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Marvel Masterworks: Incredible Hulk - Volume 2

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This second volume of "Marvelmasterworks: The Incredible Hulk" is a great volume with great stories done in the 1960's written that appeared in Marvel's "Tales to Astonish" comics, which were written by Stan Lee and stories drawn by Steve Ditko and stories drawn by Jack Kirby.

Volumes 1 and 2 are a compilation of the original Incredible Hulk stores at their best.

This volume contains the "Incredible Hulk" series as it resumes in "Tales to Astonish" starting with a full length story in which "Giant-Man versus the Incredible Hulk." "The Incredible Hulk" series took up the second half of the issues of "Tales to Astonish." The first half was taken up by the "Giant-Man and the Wasp" series that had already been running in "Tales to Astonish" for a few years. Later in about two years the "Giant-Man and The Wasp" series was cancelled to be replaced by "The Sub-Mariner" back in his own series after a number of years since the early 1950's.

"The Incredible Hulk" series resumes with Doctor Bruce Banner on Gamma Base who now finds himself changing to the Hulk when he becomes excited or angry. He is joined about by Rick Jones to help out the man who saved his life and because of that now is cursed with the constant threat and danger of changing into the rampaging Hulk.

Betty Ross and Bruce Banner still have a thing for each other, but Bruce Banner cannot pursue a relationship with Betty Ross due to his curse.

Betty Rosses father, amply refered to as General Thunderbolt Ross is still on Banner's case wondering where he mysteriously keeps disappearingto and why suspecting him to be involved in spy activities and possibly being a traitor. He also still does not see what his daughter sees in this "milksop."

This is where teh Hulk's arch-villain, "The Leader" is introduced as a mysterious mastermind that plans and oversees criminal activities to steal secrets from Gamma Base. "The Leader" is later revealed to be also a victim of Gamma Radiation tha changed a laborer into a super-intellectual genius with green skin and a large advanced developed brain.

Also a rival for Betty Ross is introduced as a new regular character, Major Glen Talbot.

Like I said Volumes 1 and two of "Marvel Masterworks: The Incredible Hulk" is the Hulk at his best.

These stories later went on to be adapted for an animated caroon series in "The Marvel Superheroes" cartoon series from King Features in 1966.

I remember back then most kids I talk with did not care for the Incredible Hulk nor the Sub-Mariner either.

Teh Incredible Hulk ws a radical concept. Teh character certainly did not fit the image of the conventional supehero back then. One kid remarked "The Hulk looks like a bum dressed in torn pants." Teh kids back then wanted to see a flashy costume.

You can now enjoy thee stories in Volumes 1 and 2 fo "Marvel Masterworks: The Incredible Hulk." They are definitely worth getting.

This is the second volume of tales of the Incredible Hulk. In the first volume, Marvel Masterworks: The Incredible Hulk, Vol. 1 (Second Edition) we are introduced to scientist Bruce Banner, soon to be transformed into the monstrous "Hulk" by the act of saving teenaged delinquent Rick Jones. We also meet General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, who dislikes Banner AND the Hulk, as well as his daughter, Betty, who loves Banner.

This volume reprints Tales to Astonish #59 - 79, where old Greenskin shares the title with co-star Giant Man. These stories are the gold standard where the Hulk is concerned (not that there aren't other, equally good stories!).

The artwork is by Steve Ditko (of Spider-Man fame) and Jack Kirby, both doing some of their best work. The stories are by Stan Lee, likewise at the top of his game.

These are the days when no one but Rick Jones knows that Bruce Banner is the Hulk, a fact that causes much trouble for the good doctor. His mysterious disappearances (caused by turning into Greenskin), is highly suspicious to his military superiors.

The tales race with breakneck speed around the globe. From the American Southwest, where he tangles with the Chameleon to a deserted island where the "Absorbatron" is to be tested, only to be secretly captured by the Soviets who take Banner behind the "Red Curtain." Consequently the military regards Banner as a traitor (who may be in league with the Hulk). The Hulk is shot in the head while transforming into Banner and pronounced dead. Rick Jones steals his body and subjects it to gamma rays, changing it into the Hulk, but if he changes back to Banner, he will perish for good (and you thought YOU had problems!).

But that's not all. These stories also introduce Greenskin's greatest nemesis, the Leader, in a story arc that demonstrates why he's the smartest man on the planet. There's Dr. Zaxon, who finds an inventive way to capture the Hulk. In addition there are memorable run-ins with the Watcher, the Executioner and Hercules.

In many ways, this is a classic adventure serial that keeps outdoing itself, with brief moments of respite dealing with the emotional lives of the characters. One of the most moving comes when Rick Jones, believing that the Hulk is dead, reveals the secret of Banner's dual identity to Banner's nemesis, Major Glenn Talbot, who is a rival for the affection of Betty Ross.

You don't have to be a fan of ol' Greenskin to appreciate these fantastic stories!

This is a great volume of some classic hulk tales. And the artists are all top notch and most are considered GREATS even! I do think that having the hulk have more intelligence and yet still be savage was a great idea. He becomes alot more primitive and dumber as the books progressed. At this point hulk is no longer changing during the night only (vol 1 issues 1-6), instead bruce banner changes into hulk when he gets angry or alarmed. Which is how he remains to this day. And the book starts out with a giant man hulk crossover story drawn by the excellent DICK ayers, but the greatness begins with the Ditko drawn issues 60-67, then two by another great artist Jack Kirby, then we get some by the good artist Mike esposito, followed by the legendary Bob Powell and two by the great Bill Everret. In fact kirby, ditko, powell and everett are at the top of great artists in the field in most peoples books, and that's a good run. Stan lee is a a great a writer as you'd expect, I don't know why he makes the Hulk change later on to become the more childlike beastman from where he is in these stories is beyond me. I liked the later hulk but he was sure more interesting when he was this intelligent! The book is a good addition to a classic comic or pop art collectors collection. Especially if you are a hulk fan this one is for you.