Incredible Hulk #92: Spoilers

[The Wayner]

Great opening issue as Jade Jaws finally plops down on Planet Hulk!

From the beginning, when Reed explains that the Hulk is destined for a planet where there is only vegetation and game, no intelligent life forms (the Hulk always did want to be left alone), to the beepbeepbeep'ing of a navigational error, this'un is off-and-runnin'!

The Hulk shows surprise at being wounded, is brought down when refusing to go to his knees to show loyalty to the planet's emperor, and is pawned off at a slave auction. The auction leads into a gladiatorial event where Greenskin, first, gets to rip apart tentacled monsters (both from within and outside) before turning on them with an axe.

When the Hulk learns that the Red King, who is pondering a pardon for the beast, is behind the event, he immediately leaps into attack. This leads into a swordfight between the two, with the Red King saying he can't be beat by brute force because: "I'm the strongest one there is."

The Hulk gets whooped around a bit before gaining the upperhand, and firing back with his own one-liner: "Hulk slash."

Heh heh.

After downing the Red King, the Hulk has to face off against a Warbound Shadow; a bodyguard to the King. When told that he can't win because it isn't his world, the Hulk snidely replies: "Not yet." And then is taken down by a recuperated Red King.

Sent to "The Maw", a slave prison of sorts, the Hulk can merely state that: "This is gonna be fun."

Again, thought this was an excellent issue!

[WolverinesSon]

This story line is great and I can't wait for the next one. I can't wait for the Hulk to do the Maestro thing to this planet and own it.

[The Purple Skull]

Great start to the storyline. All I gotta say for the Illuminati is, they better hope the Hulk never returns to Earth cuz there's gonna be hell to pay! Hulk vs. The Illuminati: Book it!

[Young Avenger]

This story line is great and I can't wait for the next one. I can't wait for the Hulk to do the Maestro thing to this planet and own it.

The Hulk won't own anything. The weapons on that planet can hurt Hulk and life on the planet is stronger than he is.

[Wannabe]

Great start to the storyline. All I gotta say for the Illuminati is, they better hope the Hulk never returns to Earth cuz there's gonna be hell to pay! Hulk vs. The Illuminati: Book it!


Yeah, the Illumanati definitly would beat Hulk. With Dr. Strange, Prof. X, and Reed Richards, Hulk wouldn't stand a chance.

[Dial Tone]

This definitely has much potential for greatness.

A planet where the Hulk isn't the strongest? I would say that a no weapons showdown will eventually happen between Hulk and the Emporer, just to see who IS the strongest.
Carlo Pagulayan was a really nice find! Hulk has discovered or made it's share of artistic talents over the years ( McFarlane, Koewn, Frank, etc...) and it looks like Carlos may indeed fit into that group. I hope he does all the issues.
This was a very strong start for the Planet Hulk storyline. Hopefully Greg Pak doesn't let us down.

[Expletive Deleted]

I picked this up on a whim, and it was one of my better choices this week. Lots of fun.
The weapons on that planet can hurt Hulk and life on the planet is stronger than he is.I got the sense it was more that the trip through the portal that made him weak than the aliens being especially strong.

I can't imagine he'll be (relatively) weak all that long.

[The Wayner]

I felt it was the portal making him momentarily weaker, too.

[WolverinesSon]

The Hulk won't own anything. The weapons on that planet can hurt Hulk and life on the planet is stronger than he is.

Sorry bout your luck, but Hulk clearly stated that he felt his self getting stronger the longer he stayed there. So, you're left and I'm totally right. Remember this, "The madder Hulk get, the stronger Hulk get! Raaargh!!!!" The Hulk didn't seem that pissed yet. He actually seemed rather amused with the situation, playing it as it comes.

[garin]

In the scene where Hulk is taken down before he can fight the warbound shadow, does that look like the new Death's Head to anyone else?

[BizarroBeachHead]

Wow, color me impressed. I didn't buy this, but I read my friends copy. I am definately going to get it next Wednesday. Who did the pencil, they were fantastic!

This is a great space opera fantasy, but I was a little suprised that Bruce wasn't in the issue at all! One of my favorite aspects of the Hulk was the Banner/Hulk dynamic(PAD's Hulk for example), which this issue had none of. I hope that Pak doesn't just use Hulk as a single character without Banner.

