Planet Hulk: The best Hulk story?

[Eros]

Yeah, but why re-visit the Banner/Conflict & Army/Hunting scenarios for the umpteenth time? Maybe that's why the book has been a low seller this past decade...fans have seen that time and again. And while "barbarian Hulk in a strange land" is hardly original, it's still a hell of a lot more fresh than watching Hulk and Banner mind screw each other while running from the army and/or "shady government operation of the week" routine.

This arc had drama, humor, action, pacing, excellent supporting cast, new villains, and TONS of heart, which are elements that have not been presented as a total package in a Hulk book for a LONG time.

still not the best Hulk story though.

 

[Kirk Langstrom]

still not the best Hulk story though.

Not the worst either.

 

[kainedamo]

replace Ben Grim with Hulk, you would of gotten the same story. It was a smash fest, Peter david wrote better hulk stories in his sleep, this story was very entertaining, but so was the fantastic 4 movie. Hell Ang Lees Hulk movie, was thousand times better then this this sotry arc, because it had many things Planet Hulk lacked, a struggle between man and monster, both internally and externally. The mind of a man, living with a monster inside, his emotional and physcial abuse as a child, and how it effected him as a man, and how it also lead to the hulk.

It wouldn't have worked with Ben Grimm at all. They're completely different characters. Ben doesn't think of himself as a monster. What would be the point of Ben Grimm getting accolade from this planet, when he is used to accolade back home? What would be the point of those damn humans blowing up his wife? They're very different characters and you'd have to tweak the story ALOT for it to work with Ben Grimm even remotely.

Ben Grimm already has a home. Hulk has NEVER had a home. Ben Grimm has friends and brotherhood and family. Hulk has no friends or family. Ben Grimm fits in right where he is. Hulk has never fitted in. I think alot of the themes that were prevelant throughout Planet Hulk went right over your head. Planet Hulk is very much a Hulk story. What were you thinking saying Ben Grimm could easily have stared in it?

The types of stories you're talking about - the struggle between Banner and Hulk - we see that EVERY issue. We had it for years during that guys run, whats his name, the run that everyone hated 'cause Hulk was hardly in it at all. This was HULK'S story. This was HULK'S journey. I think he needed to take it without Banner present. It's one of the things that makes it so good in my mind.

 

[Kirk Langstrom]

It wouldn't have worked with Ben Grimm at all. They're completely different characters. Ben doesn't think of himself as a monster. What would be the point of Ben Grimm getting accolade from this planet, when he is used to accolade back home? What would be the point of those damn humans blowing up his wife? They're very different characters and you'd have to tweak the story ALOT for it to work with Ben Grimm even remotely.

The types of stories you're talking about - the struggle between Banner and Hulk - we see that EVERY issue. We had it for years during that guys run, whats his name, the run that everyone hated 'cause Hulk was hardly in it at all. This was HULK'S story. This was HULK'S journey. I think he needed to take it without Banner present. It's one of the things that makes it so good in my mind.

Bruce Jones.

 

[The_Hulk]

i've loved planet hulk so far and it's definitely one of the best hulk stories ive ever read. even so, i haven't read enough hulk to say its the absolute best ever.

 

[Willowhugger]

Yeah, but why re-visit the Banner/Conflict & Army/Hunting scenarios for the umpteenth time? Maybe that's why the book has been a low seller this past decade...fans have seen that time and again. And while "barbarian Hulk in a strange land" is hardly original, it's still a hell of a lot more fresh than watching Hulk and Banner mind screw each other while running from the army and/or "shady government operation of the week" routine.

This arc had drama, humor, action, pacing, excellent supporting cast, new villains, and TONS of heart, which are elements that have not been presented as a total package in a Hulk book for a LONG time.

Oddly, my interest in Hulk was at its lowest because the book was at the "Professor" Hulk stage. Growing up, I didn't find the Hulk to be that interesting because he had this ridiculous hairstyle at the time (the one with the curl) and the fact that he was all happy with his blonde wife while he danced the night away with intellect intact.

