GIANT-SIZE HULK - Review & Spoilers [Archive]

Expletive Deleted

06-21-2006, 10:53 AM

Man, Banner's kind of a dick.

Anyway . . .

S

P

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L

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I only read the "Planet Banner" story, since I was a little pressed for time, but it's a great little piece of writing. Hulk's asleep in his camp with his team when suddenly Banner's personality tries to sieze control. He wanders through Hulk's dreams (featuring an amalgamation of the classic Jarella story and Planet Hulk), taunting him about how Banner always has to clean up Hulk's messes. Eventually, Hulk starts dreaming about Earth's heroes, and here's where we get two of the best panels I've read in a while.

First we get all the superheroes against a white background, pointing and laughing at Hulk. It's effective. Then we get the much publicized full-page spread of Hulk and company tearing apart the heroes. Only with dialogue.

Iron Man [being ripped in half]: "Ouch."

Spider-Man: "I wasn't even there!"

Miek: "This is for making Hulk sleep in your kitchen!"
Sentry: "But it's such a nice kitchen!"

Black Bolt [thought balloon]: "Nuts."

Heh. Good stuff.

Hulk stirs awake, and shifts back to Banner who crows in triumph. But only for a moment before Hulk wrenches back into control. Miek, who briefly caught a glimpse of Banner, asks who's out there, and Hulk replies "Just us monsters." The end.

Basically, a nice little look on where Hulk's head (or heads, as the case may be) is at the turning point between chapters of Planet Hulk.

This issue also features a new Champions story and a reprint of the much-in-demand HULK: THE END, both by Peter David. So . . . yeah. Anyone who wants to Review & Spoil those, go right ahead.

Soundrave

06-21-2006, 11:52 AM

I'm really looking forward to this today.

Were there any preview images/pages from upcoming Planet Hulk issues in the book?

Expletive Deleted

06-21-2006, 11:53 AM

Not that I recall, but like I said I only read the one story.

CMBMOOL

06-21-2006, 11:55 AM

Expletive Deleted

06-21-2006, 11:57 AM

Banner wants to get back to Earth, where his family and friends are. Hulk doesn't.

Or at least, that's how I read it.

CMBMOOL

06-21-2006, 12:01 PM

Banner wants to get back to Earth, where his family and friends are. Hulk doesn't.

Or at least, that's how I read it.

What?

He wants to get back to Earth, where he a wanted man, hated and betrayed by thoses he once called friends, and where his "wife" is missing and the only family he got left is the SHE-HULK, who while does care about him, is building a life of her own.

He should be glad that the heroes send him away to not harm anyone for the time being, how he'll react when he get back is another story. :evilsmile

Expletive Deleted

06-21-2006, 12:17 PM

Hey, I could be wrong.

Soundrave

06-21-2006, 12:32 PM

Does Banner want to get back to Earth or just the hell off of Sakaar?

Sakaar might be ideal for the Hulk's tastes, but it seems like a dangerous place to be if you're Bruce Banner. In order for Banner to survive, he'll have to let the Hulk persona be dominant all the time, because I don't see Banner surviving what the Hulk's endured so far on this planet.

Maybe he just wants to get to a deserted planet (like the Illuminati intended) where he can live in peace without fear of the Hulk smashing people when his adrenaline starts to flow. Sakaar may be fun for the Hulk, but it kind of sucks for Banner.

agrich

06-21-2006, 02:28 PM

Banner tells the Hulk he just wants to fix the ship and get to the planet Reed intended. Course, that could be a lie, he might just want to get back to Earth.

Granted there's not much for him there, but c'mon, it's the planet he was born on. I don't care much for my hometown, but given the choice of that and a world where I'm likely to be killed in a gladiator match for the amusement of others, I'd probably lean toward my hometown. Plus there's the whole wife and cousin thing.

As for Hulk: The End, which I hadn't read before, man, I'm glad I didn't spend big money to get this thing on ebay. IMO, it's an overrated piece of junk. A minimal shred of an idea stretched out to something like 25-30 pages or whatever. Peter David really did write his last good Hulk story in #467.

I'm loving Planet Hulk, but the story here that ties into that is thin enough that I can't recommend anyone spending the $5 just to get it. As for the lead story with the Champions, um, yeah, it's as lousy as you'd expect.