Question: Whenever Hulk is unconcious, does he turn into Banner?

When Hulk was shot and knocked out, I had just assumed he would turn into Bruce. What can any of the Hulk experts around here tell me?

MikeSmash! I'm looking in your direction....

[The Wayner]

When unconscious, the Hulk used to revert into Banner. Of course, I'm calling on this from my early memories of reading the title from the 60s/80s.

As for the current Hulk, I'm not so sure...

[Expletive Deleted]

It depends on which version of the Hulk this is.

Speaking of which . . . I'm only going by secondhand reports, here, but didn't something screwy happen in the Prelude storyline, gamma-wise? Maybe the combination of that and the trip through the portal messed up Hulk's status quo.

[Max]

Question: Whenever Hulk is unconcious, does he turn into Banner?

When Hulk was shot and knocked out, I had just assumed he would turn into Bruce. What can any of the Hulk experts around here tell me?

Yeah me too. I am new to Hulk and I am not sure how the Banner/Hulk personna switches. Does he turn it off/on at will ? He seems smart...somewhat. Whats his intelligence? etc...etc..

Hulk experts please give a quick word.

In any event I thought it was a pretty good fast paced start...hopefully it can maintain.

[Neolucifer]

Wooohooo A fun ride !! First time in years that i enjoy reading a hulk book !!

10/10

[agrich]

I picked it up on a whim and enjoyed it too. Always used to like the Hulk, not so much for the past several years.

My question for those who have been reading it the past few years: Has the Hulk been such an unmanageable threat of late that it's plausible that Reed Richards and company would banish him from Earth? I realize they intended him to be on a different world than the one he ended up on, but either way if he changes back to Banner he's left with either a quick death or some pretty scary solitude kicked off the planet of his birth. Perhaps an unavoidable decision regarding the Hulk, sure, but the problem has always been that he's Banner, too. I guess I'm just trying to rationalize Richards doing this with basically the entire history of the character. Fury doing it is one thing, but Reed?

So if someone can make me accept it, that's cool. I'm along for the ride anyway, but....

[Neolucifer]

Actually the hulk issue sold me the idea , when i was on the fence about it .
Like they actually mention in their speech , the Hulk (and Banner) always claims that they just want to be left alone . Both even always try to wander in wilderness areas . And its not as if the illuminati , ever had a real chance , without threatening his life , except for that trip in space .. still even that failed and in fact threatened his life :D .

[The Wayner]

I picked it up on a whim and enjoyed it too. Always used to like the Hulk, not so much for the past several years.

My question for those who have been reading it the past few years: Has the Hulk been such an unmanageable threat of late that it's plausible that Reed Richards and company would banish him from Earth? I realize they intended him to be on a different world than the one he ended up on, but either way if he changes back to Banner he's left with either a quick death or some pretty scary solitude kicked off the planet of his birth. Perhaps an unavoidable decision regarding the Hulk, sure, but the problem has always been that he's Banner, too. I guess I'm just trying to rationalize Richards doing this with basically the entire history of the character. Fury doing it is one thing, but Reed?

So if someone can make me accept it, that's cool. I'm along for the ride anyway, but....

The Bruce Jones run has been retconned with PAD. Then, there was House of M. And now... so no, the Hulk hasn't been too naughty the past few years.

Overall, though? Yeah, I'd say he's rather worthy of being shipped off. Just his "Engine of Destruction" tag should seem enough for that; especially since he's certainly lived up to it.

[thik_3rd]

In the scene where Hulk is taken down before he can fight the warbound shadow, does that look like the new Death's Head to anyone else?
yes. and death's head was mentioned a few pages before, when hulk first broke out of that box he was in.


Speaking of which . . . I'm only going by secondhand reports, here, but didn't something screwy happen in the Prelude storyline, gamma-wise? Maybe the combination of that and the trip through the portal messed up Hulk's status quo.
that's happening in the current ff story. i'm guessing the current ff story is what directly leads mr. fantastic into deciding to get rid of the hulk.

The Bruce Jones run has been retconned with PAD.
how? when?

