I know I was pretty lazy last week – as far as the blog goes anyway – but remember – this is kind of a spare time kind of thing, and when I don’t have spare time… you don’t get posts. But something I have realized this past week – I never posted some of my Boston Comic Con Art! I couldn’t believe it! I have a ton of stuff to show you!
I will start with the Franco! Defenders piece I picked up. Franco! is great – really great – and the real great thing about him was that he decided to do all of his commissions at the con for just one dollar. That’s right, one dollar! You could have as many characters you want in the piece – and it was one dollar. Even cooler, it was done all in crayon! Freakin’ crayon! Man, it was spectacular! He had a few pieces that he did before – ready to purchase – and as much as I wanted one of his $1 crayon masterpieces – I went with the bit more pricey ready made crayon commissions – and I am so glad I did! The Defenders! Wow!
This is the all time favorite Hulk vs. Thing match up. Throughout the years, this is still one of the hottest comics featuring this match up – and if you can get your hands on a sweet copy, do it! I was lucky enough to find a nice copy AND a sweet reader copy – and this is what I chose to read waiting to get into Boston Comic Con this year.
Hulk and Thing - no couple in history needed more counseling than these 2!
This issue starts with Bruce Banner looking for Reed Richards – who is supposed to have a cure for him! But when he arrives at the Baxter Building it is only the Thing who is home. Hearing that Reed has perfected a cure for the two man-monsters Thing has Banner hook the machine up and try it out on them. Banner, ready and willing to get his cure, and almost as smart as Reed, figures out the machine and straps Ben in. But the Hulk decides to take a part in the experiment and begins to destroy the machine in a fit of rage. This makes the machine go haywire and the most remarkable thing happens…
Thundra joins the party!
The machine explodes and when the smoke clears we see the Hulk – but the Hulk doesn’t sound like himself – in fact, he sounds a lot like Thing – and for good reason! The Hulk and Thing’s minds have been switched! This may have been the only time that Thing could have taken Hulk, but such is not the case! Thing/Hulk comes charging out and attacks Hulk/Thing and sends him flying! Down on the street, the public see the explosion and head for the hills – but there is a person in the crowd heading toward the disaster… a beautiful powerhouse named Thundra!
Thundra’s soft spot for Thing has her going to his aide – only, it’s the Thing/Hulk – and she is greeted with a powerful punch! Meanwhile, Hulk/Thing and Thing/Hulk really go at it. One of the best and most brutal fights between the heroes ever! Sure enough, the FF (minus Sue Storm – who was missing at that point- but replaced by Medusa) finally arrive and see that Grimm is in trouble! They follow the brawl as it goes into a boxing arena and watch as the Thing/Hulk is really giving Hulk/Thing a run for his money! Suddenly, Reed knows what to do! He grabs some tranquilizer and injects Hulk/Thing. Ben shouts out – saying that Reed has made a huge mistake!
One of the best Hulk/Thing issues EVER!
But as Hulk/Thing is knocked out he transforms into – not Grimm – but Bruce Banner! And even better, the Thing suddenly has his mind back! But now Thundra comes out of nowhere to exact revenge on Grimm – who she thinks has hit her, not one, but TWICE! The Thing wants to reciprocate – but Reed tells him to just let it go. The story concludes with Thing claiming that it was just not worth getting out of bed some days…
A classic tale drawn by a master, Rich Buckler. It’s a tale that has a twist, written to perfection, and a whole lot of fun. I love everything about this issue! A+
This site hit it’s 1,000,000 view a small while back! Thanks for all the support guys! Now, I know last week was a little… slow – but I promise next week will be a lot better – and a whole lot of fun! I have recieved 2 submissions already for the contest – can’t wait to see any other’s that may arrive! Coming up, my Bowen Planet Hulk FS review, a few of my favorite issues reviewed, and a whole lot of art I forgot to post! Woo Hoo! Make sure you tune in this week!
Here is a classic piece of Hulk history! Sure, it’s a Marvel calendar – but these classic calendars are the best! I wish they made them like this nowadays… but alas – they hardly have the same charm. The Hulk seems to always be featured in December – I guess the old saying is correct – “You save the best for last!”
Back CoverHulk in December... he almost hit Santa!
And the Hulk ‘s month is littered with great Hulk tidbits – like the layout to Gamma base! My favorite thing is at the very end – you can see the Hulk being carried by a stork – and the Hulk is wearing a diaper, bringing us into 1976 (the year I was born – suh-weet!) Now, there are a few really great calendars that I want – the 1976 one is a must for me – but I also need the 1978 calendar.
Click on the image to see super sized! Hulk Month!
