Ratchet's Hulk Collection

The Rampaging Hulk (1998) – The Review – Part 3

Here are the final two issues – and here’s the thing – they save some of the best for last! This series was certainly just getting going – man, I wish they kept this going – because the next issue was one of my favorites! Anyways, let’s finish this up…

Issue 5 has one of the most classic battles in the Comic Book Universe! The Fantastic Four against the Hulk. Now, I am currently in pursuit of collecting The Defenders back issues as well as Hulk guest appearances – and the FF has quite a few including #12, 25, 26, 112, 166, 167, 320 – there’s probably more but that’s I can remember off the top of my head. This issue starts off with the FF ready to head out to look for the Hulk. As they are readying the Fantastic-Car they squabble only the way the FF can – then we join Bruce who has stopped for lunch at a Diner in Colorado. Bruce, with his suave self, actually has a waitress hitting on him. He tells her his name is Bruce “Bixby” 🙂

As Bruce finishes his meal the waitress gives him her phone number – as he considers asking her to get some dinner – the Fantastic Four show up. They drop the car and people begin to gather around and admire the team – all but Grim who feels as though the people are looking at him like he is a monster. Mr. Fantastic tells the people in the town that he they are looking for the Hulk. Bruce begins to run. As he starts to run the transformation takes place and the Hulk is released. But the Hulk is not one for running – in fact, he heads right back to town to confront the FF. The Human Torch takes the initiative and tries out his new trick – chains of fire – don’t ask me how he made chains of flames, but he did. The Hulk cracks open a fire hydrant and takes care of that. Next, the Invisible Woman tosses force fields at the Hulk, making him stumble. But as he’s falling he catches the Human Torch’s arm and throws him. Mr. Fantastic catches Johnny and as Sue cuts off the Hulk’s air supply with a force field around his head Reed comes over with an Encephalo-Band – which should allow Bruce to take over Hulk’s mind – but as Reed begins to wrap himself around the Hulk. The Hulk doesn’t take too kindly to that and tries to tie Reed into a knot. Out of no where an invisible Thing comes over to knock some sense into the Hulk.

Meanwhile back at Gamma Base Major Reeves is getting tired of Ross and Talbot not giving him the respect he deserves. He starts planning on making his position at Gamma Base a little more permanent. So, the Thing continues to beat on the Hulk with the aid of the Invisible Woman – but Hulk throws a car at her and distracts her concentration. Suddenly the Thing is visible again and that’s where the fun really begins.

As the fight continues the Hulk and the Thing begin to argue – and the Hulk tells him that he should know what its like to have people think he is a monster. Hulk jumps off saying he wants to find a place where he won’t be feared and hated. The Thing wishes him luck. Then Reed and Grim talk over how the Hulk must feel with everyone always hounding him like he’s a monster.

I loved this issue – it was in the classic style of Marvel’s early days where the Hulk would meet the FF. Issue gets an A

Issue #6 – the final issue – I will tell up front, wasn’t it my favorite. After a few really promising issues we have the Hulk meeting up with a Native American tribe and a member of the tribe who can transform into a Puma/Man – appropriately named “Puma”. Hulk runs into Puma and the chief of the tribe – as Puma and the Hulk start to fight – the chief stops them and says that he can help the Hulk get rid of his anger. The Hulk returns to the tribe’s home and he goes on sort of a spirit walk. He meets up with Betty and Jarella, Jim Wilson and Rick Jones. They tell the Hulk that he is loved. The Hulk reverts back to Banner in reality – which is not good – because Major Reeves has a sniper shoot Banner in the head. Talbot and Ross are stunned that Reeves would attack Banner but Reeves is please with how he took care of a situation that Ross never seemed to be able to.

But Banner is not dead – hew begins to convulse and transform into… seriously? You need me to tell you? What are you even doing on this blog? Anyways, still in the spirit walk the Hulk tells Bruce that he needs him – especially since Bruce was dead. The army shows up to take Banner’s body back to the base – except that there is no body – just a pissed off Hulk. Reeves and Ross have the quote of the series when they say REEVES – “But You’re – you’re – he’s…” ROSS – “A force of nature!”

The army tries to shoot but the Hulk just turns and takes off saying – “Hulk sorry – but Hulk can’t stay…”. The series ends with a shot of Hulk tearing up a mountain and Ross addressing Talbot saying “We’re back in business!”