[Karl J. Barnes]

Just want to say that I've been kind of down on Hulk lately. BUT this issue just was fantastic! It had action, a neat setting and aliens, character development. It seemed that going through that wormhole(?) fused certain aspects of Hulk's personas together. The last few pages seemed to be a mix of Mr. Fix-It and the Professor aspects of Hulk. Maybe this story arc is where the Hulk becomes whole.

[The Wayner]

Concerning my statement regarding PAD retconning Bruce Jones:

Hmm.

Maybe I'm wrong about that'un. Without revisiting PAD's current run or the "Destruction" mini, I'm going to have to chalk that up to a figment of wishful thinking until it's either shot down or confirmed.

Me and my big azz mouth... lol. :o

[Yoda]

Speaking of which . . . I'm only going by secondhand reports, here, but didn't something screwy happen in the Prelude storyline, gamma-wise? Maybe the combination of that and the trip through the portal messed up Hulk's status quo.

The Satellite he was sent up to destroy by Shield siphoned off enough gamma energy to the point were it overloaded it's systems. So that drain coupled with the trip though the portal, which the native aliens said was "life draining" could defnintely have weakend him.

And thik_3rd's right too, in the latest issues of FF, he's caught in a low level gamma blast that turned him into a kind of Savage Grey Hulk, and going on a rampage through Las Vegas.

[Yoda]

Concerning my statement regarding PAD retconning Bruce Jones:

Hmm.

Maybe I'm wrong about that'un. Without revisiting PAD's current run or the "Destruction" mini, I'm going to have to chalk that up to a figment of wishful thinking until it's either shot down or confirmed.

Me and my big azz mouth... lol. :o

I think you're kind of right. At the end of PAD's first storyarc, Nightmare claims that the last few years of Hulk stories were just nightmares he gave Hulk. Then if i remember correctly in the Destruction mini, Hulk asks Abomination if he remebers Bruce sleeping with Abominations wife, and Abomination has no memory of it. So Hulk says something like "Damn Nightmare"

[Neolucifer]

that's happening in the current ff story. i'm guessing the current ff story is what directly leads mr. fantastic into deciding to get rid of the hulk.

Yeah forgot to add that one too .Another thing making Reed vote for Hulk's exil .

[Mike Smash!]

Wow, color me impressed. I didn't buy this, but I read my friends copy. I am definately going to get it next Wednesday. Who did the pencil, they were fantastic!

This is a great space opera fantasy, but I was a little suprised that Bruce wasn't in the issue at all! One of my favorite aspects of the Hulk was the Banner/Hulk dynamic(PAD's Hulk for example), which this issue had none of. I hope that Pak doesn't just use Hulk as a single character without Banner.

Question: Whenever Hulk is unconcious, does he turn into Banner?

When Hulk was shot and knocked out, I had just assumed he would turn into Bruce. What can any of the Hulk experts around here tell me?

MikeSmash! I'm looking in your direction....It really depends on the writer. Alot of the time, he turns back into Banner when knocked out, but sometimes he doesn't.

The current incarnation of the Hulk seems to transform in one of two ways: Stress/anger and conscious choice, giving himself over to the Hulk to take over.

I don't think Banner and the Hulk like each other very much, but I think they have a certain understanding these days.

[RabidWolfe]

I think you're kind of right. At the end of PAD's first storyarc, Nightmare claims that the last few years of Hulk stories were just nightmares he gave Hulk. Then if i remember correctly in the Destruction mini, Hulk asks Abomination if he remebers Bruce sleeping with Abominations wife, and Abomination has no memory of it. So Hulk says something like "Damn Nightmare"


Hulk actually says "Stupid Nightmare" but - yeah, that's basically it.

[Kevinroc]

I thought this issue was really cool. I wasn't quite sure what to expect but I'm glad I picked it up.

