Marvel Masterworks (2003)

 

This Marvel Masterworks is the Second Edition First Printing of the first 6 issues of the Hulk in the original full-color pages.  This printing is limited to 620 copies and includes an introduction by Stan Lee.  Not that that is all that impressive.  Stan Lee would probably do an introduction to my third-grade book report if I payed him enough.  And by enough I mean buying him a burger from Johnny Rockets would probably cover it. 

I’m just kidding really, I don’t mean to demean what Lee and Kirby did in the early days of Marvel.  Actually, all the really classic and monumental themes that stayed true over the years of the Hulk were introduced in these first 6 issues.  As well as, Hulk’s thunder-clap and amazing jumping abilities.  Also, Rick Jones, Betty Ross and Thunderbolt Ross were all introduced.  They even explain, in issue #3, how the Hulk’s transformations are no longer limited to night. (The Hulk, for the first 2 issues was triggered by the Sunset and Sunrise)  I just wish that they had taken a little time to explain why he was grey in the first issue and green in the second.  I know the real reason was a printing decision but I think it would’ve been great if they had some sort of explanation – or at least someone should’ve mentioned it.  His color change is completely ignored in the second issue like he was the head cheerleader who was deflowered by the quarterback and everyone knew it – but no one wanted to be the first to say it – so everyone just went on like everything was normal and nothing had changed.

Incredible Hulk #106, 126, 134

 

Look at how nice these comics are.  These back issues were given to me for Christmas by my friend Corry.  Each of these issues were done by Herb Trimpe and #126 has the first appearence of Barbara Norris who later turns into Valkyrie and a villan called Night Crawler (no, not that one).  Issue #134 is the first Sal Buscema on Hulk (as Inker to Trimpe’s pencil’s).  Thank you Corry, this is the second best present I got.  Is that still a compliment if I say it’s the second best?  Sure it is!  I got like 6 presents this year!  That’s at least in the top 25% of presents I got – you should be proud!

But seriously, these are some of the best looking vintage comics I own, so thanks.

2008 Hulk Video Games!!!

 

There is an announcement on this site here about the new games coming out based on the The Hulk, Thor and Captian America comics.  The pic above is from the Ulitmate Destruction Game that was released in 2005.

Marvel Character Cars (2002)

The Hulk truck in the little sweet boxed set has the cover to Hulk #393.  I think – I’m trying to do this from memory.  If I’m wrong I will fix it later – and no one will ever know the difference.  It’s like I can alter history or something!  Like the oil companies do with High School text books!  The power is over whelming!  By the way – Red Hulk is due out tomorrow – I will post my review after I read it.  Hope I hear lots of feedback form it.  Until then – look at the pretty truck!

Happy New Year from the Hulk!

“Hulk say Happy New Year to everyone!  Why Hulk look so bloated?  What wrong with Hulk hair?  Hulk must’ve been out too late at party!  Got wasted – which is hard for Hulk!  Wife gonna kill Hulk when Hulk can remember where he lives!  Wait – Hulk’s wife is dead – Hulk remember!  Whew!  Hulk dodged that bullet!”

Marvel Superheroes (1991)

I finally got this figure on the original card – with the cool boulder that Hulk can throw or… roll – this is courtesy of my friend Corry who found it in the pile’o’stuff he has and just gave it to me out of the kindness of his heart.  That or his complete and utter lack of interest in the Hulk forced his hand in giving me this figure.  Either way – I thank you!  Figures sure have come a long way since the 90’s, huh?

Bowen Doc Samson Bust (2005)

I admit – this isn’t the Hulk – and I actually don’t have many things with the Hulk’s supporting cast, but this bust of Doc Samson was done really well (well, of course, it is a Bowen creation after all) and it was marked down… a lot.  I do like the way this bust looks and have seen other busts of Hulk’s supporting cast , including Wendigo and Sasquatch and the very well done Abomination – but I haven’t picked up any others.  Maybe when I am satisfied with the amount of Hulk stuff I’ve accumalated then I will go back and collect his supporting cast.  Except for the Leader – I will get anything the Leader as well, because he’s the bomb! 

Mini-Hulk Piggy Bank

 

Doc Pork Bacon

Belted by Gamma Rays

Turns into the Hulk-Pig

Ain’t He Un-glamorace?

