Incredible Hulk: The End (Marvel Premiere Classic) (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Dale Keown (Illustrator), George Perez (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Chronicling the final days of the Green Goliath! Peter David and Dale Keown, creative team on some of the Hulk's most memorable tales, reunite to produce this searing vision of the future in which Bruce Banner, the Incredible Hulk, is the last man on Earth. It's the Hulk's final battle, as "The Last Titan" wrestles his inner-demons in order to discover his place in a dying world - if only he can survive! Plus: The testing of the first Gamma Bomb thrust upon Robert Bruce Banner that which he would come to believe would be his greatest nightmare: his unwilling transformation into the Incredible Hulk. He believed wrong. Now, having been dragged into the future - into a post-holocaust, dystopian world - Bruce Banner discovers that his nightmare has a whole new name: the Maestro! This is a nightmare that only Hulk can end. For he knows that he himself is responsible for the presence of the evil Maestro. The future, our future, and the Incredible Hulk will never quite be the same, courtesy of Peter David and George Perez. And neither will you! Collecting Incredible Hulk: The End and Incredible Hulk: Future Imperfect #1-2.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Marvel Comics; Direct Ed edition (February 13, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0785130268
• ISBN-13: 978-0785130260
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 6.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #96,945 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Some of the best modern Hulk stories you'll ever read, January 25, 2008

By	N. Durham "Big Evil" (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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Marvel finally had the good sense to re-print two modern classic Hulk stories with Hulk: Future Imperfect and Hulk: The End; both of which are written by legendary Hulk scribe Peter David and collected here in this handsome hardcover. Future Imperfect is a two-issue smash that finds the Hulk transported to the future to duke it out with an older, stronger, and tyrannical future version of himself, which goes by the name of the Maestro. Loaded with action and a surprisingly intelligent storyline and plot, Future Imperfect is made even better by the stellar, highly detailed artwork of the great George Perez, who wonderfully illustrates one of the best smackdowns the Hulk has ever been involved with. The second story is the Hulk: The End one-shot (and the first of Marvel's line of "The End" stories, unless you count the older and aptly titled "Last Avengers Story" as being a part of this line, which was written by, guess who, Peter David) which finds an old, decrepit Bruce Banner as being the last living human on Earth, and still wrestling with the monster inside. Surrounded by nothing but desolation and giant cockroaches (yes, you read that right), Banner attempts to finally rid himself of his lonely existence, but naturally, Hulk will have nothing of that. While nowhere near as enjoyable as Future Imperfect, Hulk: The End is a startlingly poignant and even somewhat frightening tale of a would-be demise of the jade giant, which is made all the more memorable by the artwork of Pitt artist Dale Keown, who made a name for himself illustrating the Hulk during David's prolific run on the title. All in all, it's great to see both these stories finally get re-printed, and needless to say, if you've ever considered yourself a Hulk fan, this collection deserves a place on your shelf.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not very thick but worth every moment, February 14, 2008

By	Brian Reaves (Anniston, AL USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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While I've never been a huge Hulk fan, I have to say "Future Imperfect" remains one of my all-time favorite comic book stories. The idea of The Maestro is even more possible if you've read the recent World War Hulk storyline. No matter which incarnation of the Hulk is currently in charge (smart, dumb, green, gray, red, etc), it's obvious Marvel holds him in high regard as the most under-rated but possibly terrifying character they own.

"Future Imperfect" gives us a glimpse of the future as "the smart Hulk" (when he had Banner's mind in Hulk's body) is pulled into the future to face a villain known as The Maestro who is ruling the world with an iron fist. The world is without heroes now, and no one is left to oppose this tyrant...until the Hulk shows up. Of course, he's been there all along too. Confused? Get the story. There can be no doubt this is the best fight the Hulk has ever had. Matched evenly in intellect and out-gunned in strength, Banner must find a way to destroy this villain or die! Excellent artwork and storytelling.

"The Hulk: The End" is a different kind of story. While FI is filled with action and dialogue, The End is more subdued. The Hulk is literally the last man on Earth and has to find a way to make peace with both aspects of his personality, Banner and the Hulk, before they kill each other. A little gross in parts (mostly dealing with the mutant roaches), but still good.

To find these two stories collected together in hardcover format is a real treat. Marvel is really coming around with their "Premiere Classic" line, and this is a great addition to it. You won't be disappointed with this collection!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best Hulk stories ever, March 3, 2008

By	Z. Reed - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Peter David is the author of some of the best Hulk stories. In this collection are two of his best. Finally reprinted in hardcover and together, these two stories show why Hulk is a great character and loved by so many fans. Please check out all the Peter David Hulk reprints and see the best in the green (and grey) skinned goliath!