[The Wayner]

I think you're kind of right. At the end of PAD's first storyarc, Nightmare claims that the last few years of Hulk stories were just nightmares he gave Hulk. Then if i remember correctly in the Destruction mini, Hulk asks Abomination if he remebers Bruce sleeping with Abominations wife, and Abomination has no memory of it. So Hulk says something like "Damn Nightmare"

Thanks! Now, I feel better... ;)

[CyberCoyote]

Added Hulk to the pull list after this one, great start :P

Is Hulk's apparent vulnerability due to the 'weakness' they keep referring to from passing through the portal? Seems the Red King was gonna get his rear handed to him none the less, and I'd guess his armor there makes him more powerful than his henchmen. So if Hulk's not at 100% now he should be ripping them at will soon enough :)

[Young Avenger]

Sorry bout your luck, but Hulk clearly stated that he felt his self getting stronger the longer he stayed there. So, you're left and I'm totally right. Remember this, "The madder Hulk get, the stronger Hulk get! Raaargh!!!!" The Hulk didn't seem that pissed yet. He actually seemed rather amused with the situation, playing it as it comes.

Have you read any of the Greg Pak's interviews in regrads to this series? He made it clear that Hulk isn't the strongest being in the planet he has landed in.

“Planet Hulk” will find the Hulk completely out of his element, stranded on a distant world with inhabitants just as powerful as he is. So is it possible for the Hulk to survive this harsh planet? And possibly even thrive there?

http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=6202

Getting stronger as he gets angry won't make much of a difference since the planet's weaponary can hurt Hulk.

[Tomodachi]

I also picked this up for the hell of it, and I liked it!

The story so far is just a fun-adventure romp. Fun setting and alot of action.

Thumbs up so far!

I will say I'm not too excited about the art, but it's ok enough to keep me getting the book.

[Zero Hunter]

I have not read the Hulk book for proably 5 years or so since I dind't like the direction it took. But man I am back on board for this storyline. I wasn't going to at first until I heard who it was that was sending the Hulk off into Exile, and I wanted to see how that was handled. I was so surprised to see just how great a read this was. This is how I like my Hulk. He will have to use his cunning just as much as his strength on this world, and that reminds me of the Grey Hulk days when he wasn't always the strongest but he was the most sneaky and used that to his advantage to win.

Can't wait for part 2.

[Jomero]

The Bruce Jones run has been retconned with PAD.

If by retcon you mean that Dr. Samson was a part of Nightmare's illusions and everything he told Bruce was a part of that illusion, then sure.

You know what I find really funny about these latest Hulk issues? It's that they are 100 times better than everything Peter David wrote for the character after he recently returned. I read his stuff, but it really wasn't very good at all (Hulk can breathe underwater now? Hulk was actually an active personality and high school chum to Bruce Banner? Give me a break).

After reading these latest issues, I'm actually sort of glad Peter David isn't writing for the Hulk right now. That's right, I am *glad* PAD isn't writing Hulk.

I think PAD still has some good Hulk stories in him. But he sure didn't let any of them out since Hulk: The End. And even that was nothing new... it was a direct port from a short story he wrote for "The Ultimate Hulk" book (no relation to the actual Ultimate universe). So in a way, PAD hasn't written anything good about the Hulk since the '90s.

Except for that one-shot issue right before the House of M. I enjoyed that one.

[Will.S]

This was a great issue, I almost can't believe Greg Pak wrote the thing.

Nice to see Death's head there (also reading Amazing Fantasy) and it's strange how Amazing Fantasy characters keep interacting with Hulk and his cast. I guess one can tell that the bug dude is going to befriend Hulk on his stay there, the setting of the planet is really well laid out like a mix of Star Wars Tatooine and Conan the Barbarian.

Fantastic art on Pagulayan's end, I didn't expect it to look so good and the Ladronn covers really stand out. Looking very much forward to the next issue and I liked the Illuminati involvement since it ties to them very well and probably contributes heavily towards their schism.

[The Wayner]

If by retcon you mean that Dr. Samson was a part of Nightmare's illusions and everything he told Bruce was a part of that illusion, then sure.

You know what I find really funny about these latest Hulk issues? It's that they are 100 times better than everything Peter David wrote for the character after he recently returned. I read his stuff, but it really wasn't very good at all (Hulk can breathe underwater now? Hulk was actually an active personality and high school chum to Bruce Banner? Give me a break).

After reading these latest issues, I'm actually sort of glad Peter David isn't writing for the Hulk right now. That's right, I am *glad* PAD isn't writing Hulk.