MazingMan728

06-21-2006, 02:53 PM

I'm loving Planet Hulk, but the story here that ties into that is thin enough that I can't recommend anyone spending the $5 just to get it. As for the lead story with the Champions, um, yeah, it's as lousy as you'd expect.[/QUOTE]

I liked the Champions story as it reminded of the old Hulk smash stories in the 100s-early 200s where Hulk is doing good but being misunderstood. It was a nice homage to the days of old.

agrich

06-21-2006, 04:09 PM

Well that's fair, I can see that. I loved that period of the Hulk, but most efforts at nostalgia generally don't work for me. (The exception was the Hulk-Superman crossover a while back.) It usually seems forced.

Expletive Deleted

06-21-2006, 04:33 PM

Maybe he just wants to get to a deserted planet (like the Illuminati intended) where he can live in peace without fear of the Hulk smashing people when his adrenaline starts to flow. Sakaar may be fun for the Hulk, but it kind of sucks for Banner.Upon rereading, that's it exactly.

Hiromi

06-21-2006, 04:45 PM

My favorite part was when Hulk ripped Iron Man in half, and Wolverine said "Better him than me." Obvious poke at the Ultimate Hulk vs Ultimate Wolverine splash page with Hairball getting ripped in two.

Captain

06-21-2006, 04:48 PM

Haven't been keeping up on the Planet Hulk story, but the $4.99 price tag can't be beat if you are looking to get The End story which has been going for upwards of $40 on e-Bay lately.

Karl J. Barnes

06-21-2006, 06:06 PM

Yep, the reprinted The End story was the best. The Recorder's statement about humanity is me at my most cynical. Peter David seems to have both Hulk and Banner down pat.

Mick Martin

06-21-2006, 07:01 PM

I don't understand the Bruce and Hulk psyche as of now ?

Bruce should be happy that his alter ego found comfort, he doesn't have to worry about the destruction of innocents like back on Earth, and I was hoping he agrees with the Hulk and try to overthrow the Red King.

Could someone please help me ? :(

Also how did the Champions fight connected to Post Planet-Hulk's events ?

As for Bruce being happy...well, you have to remember something. Whether they're on Earth or the planet Reed supposedly intended to send him to, Bruce wants a life, too. He doesn't want to be completely suppressed, as he's been thus far in "Planet Hulk." Banner wants to be the dominant personality, just like the Hulk does.

As for how the Champions fight connected to Post-Planet-Hulk, well we can only speculate at this point since we don't know what's going to happen after Planet Hulk. The most obvious connection is Hercules saying at the end "And hopefully, on some future date, we shall have the opportunity to make amends." The most obvious assumption to make, since Hercules is in the anti-registration camp, is that there may be some kind of Hulk/anti-registration alliance formed against the Illuminati when Hulk returns to Earth. But again, there's no way to know for sure.

Kevinroc

06-21-2006, 10:40 PM

I thought The Champions story was cute. An homage to old-fashioned Hulk stories.

The Banner/ Hulk dream story was fairly interesting as it explained how Bruce saw the entire experience. And I found it to be surprisingly funny.

The End was just as powerfu as the first time I read it.

Reptisaurus!

06-22-2006, 12:58 AM

The Champions story was almost as doofy as the original Champions series. Except for one really good Hulk smash scene, which made it all worthwhile.

Hulk: The End had a hell of an ending, but tootk it's sweet time getting there.

drwho

06-22-2006, 03:17 PM

I actually enjoyed the whole issue. We need more champion tales.

Sam T.

06-22-2006, 04:45 PM

I thought it was pretty good...except for the mention of "Clinton" and "Back To the Future"...what was up with that??? I hate when writers do this!!

agrich

06-22-2006, 05:03 PM

I thought it was pretty good...except for the mention of "Clinton" and "Back To the Future"...what was up with that??? I hate when writers do this!!

The Clinton joke was likely in reference to the fact that although Carter was president when the Champions comic was published (some 30 years ago), in "Marvel Time" it was more like 7-8 years ago - when Clinton was president.

Leebenhouse

06-22-2006, 05:44 PM

I wonder if Marvel's going to eventually have some major event like "Crisis on 616" that will clear up some of the time debates, with immortal characters like Hercules and Thor remembering time differently than other heroes. I mean, C'mon, so much of Marvel is rooted in events of the 60's and 70's like the Cold War, Vietnam, blaxsploitation, etc...

Oh, who's Delorean was that? Jen Walters? I guess she has strange taste in cars, after all, didn't she have a flying caddie back in the Byrne series?

Orion101

06-22-2006, 06:09 PM

Could someone please post a detailed description of the Champions story, my store doesn't carry Giant Size Hulk and I am really interested to know what goes down in it.