Crushing the Town

With the Power of a Bull

Ain’t no Monster Pig

Who is That Love-able?

The Ever-Lovin’ Hulk-Pig!

Hulk-Pig!

Hulk-Pig!

Marvel Bearz (2007)

I really couldn’t decide if I should put this in the “Figure” category – but I decided against it.  It is cool looking though, and with 5,000 of these little guys running around, you should get yours now.  Before they all dissapear and you say to yourself “Self, why didn’t you get that Hulk Bear?”  They have bearz of Wolverine and Spiderman, Captain America and alot others – check them out now!

Marvel Legends – The Tally (so far…)

 

I have seen many of complaints on message boards that insinuate there are way too many Hulk figures being produced these days… Every time they announce new Hulk figures people complain that there are already Hulk figures and that they’d like to see other secondary character figures claim the spotlight.  (By the way – the pic is of a never released Hulk figure from the Fantastic Four animated series line) In some small way – I do agree – but not in the way you might think – we’ll get to that in a minute, but first let’s look at the tally:

1) Series 1:
1) Hulk (articulated hands)
2) Hulk (rubber hands)
3) Hulk (Gold Foil Poster)
4) Hulk (Silver Foil Poster)

2) Series 2:
5) Hulk (White Shirt)

3) Series 9:
6) 1st Appearance Hulk (Grey)
7) 1st Appearance Hulk (Green)

4) Series 12:
8) Maestro (Future Hulk)

5) Series 1: (Hasbro)
9) Planet Hulk (Silver Arm)
10) Planet Hulk (Green Arm)

6) Boxed Sets:
11) House of M – Hulk

7) Face Off 2-Packs:
12) Hulk vs. Leader (Classic)
13) Hulk vs. Leader (Modern)

8) Icons:
14) Hulk (Green)
15) Hulk (Grey)

9) Marvel Legends Showdown:
16) Hulk vs. Wolverine 2-pack

Notice that I did not include the Hulk classics line (which is technically not a Marvel Legends series – I also did not include the Hulking figure included in the Young Avengers box set. I did not include any of the She-Hulk figures, nor any of the Hulk villains that they have released – just strictly the Hulk figures (and yes, Maestro is the Hulk so he is included) Which brings the tally to 9 different figures with 16 different variants! The only other Marvel Character that has that many figures dedicated to them is Wolverine (a honorable mention goes to Spiderman with 5 figures and 7 variants and Iron Man with 8 figures and 12 variants!)

So like I said before – I do agree in some small way that there are too many Hulk figures – but only in the respect that they could have released more of the Hulk’s secondary line-up.  Where’s the Rick Jones figure – and Captain Marvel doesn’t count – Where’s the “Thunderbolt” Ross figure?  Or how about a Betty Banner figure?  or a Marlo Thomas figure?  We had to wait for a 2-pack to get a decent Leader figure?  Granted they did give us a great Abomination, and Wendigo, and Sasquatch – but where’s great characters like Speed-freak (that would be the best figure ever!) or Glorian?  How about Man-Bull?  Could you imagine a Man-Bull character?  I wonder if they’d dedicate a figure to a villain that appeared once in the comics. 

I’d like to see Hasbro take on some of the more obscure characters as well – But for now they are sticking to the heavy-hitters and there will be more Hulk figures on the way.  There is a Marvel Legends Hulk Line slated for 2008 as well as the Hulk Movie figures that will come out.  With lots more scheduled.  I can’t wait!

The Incredible Hulk vs. Fin Fang Foom

 

(Spoilers!) Let me start off by saying that this is a verys short story – too short in fact – but it’s also a great read.  The comic starts off with Hulk wandering around Antartica getting very tired.  “Even Hulk gets tired…” he says before he collapses and falls asleep.  Then, he turns back into Bruce Banner.  Banner wakes up indoors, inside a base camp for the scientists there.  Amazed that he could actually survive for as long as he did outside they ask him his name and he tells them “Bruce… Ross” The woman in charge is immedialtey aware that he is lying.

Outside, two scientists discover Fin Fang Foom frozen in the iceand mistake it for an undiscovered dinosaur.  One of the scientists takes off to get the rest of the team as the other begins to chip away at the dragon.  But suddenly, Fin Fang Foom breaks through the ice.  When the others approach they see the hole – but no dinosaur.  There team member is there but acting strangley.   