I think PAD still has some good Hulk stories in him. But he sure didn't let any of them out since Hulk: The End. And even that was nothing new... it was a direct port from a short story he wrote for "The Ultimate Hulk" book (no relation to the actual Ultimate universe). So in a way, PAD hasn't written anything good about the Hulk since the '90s.

Except for that one-shot issue right before the House of M. I enjoyed that one.

Unfortunately, I agree with you. And I say unfortunately because I was so hyped that PAD was returning to the title.

I did dig his battle with the shark/squid, and Fin Fang Foom, but the stand-alone issue was definitely the best of his return (except for the pseudo Molly Hatchet cover, that is). Heck, I'm still mad he didn't feature Billy on that darned island!, lol.

As it is, I feel the Hulk is in good hands, now. PAD gave us great stories in the past, and as fans, we're proud of that. But that was then, this is now...

[The Wayner]

#92 Sells Out (No Reprint) (http://www.newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=58988)

Woo hoo!

There's also a preview of the next chapter in PLANET HULK. This is only gettin' better... :D

[Tony Starkz]

Go to any board.I haven't heard this much praise for a book since I started collecting again.Amazing.

[Will.S]

#92 Sells Out (No Reprint) (http://www.newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=58988)

Woo hoo!

There's also a preview of the next chapter in PLANET HULK. This is only gettin' better... :D
Yeah that looks pretty darn awesome.

[StoneGold]

My only complaint, the art is good, but it's not great. I don't know if it's just it needs better inking or coloring, but it feels a little half-finished.

[damngary]

In the scene where Hulk is taken down before he can fight the warbound shadow, does that look like the new Death's Head to anyone else?

yeah, i beleive in an interview somewhere, that there would be a cameo of deaths head here, will their be more, debatable, oh well, still noice!

[twilight]

S'pretty damn good.Art isn't all that but itt'l do.

But fourteen issues?Seems a little long.

[Ravenheart]

Pretty good start to the storyline.I'm really looking forward to seeing whats going to happen to the hulk over the course of the storyline.When I was reading it,the whole crossworlds storyline came to mind.Another thing I started to wonder about was,when he does come back to Earth,will it be because he found his own way home or will he be brought back because the heroes need him.

[jpk]

This was a great issue, I almost can't believe Greg Pak wrote the thing.

No kidding. After the 1602 New World debacle I was skeptical that this could be as good as it turned out to be.

The Illuminati disturb me. For one, I just can't rectify my established views of guys like Reed and Tony and the bizarre decision they made to offworld Bruce/Hulk.

For another matter, these are the greatest brains in the world. They can't find a way to depower Hulk or fit him with some bracelet like She-Hulk has to control the transformations?

[StoneGold]

For another matter, these are the greatest brains in the world. They can't find a way to depower Hulk or fit him with some bracelet like She-Hulk has to control the transformations?
No. Because they've tried stuff like that before, and it never works. Besides, Shulkie's gamma charger doesn't so much control her transformations, as it does turn her into She-Hulk. That's an issue with her being in more of a natural state as Jen lately. That's not really the case with Hulk.

[jpk]

No. Because they've tried stuff like that before, and it never works. Besides, Shulkie's gamma charger doesn't so much control her transformations, as it does turn her into She-Hulk. That's an issue with her being in more of a natural state as Jen lately. That's not really the case with Hulk.

In that case, the Illuminati should have taken direct responsibility and simply assassinated Bruce. Instead they assuage their collective conscience by sending him to an uninhabited paradise (as we know that didn't happen).

It's classic. Pull the trigger without getting your hands dirty. It was a good setup for this arc, but a weak justification on the part of Reed and company.

[Kevinroc]

In that case, the Illuminati should have taken direct responsibility and simply assassinated Bruce. Instead they assuage their collective conscience by sending him to an uninhabited paradise (as we know that didn't happen).

It's classic. Pull the trigger without getting your hands dirty. It was a good setup for this arc, but a weak justification on the part of Reed and company.

But it's not totally out of character. Dr. Strange has banished Hulk from Earth before.

[StoneGold]

In that case, the Illuminati should have taken direct responsibility and simply assassinated Bruce. Instead they assuage their collective conscience by sending him to an uninhabited paradise (as we know that didn't happen).

