Is there a definitive Hulk book?

[DarkNick]

I mean, is there a definitive single story, preferably in graphic-novel form, that is considered the ultimate take on the character?

Like The Dark Knight Returns is (arguably, I guess) for Batman?

I'm fond of The Hulk as a character but I'm a bit of a newbie when it comes to his history. Any suggestions would be welcome.

 

[sean61675]

IMO, there is not so much a definitive story or graphic novel but there are some great runs over the history of the Hulk worth reading.

Mcfarlane run: Much like his Spidey run, one of the best. Of course, I need to give credit where credit is due. Peter David really did a good job writing. You are basically talking issues #330 - 345.

Professor Hulk plot: I believe around issue #372 where the Banner, the Grey Hulk & savage merge into the Professor. It's pretty cool and a good art to boot.

John Byrne run: Short but good. Doc Samson splits the hulk and banner into two different beings so the hulk becomes totally savage. This leads to the Grey Hulk run (Rick Jones gets thrown into a nutrient bath with hulk after the vision merges the hulk and banner again and sucks about a 1/4 of the gamma energy out of the hulk reverting him back to the original grey hulk from issue # 1). This is around issue #312 to 324 I believe.

Future Imperfect (graphic novel): This is great. George Perez and Peter David. Pick it up for sure.

The End: It's an "elseworlds" type story telling the last story of the hulk.

Sal Bucema run: Pretty much late 70's to mid-eighties. A must have.

That's for starters.

Cheers!

 

[newmexneon]

The current Story Planet Hulk I think can be considered a definitive Hulk Story, but it's not finished yet.

 

[unstoppable]

The current Story Planet Hulk I think can be considered a definitive Hulk Story, but it's not finished yet.

I'd suggest going this wayt:

 

[DarkNick]

Thanks for all your help.

So far I have ordered Hulk Visionaries: Peter David Vol. 1, which collects #331-339, and Planet Hulk Prelude TPB.

I'll get the next volume of Peter David's stuff if I like the first one. Future Imperfect wasn't available but I'll keep my eyes open.

How long is Planet Hulk going to last and when can we expect a TPB? Sounds like I shouldn't hold my breath quite yet.

Nobody mentioned Hulk: Gray. Does it suck? I liked Loeb and Sale's collaboration on Batman.

 

[newmexneon]

Planet Hulk propably won't be in trade until this summer.

 

[Mr. Green]

I posted this in the Official Hulk comics thread when PH first started, and here it is again...

Planet Hulk schedule:

Part 1: Exile. Feb - May 06 (#92-95)

Giant Size Hulk #1. June 06. (28 pages of new story-Planet Hulk tie in. Also reprints "Hulk: the End".)

Part 2: Anarchy. July - Oct 06 (#96-99)

Part 3: Allegiance. Nov 06 - Feb 07 (#100-103)

FINALE: Armageddon. Mar - Apr 07 (#104-105)

Hope this helps!

So far we are on issue #100, and I believe #101 is coming out next week. If I were you I would try to find the issues so far on eBay or something. You're looking at issues 92-100 (and Giant size #1), and I know they reprinted 92 so it shouldn't be too hard to find. Anyway, it is seriously awesome and you should read it!

As for the trade, it isn't coming out until at least a month or two after #105 comes out so your looking at May, or June.