A good ending to a good series, Rating this a B-

This is a post to say… no new post…

Listen, I just got home – it’s pretty late – kind of grumpy – pretty long day. I have to bring part of my collection to my local Library to display for the month – I also have the comic-con this weekend! I know I promised Hulk Man to review the What If? Thunderblot Ross comic – but man, I am tired – but I will post it next week. I have about 3 sketches lined up for the show – I have a few key issues to look for – also – I picked up 2 classic comics that I will show sometime in the future – one of the comics is in PERFECT condition! Also, before I crash and watch my DVR of Robot Chicken I want to mention that my new quest of picking up the Defenders is going quite swimmingly! I have quite a few key issues – I will post those next week as well – and don’t forget that the final Rampaging Hulk review is being posted on Monday. Alright – see you next week when things aren’t so busy!

Matt Brundage Sketch (2009)

Dynabol – or Matt Brundage – is such a great guy. I have seen quite a few of his commissions and artwork, including his amazing kit that I already posted, and I wanted something from him. I asked if he would draw something for me – something that can commemorate the fact that my wife and I are expecting our first child. He did. Believe it or not this is not even it – this was something he drew up, having fun sketching, maybe even getting an idea for the actual commission he was planning for me. He emailed this to me and asked if I would like this along with the commission. After I picked my jaw up I said “F – Yeah!”. I mean, how freakin’ cool is this? Hulk taking on the Abomination while protecting a little Hulk baby! Look at the Hulk baby! Man, this is such a great piece – don’t forget now, this isn’t even the actual commission yet! This was just a fun little sketch! A bad-ass, unbelieveable fun little sketch! I will post the actual commission next Thursday. I will give you a hint about what you’re in store for – Hulk’s Rouge Gallery! But I was psyched to get this. It has such personality and impresses me everytime I look at it.

Loeb is Killing Off Rulk!

In the latest interview with Loeb he has revealed that the Rulk’s time is, and was always intended to be, limited!

“After the reveal of who the Red Hulk is, the mystery will be over – any real fun of that character will be done – so he won’t make it too many more issues.” Loeb stated. “I was a fun ride but ultimately is wasn’t supposed to be a forever kind of thing. We’re actually shocked at how long interest in the character lasted.”

Click on the pic to see the full interview! Woo- Hoo!

Marvel Universe Green Hulk Figure (2009)

This was one of the hardest figures to track down. Even on the web this figure has shot up to $15 – $20. That’s not a price I was willing to pay because… well, that’s just ridiculous! But then I considered how much gas I’m using driving around to every toy store in a 50 mile radius – and, well, 1+1 = buy it off the web so I can sleep well at night! But then, after a pretty exhaustive search, I found a great Internet toy shop that sold these figures for a VERY reasonable price – and while I thought the shipping was pretty high – I got it in 2 days in perfect condition! Check out the toy store here: Chandler’s Toy Shop

The only unfortunate thing about buying off the web is that I don’t get to pick out WHICH paint job is the best. I am stuck with getting the one I ordered – and here it is – much like the other Hulk it’s pretty well sculpted – but the paint job really leaves something to be desired. Not to mention – the price point is still a killer. Marvel! Listen! Stop ripping off your fans! Ugh… I can’t believe I’m going to say this – but this is an area where DC does it right…

Anyways… I also just found out that there is going to be a Red Hulk figure for this line – coming out soon. I wouldn’t bother seeking this out on the web – but if I see it in the store… I’ll weigh my options. 🙂

Biggity BAM! Maestro Painted!

Click on the image to check out the fully painted Maestro statue! This one is a must have!

Is anyone else going?

I will be attending the Boston Comic Con on Sunday (I tried to get there Saturday too – but couldn’t make it work out – so I will be there all day on Sunday!) Who else is going? Let me know! If anyone else is going – maybe we can actually meet face to face! Should be a good time – and one of my favorite artist is going to be there – Wamester!

Rampaging Hulk (1998) – The Review – Part 2

So, I will try to recall as much as I can here… in 1998 there were die-hard Hulk fans who were none to happy with the direction Peter David was taking their beloved hero. Marvel’s answer to this was to bring back the Savage Hulk persona in a new series called The Rampaging Hulk. While it didn’t do terrible by today’s standards, in 1998, in the midst of Marvel’s bankruptcy, it wasn’t considered a success and it was cancelled after 6 issues. Too bad – it was actually pretty darn good. I have gone back and given each issue a separate rating – so if you’re interested you should go back to Part 1 of the review 🙂 On to Part 2!

