So Peter David really hates Betty Ross?

[Congo Jack]

I've read a very limited amount of Hulk comics over the years, so I may very well be wrong on this, but PAD has killed Betty Ross twice. And from what I've read about the second time, it seems a very cheap way to do it.

So I was wondering - why kill her? Isn't she an essential part of Hulk's supporting cast in the same way that Thunderbolt Ross or Rick Jones are?

Again I'll stress I haven't actually read the stories where these events take place. I've really liked PAD's work in other books of his that I've read, but killing Betty Ross seems like a bad move to me.

[Kage Kisaragi]

I've read a very limited amount of Hulk comics over the years, so I may very well be wrong on this, but PAD has killed Betty Ross twice. And from what I've read about the second time, it seems a very cheap way to do it.

So I was wondering - why kill her? Isn't she an essential part of Hulk's supporting cast in the same way that Thunderbolt Ross or Rick Jones are?

Again I'll stress I haven't actually read the stories where these events take place. I've really liked PAD's work in other books of his that I've read, but killing Betty Ross seems like a bad move to me.

Live to question all things for It can only enrich your opinion on all matters.
*rings giant gong*

[passer-by]

In 1998, David followed editor Bobbie Chase's suggestion to kill Betty Ross. In the introduction to the Hulk trade paperback Beauty and the Behemoth, David said that his wife had recently left him, providing inspiration for the storyline. Marvel executives used Ross' death as an opportunity to push the idea of bringing back the Savage Hulk. David disagreed, leading to his parting ways with Marvel.Says Hulk page on Wikipedia.
I haven't read PAD Visionaries of Hulk and I keep postponing that. How wrong am I?

[Michael P]

Says Hulk page on Wikipedia.
I haven't read PAD Visionaries of Hulk and I keep postponing that. How wrong am I?

Wronger than the wrongest wronger that ever wronged. And then some.

[Venom Melendez]

Betty has been dead for years so clearly it wasn't a bad move and honestly it was a good story. Hulk had had many love interest at this point(my favorite being Caiera).

[passer-by]

Wronger than the wrongest wronger that ever wronged. And then some.That wrong, huh?:biggrin:
Oookay, guess I'll try to move them towards the top of the reading pile.

I've already read Hulk The End and House of M Hulk by PAD, so I'm confident in the good quality of his writing of the title. It's just that there are so many things to read and so little time...:frown:

[david r]

@Congo Jack, my friend, I doubt Peter David hates Betty Ross. If you read Incredible Hulk #466, it will leave you devastated and emotionally drained. It was that powerful a send-off, and there's NO WAY Peter David hated Betty Ross.

Then follow that issue up with Incredible Hulk #467, PAD's farewell issue to the Hulk after 12 years, and it'll leave you in an emotional fetal position for hours afterwards.

[Peter David]

I've read a very limited amount of Hulk comics over the years, so I may very well be wrong on this, but PAD has killed Betty Ross twice. And from what I've read about the second time, it seems a very cheap way to do it.
.

Twice?

What the hell are you talking about?

PAD

[DeadXMan]

Twice?

What the hell are you talking about?

PAD

Perhaps he is refering to the nightmare arc to "fix" Jones run as the second time?

[Congo Jack]

@Congo Jack, my friend, I doubt Peter David hates Betty Ross. If you read Incredible Hulk #466, it will leave you devastated and emotionally drained. It was that powerful a send-off, and there's NO WAY Peter David hated Betty Ross.

Then follow that issue up with Incredible Hulk #467, PAD's farewell issue to the Hulk after 12 years, and it'll leave you in an emotional fetal position for hours afterwards.
Thanks for the suggestion, David. The title was intended more as a joke than anything else.

Twice?

What the hell are you talking about?
This:
Perhaps he is refering to the nightmare arc to "fix" Jones run as the second time?
Like I said in the first post, I thought I might be wrong. Apparently I was.

But maybe I wasn't clear before. Let me explain where I'm coming from on this - I think Aunt May is essential to the world of Spider-Man (though many would disagree), but I'm far, far more familiar with Spidey than I am to the Hulk. Isn't Betty Ross just as an essential supporting to Bruce Banner and the Hulk as Aunt May is to Peter (or if you disagree with May/Peter, then replace with characters as necessary). So you killed off Miss Ross and another writer brought her back (the afforementioned Bruce Jones), but your TEMPEST FUGIT stories (as I understood it) killed her again/retconned her death.

A back story on why I started this thread: haven't read much Hulk, want to read some Hulk, PAD's work is most universally acclaimed, do a little wiki browsing, find out Betty is dead, wonder why this is a good story move, ask here, don't understand the hostility.

EDIT: Okay I might understand the hostility now actually. The thread title is is a bit stupid. It was intended very light-heartidly, honest.