I never have been a big fan of the Hulk. I read "The End" in another collection, and it was decent (it is contained in this collection, but the Maestro story arc in the separate collection is the better story), and I read "Hulk: Gray," more on the strength of the Daredevil and Spider-Man titles in Marvel's "colors" to retell iconic origins - and both of the other titles were more enjoyable. I had come to think of Hulk as little more than a retelling of Jekyll and Hyde, working okay in Avengers titles because it would be interesting to see how his rage and strength would be played against the strengths of the other characters, but Hulk wasn't compelling enough to want to read 24 pages on his own - much less 420. But the reviews for this were overwhelmingly positive, and the price was great.
The reviews were right. This is the Hulk at his best.
Not that it's the place to start. It's good to have some idea of who the Hulk is, how he is portrayed in other titles, because you need to understand how the rest of the Marvel Universe views Hulk to understand how he ends up on "Planet Hulk" (Sakaar) in the first place.
But once he's there, he harnesses his strength, his disdain for everyone and everything, and he transforms the world. Gone are the tedious psychological dramas with Banner struggling with his Hulk identity; in the Planet Hulk issues, Banner appears once, and briefly. This is the Hulk's moment to shine, and he confuses the religious citizens who can't decide if he's the awaited Savior, the prophesied Worldbreaker, or both. It's the story of a slave uprising that becomes a revolution, of love found unexpectedly, of not being able to escape your past.
The quality of the collection suffers when it strays from Planet Hulk. An issue of Amazing Stories is included because it has a short story with Amadeus Chi, who appears briefly in the Planet Hulk storyline. Giant-Sized Hulk is a little better, containing "Banner War," a short story which takes place in a dream during the Planet Hulk story; a random encounter with the Champions who misjudge Hulk/Banner's intentions; and finally "The End," which isn't a bad end to this volume. Finally, the Planet Hulk Guidebook is reprinted her, giving you all the information you could possibly want about Sakaar and it gladiators.
This was a very enjoyable read, and despite the length, the story is so engaging that once you get into it, you'll read 2-3 issues in a sitting and finish it in no time, and wish that there could have been more. I'll be more open-minded about the Hulk in the future, and will be looking for more along these lines.
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Customer reviews
Make this into movie! Smashing green succes guranteed!
Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2007
Planet Hulk is one incredible world wind ride. If you like sci-fi, action and adventure with a certain green monster that likes to smash, this is the book to own. This is way better than the Marvel's Civil War event in my humble opinion. Tricked by Reed Richards and others, jettison the Hulking brute into deep space. The Hulk lands on a planet ruled by the Red King. He is cruel and dictator that his little care for his people. The Hulk is captured and sold off as a gladiator slave. The Hulk and his motley crew of Warbreakers lead an insurrection against the Red King. Along the way, the Hulk battles the Silver Surfer, free the slaves, provide nutrients for plants with his blood soak radiated blood, saves the worlds, gets married and unite the people. But there is no happy ending. The puny humans have once again enraged the Hulk that I shall not give away. When the Hulk gets mad, he gets stronger, and the puny humans will pay! Go out and buy this now. If only they could turn this story into a movie, it would be a smashing green success!
Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2007
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Andrew O.
Gladiator Hulk, wasted opportunity by Marvel, one of the best Hulk comics of all time.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 14, 2021Verified Purchase
Andrew O.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 14, 2021
Initial review posted 5/8/2018
The Planet Hulk Omnibus is something very special to me, First off Planet Hulk collects Incredible Hulk #92-105 and Planet Hulk: Gladiator's Guidebook which just gives more detail into the world, characters and some lore, I haven't read it yet but it's nice to have. I just finished it and as soon as I finished it I'm glad I purchased World War Hulk at the same time to read right away. I wouldn't say I'm really a big Hulk fan but bought some graphic novels/comics to hopefully grow a new appreciation for him and it's working, not my favourite but he's growing on me, especially with this story. Planet Hulk delivers on all fronts, with strong writing from Greg Pak who gives these great characters depth and emotion with great pacing and action as well. With illustrations by Carlo Pagulayan and Aaron Lopresti complimenting this alien world and capturing the vibes while being able to display emotion and stellar action.