The Ultimates Hulk went too far in making Bruce Banner into a villain but there's a reason that he's one of the most popular characters there is. The Hulk is scary as Hell and he's not just misunderstood, he really is FRIGHTENING AND DANGEROUS. It's not just a case of people misunderstanding the Hulk is a lovable guy.

Plus, the Hulk has never had a very good Rogue's gallery either.

It wouldn't have worked with Ben Grimm at all. They're completely different characters. Ben doesn't think of himself as a monster.

Hold up, since when? Ben has ALWAYS thought he was a monster.

Now I confess, the story worked very well with the Hulk because Hulk IS a savage while Ben is a lovable rockface but it wouldn't take much to bring out the primitive in Ben Grimm either. Let's face it, Ben would be pretty damn depressed if Reed Richards blew him into space too.

 

[LouFerignoDemon]

Hulk sucks. Goku Gluowns him.

Actually, this little story of his, while I wouldn't consider it his best, would easily be top ten material.

 

[Willowhugger]

To do a good Hulk story, you need there to be a number of factors to make it work.

* Bruce Banner must hate the Hulk with every fiber of his being except for the part that he suppresses.
* The Hulk has to be appealing on some level but be a decided dark side. The lovable but simple guy never really worked except when you had it as "caveman simple" as opposed to "idiot simple."
* That Dark Side can be anger, lust, frustration, or greed.
* The Hulking out should usually be a guilty pleasure. I think the Hulk should be one of those superheroes that kill and you never know if he's going to or not.
* Bruce Banner should be vulnerable and when the Hulk can be kept at bay (tranquilziers or what not)
* The Hulk should never kill anyone who doesn't deserve it but make it questionable if that's a real distinction.
* Bruce Banner should often find himself encounterng the worst of humanity when he's on the run. (Klansmen and neo-Nazis, corrupt cops, spouse abusers, etc etc)
* The Hulk should frighten even Marvel superheroes because no one really CAN stop him (World War Hulk is a step in the right direction)
* The book would do well to bring back Rick Jones as the one guy in the world who understands the Hulk and is always trying to help him. Ironically forcing him onto the run again.

Is what I'm suggesting something that's been done plenty of times before? Yes, it is. However, I think sometimes comics need to return to their roots to tell good stories. Like Batman: Year One.

I think this story would sell.

 

[Varient]

meh.
folk not reading content or POINT of Planet Hulk because there wasn't any

"Hulk Smash puny Banner"

in it.

U guys make it easy to sneer,... Geez,.. I saw it like this:

The Question is - IS there a Place for Hulk?

For Decades greenskin has asked this Question.

Is there a place where The Hulk could just "be" without people seeking him out and hounding him?

Is there SOMEONE besides his cousin or an uber evil half-demon fem who could survive jumping his bones?

Is there a Place where he CAN SMILE?

After he did the world beating,....
After He found "family"
After He found love,...


I'd say Yes.


Hulk is betrayed (again) by those he has tried to trust to have some sort of moral grounding.

He is dropped in a place where he could be killed if not careful because he arrives with roughly half of his powers.

He relearns trust and is accepted "as is" by others similar to him.

You get a hard look at something that has been true from day one: He doesn't look for trouble,.. but he also NEVER runs from it.

This is the BEST Hulk story for me because it didn't follow the "old" Hulk formula but instead GAVE HIM WHAT HE WANTED on Earth,.. but can never have. Because if he got it,.. you could stop writing the stories because there would be no need.

eh,.. said I wouldn't rant.

 

[Willowhugger]

Well, that's a point.

The Hulk isn't the one I totally care about.

Because the Hulk isn't just the Hulk, he's Bruce Banner.

How does Bruce feel about not being let out while his Big green side laughs it up?

We don't know.

I loved Planet Hulk but while Hulk had a wonderful world for him, I imagine it was BB's hell.

 

[Willowhugger]

double post, sorry

 

[Kent]

It's a very good story with Hulk in it. It's not quite as good a Hulk-story.

 

[Varient]

Well, that's a point.

The Hulk isn't the one I totally care about.

Because the Hulk isn't just the Hulk, he's Bruce Banner.