Back at the base, Bruce is told that the army is on its way to pick him up. Bruce is about to object when everyone discovers the dead body of the scientist who discovered Fin Fang Foom.  The blame is immediatly put on Bruce, and after he is pistol whipped once The Hulk comes out.  Then, another scientist says “Looks like I picked the wrong person to regain my energy back from” and Fin Fang Foom comes out of the mans chest.

Hulk and Foom begin to battle it out and Foom is instantly impressed with Hulk’s strength.  Hulk throws Foom outside.  Foom grows to be enormous and rips the roof off the building.  Hulk says it doesn’t matter how big he gets because it’s strength that wins fights and Hulk is the strongest one there is.  Fing Fang Foom decides he can’t beat the Hulk in a fight and instead tries to reason with the Hulk, asking him to join him in defeating the Humans, making the Humans serve them.  Hulk takes a moment and says “Naaaaaah” and whips Foom around by the tale and then tosses him to the moon.  Literally – to the moon.

This story is a throw back to the old masters Lee – and the art is directly influenced by Kirby and Trimpe.  In fact, in one panel there is a great rendition of Kirby’s leaping Hulk as he battles it out with Foom.  This immensley fun read was brought to us by the man himself Peter David and it was quite enjoyable and the perfect way to get ready for Hulk #1 out next week. 

My Trip to New England Comics, Norwood 12/28/07

I was slightly disappointed when I got to New England Comicsin Norwood last Friday.  Disappointed because half the books that were supposed to be there weren’t.  I was still able to pick up a bunch of back issues that I needed…

#164 (Trimpe)
#176 (Trimpe)
#201 (Buscema)
#217 (Buscema) cover by Jim Starlin
#224 (Buscema) Appearance by the Leader – amazing art in this one!
#230 (Mooney)
#234 (Buscema)

So I was happy with my take there.  I also caught a glimpse of the new Bowen Hulk Bust (Green version) – but did not buy it because I have one coming to me already – but man was it tempting.  The grey lead Hulk figure was there as well (have that on its way too!) and it looks real good.  When I get these I will post them.

Wizard # 196 is Hulk-tastic!

Wizard #196 just hit the new-stands today – and it is filled with Hulk gems!  Not only do they interview the New Hulk Movie Director, Louis Leterrier, and Ed McGuinness on the upcoming Red Hulk comic – with an extra peek at some of his sketches (including a peek at the Abomination, who looks awesome), and while I’m still skeptical at the comic’s worthwhile-ness, these images did make me kind of excited for it next week.

Also, in the issue is a sidebar with Peter David where he and Bobbie Chase tell about Marvel’s ill conceived move to take David off the book so that they could return the comic to it’s “Hulk Smash!” roots (which Marvel failed to do, even with a revamp by Byrne, who didn’t last, and even got farther away from that idea with Bruce Jones who, while he did make the book into a hot seller, alienated the fans even more than Byrne did).  For a real David fix though, check out Hulk vs. Fin Fang Foom on the shelves today!  I will post about that in the morning, but for now I must go to bed…

AAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGHHH!!!!

No one puts baby in the corner!  And no one puts Hulk in a cage! – Well, apparently they do…  Hulk seems so upset that he’s turning back into Bruce – or in this case David – just look at his hands!

Incredible Hulk #3 (1962)

 

This book came out in September of 1962.  This book is in the best shape out of the 3 (I have 3, 5, and 6) from the original 6 that I have.  Not sure if you can see it in the picture – but someone wrote OK between Hulk and the rocket.  In this issue the Hulk shows his amazing jumping abilities – which are mistaken for flying – and Thunderbolt Ross convinces Rick Jones to join the Army.  Rick doesn’t join but founds the Teen Brigade instead.  This cover reminds me of #120 where one of the soldiers is turned toward the reader and shouting something about the Hulk.  This issue, penciled by Jack Kirby, was inked by Dick Ayers and written, of course, by Stan Lee.  I just saw this comic on sale on ebay – signed by Stan Lee – but the seller wrote – “Signed by Stan ley!” in the description.  I thought that was pretty funny.