The concept is great and I loved it, in a nutshell Hulk is betrayed by his friends on earth and put on a ship and sent away from the Earth because he's too dangerous. Hulk eventually arrives on another planet ruled by an evil king, Hulk weakened by the crash is captured as a prisoner and sold off eventually becoming a gladiator. This is a tale of freeing a planet from evil rule while making new friends and growing together along the way. There are surprises in the story and some parts will pull on the heart strings.
It was a real treat to get to sit and read this and be immersed in this story and world and it's one of the best I've read so far and I will definitely be coming back to read it again. If you are on the fence about this omnibus, for the price you can't go wrong, this price for a rich, deep and compelling story is worth it. Even more desirable if you are a fan of Hulk. I'd say pick this up, you’ll be glad you did.
End of previous review - current opinions.
Something the Marvel US printing offers that the UK Panini printing doesn't is the material from Amazing Fantasy #15 and Giant-Size Hulk #1, GSH #1 is only a few pages but AF #15 begins after Hulk #105 and is more lengthy, at first I didn't care for it but as it went on I thought it was a nice inclusion.
The story begins with Hulk in a spaceship, he has just saved a planet but with certain avengers learning of Hulks mission they see it as an opportunity to get rid of the Hulk, not just because of the threat and destruction that he poses to Earth but also because the Hulk wants to be left alone and be free and live in peace away from things that may trigger the Hulk to emerge and reprograms the route of the ship taking him to a peaceful planet. The plan however doesn't work and the Hulk and his vessel go through a worm hole and end up on a planet ruled by a vicious and cruel ruler who enslaves but also punishes people. Hulk imprisoned after the crash landing must survive a gladiator guantlet of several challenges and trust other to earn his freedom. This is just the first few issues.
The story is strong and develops throughout, starting with betrayal from his friends to being enslaved and taken prisoner as a gladiator to fight for freedom to then change to a fighter of freedom then fight to survival and more. The characters are enjoyable and I appreciate characters like Miek who goes from a scrawny character and evolves throughout the arc. It doesn't end there as Hulk also changes through this arc seeing what he has taught and shown Miek how it may be wrong. It isn't directly addressed but I'm sure that seeing how his attitude and influence on others and seeing what they become driven by changes Hulk into a more compassionate character. I also love the ending, the tragedy encapsulates so well what Hulk is about and what drives him, if you've read Planet Hulk you know and should know just how gut wrenching it is. The artwork is spectacular and the colours really pop and fit more in line with cosmic stories where they are given freedom of using a wider colour palette than say Batman where it's a dark Gotham so the colour has to reflect that, here the artist and colourist knock it out of the park and deserve praise. I will say that is disappointing that Marvel didn't capitalize on this in the MCU as this is one of the best Hulk stories and easily could have been a movie in its own right instead of a 30 minute poor inclusion just to reference the comic to make the fans happy.
Regardless, if you are. New to Hulk and have very little experience besides the Hulk is stronger the madder he is this is a good jumping on point and considered one of the best Hulk comics of all time. I still don't have much experience with Hulk but have read the first volume of Al Ewing's Immortal Hulk which is fantastic and I can't wait to pick up more of. If you're a fan of Len Wein's Swamp thing you'll love Immortal Hulk.
Hopefully it's sunk home now that this comic is worth a read and should be on anyone's shelf who considers themselves a Hulk fan, and even if you're not and want a minimum of Hulk stories on the shelf this has to be the one you have. It's a no brainer, pick this up you won't be disappointed.
Hopefully you found this review helpful and happy reading.
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adamf
Probably the best hulk story line ever
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 27, 2017Verified Purchase
Mike N
Best Hulk storyline?
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 6, 2019Verified Purchase
Fatman
Comic fun for all ages.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 22, 2019Verified Purchase
Damien
Awesome
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 8, 2020Verified Purchase
