The Definitive HULK!!!

[Mego Superboy Prime]

I have read and reviewed it all when it comes to the Incredible Hulk! And now, I have come up with the run that represents the Hulk and his world EXACTLY as it should be. For me, this run is what I see of when I think about the Hulk. The art, the stories, the Army, the desert, the logo, the villains, everything! Before these issues is where I feel writers were still trying to get the development of the Hulk down and the art was still in the making. There was a great amount of stuff being put out but it just didn't all fit together so completely until this run (I'm about to show you). After this run, things just got progressively worse. Sure, the Hulk will always have some great stories, battles, etc. but this run is the ESSENTIAL Hulk!! I will go on to describe each issue and it's significance. Now before I tell you the issues, understand that this is the classic Hulk (so please don't go any further if you hate the classic Hulk) and waaaay before the Crossroads garbage, John Bryne nonsense, Peter David with his weak/bleeding Merged Hulk and MPD ****, Mr. Fixit trash, Pantheon idiocy, Bruce Jones crappolla and all the way up to the trash they put out today (can anyone say, fat, balding, idiot Jeph Loeb and his Red Hulk debacle and what about a Marvel Universe full of colored Hulks???). Thank god I'm out of comics. Yes, I think Greg Pak is a great Hulk-writer and without a doubt the best Hulk-writer since Bill Mantlo's early stuff. But I just can't get into the stories as much today. And World War Hulk's is just too silly for me. I stay far away from the smell of this trash.


Okay, enough about the bad, let's get on with the good. The greatest Hulk run ever is....

The Incredible Hulk (vol.2) #156- 193!! 37 issues from 1972 thru 1975 of pure Hulk the way he was meant to be. He was the strongest being on Earth and he just randomly wandered around the world as a tragic loner, running from the Army who constantly hounded him and always finding himself in another adventure with another adversary trying to get his power or challenge his might. I think everything from these issues is the foundation of how the Hulk should act, be written and just be. Plus, this was the time his true rogues gallery was formed. No Excuses, this is the Hulk in all his heavenly glory!!!

#156: I started here because the art of Herb Trimpe (who is the first true Hulk artist because he developed the Hulk's modern look) really started to take form with the inks of Sal Trapani. Previously, he had the inks of Dan Adkins (who did a great job) and John Severin that never fitted the Hulk. The Hulk always looked like someone out of an old western comic. And what was John famous for....you guessed it, his western comics. Cowboys and Indians good, The Hulk bad.

#157, 158: These two issues were simply the greatest Hulk vs Rhino two-parter ever!! Throw in the Leader's mental control over the Rhino in issue 157, then the battle for counter-earth in 158 and you have an amazing tale that takes so many twists and turns that ends with a rumble with the Hulk and Rhino leading the way!!!

#159: Boasting one of the best Hulk covers ever, the Hulk sets off to fight the Abomination who the Army has sent after him.

#160: The Hulk wanders over to the Niagra Falls and clashes with Tiger-Shark!

#161: Wanders to meet up with the Beast and Mimic and find out why he's getting weaker. The Hulk hates to be weak!!! This issue is also awesome because the Hulk realizes without his strength he has nothing. It's a sad realization of the tragic life of the Hulk.

#162: A truly unbelievable tale that is exactly what a Hulk-story should read like!!! All future writers who want to write the Hulk should read this issue!! The Hulk tries to save a man trapped in the Wendigo the only way he knows how, he fights it!!! But eventually, even the Hulk is powerless to save the man as the Wendigo runs off. This leaves the Hulk frustrated and defeated. I love how the Hulk plays the hero in such a childish, innocent way to save the man inside the Wendigo even though he has no hope of truly saving him (it's so sad, tragic and beautiful all at the same time). AN ABSOLUTE MASTERPIECE!!!!

#163: The Hulk and General Ross are trapped by the Gremlin, the Gargolyes son from Hulk (vol.1) #1!!

#164, 165: Wanders into the Artic and finds himself confronted by the mad genius Captain Omen! Eventually the Hulk leads a revolution for the Captain's crew and gives them freedom. But they all die when they reach the surface (exploding to their death). Always a tragic ending where even the Hulk's limitless strength is powerless to save anyone.