It's classic. Pull the trigger without getting your hands dirty. It was a good setup for this arc, but a weak justification on the part of Reed and company.
You make it sound like killing the Hulk is easy. Or Banner, for that matter.

But why you flip from "they should just cure him" to "they should just kill him," but seem to have something against a middle ground...

[agrich]

Wonder if the idea for this story was prompted at all by a couple of the classic Hulk stories on Counter-Earth, way back around Hulk 157-159, and Hulk 176-178. If I recall correctly he initially ended up there because the military hoped to strand him on a rocket ship endlessly orbiting the sun, not knowing that there was another Earth on the opposite side.

[SergioCamacho]

I think the last time Strange banished Hulk, Banner and Hulk had been divided into separate entities. Strange sent him off to the 'crossroads' dimension. Was that issue #300? Tricking Hulk off planet has a different feel to it. Hulk is officially ostracized. Fury, Strange, Reed and company have betrayed his trust. There are some strong implications for a future confrontation. How will She-Hulk and Doc Samson respond?

[The Wayner]

Wonder if the idea for this story was prompted at all by a couple of the classic Hulk stories on Counter-Earth, way back around Hulk 157-159, and Hulk 176-178. If I recall correctly he initially ended up there because the military hoped to strand him on a rocket ship endlessly orbiting the sun, not knowing that there was another Earth on the opposite side.

All of which makes me hope that the Hulk finds a new Jarella somewhere on PLANET HULK...

[Aufbach]

I didn't care for Way's "fill-in" issues at all, but this new storyline is great. Hulk has a personality again(!), and never reverted to Banner in this issue. I'm sure it'll happen at some point, but I'm totally fine with an all-Hulk, all-the-time approach.

This Hulk incarnation seems like a mix of The Professor and Mr. Fix-it. I did get the sense that Hulk's strength was limited because of his trip through the portal, but whatever. If he has to return to his cunning ways ... well, so much the better.

[Hulk_Is]

Ever since I first got into the Hulk in kindergarten (talkin' early '80's) have I felt this 'young' on an issue!

It literally felt like a fast-paced action movie. From the artwork to colors, I was estatic. The pencils were my style, none of tht fancy new-school paint crap, just right.

I guess, I ultimately feel this way is simply because I haven't been this excited about a Hulk story since Hulk Annual 2001(?), when Hulk fought Thor (which by the way, Thor sent Hulk to another world 'cause of his rampages).

I'm also excited 'cause this event is one of their biggest, so they 'have-to' get it right. Hulk being Hulk, a science-fiction character.

[G. Wayne]

Good stuff, as has been stated, a lot better than expected. Best pull last week here too. The bar has been raised for Planet Hulk as far as I'm concerned.


"Hulk slash," indeed.

heeheeheehee. :D

[G. Wayne]

...
The Illuminati disturb me. For one, I just can't rectify my established views of guys like Reed and Tony and the bizarre decision they made to offworld Bruce/Hulk.

For another matter, these are the greatest brains in the world. They can't find a way to depower Hulk or fit him with some bracelet like She-Hulk has to control the transformations?

I was under the impression that the Illuminati found out Nick Fury sent the Hulk into space after the God's Eye Satellite, /then/ they decided to go through with the plan to send Hulk to another planet. Taking advantage of the situation after the fact with a rushed decision, almost.

[Jomero]

I don't think Reed Richards could come up with a cure for the Hulk. Bruce Banner has been established as a mind on par with Richards', except Banner's intelligence is more focused in specific areas. Namely, gamma radiation. I'd go as far as to say that Richards is overall smarter, but Banner knows more about gamma radiation than Richards does.

If Hulk were to ever be cured, it would be by Banner's own hands. On top of that, the dichotomy of the book necessitates that would have to be Banner. It's all about a struggle between those two. Having someone else come up with the cure goes against the entire series.

[agrich]

On top of that, the existence of a monthly Incredible Hulk comic book necessitates that there be an Incredible Hulk....

[cable guy]

Great issue.

Really a great continuation to Peace in our time. It's just perfect to pick now as a time to send Hulk into exile since he was already out into space. I love the concept.

One Question?... Is this the permanent Creative team?

[Expletive Deleted]

For "Planet Hulk," I believe so. I'm not sure about after.