We join Ross and Talbot as they survey the damage that was caused from the Hulk / Ravage fight (from issue #2) They have the freeze ray ready to go. Elsewhere, we join Bruce Banner searching for Prof. Crawford in a residential area. He finds him, half naked and unable to walk, and he asks Bruce for help. Bruce gets him back to his house. Bruce discusses trying to find a cure before sunset when Crawford will most likely turn back into Ravage. Crawford lets Bruce know he has no intention of curing himself – he loved and longed for the power that he felt as Ravage. Ross and Talbot show up looking for Bruce – Crawford gives him up pretty quickly and they shoot Bruce with a tranquilizer dart. Without Bruce there to stop him Crawford wants to figure out how to be Ravage all the time! (Thrilling, intense music should be played at this part) Bruce is being held, sedated, by the army. Betty tries to talk to Bruce but he just asks her to leave. Next, Thunderbolt Ross shows up and tells Bruce that there is a green monster destroying everything in his path.

Ravage is taking all sorts of pleasure in destroying whatever he can – and then the army shows up and starts to shoot him – but with little effect. Ravage takes a helicopter down and then takes off. Meanwhile, Bruce and Thunderbolt Ross are inspecting Crawford’s lab – where Ravage shows up and destroys his teleport pods. Bruce tells him that he has ruined his chances for a cure – not to mention that he will return to being Crawford at sunrise. Ravage says that there are prototype pods hidden away – and this pisses Bruce off pretty good. He Hulks out and they begin to battle again – but this time Ravage is amazed at the Hulk’s strength. The lab begins to crumble around them and the Hulk takes Ross to safety. The classic moment comes outside of the lab when Ross and Hulk just stare at each other – Ross realizing that the being that he has hunted to destroy for so many years just saved his life. As Ravage comes out of the building the army is there and hits him with the freeze ray. As they are about to hit the Hulk they tell Ross to get out of the way. Thunderbolt actually hesitates… before stepping aside. But the Hulk jumps toward the freeze ray and destroys it, then he leaps away. Talbot tells Ross at least they were able to get Ravage. Ross continues to wonder if he had let the Hulk get away by hesitating.

This is a pretty decent issue – I actually enjoy the art very much – and the story gets better as it went along. B-

In issue 4, we have a guest penciler – I really liked Rick Leonardi’s pencils but Dave Ross does the Hulk justice – even though there are certain shots that he makes the Hulk look like a retarded child. The Hulk sits a top a mountain thinking about how he hates everyone. Or, more to the point, how he just wants to be left alone. We join little Danny and his Father as they are cooking dinner. Danny hears the Hulk’s screaming which his father mistakes for the wind. Hulk begins to have a tantrum and jump around which causes an avalanche (hence, the cover) The avalanche covers the cabin that Danny and his father are in, trapping them. Meanwhile, back at Gamma Base Betty and her father argue about him spending his life searching for the Hulk rather than spending it with his family. They continue to examine Ravage for clues to how to get the Hulk while Talbot spends time with Col. Reeves, a visitor from the Pentagon. Reeves is unimpressed with the new cell claiming that no cells have held the Hulk yet – what makes this one different (he is so right!) and tells Talbot how he’d deal with the Hulk once and for all. He’d wait till the Hulk transformed back into Banner – and then he’d shoot Banner in the head. (Which is actually how Frank Castle handled the Hulk in The Punisher Kills Off the Marvel Universe)

Danny and his Father, whose name, we find out, is Mitch Bennett, have a new visitor – a half naked Bruce Banner comes tumbling into the cabin. Bruce and Mitch notice the cabin starting to crumble under the weight of all the snow – they decide they need to try and get out – but Bruce also remarks on how much Mitch loves his son – not like his Father, a jealous, rage-filled man who hated Bruce for needing love and attention from his Mother. As the cabin continues to crumble Bruce, Mitch and Danny start to head up the tunnel that the Hulk left behind. As they travel higher and higher Bruce gets more and more worried. They make it to the top – but just as they do Danny slips and falls and knocks Bruce down behind him. Mitch sees the Police and Rangers looking for them – he calls them over to help. The Hulk bursts from the snow with Danny safely tucked under his arm. As the Police are looking through the snow Bruce shows up with Danny – Mitch scoops him up into his arms and thanks Bruce for saving his son. And then the Police begin to cuff Mitch. Bruce asks what’s going on – and Mitch confesses that he kidnapped Danny from his Mother because of a custody battle he didn’t think was going to go his way. Bruce is stunned. Meanwhile, back at Gamma Base Talbot and Ross have called in a few recruits to help locate the Hulk – The Fantastic Four!

Dave Ross - is this the Hulk or a Green Sloth from Goonies?

