Loeb-tastic Interview

[Mr. Green]

Full interview here.

Heres just the Hulk part:

CXF: Clearly the emphasis in Hulk is on fun and action. It does exactly what it sets out to do. But a section of fans were upset by Red Hulk casually defeating some powerful characters. Is such a power-level sustainable and is it possible to please everyone with it?

JL: At the risk of repeating myself, I tell the best stories I can. As Groucho Marx once said "You can please some of the time, and you can please some of the people some of the time, but you can't please some of the people some of the time!"

CXF: It is a safe bet to say that some of the most energetic comic fight scenes these days are in Hulk. How do you and the art team choreograph the scenes?

JL: I write it all out. Map it all out. It's how my brain works which sometimes troubles the women I'm dating! I also have Ed McGuinness who can't be matched in that world -- although Arthur Adams and Frank Cho are home run hitters too!

CXF: Where is the line between creating a story that some people will read purely for enjoyment, and entertaining those who take things more seriously?

JL: Is there a line? I don't think people read books they don't enjoy.

CXF: Is World War Hulk pretty much swept under the carpet with the traditional green Hulk having returned?

JL: Nothing has been done without purpose. I've never worked that way. Ed, Mark Panicia (our Editor) and I have it all mapped out. World War Hulk is too important to sweep under the rug. Ever.

CXF: And what is coming up in Hulk? I see a new Sorcerer Supreme might be making a cameo ...

JL: Well, "a" Doctor Strange is already in play as of Issue #10. Can't say more than that for now. But when the NEW SS is revealed in NEW AVENGERS, people will have seen some clues over in our book (thanks to Brian too!)

CXF: Is Red Hulk a relatively permanent feature in the Marvel line?

JL: Seems to be. And that's a smile!

CXF: And lastly, is Red Hulk going to fight Wolverine any time soon?

JL: Sooner than you think! There's an announcement about ALL of that coming!

So, there ya go. Enjoy.

 

[Obi-Ron]

Is that you posting as Kurse?

 

[Kirk Langstrom]

I can't WAIT for that Defenders vs Offenders stuff!

Supposed to be out this week!

 

[Mr. Green]

Is that you posting as Kurse?

LOL! Yeah, it's me. The mods there got kinda mad about me being kind of an ******* talking about Loeb's writing but whatever.

As a huge fan of the Hulk and the Defenders I look forward to the Defenders/Offenders stuff but not as eagerly as I would be if the writer wasn't Loeb.

For me, it's like this: a couple years ago the Hulk was just kind of an alright comic-book. Pretty good, IMO. I liked Bruce Jones' run, I thought PAD had a decent story arc followed by a really great one-shot. Then Daniel Way came aboard and his prequel to Planet Hulk sucked. I started to ask myself, when are the Hulk fans going to get a really great run on the Hulk again?

Then Planet Hulk came out and that was AWESOME. Then WWH came out and that was AWESOME. And I was so excited because Greg Pak was like the new PAD. He really understood the character, he's a great writer, he uses great pacing, characterization, lots of action, etc. And then post-WWH he was no longer writing Hulk. Wtf, Marvel?

And Loeb's run started and now Hulk has crappy dialogue, horrible pacing, terrible characterization, the stories are crappy -- EVERYTHING is worse. I'm simply not happy with this.

 

[Kirk Langstrom]

LOL! Yeah, it's me. The mods there got kinda mad about me being kind of an ******* talking about Loeb's writing but whatever.

As a huge fan of the Hulk and the Defenders I look forward to the Defenders/Offenders stuff but not as eagerly as I would be if the writer wasn't Loeb.

For me, it's like this: a couple years ago the Hulk was just kind of an alright comic-book. Pretty good, IMO. I liked Bruce Jones' run, I thought PAD had a decent story arc followed by a really great one-shot. Then Daniel Way came aboard and his prequel to Planet Hulk sucked. I started to ask myself, when are the Hulk fans going to get a really great run on the Hulk again?

Then Planet Hulk came out and that was AWESOME. Then WWH came out and that was AWESOME. And I was so excited because Greg Pak was like the new PAD. He really understood the character, he's a great writer, he uses great pacing, characterization, lots of action, etc. And then post-WWH he was no longer writing Hulk. Wtf, Marvel?

And Loeb's run started and now Hulk has crappy dialogue, horrible pacing, terrible characterization, the stories are crappy -- EVERYTHING is worse. I'm simply not happy with this.

I know what you mean about Pak; He definitely pulled a "Beatles" and left the fans wanting more....

 

[Obi-Ron]

I'm kind of interested in the "Offenders" out of curiosity...but I just know there will be no origin for the team - Mordo, Red, Terrax and Tiger Shark will undoubtedly just show up working together, with no explanation. (It's called "plot," Loeb! Look it up!)

Anyone know what this talk of a "new" Dr. Strange is about? From the cover art I assumed it was Stephen Strange with his old 70's mask.

And I will be awfully upset if Wolverine gives Red Hulk any kind of fight...

 

[Kirk Langstrom]

I'm kind of interested in the "Offenders" out of curiosity...but I just know there will be no origin for the team - Mordo, Red, Terrax and Tiger Shark will undoubtedly just show up working together, with no explanation. (It's called "plot," Loeb! Look it up!)

Anyone know what this talk of a "new" Dr. Strange is about? From the cover art I assumed it was Stephen Strange with his old 70's mask.

And I will be awfully upset if Wolverine gives Red Hulk any kind of fight...

Well, i think the Gamemaster sees the opportunity for a new game, and offers both Hulk and Rulk their heart's desire in return. He asks them each to pick teammates to make the game more interesting, i imagine.

He's an Elder of the Universe and has the ability to gather heroes and villains from all over the universe...he even once ressuerected a team of dead heroes and villains to fight the Avengers, so he's pretty powerful...

As far as new Strange, im not sure...i've heard he might be replaced as Sorcerer Supreme very soon, so who knows WHO that may be appearing with the Defenders....

Hey i just signed up over there at Hulkspace. That place is pretty cool...

Im "Jade-Jaws", but im trying to get a name change because there's already a long standing poster there with a similar username...

 

[Spider-ManHero12]

I can't WAIT for that Defenders vs Offenders stuff!

Supposed to be out this week!

Me, too!

 

[Obi-Ron]

Hey i just signed up over there at Hulkspace. That place is pretty cool...

Im "Jade-Jaws", but im trying to get a name change because there's already a long standing poster there with a similar username...

Cool beans, Cap'n!