#166: Wanders to New York City and encounters ZZAXX for the first time!!!

#167, 168: The Hulk vs Modok in their greatest saga ever!! Betty breaks down and the Harpy is born!! Herb Trimpe and inker Jack Abel now create the look of the DEFINATIVE HULK!!!!! Classic all the way baby!!!

#169: Introducing the Bi-Beast and a battle 8 miles high in the sky!!!

#170: A fantastic issue where Betty learns to understand who the Hulk truly is and how he just wants to help her. Throw in some giant monsters and we have ourselves another true Hulk story!

#171: Back at Desert Base, New Mexico!! And hello to the Abomination and the Rhino!! What a battle and what a classic!!!

#172: Action never stops as the Hulk confronts the Juggernaut in another slugfest for the ages and the Army Base is caught in the middle!!! Props to the Hulk for overpowering Juggernaut in this fight and proving he is still the strongest being on earth!

#173, 174: The Hulk stows away on a ship and confronts the Cobolt Man! Issue 173 has Herb doing pencils and inks. While Abel returns as the inker in 174 to continue the look of the DEFINITIVE HULK!! Yeah!!!

#175: The Hulk crash lands in the Himalayan Mountains and confronts the Inhumans. I love how Black Bolt uses his scream and passes out from the strain as the Hulk takes it full force and trudges forward. But soon the Hulk also passes out and the Inhumans just have to get the Hulk out of their land because he is such a destructive, dangerous force and can destroy their home. Poor tortured soul is the Hulk.

#176-178: The Hulk ends up on Counter-Earth again and confronts Adam Warlock and the Man-Beasts. Another revolution and another classic Hulk adventure!!!!

#179: The Hulk returns to earth and confronts the Missing Link!! At the end, it's the Link who has friends and the Hulk (who thought he was saving the town) was the feared creature of destruction. Another classic Hulk tale. Simply what all Hulk stories should be like.

#180, 181: Wanders into Canada and confronts the Wendigo and soon the Wolverine. Now I know these are popular issues because of Wolverine (who I can't stand). But here he is a cool new character that ends up making the Hulk mad and pays for it.

#182: Ending of the Wolverine saga but beginning the Cracker Jack Jackson story which is another truly classic Hulk story as only Len Wein can write. Tragic and heart felt as the Hulk loses a friend but learns how to write. Trimpe also begins to ink his own work and has improved dramatically while the Hulk looks almost as good as the Trimpe and Abel team.

183: Wanders into Chicago for another return bout with ZZAXX!!

184: Battles the alien Kaa who takes control of the Hulk's shadow.

185: Back at Desert Base and fights General Ross and the HS-1000!!!

#186: Captured, the Hulk escapes and confronts the Devastator!!

#187,188: Joe Staton takes over the inking chores on Trimpe and the Hulk starts to lose his luster and classic look. But a nice story with the Gremlin and a slugfest with his rhyming triceratops ensues. Not to mention a team up of the Hulk and SHIELD!

#189: Another great Hulk tale where the Hulk is now wandering in Siberia and meets up with a blind girl. Soon the Mole man is in the mix but eventually the girl sees again and she thinks that the Hulk is a man and not a monster. Classic Hulk right here baby.

190, 191: Marie Severin inks over Trimpe in issue 190 and it is once again, not a perfect fit (Staton returns in 191). But throw in Glorian, the Toad Men and the Shaper of Worlds and you have a pretty good two-parter.

#192: The run is now winding down as the Hulk ends up in Scotland and confronts the Loch Ness monster. The issue is by no means perfect but it's still a classic.

#193: And the definitive Hulk run ends here with Trimpe's last issue (he would return from time to time but seemed to have lost his touch) and a nice fight with Doc Samson in New York. Plus this issue has a tremendous cover!