This is a classic type story complete with a twist ending you don’t see coming – and to throw the FF into the mix? Pure gold! A-

Come back tomorrow for… I will give you a hint – he’s green and 3 inches tall…

What If?… #45 (1984) – The Review

What if the Hulk went berserk? Doesn’t the Hulk go berserk on a regular basis? That’s like asking “What is Spiderman used sarcasm?” That’s like asking “What if Wolverine had no memory of his origin?” That’s like asking “What if Power Girl had huuuugge boobs?” Hulk goes berserk – that’s what he does!

The basis of this story replaces the regular origin of the Hulk with the scenario where Bruce is just a little too late in saving Rick Jones. The Gamma-Bomb goes off a second earlier and BOTH Bruce and Rick are caught in the blast. This, for some reason, makes Bruce still turn into the Hulk – but now Rick and the Hulk are psychically linked. Rick is fine, mind you, no Hulk-outs – just linked to the Hulk. So the Hulk knows when Rick is hurt – and the army does hurt him. First they give him a shot – which he cried like a baby about – and then they electrocuted him to lure the Hulk back to the Army Base. Well, it worked, the Hulk did come back – but only after they electrocuted Rick… to death. Thunderbolt Ross feels bad – but Talbot is there to tell him that Jones was a casualty. (What a softy)

Without Rick in Hulk’s head all of a sudden the Hulk goes on a destruction bender! He begins to throw missiles at the helicopters – and Ross decides that they need some outside help. That means the FF comes in to help. The Human Torch tries to take him out – but Hulk literally blows him out. Like a candle. It’s kind of awesome. Hulk takes the FF on – but then when the Thing battles with the Hulk they land near a ICBM silo. The missile goes off and out of the fire comes Bruce and Ben – IN HUMAN FORM! – But Bruce becomes the Hulk suddenly and snaps Ben’s neck. The Human Torch comes blazing in – only to have the Hulk swat him away like a fly, killing him. Iron Man and Thor come to help out. Hulk destroy the circuits that keep Tony’s heart beating – and he dies. Man, this is horrific! Thor comes in to save the day. They tussle for just a bit before Thor snaps the Hulk’s neck. As the Hulk turns back into Banner, Thor gives him a honorable death and burns him up with lightning. Ross tells Talbot that they have much to atone for.

It’s a pretty decent issue – but let’s acknowledge the elephant in the room – Thor snapping Hulk’s neck? WTF? While I am glad that they used Thor to beat him – because let’s be honest here – if someone is going to beat the Hulk it should be a god. But man, it just seemed too easy! Ridonkulous! Ricockulous even! Issue: C

Hulk Hopper Ball (2003)

I really prefer to find Hulk items that aren’t from the 2003 movie. So much crap was made sometimes it’s hard to sort through. That being said – this thing is awesome – not so much because of the Hulk image or the fact that Hulk is on it at all – but because these toys absolutely ROCK! Who didn’t love these bad boys? I’ll admit it – without any shame – I totally tried to bounce on this. I also found out that I’m a little too large. My niece and my nephew freakin’ love riding this toy around the den – but I just fall backward. Who cares though – with the upcoming papoose I need to horde these kind of toys so that my little one will be able to have the kind of childhood that EVERY child should have! Filled with comics, Hulk Action figures and Hopper Balls!

Hulk Window Cling (2008)

Here is why ebay is so great. I would never have been able to snatch this Japanese import up if ebay wasn’t around. Tis’ true – ebay as of late is pretty sparse of any real deals to be had – seems like the only auctions on there right now are from ebay stores. Or they are just plain crazy, like this guy, but this seller not only offered this for a cheap price but also offered Free Shipping! Woo-Hoo! Who remembers the when those stuffed Garfield window clings were all the rage? Man, I hate that stupid orange cat. But back to this item. If you look at the head it looks exactly like the first ML Hulk’s head. But this is a midget Hulk – can you imagine is they created the Hulk as a midget? Man, that would have been kind of cool! Maybe not…

Rampaging Hulk (1998) – The Review – Part 1

First Fantastic Issue - that wasn't so fantastic...

Back in 1998 the Hulk’s popularity was experiencing a resurgence so he was rewarded with a second title. This title was supposed to be a new on-going title, much like how Spider-man had Amazing Spiderman, Spiderman, Peter Parker; Spiderman, etc… well, it didn’t turn out to be such a great idea because the title only lasted a measly 6 issues. 6. The unfortunate thing is that the series wasn’t so bad. I will review the entire series in 3 parts – 2 issues in each review. One of the most interesting things about this series is that the first issue didn’t have a variant – but the second did. That’s right – the second did. The variant cover to issue #2 drawn by none other than Mr. Joey Q and Jimmy Palmotti. We’ll talk more about that later… ON TO THE REVIEW!

