Incredible Hulk Vol. 1 TPB timeline question

[SuicideCommando]

Just getting back into comics to help bolster my renewed interest in drawing. Saw this at the bookstore and thought I'd pick it up:

http://www.amazon.com/Incredible-Hul.../dp/0785133283

I never really read Hulk comics previously so I'm going into this totally blind. Where exactly in the generally accepted Marvel timeline does this collection take place?
Also, it says it collects Incredible Hulk #1-7. Again I'm oblivious to the major goings ons of Marvel for the last 15 years or so, so I ask; was there a relaunch of major titles like what DC did? When did that happen and are these titles that this book I bought collects considered the "main" Hulk line currently?

[Joe Acro]

It's not the current main Hulk title. That'd be Indestructible Hulk. However, it was the previous main book.

It falls between Fear Itself and him joining the Avengers and/or S.H.I.E.L.D.

[ResIpsaLoquitur]

You generally should understand that the Hulk was possessed by a creature from Asgard before this story. He broke free of it in the DRACULA: FEAR ITSELF collection, but Banner and Hulk are arguing about it in the prelude chapter. Other than that, the story isn't dependent on Fear Itself, it just flows from it.

The other thing to be warned about is that the Hulk's estranged wife is now a She-Hulk herself, and shows up briefly in the second issue. There *was* a "Red Hulk" title being published until a few months ago, but it wasn't dependent on the Incredible Hulk title at this time. Don't worry about it too much.

[SuicideCommando]

Interesting. Seems theres a lot I didn't know! Thanks guys.

What about the numbering? Is it relevant in any way that "Incredible Hulk" started over again number-wise? Does the new Indestructible Hulk follow continuity, taking place after whatever the last story arc was?

Just wondering in case I decide to pick up a new one then go back to, say, Planet Hulk/WWH (which I def. should, based on what I've heard). Wouldn't want to ruin the story for myself/get confused.

[ResIpsaLoquitur]

Interesting. Seems theres a lot I didn't know! Thanks guys.

What about the numbering? Is it relevant in any way that "Incredible Hulk" started over again number-wise? Does the new Indestructible Hulk follow continuity, taking place after whatever the last story arc was?

Just wondering in case I decide to pick up a new one then go back to, say, Planet Hulk/WWH (which I def. should, based on what I've heard). Wouldn't want to ruin the story for myself/get confused.

Books start over because a #1 allegedly sells better. Hulk's numbering goes something like this:

- Incredible Hulk #1-6
- Hulk moved to Tales to Astonish at #59, which changed to Incredible Hulk at #102. That ran until #474 in 1998. Plus, there was a #-1 (you read that right) and a #1/2.
- HULK replaced it in 1998 or 99, I forget. That went 11 issues, then changed to Incredible Hulk at #12. That ran until #112 in 2007, when it became INCREDIBLE HERCULES. (Bear with me.)
- A new HULK started in 2008 with #1. That ran until #13, then they published INCREDIBLE HULK #600. They considered the prior series, plus the -1 issue, to make up the missing 126 issues. INCREDIBLE continued with #601. Simultaneously, they continued to publish HULK with #14.
- INCREDIBLE HULK ran until #635, then ended. HULK continued until #57, I think, and is now called RED SHE-HULK and is still going.
- INCREDIBLE HULK took a break during FEAR ITSELF and relaunched with the #1 in the trade you're getting. It ran until #15, including issue #7.1. (You read that right.) INDESTRUCTIBLE HULK followed with #1.

- Between the last INCREDIBLE HULK and INDESTRUCTIBLE, the events of AVENGERS vs. X-MEN happened. Hulk had a minor but memorable role there. I think. I didn't read it.

PLANET and WORLD WAR HULK have nothing to do with the current series. They are probably important enough to the Hulk mythos that you should read them, as several major Hulk events happened in them which should be referenced for years to come. Also consider FALL OF THE HULKS and WORLD WAR HULKS, spread over four trades plus a few less-essential trades. And we haven't even gotten into all of the Hulk's kids. Suffice it to say that there's a bunch of Hulks all over right now.

[SuicideCommando]

Jeez, thats complicated!

[Joe Acro]

What about the numbering? Is it relevant in any way that "Incredible Hulk" started over again number-wise? Does the new Indestructible Hulk follow continuity, taking place after whatever the last story arc was?

To give the short answer: Yes.

To give the slightly longer answer: There's an appearance in Avengers vs. X-Men in between, but in terms of Hulk titles, Indestructible is right after Incredible.

To give the really long answer, see ResIpsaLoquitur's post.

[SuicideCommando]

Thanks for the info. I think I'll jsut continue along from where I've started, moving from there into Indestructible after. I'll also be looking into Planet and WWH as they seem pretty cool.

On a side note, how far back in the timeline was the stuff Mike Deodato penciled? I'd like to pick up pretty much anything that guy has drawn.