Mike Smash!

06-22-2006, 06:16 PM

I thought it was pretty good...except for the mention of "Clinton" and "Back To the Future"...what was up with that??? I hate when writers do this!!

I took that as a joke about the condensed and shifting time frame of comic book universes. Carter was President during the time the Champions comic was originally published and Hercules' confusion was a sly reference to that.

Michael P

06-22-2006, 06:33 PM

Jack

06-22-2006, 07:22 PM

It's funny actually. The planet Reed meant to send them to - it would be a world where Banner was totally dominant, with nothing to force him into the Hulk. But instead, they landed on a world where Hulk is totally dominant, perfect for him but hell for Bruce.

Will.S

06-22-2006, 09:34 PM

This was good stuff, I even liked the Champions story which got me to buy the trade paperback of that book. There wasn't a significant connection to the Planet Hulk event back then though other than showing Hulk fighting some superheroes but the "Planet Banner" one definitely has the more important Planet Hulk stuff and it was an interesting way of showing Banner during the whole thing.

BTW the Sentry remark about Hulk being in his kitchen has to be a reference to the recent Paul Jenkins written Sentry series after the Void snapped Hulk's bones and had him healing in Sentry's pad.

Verydopey

06-23-2006, 03:50 AM

does anyone know if this is going to get collected in a TPB??? cause i'll buy it and stash it away if its not...

Tony Starkz

06-23-2006, 11:04 AM

Avoided it due to the $7 price tag,but I have been following PH.

I thought it was pretty obvious when I read this in store,that Hercules is going to make it up to the Hulk when he comes back and stand at his side.Simple as that.

Slumber Hulk

06-23-2006, 02:21 PM

The Champions tale reminded me how annoying Herc doth be.

I really liked the Planet Banner piece too. I think that people seemed to miss that Banner didn't want to go back to earth he wanted to go an uninhabited planet to isolate the threat of Hulk.

But Hulk: The END made the thing totally worth the sticker price. I wondered if there werent humans who were off world when the war struck? Wouldn't they be alive.

agrich

06-23-2006, 02:37 PM

I really liked the Planet Banner piece too. I think that people seemed to miss that Banner didn't want to go back to earth he wanted to go an uninhabited planet to isolate the threat of Hulk.

I didn't miss it, but it's not surprising the Hulk wouldn't take Banner at his word. (Even if he weren't quite happy where he is.) Just because Banner says he doesn't want to go back to Earth doesn't mean it's true - or that he wouldn't change his mind at some point even if it were.

Guess I'm about the only one who thought the Hulk: The End story was lame. Oh well. I do kind of like the Champions story a bit more on reflection.

Sean Whitmore

06-23-2006, 02:41 PM

Loved this book. I usually avoid these Giant Size or 100 Page Giant issues, which are made up of a few barely-relevant mini stories and reprints of stuff I already have or didn't want the first time around. So I was especially wary of this, as I don't even collect Hulk regularly anymore. But this was certainly the exception to the rule.

The Champions story was simply classic Hulk, and I enjoyed it a great deal more than PAD's return to the title last year. I would never buy a Champions series, but for one story, it's neat seeing a rather random group of heroes together. Ice Man realizing how obvious his name is was brilliant, as was Hercules realizing that he'll never hear the end of "Skirt Man".
The "Carter/Clinton" gag was cute, but it certainly wasn't something that demanded an explanation. Simply not naming the president solves any such timeline problems.

"Planet Banner" revisited the Banner/Hulk fight for dominance that got me into Hulk comics in the first place. Pak did a really great job here in characterizing Bruce and using continuity. I especially loved him pointing out what a liar Hulk really is ("Just wants to be left alone. Riiiiiight."). I don't quite care for the "Planet Hulk" storyline (it's fine, just not to my tastes), but I hope Pak sticks around once it's over.

And I'd already read The End twice before, both in comic and original novella form. But I didn't already own it, it's a great story, and it fits as being another classic Hulk story (albeit with the added conceit of it being the last one).

So, I'm pleased for my $5.

SEAN

littleredhat

06-24-2006, 06:02 PM

Billy Parker

06-24-2006, 09:28 PM

Hulk The End was awesome! Totally worth it!

Karl J. Barnes

06-24-2006, 09:36 PM

My favorite part was Banner War.

Banner really treated the Hulk like trash in this story ridiculing him and rubbing it in Hulk's face that he had the woman the Hulk loved.