Check out the link by clicking the image above! Bad ass, right? Oh yeah, badass! And while we’re on the subject… click the link in the pic below to check out a real talented artist:
I’ve been thinking about doing this for a while. I’ve wanted to do a contest for all the followers on here – but wasn’t sure what kind of contest to do. Then I was thinking about this upcoming May… May is the month of my birthday. I love May! I am going to review some of my favorite issues ever in May – but more than that I had a great idea! I am going to run a contest for whoever is interested – and here it is:
Since my birthday is in May, I want you to create a Birthday card – with a Hulk theme obviously – and send it to me. That’s all you have to do to be in the running to win. And what will you win? You will win a Hulk care package filled with some issues, TPB, figures – the works! And all you have to do is know how to draw – or cut and paste – or make pretty pictures with your computer! This will be fun! Whoever wants to – and I would be honored! I will post every card I receive on this site – and you guys can vote on which you think is the best!
Here are the simple rules: 1) You must send a physical card – no e-cards or digital copied will be allowed. If you create the card using a computer you must print a copy out and send it. 2) The card MUST be Hulk themed. 3) Send the card to Ratchet’s Hulk Collection, 35 Hood Dr, Plymouth MA 02360. 4) All cards must be postmarked by my birthday – May 28th – we will choose the winner at the end of the month.
And that’s it! Anyone can enter – anyone may win! Hope you guys have fun with it! I will look forward to seeing what you guys come up with!
So, I am pretty sure this is supposed to take place AFTER Hulk #22 – although it’s not exactly clear. But Bruce is in the “dream” world the Leader has drawn the 8 smartest men into. Bruce lives there with Betty, their children and the other geniuses. When the Hellicarrier is attacked, the Leader asks the Red She Hulk to take care of that while he has “Talbot” make a speech about these new hulked out heroes, and how they have gone insane. But we see the hulked out soldiers attacking the capitol. That is, until A-Bomb and Korg come to help fight them. Not to mention Skaar.
Skaar... he's good to have on your team!
Meanwhile, Bruce is still in the “dream” world where Doom asks Bruce if he finds anything strange. He says that the others are all getting dumber – but that he has something that might hold the answer – a gauntlet that he can summon that he believes will help them. Banner takes the gauntlet home and sees the other side – his son, Skip – or Skaar getting beaten by the hulked out heroes. Skaar uses the Old Power to fight back – and A-Bomb saves him by stepping in front of a blast – but says they need to get Bruce. Skaar throws A-Bomb to the hellicarrier where Bruce is.
Don't name your child "Skip" - they will get pissed!
Bruce is happy. That’s all he cares about. He doesn’t want to know the truth. Even when Doom comes asking, Bruce denies everything. He has Betty, a family, the Hulk is dead. He is happy. But Doom touches Skip and he turns into Skaar. Skaar attacks – Bruce heads to the lab to try to find a cure for his son – Skaar still smashes. Doom tells Bruce to turn the Gauntlet on so that they can go home. Bruce refuses – until Betty comes out of no where – like Arnold in Commando – and kills Skaar. Bruce sees his dead son. Betty says that they should just go home – that they will go to sleep and when they wake everything will be perfect again. Bruce says he wants the real Betty – and he turns the gauntlet on.
Can Betty ever stay alive? Is it possible?
Bruce awakens in the real world to find the Red She Hulk fighting A-Bomb – and Doom up to his old tricks – trying to steal all of the other’s minds. But Bruce, being the sneaky bastard he is, turns the tables on Doom – frying his brain and restoring everyone Else’s. Doom goes to attack – but Red She Hulk comes to the rescue. She tries to tell Bruce something – but Skaar comes out of no where, protecting Bruce, and stabbing the Red She Hulk – and turns back into her other self… Betty Ross.
Variant Cover
The issue certainly moves along fast. Much faster and better than this whole “Fall of the Hulks” crap. They finally are getting the story interesting – but I am going to look forward to some self contained issues. No more of these “event” stories. Each one seems to get worse than the next. This issue is a step up – but let’s finish this off already. Grade: B
Let’s get it out of the way right now – let’s just throw it out there – you were right, Gary. I never doubted you for a second – and congrats for being one of the first to make the public prediction that, yes, General Thaddeus Ross IS the Red Hulk. After 2 and 1/2 years, 22 issues, we finally see what should have been shown in issue #6. I have to say, though, I really liked this issue – after being so let down with the last one – this was like a breath of fresh air! But, It was a long time coming… WAY TOO LONG coming, we had to suffer through crap – absolute crap writing and stories – and shame on you Loeb for using your “superstar” status to hype this drivel. We had small shots of smart storytelling – issue #18 comes to mind – but mostly it was just terrible. The Offenders, anyone? How about the Wendi-Hulk? Ugh.
