red severed any connection. Now though – she is no longer human but not machine – she is Zero/One. Matrix anyone?

scituate 039 — Red faces off against the Rock Monster!

Back with Red, the real package that Fortean dropped off was a nifty little piece of tech that accumulates rock to a walking weapon. Kind of like that Rock Monster thing from Galaxy Quest. Zero/One lays her plans down to Jacob. She wants the Red Hulk out of the way so that they may create a new world. And back with Red, he has finished off the last of the Rock Monsters and a Fortean hologram comes to apologize to Annie for dropping the weapon while she was around. Meanwhile, back in space where the Watcher is, the Omegex is still on it’s way to Earth.

scituate 040 — Can't wait for Watcher's revenge!

I am loving this series again! I was bummed by the Monster Island issues – but this new direction has my interest peaked! I am loving Fortean – and I cannot wait for the Omegex to get to Earth! Hope Red gets some sleep – because it looks like he’ll need it – but then again, that may just kill him! Grade: A

Coming Soon… Planet Red Hulk! I mean, Planet Red Hulk?

Wow – really? This reeks of desperation… I mean, comeon! Planet Red Hulk? Anyways, click on the image above for more info.