Customer Reviews

Incredible Hulk Vs Superman

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In 1999, DC and Marvel joined hands and produced THE INCREDIBLE HULK VS. SUPERMAN: DOUBLE LIVES. At a brisk 48 pages, this one-shot comic book is a quick read. Writer Roger Stern (The Death and Life of Superman) pens the story, Steve "the Dude" Rude (Nexus Archives Volume 1 (Nexus Archives), The Moth) and Al Milgrom pencils and inks, respectively. Supes and the Hulk have clashed on two separate occasions before, in 1981's Superman and Spider-Man and in 1996's mini-series DC VS. MARVEL. But, unlike those two titles, THE INCREDIBLE HULK VS. SUPERMAN places Supes and the Hulk smack dab on center stage. It also chronicles the official "first" meeting between the two.

There's an old school charm to this story, as if it'd been churned out during the Silver Age of comics, maybe by Gardner Fox or Stan Lee. Part of this nostalgic feel is because most of the tale takes place early in the careers of the two main characters. This episode is told in flashback as, in the present, a televised retrospective on the Hulk causes Superman and Lois Lane to reminisce about the first time they met the grumpy green giant. In the past, the actual story starts with Superman investigating a series of seismic tremors in the New Mexico desert and consequently running into the Hulk. Supes tries to reason with the sullen jade dude, who'd just crashed a barbecue cookout. Soon drumsticks go scattered to the winds and the expected mega-fisticuffs ensue.

Lex Luthor also figures into the mix, and, as usual, he's up to dastardly stuff. His scheme this time hinges on using Bruce Banner's genius and the Hulk's strength to once and for all get the upper hand on the Kryptonian. This version of Luthor isn't high on my list, and, because his master plan is lacking in the clever, the story suffers a bit. Too, in these pages, Lex vaguely resembles a taller, red-headed version of Boss Hogg (from the Dukes of Hazzard).

Stern also trots out Lois Lane, Rick Jones, General "Thunderbolt" Ross, and Betty Ross. It seems we're far enough into the past that, at this stage, Lois Lane doesn't yet know Superman's secret identity and that she's still contentiously vying with Clark Kent for headline glories. Not to mention, Rick Jones is still a carefree, hotrodding youth and the public is yet unawares that Bruce Banner is the Hulk.

While the self-contained story is predictable and uncomplicated, it's not bad. The two Superman/Hulk battle royales are certainly enjoyable, although they don't equal the monumental tussle that took place in Superman and Spider-Man. The Hulk, here stomping around at his surly and disgruntled best, comes out as the most interesting character. But where you really get your money's worth is on feasting your eyes on Steve Rude's smooth, retro-centric artwork. Here, Rude deliberately pays homage to Jack Kirby (who co-created the Hulk) as the artwork in these pages boasts a certain Kirby-esque mimicry, yet another reason for nostalgia sinking in. So, for folks who like the Hulk and Superman, but even more for fans of Steve Rude, this one's a gotta have.

This item is listed as not yet published but was in fact published in July of 1999. The story is quite good for a Marvel/DC crossover with very cool art that looks sort of dated but adds a unique appeal to the whole package. I would recommend it if you can find it. This one was done with plot in mind rather that getting Superman and Hulk together just for a big fightfest. Of course they exchange some fists, but you'll be into the story as well. I was pleasantly surprised.