How does Bruce feel about not being let out while his Big green side laughs it up?

We don't know.

I loved Planet Hulk but while Hulk had a wonderful world for him, I imagine it was BB's hell.

Banner in the ONE ISSUE didn't seem like he was suffering when the hulk voluntarily released control,.. in fact this run seemed to me to be one of the few times that the multiple personalities cooperated without friction.

Point - Banner appeared hesitant and afraid of rejection when the hulk made the switch,.. and HE WAS FULLY AWARE of what was going on.

When I read the Hulk,.. there is normally a fuzziness between the action/motivations of the two. Neither has the full skinny on what drives the other.

Here they were of ONE MIND and Banner wanted to be accepted by the Hulks woman as part of the package deal.

I don't think Bruce was suffering overmuch.

 

[CConn]

I haven't quite finished Planet Hulk yet, but my favorite Hulk story is Hulk: Gray. Peter David's run is also exceptional. While Planet Hulk is very good so far, I doubt it'll eclipse either of those for me.

 

[Shockdingo]

replace Ben Grim with Hulk, you would of gotten the same story.

I actually strongly disagree, Ben think's he's a monster because of how he looks, he's a level headed guy and in control of himself and tons of people love him, he doesn't have to live in an outlaw lifestyle. Even when the hulk is doing good, behind the smiles people are thinking "oh great, when's banner going to snap next?" The hulk has that constant anger problem; that's what makes him dangerous according to people like Reed and Tony. This is why all of what he built is more powerful and satisfying. If Ben Grim built a uptopia it would not have been so impacting since he's seen as a hero on earth and it's all expected from someone like him. But people think hulk=death, destruction and what have you, so for him to actually create a planet-wide union is incredible. It was more than being about being strong and bash fests, it was bash fests, but it proved in the end, the hulk isn't a monster, he's just misunderstood and has great capacity for good.

I like the banner-hulk struggles as much as the next guy, but I liked seeing what hulk can do left to his own devices; because the next time he becomes banner, banner will know that he's been wrong about hulk. And besides, there's tons of room for that later, I liked this and it felt fresh.

 

[Arkady Rossovich]

The best Hulk story i personally read was Peter David`s Future Imperfect.

 

[Blaktin America]

The level of compassion and diplomacy Hulk demonstrated had Banner written all over it. The Hulk has friends and an army who trust his leadership. Most monsters don't have beings who pledge their lives to fight alongside him.

 

[GNR]

Depending how WWH and the following storyline go,the entire shabang could be pretty epic.

 

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Not even close, Hulk: The End was FAR BETTER, FACT.

 

[kainedamo]

Hulk: The End was an incredibly touching story. But Planet Hulk was much more epic, full of history and character, and it moved me too. Like I said before, it floored me when Caiera announced she was with child. I felt for the Hulk when he was screaming "BRING THEM BACK!".

 

[Dark Spidey]

For those of you that missed it...

Banner actually appeared twice during Planet Hulk.

The first time was in the PH story in Giant Sized Hulk #1. It was set in between the first and second arcs and was called "Banner War".

 

[1987olds442]

Planet Hulk was definitely one of the best Hulk stories thus far. I enjoyed every part of the story.

 

[Mr. Green]

replace Ben Grim with Hulk, you would of gotten the same story.

You are absolutely wrong.

Ben Grimm, first of all, was never, EVER, treated like the Hulk has been treated. Not only that, but his characterization and personality is completely different. Hulk's specific, unique characterization was completely essential for this tale to work as it did.

And BTW, Thing wouldn't even have stayed consious through the wormhole. Thing wouldn't have been able to dive into the lava and pull Sakaar's tectonic plates together either.

The story would have been completely different in a bad way.

To say that Planet Hulk was simply a "smash" story is to say that you obviously missed the point of Planet Hulk completely. It was more a tale of the Hulk's personality and if he should be considered a hero or not.

 

[Mr. Green]

Not even close, Hulk: The End was FAR BETTER, FACT.

Fact, opinion... same thing.

 

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Fact, opinion... same thing.

Well...you know what I mean.