The Hulk is a part of Banner and yet look how he treats himself.

It really makes me question which is the better man.

What do you guys think?

They both have their moments of being asshats. Hulk as 'Joe Fixit'. The story showed, for me, that the war for dominace is pretty brutal. I mean, how would you act, if your life was constantly upturned?

Yes, the story showed a more aggressive Banner than we are used to and one not willing to play nice. I saw it as Banner's psyche just being fed up with reason and logic and using any type of emotional barage to get his point across. He's stuck in limbo and don't know about you, but I'd be pretty nasty too.

agrich

06-25-2006, 06:48 AM

Whenever they have these psyche battles I always figure we're seeing the character slightly through the mental filter of the personality whose dominant at that moment. I thought Banner at his smarmiest was kind of the way the Hulk perceived him. When Banner is the one having the psychic battle in his head, the Hulk is usually more irrational and cruel. Anyway, just my take.

Majinlex

06-26-2006, 02:26 AM

I really enjoyed this, but one small thing that bugged me.

In the Champions story, when Iceman and Ghost Rider are attacking Hulk and he says something like:
"Leave me alone or I'll do to you what I did to wing-man"

Bobby didn't show the slightest bit of concern for Warren, instead he just made a joke about his name. Admittedly it was a pretty funny one but at the point he didn't know if Angel was alive or dead, seeing as how he dropped the phone.

As I said, it's just a small thing but I would've liked to have seen it.

Alpha to Omega

06-26-2006, 08:16 PM

My favorite part was Banner War.

Banner really treated the Hulk like trash in this story ridiculing him and rubbing it in Hulk's face that he had the woman the Hulk loved.

The Hulk is a part of Banner and yet look how he treats himself.

It really makes me question which is the better man.

What do you guys think?

How would you treat the being that made you a hunted fugitive and a murderer (no matter what Dan Slott claims), shortened the time you spent with your wife before her death, destroyed your other relationships and once crippled your best friend. The Hulk has made Banners life a living hell since his inception.

Mike Smash!

06-26-2006, 08:25 PM

I absolutely loved this book. Every bit of it.

Thought the classic Champions story was great... It reminded me of how great Peter David is on the Hulk and reminded me of how the Hulk lends himself well to both humorous and serious stories alike.

"Skirt man" was awesome.

Loved the Hulk/Banner battle as the duality between them has always been one of my favorite parts of the character. I hope that we'll see Banner pop up again in "Planet Hulk". The imaginary battle between the Hulk and his gladiator comrades and the Marvel heroes was hilarious, especially Miek taking out the Sentry!

Miek is quickly becoming a favorite of mine.

And Hulk: the End is one of my all-time favorite Hulk stories! I am very glad to see it reprinted. It appears to be the only "The End" title to live up to its potential. I can only hope it gets a hardcover in time.

What a great collection to read for someone who wants to get into the Hulk!

Crimson

06-27-2006, 01:20 AM

I'm loving Planet Hulk, but the story here that ties into that is thin enough that I can't recommend anyone spending the $5 just to get it. As for the lead story with the Champions, um, yeah, it's as lousy as you'd expect.

I thought this was one of the better Giant Sized books and I've got nearly all of the ones released over the last year or so.

Two new storys that while not "Life changing" were alot of fun too read and then Hulk:The End... which after reading it I think is good but I was expecting more from the online hype.

Overall I thought it was great but to each there own. Horses for course.:D

Soundrave

06-27-2006, 05:07 AM

How would you treat the being that made you a hunted fugitive and a murderer (no matter what Dan Slott claims), shortened the time you spent with your wife before her death, destroyed your other relationships and once crippled your best friend. The Hulk has made Banners life a living hell since his inception.

How is Dan Slott's "claim" any less credible than Bendis' claim? Dan Slott has written the Hulk more often, plus he has demonstrated a far superior knowledge of the Marvel Universe's history than Bendis. If we're going to compare the credibility of "claims," then I'll side with Slott.

Alpha to Omega

06-27-2006, 05:17 PM

How is Dan Slott's "claim" any less credible than Bendis' claim? Dan Slott has written the Hulk more often, plus he has demonstrated a far superior knowledge of the Marvel Universe's history than Bendis. If we're going to compare the credibility of "claims," then I'll side with Slott.

Because the Hulk has killed on-panel before, like in Web of Spider-Man #69 where he kills a scientist under the mistaken impression he was a friend of Banner or during the Countdown arc where he poisons a villain and leaves him to die. And Dan Slott seems to be equal with Bendis in knowledge of continuity considering the mistakes he's made, mistakes that he could of prevented by just looking at a freaking handbook plus when people call him on it he uses his books to insult them.