Sal Buscema begins his 10 year run with issue 194 but I was never a fan of his art especially teaming with Staton. Even though a bunch of great stories came until issue 273 when Banner's-mind takes over the Hulk's body...yuck and powerdowns eventually came into play!!! The Hulk had never again returned to his glory like he did in this 37 issue run...NEVER, NEVER, NEVER!! I know there are still many classic Hulk fans here and each one can attest to the significance of how awesome these issues were. Hell, all Hulk fans should rejoice the magic that lies within these issues!!!

Let me here what you guys think!!

[The Toyroom]

I was never a big fan of Trimpe's artwork....Sal Buscema's Hulk was more up my alley.....

[thunderbolt]

seems to me Kirby is the first true Hulk artist.

[Mego Superboy Prime]

Well of course, King Kirby is the first when it comes to anything Marvel. But Herb Trimpe was the first consistent Hulk artist and developed/created (with inker Jack Abel) the Savage Hulk's modern look. The Hulk had many artist that jumped off and on before Trimpe and they never made an impact on the character like him. At that time, the Hulk was still fluctuating in his look as what Kirby had started and with the artist's twist. It was Herb's look that stuck after his 8 years run. Stan Lee wouldn't have kept him on the title for so long if he wasn't doing the right job. When Sal Buscema took over the reigns and went onto draw the Hulk for even longer (10 years) he said that he just took over and copied what Herb started. When you see the Savage Green Hulk in comics, you can thank Trimpe for it.

[thunderbolt]

Well, reading your longwinded post further, when you start calling people you don't even know "fat, balding idiots" I can't take your views seriously. I always liked Kirby and Marie Severin way better on old school Hulk than Trimpe. Heck even Ditko's short run was pretty good. As far as the other more modern runs you've belittled, Byrne's never got a chance to get off the ground, but I'm pretty sure it would have been interesting if it had a chance to finish the story he had planned. World War Hulk put the character back on the radar.

[Surfsup]

I used to like Trimpe's art when I was a kid but now I truly can't stand it, a real eyesore to say the least. When I think of Hulk, the first artist that springs to mind is Sal Buscema (inked by Gerry Talaoc), and the run where he was banished by Dr Strange to another dimension was a great arc. I have to admit to really enjoying the Ed McGuinness art of the current run too.

[thunderbolt]

I used to like Trimpe's art when I was a kid but now I truly can't stand it, a real eyesore to say the least. When I think of Hulk, the first artist that springs to mind is Sal Buscema (inked by Gerry Talaoc), and the run where he was banished by Dr Strange to another dimension was a great arc. I have to admit to really enjoying the Ed McGuinness art of the current run too.

agreed, I first new him as a name during his Godzilla run for Marvel. Loved it as a kid, but now it just looks like he was aping 70's Kirby.

[Mego Superboy Prime]

Well, reading your longwinded post further, when you start calling people you don't even know "fat, balding idiots" I can't take your views seriously. I always liked Kirby and Marie Severin way better on old school Hulk than Trimpe. Heck even Ditko's short run was pretty good. As far as the other more modern runs you've belittled, Byrne's never got a chance to get off the ground, but I'm pretty sure it would have been interesting if it had a chance to finish the story he had planned. World War Hulk put the character back on the radar.

Hah, this is going to be funny. I actually do know Jeph and I know him pretty well. I lived in Waltham, Massachusetts years ago, while Jeph lived in Ashland, Ma (he is originally from Stamford, Connecticut). His step-father worked at Brandies University in Waltham and he was a frequent customer at the comic book shop I worked at the time. He usually came by once every two weeks for a few years straight. I never even knew he wrote comics as we talked all the time about all of geekdom. I knew he wrote later on but he was still new to the industry. When he became really big and famous I thought it was funny. We even bought his comic collection before he moved out to Hollywood. I always thought his writing got more praise than it was really worth but what do I know. Btw, a lot of the writing above is just for humor purposes, he's not an idiot, he's very, very smart and nice...but he is fat and balding

Another funny story was another comic writer, Kurt Busiek used to work at a McDonalds that I went to as a child in Waltham during the late 70's and early 80's. I found this out years later as we corresponded through e-mail and we kept in contact for a few years. It was just a funny revelation for both of us as we both knew mutual people that worked there for years. I haven't spoken to Kurt since the early 2000's but it was a surprise to both of us and I had some great laughs with him. Even told me a lot of inside information about the comic business and issues he was working on. A good time.

