Another Week of Marvel Treasury Editions – Day #8

The Mighty Avengers MTE

You know the killer about this issue?  Hulk’s not in it!  He’s not – but I still got it because he’s on the back cover!  That’s when you know you have issues – major, major issues!  The Hulk appears on the back cover and I can’t help but purchase it.  The first 5 Avengers were so amazing… the fact that the heroes go from fighting the Hulk to having the Hulk part of the team, to the Hulk quitting, to the Hulk joining with Namor to take the team down, only to have Cap lead the team and the Hulk to come back to help them in the 5th issue!  How phenomenal! 

The Back Cover - the only place the Hulk appears!

Another Week of Marvel Treasury Editions – Day #7

Howard the Duck MTE

I am not a big Howard the Duck fan.  Never read a comic and didn’t like the movie.  I do however have this issue and of course you can tell why – it’s Howard and the Defenders!  The freakin’ Defenders!  This is also one o f the covers that have a rear view on the back cover – Some of the Holiday issues do the same.  On the Hulk’s back there’s a little patch that says “Get Down America!”  I’m not sure if that’s some sort of warning of impending flatulence or not – but it’s a good theory.  This re-prints Howard the Duck #1 – which I don’t have, so I guess I should get it.

Back Cover

I had an Interesting Weekend…

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So, I have met quite a few people because of this website – I have found many, many other collectors that it is an absolute pleasure to converse with – but I do come across the other side as well… the unfortunate…  See, I was contacted by a guy named Daniel this past weekend – and Daniel wanted a Maestro statue.  He wanted to trade a Hulk vs Wolverine dio for it.  I asked for pictures – he sent me pictures of an unpainted version of the statue above.  I was excited – as this is a rare, rare piece – but there is a problem.

A very talented sculptor named Pablo Viggiano made this dio and Sideshow was considering releasing it.  Ultimately, they chose not to release it.  Some Hulk fans clamored to get a hold of a copy of this – but Pablo decided not to release it as a kit – worried that is may hurt his career.  So, as much as I wanted it – as much as I was excited to be offered it – if it is a recast I’d never be able to look at it in a positive light.  There may be one copy – that Pablo gave to someone in South America – but the owner is not supposed to sell it or recast it.  But who knows?  All I know is that the whole thing seemed too shady for me to feel comfortable going through it.  It was an interesting, interesting weekend though…

Another Week of Marvel Treasury Editions – Day #6

MTE #20

I have so many more to show off – I’m going to keep this little party going!  We will continue with MTE #20 – Hulk vs Doom – I remember these issues well – as they are some of the last that I needed to finish off the entire run.  This issue not only reprints the Doom issues (#143 and #144) but the earlier issues of The Incredible Hulk #136 and #137.  One of the best parts is the small pin-up gallery at the end of this issue.  The only real problem I have with this whole thing is the back cover which features one of the worst renditions of the Abomination ever!

Back Cover

A Week of Marvel Treasury Editions – Day #5

MTE #17

MTE #17 has one of my favorite covers.  I always thought it was hugely powerful!  The crazy thing is – this is the issue that I have in the worst condition.  But, it’s still really great to have!  This MTE reprints issues #121, #134, #150 and #158.  Issue #150 has one of the saddest endings ever.  The Hulk reverts back into Bruce Banner after Havock controls the Hulk – Betty comes to Bruce’s side to see if he’s alright.  But Bruce, in an almost unconscious state, calls Betty”Jarella, my love”.  Betty has no idea what it means – be everyone reading the issue has their heart broken for Betty…  Another collection of great comics!

Back Cover

A Week of Marvel Treasury Editions – Day #4

MTE #16: The Defenders!

The Defenders are, IMO, one of the best and most entertaining Marvel groups.  I wonder if they could ever create a movie out of this super team?  The amazing thing about the Defenders is that they actually kept the Hulk in the group – and not always voluntarily.  This MTE covers some of the more important issues – it reprints the first appearance of the Defenders – Marvel Feature Presents #1 – but also The Defenders #4 (Valkyrie joins the Defenders) and Defenders #13 & 14.  You have to love the shot of the Defenders on the back cover – particularly the Surfer posing like he’s in a JC Penny catalog.

Back Cover

A Week of Marvel Tresury Editions – Day #3

MTE #5: The Hulk!