Hulked Out FF
But what we have here was actually decent and fun to read! The Red Hulk takes on the hulked out heroes, my favorite part was the “Uncanny” comment he makes with/about Cyclops. The whole time he’s fighting he talks about how this was his plan – about how he was the one to come up with irradiating soldiers to unite the world – the heroes being Hulked up was never part of the plan though – but now he was looked at much like Banner always was – like a monster.
Samson does not approve...
Samson looks on and does not like what he sees but the Leader and M.O.D.O.K. look on in pleasure to see their ultimate plan come to fruition. They know that the Hulked Out Heroes will not survive – they are too unstable and will be dead within hours. Meanwhile, the Red Hulk finds out that Banner has been caught and he’s looking to still stop all the madness – when he is caught off guard by Spidey and Wolvie. The Red Hulk finds himself overheating – using too much energy.
The Red Hulk?????
Just as he gets rid of those two he is faced with the Red She Hulk, who was sent to kill him. Samson again has a problem, saying that she should not be used like this – it could destroy her psyche and she may never recover. When Samson tries to take the Leader out, M.O.D.O.K. slams him with his ray. As the Red She Hulk continues to beat on the Red Hulk she finally grabs him and drains him of his power. The Red Hulk transforms into his other self… General Ross. And the Red She Hulk says she can’t kill him – because she is his daughter.
So... where is his mustache when he is the Red Hulk?
And there it is. So now we wait for next month when we will find out the origin. Maybe we will see what actually happened in the “red herring” fight between the Red Hulk and Ross. The one where Ross “died”. And what the hell happens to his mustache? When he turns into the Red Hulk – does it just fall off? And then regrows when he turns back? That’s kind of bologna! That’s just as bad as Samson’s hair growing long and short in the previous issues! Well, can’t say it’s the best comic I’ve read – it’s just no longer one of the worst. Grade: B-
The Incredible Hulk #165A few of my issues... 🙂It includes the Herb Trimpe signed copy!
I have talked about this issue for years now, I have mentioned numerous times how this is my favorite issue – and was shocked to learn that I haven’t even reviewed it yet! At last count I have about a dozen copies of this issue – none of which are CGC graded – that will be my next project. I have three extremely beautiful copies – one signed by Herb Trimpe – a few reading copies and some in the middle grade. Why? I have no idea.
Captain Omen's prisoner!
So, this issue begins with the Hulk on the bottom of the ocean – captured and imprisoned by Captain Omen. The Hulk must keep following Captain Omen’s ship to keep getting oxygen filled helmets. It’s at one of the helmet switches that the Hulk learns that Captain Omen’s crew wants to revolt against him. They want to live on land – they are tired of the bottom of the ocean, deformed and alone. They tell Hulk that he is the only one who can help save them.
Best Tag-Lines EVER! Half-Man, Half-Fish, All HATE!
Meanwhile, Ross, captured by the Russians, is to be killed off; but Talbot is off to save him. The Hulk, assisted by Omen’s crew, begin the mutiny and are ready to take over the ship! They go crashing through the wall – but Captain Omen has another trick up his sleeve – a trick called… AQUON! A half-fish, half-man type creature that it as strong as the Hulk – but can breathe underwater! The Hulk and Aquon have a fearsome battle that ends when they rip through one of the walls of the ship and the ocean pours in!
Hulk and Aquon battle it out!
As the ship fills up with water Omen tells his son to seal off that section or the entire ship will sink. When they do, the Hulk and Aquon are stuck in the flooding part of the ship – still battling – but now Aquon has the advantage! As Aquon takes control of the fight, Omen opens a hatch that drains the water back into the sea. Aquon and Hulk get caught up in the whirl pool – only Hulk stops himself from being sucked out of the ship.
The crew... explode!
Finally, the ship is saved – but Omen’s crew still demands to be taken to the surface. Omen obeys and the crew finally gets taken to the land. They rejoice and celebrate their new freedom – and thank the Hulk – the one they revere as a God, for fulfilling their dreams. Then, the crew, one by one, begin to explode. They burst right out of their skin. Filius, Omen’s son jumps back onto the ship as it ascends into the sea. He begs his Father to let him back onto the ship – but Omen says he dare not open the door again – so that the remainder of the crew does not die as well. He apologizes to his son and continues the dive. His son goes down with the ship, banging on the door, begging for his father to reconsider and open the door to let him in. But he does not. The Hulk is left alone, standing on the beach where a whole group of people once stood who thought of him as a God. He wonders how a Father and Son can live together their whole lives – but not even know each other.
Classic Hulk inner struggle!