Mick Martin

06-28-2006, 12:57 AM

Because the Hulk has killed on-panel before, like in Web of Spider-Man #69 where he kills a scientist under the mistaken impression he was a friend of Banner or during the Countdown arc where he poisons a villain and leaves him to die. And Dan Slott seems to be equal with Bendis in knowledge of continuity considering the mistakes he's made, mistakes that he could of prevented by just looking at a freaking handbook plus when people call him on it he uses his books to insult them.

I think there's a difference between saying that Hulk has killed on-panel, and saying that he's apparently killed countless innocent civilians during battles. Like Slott said, you're damaging the character's credibility as a hero.

Sean Whitmore

06-28-2006, 12:58 AM

I think there's a difference between saying that Hulk has killed on-panel, and saying that he's apparently killed countless innocent civilians during battles. Like Slott said, you're damaging the character's credibility as a hero.

On the flipside, giving him a zero innocent body count damages the Hulk's credibility as a monster that Banner must somehow free himself of.

SEAN

Majinlex

06-28-2006, 01:46 AM

I love flipsides. Good talk.
There's plenty of other heroes who go smashing through buildings. I think Superman flies through buildings on his way to work. Are we to assume these people have killed as well?

Soundrave

06-28-2006, 05:08 AM

Because the Hulk has killed on-panel before, like in Web of Spider-Man #69 where he kills a scientist under the mistaken impression he was a friend of Banner or during the Countdown arc where he poisons a villain and leaves him to die. And Dan Slott seems to be equal with Bendis in knowledge of continuity considering the mistakes he's made, mistakes that he could of prevented by just looking at a freaking handbook plus when people call him on it he uses his books to insult them.

Not to derail the thread, but Slott is a Continuity God when compared to the likes of Bendis. It's clear that Slott puts a lot of thought and research into all of his issues. He is only human, though, so he may screw-up once or twice. But it's an insult to equate him to Bendis.

Sean Whitmore

06-28-2006, 08:12 AM

Not to derail the thread, but Slott is a Continuity God when compared to the likes of Bendis. It's clear that Slott puts a lot of thought and research into all of his issues. He is only human, though, so he may screw-up once or twice. But it's an insult to equate him to Bendis.

Well, geez, as long as we're not insulting anyone...

Besides just you apparently not liking his writing, what is it about Bendis' mistakes that make them unforigvable next to Slott's (or anyone)?

SEAN

Soundrave

06-28-2006, 08:35 AM

Well, geez, as long as we're not insulting anyone...

Besides just you apparently not liking his writing, what is it about Bendis' mistakes that make them unforigvable next to Slott's (or anyone)?

SEAN

The sheer quantity.

And I never said I didn't like Bendis' writing -- though it's not my favorite, I admit. As it's been said by others, he's ill-suited for continuity-heavy characters and big event stories. On something like Alias he's fine, though.

Expletive Deleted

06-28-2006, 08:38 AM

Since neither Slott nor Bendis has anything to do with GIANT-SIZE HULK . . .

What say we move on, eh?

Mick Martin

06-28-2006, 09:22 AM

On the flipside, giving him a zero innocent body count damages the Hulk's credibility as a monster that Banner must somehow free himself of.

First of all, the idea of Banner somehow curing himself of the Hulk is something that's been all but abandoned for years.

Second of all, even if that weren't the case, I still don't think you'd be right. If I unwillingly turned into a savage beast that I had no control over, whether or not I killed anyone, I think I still might be just a little bit motivated to free myself of it.

Sean Whitmore

06-28-2006, 09:55 AM

First of all, the idea of Banner somehow curing himself of the Hulk is something that's been all but abandoned for years.

I wasn't being 100% literal. Banner trying to cure himself can also be read as Banner trying to kill himself or Banner secluding himself to a place where nobody else is around or Banner trying to become the dominant personality, etc.

Second of all, even if that weren't the case, I still don't think you'd be right. If I unwillingly turned into a savage beast that I had no control over, whether or not I killed anyone, I think I still might be just a little bit motivated to free myself of it.

You may well be right, but that hasn't been Banner's stated motivation (for the most part). The majority of his angsting has been about the danger the Hulk poses to mankind. But if you look at the numbers: amount of times the world's been saved versus how many people have been killed (0), it would be much less of an intrusion into Banner's life.

SEAN