This has one of the best back covers – featuring a Trimpe drawn Banner to Hulk transformation!  This great issue contains the Origin of the Hulk – reprinted with a Green Hulk – but also TTA #79 and #100 and The Incredible Hulk #139 and #141 (First Doc Samson) – and even Marvel Feature Presents #11, the Hulk vs Thing.  I don’t think I have found one of these issues that don’t have that great “Old” comic smell to them.  I have a few copies of this issue – and to tell you the truth – one of the copies was going to make its way into the Hulk package for the winner of May’s contest!  I like to call it “The Birthday Card Contest”.  I hope people actually submit cards – cause what a boring contest if no one even enters…

The Trimpe drawn Back Cover!

A Week of Marvel Treasury Editions – Day #2

MTE #26

Marvel Treasury Editions #26 features some of my favorite Hulk stories – the Harpy, one of the greatest Hulk villains – only because it was Betty Ross – and the Bi-Beast!  His early appearances were freakin’ fabulous!  Not to mention that you get to see the Trimpe artwork Huge and in your face!  Out of all the MTE – this is the one that EVERY Hulk fan should have!

Back Cover - Bi-Beast!

A Week of Marvel Treasury Editions – Day #1

Marvel Treasury Edition #24: The Rampaging Hulk

I really wish these were still being released today!  A lot of them have reprints of classic Comics – but some of them had original stories!  This one here reprints issues #175-#178 (Death of Warlock).  One of the greatest things about issues like this is seeing the classic art on HUGE  pages – each panel is almost as big as the original comics!  I have found quite a few of these and will showcase them this week and the next – so get ready and enjoy!

Back Cover

Hulk Ice Pack (2009)

Hulk Ice Pack

Now, who would have thought about getting the Hulk to help you with your boo-boos?  Hulk is usually causing the hurt – not making it feel better!  But this is where it’s different – here we have a Hulk ice pack – a reusable Hulk ice pack!  The next time someone gets hurt I will run up and say – “Here, let the Hulk let the swelling go down!”  What is this magical green ooze that freezes and unfreezes encased inside this Hulk pack?  I don’t know, but I know it’s awesome!

Savage She Hulks #2 (2010) – The Review

Savage She Hulks #2

First, we are taken back to the events of TIH #600 back when Samson and the Red Hulk and Jen Walters stuck around during the explosion of the lab.  We see how everyone survived – and then Lyra finally sets Jen free.  Jen, weak from the constant extraction of Gamma energy being taken from her.  Lyra tells She Hulk that she is there to help her – sent by Bruce Banner – and it concealed by the act of Banner blasting Lyra through three levels of the Hellicarrier.

Definition of Bitch-Slap!

Jen and Lyra talk about their “childhoods” and the origin – the myth and the reality.  Lyra tells Jen about her confrontation with her Mother – which Jen does not take very well or lightly.  She tells Lyra just how amazing Thundra really is.   And then the Red She Hulk comes in and ruins the party.  The emerald women take on the ruby lady – and Jen shows just what it means to be called a Hulk!  The Red She Hulk gets thrown out of the ship – but catches on before she falls out.  Jen tries to talk sense into her and tells her not to listen to the Leader or M.O.D.O.C.K. – and then they try to pull the Red She Hulk back into the ship – only to have her turn on them and throw them both out!

The best thing to come out of She Hulk's mouth ever... even if all the rumors are true!

Not a bad issue – will be interesting to see where the next issue brings us.  Plugged a few more holes in the sinking ship that is Loeb’s career – so that’s not too bad.  The art, this time around, didn’t impress me.  Grade: C+

So… May will be interesting…

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!

My First CGC Comic!

Wolverine #66: Old Man Logan - Dynamic Forces Variant

I have been wanting to check out some CGC comics for a while now.  I really want a #165 9.8 (or better) copy.  But in my travels I really didn’t find anything worth picking up – either the grade was too low, the book wasn’t one of my favorites or people were asking too much for a nothing issue.  Well, I went into Salem, MA the other day and walked into Harrison’s Comics and saw this – a 9.8 graded copy of Wolverine #66 – the start of Old Man Logan.  An issue I had yet to acquire – and this was a beautiful copy!

9.8 - NM/M Comic

I believe they were asking too much – and even tried to haggle them down a bit – but ultimately they didn’t budge and I still went for it.  I really struggled with whether or not to purchase – but in the end I did, mainly because this is a Herb Trimpe cover.  Seriously, that’s why I did it in the end.  I respect and admire Trimpe’s work that much I decided it was worth the money.

Herb Trimpe - A True Classic!
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