For anyone interested in owning the original page – it is up on ebay right now. For me? I’d like to forget this storyline ever existed – but hey, far be it for me to deny onyone who might want it!
Ummm… Part 38
Gee, Rick – if you really want your wife to think you’ve missed her – then you should probably get to know her name!
Also Out…
I am also posting the other books on the racks that have some Hulk related material in them – and in Avengers #2 there is a shot of the future Hulk. Just to let you know – for any of the completest’s out there… like myself.
Hulk #23 (2010) – The Review
This star-studded issue filled with Hulk artists of the past was… well, enjoyable. Enjoyable – but classic Loeb stupidity. Since this series has began there are many, many simple questions that Loeb has ignored in place of telling ridiculous, flashy stories that really make no sense when someone with half a brain thinks about it for half a second. If this series went the original 6 issues as it was supposed to – then maybe we would all be singing a different tune – because, again, the whole idea is pretty decent!
First off – let me get right into the stories – then I will talk about the art – we begin with a flashback of a teenage Ross who got into a terrible accident where he was pronounced dead – and then his condition was upgraded to “still alive” – but the doctor said he would never walk again – and then he did. These events made Ross hate all Doctors. Because they gave a professional opinion – and it turned out to be not true… man, I wonder how Ross feels about weather men?
But then Ross wakes up present day and is faced with the Cosmic Hulk Robot. Where the heck did Betty go? Weren’t they just fighting? Didn’t they just get reunited? I know Betty went to help Bruce, but WTF? She just leaves her father alone, drained of all power, in a crashing Hell-Carrier?
Back to another flashback – where Ross first meets the Hulk – and he admits that he actually coveted the Hulk’s power. Which makes sense, since he spent so much time trying to destroy it. By the way – the last comment is to be said laced with sarcasm… Ross recounts his many ways of trying to capture the Hulk – and even the first time he aligned himself with M.O.D.O.K.
Ross takes some power from the Cosmic Hulk Robot and Hulks out, ripping the robot in half. Ross also recounts when the Leader used his body and turned him into the Redeemer. Even though it seemed he was catatonic – he actually had his wits about him. He liked the power he had – the power to destroy the Hulk – but was angry he couldn’t use it at the time… so when Leader and M.O.D.O.K. come calling again with promises of power – real power – Ross agrees. Now, with the events of WWH, where the Hulk is hit with the satellite ray – it didn’t knock him out, but instead, compromised by the Leader and Co., it drained the Hulk’s energy and collected it into the cathexis ray.
And thus the Red Hulk is born! The events of the Hulk series are now recounted – including what really happened to Quartermain. And the events of the Red Hulk killing “himself” in the Redeemer suit. Which still makes absolutely no sense – I don’t get why Banner and Ross had to stage the Ross death – other than unconvincingly trying to trick the readers? We also see the Leader – who we thought got away in TIH #610 – but actually Ross caught up to him and drained his power, leaving him a weak, stupid man. But he’s been that way before and was able to turn himself back into the Leader – so I don’t think this is the last we will see of him. The end of the issue is where we are left with classic Loeb idiocy. We learned that Talbot was not an L.M.D. – Cho told Banner this… but we are left with the Red Hulk holding the robotic head of Talbot… so how the he ll is this possible? Oh right – because Loeb is too busy patting himself on the back to concern himself with continuity… So, the story? It’s about as good as this series has been. It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense if you put even a small amount of thought into it.
Now the art? I am not usually a fan of different artists taking parts in the same book – but it worked alright here. The highlights being Buscema, Churchill, and Deodato. I think Keown’s double page was too brief and a little boring – Sale’s part was too close to his Gray series – I mean, did he even do new artwork for this issue? I’ll have to take a look – but it’s really close to the art we saw in the mini – McG does some stellar stuff – but goodness gracious – he makes the Red Hulk;s hand WAY TOO BIG in those last pages – it just looks silly at some points! Leinil Yu’s stuff is pretty nice as well – but the JRJR stuff is terrible in comparison! Well, that’s it. All the secrets are out! And it’s obvious that Loeb not only needed the help in telling a coherent story – but he needs to stop patting himself on the back for this jumbled mess. Thanks for the answers – but seriously? This ride was terrible. This issue gets a: C-
Uminga Commission…
Tomorrow…
Since this rag is getting better – let’s all cross our fingers for the big “Origin” event of the Crimson Idiot is actually worth reading! On shelves this Wednesday…
7-11 Incredible Hulk Glass (1978)
There are 2 Hulk glasses you can get from 7-11 – this is the rarer – and the better looking. The 1977 glass – although older – is more plentiful and can usually be found for around $10 on ebay. There are a few of these glasses on ebay that people try to sell for about a hundred – but that’s not what I paid. I like rare collectibles – don’t get me wrong – but some of these collectibles are not worth what people are asking (Stretch Hulk comes to mind). This glass is a lot thinner – or maybe I am just used to the Toon Tumblers heft now – so it’s also a lot more fragile.