[clemso]

I think the way Kirby drew Hulk in issue 5 defined the look that i am fond of.

[thunderbolt]

Well, it didn't come off as humorous, came off as angry fanboy in his basement.

[Mego Superboy Prime]

I think the way Kirby drew Hulk in issue 5 defined the look that i am fond of.

Yes, an awesome Hulk!! But my favorite Kirby Hulk was when he was inked by Chic Stone!! Those were the greatest of ALL Hulks and what the Hulk should always look like!!! Fantastic Four 25 and 26, Hulk vs the Thing and everybody else and Journey into Mystery #112, Hulk vs Thor! Now those are some of the best comics ever!

http://www.immortalthor.net/journeyintomystery-112.jpg


I believe Dave Cockrum also did a fantastic Hulk and a Hulk that defined what the Savage Hulk should look like. Too bad he only did Hulk covers as Sal Buscema did the interior art. But once again, even the great Cockrum took what Trimpe started.

http://www.coverbrowser.com/image/hulk/206-9.jpg

[david_b]

Not a big Hulk fan specifically, but I really enjoy ALL things Marvel up to around '70..

Excellent Covers, just pure Marvelmania.., great color and NO TEXT BALLOONS.



C'mon.. Tell me these weren't cool covers..!

david_b

[clemso]

Yes, an awesome Hulk!! But my favorite Kirby Hulk was when he was inked by Chic Stone!! Those were the greatest of ALL Hulks and what the Hulk should always look like!!! Fantastic Four 25 and 26, Hulk vs the Thing and everybody else and Journey into Mystery #112, Hulk vs Thor! Now those are some of the best comics ever!

http://www.immortalthor.net/journeyintomystery-112.jpg


I believe Dave Cockrum also did a fantastic Hulk and a Hulk that defined what the Savage Hulk should look like. Too bad he only did Hulk covers as Sal Buscema did the interior art. But once again, even the great Cockrum took what Trimpe started.

http://www.coverbrowser.com/image/hulk/206-9.jpg

FF 25, 26 had some of the worst inking in Kirby's history, while I absolutely loved the story and action, Bell/Rossos inks were very messy and did not complement Jacks bold pencils. I also love Chic Stone inks but not on Hulk, Ayers was much better.

[Mego Superboy Prime]

FF 25, 26 had some of the worst inking in Kirby's history, while I absolutely loved the story and action, Bell/Rossos inks were very messy and did not complement Jacks bold pencils. I also love Chic Stone inks but not on Hulk, Ayers was much better.

Awwww. while Rosso's wasn't Chic Stone, I just loved the way Hulk looked in those issues. That last scene on F.F. #25, the Hulk looked like a big Italian guy running off on the fallen Thing. I loved it!! But yes, I can understand why you don't like it and how you can perceive it to be messy. It's just sometimes (or most of the time) I love ugly, cheesy, cute things that for some reason call out to me. It's like Ben Cooper Costume art or cheap AHI packaging superhero art...while some would say trash, I say TREASURE!!!

[madmarva]

I always liked Staton's inks on Buscema, and that's about the time I started reading the book. Really liked the Jarella storyline and the Moonstone issue where she drives Hulk mad after a therapy session. Alfredo Alaca was probably my favorite inker on Buscema's Hulk.

I read a lot of the stories Trimpe drew, but it was in reprints and back issues I bought later. he had a distinctive style, but I favor Buscema's work on the character.

Both are known for their work on Hulk and both were respected pros, so who's better is a subjective choice at best in my opinion.

I really enjoyed both Dale Keown and Gary Frank's art on the book during Peter David's writing run on the book. A lot of good stories there, too.

Two of my favorite Hulk stories were Hulk Annual 7 with Iceman and Angel drawn by Byrne with inks by Layton and Hulk annual 8 written by Byrne with Buscema/Alaca art where Hulk fought Sasquatch of Alpha Flight fame. my copies of those were ragged I read them so much.