This issue represents the best of what the Hulk comic can offer. The Hulk – a reluctant hero once again – saves people – only for them to meet a horrible, ironic fate. The end of the issue has such a great moment with the Hulk thinking about the Father/Son relationship. A relationship that will not even be explored until quite a many issues later. Such a sad, fantastic end. I could read this issue a thousand times and never get tired of it! Grade: A+ Funny enough – if you go to this page and scroll down you will see that there is a mistake on this page – Issue #165 is put on the page twice, once as the cover of #163 AND #165
I am a sucker when I see things in person. I was absolutely stunned when I saw this statue at Comically Speaking a few weeks ago. It helps that the owner is a great guy who will work with you on prices. But enough of that – I never even intended to get this. I thought it was a great idea – but honestly was not interested enough to actually pick this up. Then I saw it in person… I passed the first time, even passed the second – but on the third time to the shop – I couldn’t help but ask to see it! They had both the bust and the FS there – I looked at the bust – but ultimately wasn’t impressed with it.
IM Helmet and FeetThe Shell inside!Stark is a sexy bastard, huh?
The color was a bit muted on the bust – but BD certainly made up for it with this – the FS has a cherry red color that just POPS! One of the great things about this is that you can take the helmet off and see the regular IM helmet underneath! The bust has Tony’s head – which, to me, just doesn’t look right. Also, there is a small hole right behind the helmet – when you pull the helmet off you can place it on the top to look like the helmet is open.
Hulkbuster - ProfileHelmet up
Sideshow also released a Hulkbuster IM (which is no shock since it seems they always release a statue similar to what Bowen has done) – but again – take off the helemt and you see Tony’s head – which isn’t as cool looking. Bowen certainly has done this right! He really rocks the look and the pose! Even though the Hulkbuster hasn’t taken the Hulk down yet it’s still a fearsome looking foe! Bowen also released a “Hulk damaged” version. It’s sort of cool – but one that I am not interested in because, well, it just looks like a broken and scratched up statue. So, this is the one to get. Matched up against the Retro Green Hulk – this is fantastic!
This issue wraps up the mini-series that was created to fill in the obvious holes in Loeb’s writing abilities. The first two issues were good – the third was forgettable and this last issue… wasn’t bad. Sort of useless though. M.O.D.O.K. and the Leader are plotting out thier world domination plans. The Red Hulk comes in to twist M.O.D.O.K.’s nipples (not litterally) and then we see the Leader going through a program with a possible outcome where the Hulk still beats him.
Don't call M.O.D.O.K.'s mother a toaster...
The issue gets going when they find where Thundra put Doom’s time machine – and they use it to look one year ahead. Rick has killed Bruce, Betty is all up in the Leader’s junk, the Leader and M.O.D.O.K. both look a bit more… human. The Red Hulk, Wizard and Klaw have all died – but my favorite part – Doom is there “jester”, a simpleton who gets excited about pudding!
Skaar and Korg - beat down!
In the end though, as predictable as it is, we see that Bruce Banner and the Red Hulk are wroking together and they are the ones who planted that program into the time machine. The issue doesn’t really add anything intot he story – nor does it lend itself to filling anymore gaps – but it’s entertaining nonetheless. Grade: C+
Remember the last review? This one isn’t any better. BM continues to go through time – every hero’s origin is stopped by BM – and he even gets to kill himself in the end. Really stupid. Grade: F-
If anyone is interested – there is a Hulkpool custom on ebay: Click HERE if you want to see it. Make sure you tell me of you win this auction – so I can come to your house and laugh at you…
Alright, this will be the last MTE I show off for now – mainly because the last few I own are more appropriate for the winter weather! So, I will make sure I post those then – but issue #9 features some of the heroes fights with each other. The Hulk vs Thor fight is from Journey into Mystery #112 – of course! They reprinted this issue so many times it bordered on ridiculous! Not as ridiculous as Hulk #181 – but up there. And I am sorry, but I have to point out – is Spiderman really stopping the Surfer’s blasts with his webbing? Is that not like stopping a tank with a pebble? What craziness is this? I haven’t read THAT issue – but I still don’t see how it’s possible! A little later tonight I will post my reviews of Hulked Out Heroes #2 – and Red Hulk #4 – make sure to come back and check out the reviews!
MTE #25 actually features a completely original tale – about the Hulk and Spiderman at the Winter Olympics. Why at the Witer Olympics? Well, personally, I think it’s because of the freakin’ curling! What the hell is that anyways? Who brushes the ice? And does brushing it really make the stone go any further? I am not totally convinced. I know I get pissed off just watching the ridiculous “sport”. The crazy part is – there is nothing in the Winter Olympics tha thte Hulk would really do well in… maybe the bobsled – but he’d never be able to get in the thing! And what the heck is the Mole Man doing there? He lives underground, right? Deep underground – near the liquid magma (say this last part with the Dr. Evil voice) – what the heck is he doing in the cold?
Ratchet's Hulk Collection 