I wonder how much Hulk stuff we would have had the 70’s show not been a hit – or worse – not produced at all! I can only thanks the Marvel gods that they did produce such a show – and with that came a ton of Hulk merchandise! The Hulk, at one time, rivaled the popularity of Spiderman – maybe even more so – because having a network, prime time show means that Housewives who have never picked up a comic before suddenly know the character.
THE WINNER!
It was close – REAL close for a long while – and then Fiddy started picking up steam! I have to tell you, at one point, the winner was separated by just one vote – every time Grey got a vote – Fiddy would get one. It was so much fun – this contest – I will make sure I do another next year. Congrats Fiddy – expect a package in the mail real soon – and let me know how you like it!
All the contestants will be receiving a little something – in appreciation of all of your efforts. Hope you guys had as much fun as I did!
Voting Ends Tonight! 8:00! (My time…)
Well, here it is, the last day – results will be tallied and the winner will be announced on Monday! Good Luck, Grey and Fiddy! And click on the imga above to download a classic Hulk game… you know, if you’re bored or whatever…
Also out in Stores…
Hulk #22 2nd print is out. This is a chance to pick up an issue that is still on store shelves. Many, many copies sitting on store shelves – but here is a 2nd print. Is this series really ending in 2 issues? It still sells a decent amount – are they really ending this series on a high note? Is Jeph Loeb really dying? Oh, well I made up the last part – but Hulk is still supposedly ending it’s run at issue #24. Have I mentioned how psyched I am to have the green Hulk back?
The Incredible Hulk #610 (2010) – The Review
Guess who’s back? Back again? Hulk is back… tell a friend… and all I can say is thank freakin’ goodness they got Pak to come back and write this! The only man able to take the drivel Loeb has been shoveling our way and making it sweet as hell! This whole story is almost like every other Marvel story – except just the opposite. And by that I mean, this was a crap story, until the end, which has completely rocked! It’s interesting, fun and ties into everything else – unlike anything Loeb has done thus far… and bonus – it has a JRJR that I actually love!
This stellar issue starts with Bruce crying over spilled Betty blood as Betty recounts how the Leader made her into the Red She Hulk. While everyone is ready for her to die – including Betty herself – Samson comes out of the woodwork to save her… by making her angry and making her change. Betty – now the Red She Hulk starts beating Samson to a pulp. And then Cho shows up – looking like the Gremlin on steroids – changed, like all the heroes, by the Leader and M.O.D.O.K.’s ray – except, now Cho – who was one of the 8 smartest men in the world – is now THE smartest.
As Reed, Pym, McCoy and T’Challa all work on reverting the Hulked out Heroes back to normal the Leader and M.O.D.O.K. show up and release some of Leader’s Humanoids. Only, with Cho on Bruce’s side, they don’t last very long. Bruce beats on the Leader – and is even ready to kill him – but gets distracted and the Leader has the chance he needs to escape. M.O.D.O.K., on the other hand, is facing off against Cho – who is now so bad ass he actually transforms the giant head into human form!
Now, with Samson’s help, Bruce begins to take the gamma energy out of the heroes – and so that the machine doesn’t explode before it finishes – Bruce starts to absorb the excess… and radiating himself into his former green glory! The machine begins to take on too much energy and in a final bid to show that he was always a hero, Samson steps in. His energy is siphoned off so much – he is actually burnt to a crisp – only having enough time to tell Bruce how he’s always believed in him – and so has Betty. Reed worries about what the Hulk will do once he’s released – but Cho reminds him, that’s what Bruce has been training Skaar to deal with all this time.