This series begins with a quick overview of who the Hulk is – a rampaging, wild, uncontrollable monster – or so says Thunderbolt Ross briefing a bunch of soldiers who are preparing to capture the Hulk. Bruce Banner is posing as a custodian in a research facility in Chicago trying to find a way to destroy the monster within. The army learns of this and prepares to capture him. Glenn Talbot, who at this time is still married to Betty, is ready to leave with Thunderbolt Ross and as he says good-bye we learn that not only does Betty still love Bruce – but Glenn knows it. Bruce continues his experiment to get rid of the Hulk. But something goes terribly wrong… Bruce begins to change. As the army converges on the building Bruce comes crashing out and seems to be stuck in-between his transformation. Talbot is able to stick him with a tranquilizer. They bring Bruce back to Gamma Base and trow him into a concrete cell. Stuck in mid-transformation we go inside Banner’s brain and join Bruce and the Hulk fighting over control. The Hulk wins. He sees Ross and then smashes his way out of the specially designed cell that is supposed to hold him. Funny how he is always able to escape the cells that are specifically designed to HOLD the Hulk. But he escapes in the desert.

A rough beginning for a supposedly new “action packed” series. It drags on a bit and nothing really happens – but Bruce in mid-transformation was pretty cool. C+

Issue 2 is where the series start to really get going, it begins with the freeze ray that we saw Ross use in issue 3 – the first issue was kind of a recap of things we already know – so issue 2 we meet Professor Geoffery Crawford – one of Bruce Banner’s Professor’s from college. Bruce learns that Crawford has taken ill and has been confined to a wheelchair. But Crawford has also created a teleport system – two pods that can be transferred between them – kind of like in the Fly. The one starring Jeff Goldblum. And by kind of like – I mean exactly like. He tells Bruce that he can use the pods to erase the Hulk from him. Bruce trusts him and gets into the pod as Crawford tells him that he is filtering out the Gamma radiation in the first pod and when he re-appears in the second his body will be completely clean of all radiation. Great plan, right? It is except that Crawford actually is looking to make himself more like Bruce. That night he goes back to the lab and gets into the pod himself and had the computer configured to make his body make-up to be exactly like Bruce’s. Bruce comes to the lab to find this out – but is unable to do anything about it. As the countdown continues Bruce gets upset and turns into the Hulk just as Crawford comes out as a Hulking monster himself. The two begin to fight – Crawford renames himself “Ravage” (awesome name by the way, you dork) and they continue to brawl until some of the college kids see the monsters battling and alert the authorities. Ravage actually snaps the Hulk’s neck in the fight. They rumble into issue 3!

This issue is pretty good – but another Gamma enemy? Really? I knew they wanted to go retro with this new series – but this seemed like a retread. Not a bad retread – but a retread none the less! B-

Part 1 of the review is over – come back next Monday for part 2! But come back tomorrow to see a Japanese import. By the way – here is the variant cover to #2. It’s actually pretty bad ass and reminds you of a time when Joey Q. was doing comics a service and not ruining the Hulk…

Trimpe Deserves Respect!

Click on the image above to read quite the eye-opening article about the resect that Herb Trimpe deserves. Good read!

Hulk #9 Variant (Black and White)(2009)

There’s so many variants out there – this one I wanted pretty bad. I know I really shouldn’t waste money on variants – but this one was so beautifully drawn! And I am a sucker for black and white – as well as Christmas! By the way – it brings me to my other idea – I am going to start rating all the comic shops I go to. I have been to quite a few all over MA and have been to some that are down right amazing – and others… that are not. I may work on that this weekend. Come on back next week when I post a Japanese import, and my first part of the review to the short lived “Rampaging Hulk”

Hulk Activity Books (2008)

There are just a few activity books out there that you might have seen – I found each of these in a supermarket for just $1.00. That’s right – all this Hulky fun came for a cheap price! Each book is a little different – the top book is a smaller activity book – not the Jumbo Activity Book I posted sometime earlier. There really isn’t much to say anything else about these other than… I like Pancakes! But only with syrup… banana pancakes to be precise.

One book comes with stickers and a growth chart – the other… TATTOOS! I was never allowed, as a child, to wear fake tattoos. Maybe that’s why I have been so resistant to getting a real tattoo as an adult. I’m not really sure I could narrow down a Hulk image that I would get tattooed on my body – because let’s be serious – of course I would get the Hulk. What else would I get? Also, if you’re interested, there is a poster book with snapshots and art from the movie. 10 posters that are 20 inches – which is apparently a big enough deal that they brag about it on the cover!