Customer Reviews

Incredible Hulk Volume 1 HC

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book includes Incredible Hulk: Return Of The Monster, Incredible Hulk: Boiling Point, and Banner.

The first two parts of this book are a change from what we've expected from the Hulk in the past and let me tell you that change is sometimes a good thing. In this case, it's a great thing. Bruce Banner/the Hulk gets caught in a web of a secret organization's conspiracy and he is on the run from their notorious agents. While this sounds like a cliche, it's really not -- a big part of why it's not is, well...how many cliched conspiracies include the Hulk in them? Yes, the Hulk and Bruce Banner are strong enough characters to make even an ordinary-seeming plot really, really good.

It's a new twist on an old concept that just works out well.

As for those looking for the classic "HULK SMASH!" version of our brute, this book's got PLENTY of that in here thanks to Banner (by Brian Azzarello and Richard Corben). There are also a few scenes where the Hulk destroys many things in the other portions of the book, too.

It's well balanced between the Hulk's classic destructiveness and fugitive ways. The only difference is that it's seen through a new, fresh perspective. It's different. It's cool. But, most importantly, it's good. And that's reason enough for you to buy it.

This hardcover collects the recent "Incredible Hulk" storylines "Return of the Monster","Transfer of Power", and "Startling Stories: Banner" mini-series. What a great compilation! You have the suspenseful, masterfully-paced writing of Bruce Jones, and the powerful artwork of John Romita, Jr. The Hulk has not looked so, well...incredible, since Dale Keown's run in the early 1990s. This storyline is a perfect place to re-acquaint yourself with the Hulk since it begins a new run, and presents a much more believable Hulk than has been presented in the comic book in recent years. Fans of the Lou Ferrigno TV series will enjoy these stories. Nuff said! Buy it!!!

3 trade paperback collections featuring the Hulk have recently been released. Return of the Monster and Boiling Point (collecting issues 34 to 43) and Startling Stories: Banner (A 4 issue one-shot story). This hardcover edition collects all three and it presents a new direction for the Hulk. In fact the stories in this edition revolve around Bruce Banner moreso than Hulk as Hulk is not seen very much until the SS:Banner issues. I've always liked to look at cool action shots of Hulk displaying his strength and beating up on other big muscled giants. There are few pics of Hulk in action and no big fights at all until the last collection. Overall this is a good book that will appeal to Hulk fans. However, since these stories represent a bold new direction in plot there may be those who won't be so happy seeing their fave hero in such a different situation. The story revolves around Hulk possibly being to blame for a child's death. This leads to Bruce in exile and trying to keep a low profile. Most of this story leans heavily on supporting characters and builds around Bruce Banner rather than him being the sole focus. Leaving Bruce's alter ego as an afterthought. There are many plot elements explored and subplots that Banner seems to stumble upon in his travels. The story is handled seriously and is more mature than what has been previously offered in this comic and makes for a tight tense read. I have been a fan of Hulk for a very long time and have experienced his various incarnations. This one is a breath of fresh air but is still only the first few issues under new writer Bruce Jones, so this is sort of an introduction to a much bigger picture yet to come, and as such is enjoyable, but will leave you wanting much more. I truely hope they continue to collect future issues and continue this story. The Startling Stories: Banner is a Hulk vs. Doc Samson story that is quite well told with some nice artwork as well. To round out this book there are some alternate cover sketches also included. This hardcover edition is quite nice with some solid storytelling, however its importance is dependant on whether or not this story continues in future volumes. I hope it does because this new path the character has taken is interesting and has much promise.

This is not a "Hulk SMASH!" sorta book, and the bad guys aren't super powered. This is the tale of Bruce Banner running from... well, everyone. The Hulk is said to have killed a child, but maybe that's all a lie... . There's a lot going on, and many mysteries are left unsolved after this book (keep reading the others!). At the same time, it also provides a wonderful look at Banner as a person, rather than just a necessary precursor to destruction. Great art, too.
Get it, and start reading this latest take on the Hulk.

This book comes so close to what the series should be, that it killed me how, by the time I reached it's final page, I was left with less enjoyment than when I had begun reading the book. Certain elements are dead on -- Bruce Banner, on the lamb -- "wanted for a murder he didn't commit" -- and his attempts to contain the raging beast within!

But too many elements veer into comic-book cliches, complete with the "revolving door into the after life". Aspects that were probably intended to feel like "horror" and "true crime" influence, instead came across as typical superhero conundrums that leave you hanging (and assuming, "Oh, he must just be setting something up, I'll just have to have enough faith to buy the next $30 collection,"), but I'm sorry, I'm not buying it.

The couple of fun things about this book, assassin-style chases and Bruce Banner on the run, still don't make it worth the time. The cliched comic characters of the team hunting down Bruce hit you like a thrown tank to the head and then you have to wade into a ridiculous plot. There's a lot of fun and good Hulk books out there. This isn't one of them.

Ok. This is not your regularly superheroes comic-book, you won't find any action packed fists, or big HULK SMASH full time action. instead what you'll get is a slow pace, well built story with good twists and some action (after all it is fricking HULK!). if you're looking for a good different kind of story, and a very good one that is with solid art and fine start to the latest Hulk title - buy ASAP.

I had read Incredible Hulk Volume 3: Transfer of Power by Bruce Jones and loved it, and then I came across this masterpiece. It is as good, if not better than Transfer Of Power. However, the hulk rarely appears, it mostly focuses on Bruce Banner. That's not a bad thing though, if you like intelligent reading. in Return of the Monster, a couple of shadowy figures who appear to be overseeing a clandestine organization summon two mercenaries they've hand picked to track down Bruce Banner. One is ex CIA Jink Slater, the other a woman named Sandra Verdugo. Slater despises working with someone else, but agrees too anyway. Meanwhile, Bruce Banner is on the run from the police and struggling with his conscience after hearing that the Hulk accidentally killed a child in a building collapse. Also, Bruce's old friend Doc Samson get's involved after learning of the conspiracy. This story is filled with plot twists and excellent action and story elements. It's probably my favorite of the Bruce Jones Hulk story arc. The artwork is similar to that of Frank Miller's, very cool and a bit caricature like. When I grow up, I want to write comics like this. Highly recommended

Containing the first two story arcs of Bruce Jones' excellent run on the Hulk. Great reading. You'll be hooked for the entire run.