And then it happens. The machine explodes – the Hellcarrier is destroyed – the world is saved – and the Hulk is back! Much to the delight of Skaar, who raises his sword and says “Finally.”
This issue couldn’t be any better – with a huge brawl set for the next issue – it should be even more fantastic! I can’t wait! Grade: A+
WOW – Pages leaked!
Pages from Hulk #23 – which doesn’t come out until next week are already available to be purchased on the Graphic Collectibles website – anyone who likes spoliers should check it out (by clicking on the image above) – but I am going to stay away – I like to be surprised when I read my comics! Take a gander if you will – while I get TIH #610 review ready…
The Incredible Hulk #333 (1987) – The Review
One of the most surprising issues I have ever read. I first saw this issue back in 1991 – the mall near me had a small kiosk that sold baseball cards, comics and, oddly enough, sunglasses. They had about 40 comics in a few 3-ring binders for easy browsing – but this is the issue I always stopped at. Before my love affair with the Hulk even started I wanted this comic – because the Hulk I knew and the Hulk on this cover were 2 sides of the spectrum. They couldn’t be further from different if they tried. I was intrigued, but at the same time, I was unwilling to spend the $15 the man was asking for to own and read it. A few months later, I was given #343 and that turned out to be my FIRST Hulk comic. By the time I was willing to pay for #333 the kiosk was gone. I did pick it up later… years later – and it has been one of my favorite issues ever since.
The issue opens with a beaten woman on the floor and dreaming of shooting her husband until her husband knocks her silly. The Hulk, newly transformed back into the Grey Hulk, is with Rick Jones, who has just been cured of being the Mullet Hulk. Wile Rick is ready to thank Banner – the Grey Hulk just wants to be left alone. He knows that the sunrise is coming – and with that – Banner. He jumps far away and finds a small town – or more importantly, a liquor store. The Hulk gets stinkin’ drunk!
The sun comes up leaving a very intoxicated Banner to explain – or more accurately, slur what happened and who he is. But he blacks out and the police, including the Sheriff – who happens to be the same abusive husband from the beginning of the issue – take Banner to jail.
Rick arrives at Gammabase only to taken in – and Betty is there getting love notes from her Ex-Husband. We rejoin the abused wife who is recalling how she fell for her husband. What a great guy he was when they were young and in love. But now all she wants to do is leave.
Banner is in jail recalling everything Sterns said to him – how the Hulk doesn’t just appear at night because of the moon – but because of the sun. He tries to warn the cops – but the Sheriff decides to push his luck and abuse Banner instead. With the sun fully set, the Hulk comes barging out of the cell and makes quick work out of the Sheriff, throwing him out of a window. Not one to back down he continues to try and show what a big man he is – only to be more and more embarrassed by the Hulk.
Even the towns people cheer the Hulk on – calling the Sheriff a bully – saying he’s getting what he deserves! Only Blaire, the Sheriff’s wife comes to his aid. Only he isn’t happy about having to be saved by his wife, in front of HIS town. He screams at his wife, and tries to grab the gun she is holding out of her hands – only, the gun goes off – and kills the Sheriff.
Blaire says she didn’t mean to… and the Hulk responds with “Ha! Sure you didn’t!” And with that he takes off. The issue closes with Betty meeting up with Ramon, her Ex. She wants to feel wanted, special, loved – and she thinks Ramon can give that to her.
An amazing self contained issue that’s part of a bigger picture – showing how ruthless the Grey Hulk can be. His hate for Banner having him make worse and worse choices – getting him into bigger trouble than he needed to be. Almost like the classic 70’s television show. Grade: A+
Things are heating up!
I must say, this is an exciting contest! I can see the results – and I am shocked how often they flip flop – it’s such a close race! Fiddy, Grey – get whoever you want to log in and cast a vote because the voting closes on Friday! I will take whoever is leading in the votes at that moment, and then and announce the winner on Monday! Good luck to both!
VOTE NOW!!!!!!
You have seen all of the submission – but more importantly – you have seen the 2 finalists! It’s time to vote! Choose either Grey’s Card (left) or Fiddy’s Card (right):
Ratchet's Hulk Collection 