"Hulk Movie Smashes Into Production" 
  05/15/2002

Charles Soll, who prefers the comic book, is very much looking forward to the Hulk movie because “I love the character." Charles became a Hulk fan around 1968 when he was 10 years old and has read the comic as well as watched the series. Regarding the show, “I liked the episode where he flew the airplane. I believe he landed in Denver. I was in Denver, stationed in the Air Force at that time, when I saw the episode." As for the comic, Charles continues, “Any drawn by Herb Trimpe because his art spoke to me."

Tony Brischler from Atlanta, GA also became a fan at 10 years old, in 1970. “The very first superhero comic book I bought," he states, “was The Hulk. I was hooked for nearly 15 years after that." Tony prefers the “…comic book. But taking into account our options of TV at the time (late 70's) the series wasn't too bad. Had a decent theme song." Is Tony looking forward to the movie? “Absolutely. The technological advancements ensure the fans that this won't be some muscle-bound wrestler painted green. The idea of a computer generated Hulk makes perfect sense. And I'm a big fan of Ang Lee's storytelling ability. I also hope they add some dark drama to it; show the real tragedy and curse of being the Hulk." Favorite character: “I never really like the supporting cast of either book or series. But I suppose it would be Jarella, the lady from the sub-atomic world. She was the only one who loved the Hulk for who he was." TV series episode: “The Death of the Hulk. By that time, it got too damn silly." Comic book: “As I haven't collected since 1985, I'm going by memory here. I really enjoyed the Hulk vs. Shield vs. the Bi-Beast. The art was spectacular (Sal Buscema & Ernie Chan, 'natch)

Gammaguy, who obviously gets his handle from The Hulk, was half the age of Charles and Tony, mentioned above, when he got into the Hulk scene. Age 5, 1976. He prefers the comic book but “While I am happy that my all time favorite comic character will be made into a major motion picture, I’m sad to see that it will not be treated with the same respect that Spider-man was. If the Internet reports and rumors are true, there will be a lot of upset Hulk fans." Gammaguy continues, “I did like the TV show for what it was but the comic version of Banner/Hulk has always meant a lot to me. He is a misunderstood monster who wants nothing save peace to live his life. He is a child trapped in the body of a monster and has a vulnerability that I have always identified with." Regarding the comic book issue, “There are so many. If I had to pick one I guess it would be the issue where Jarella (Hulk’s alien love interest) dies. In that issue we get to see the most powerful mortal on earth totally helpless and overcome with grief by the loss of his love."

Alejandro Rivas was also five-years old, in 1979, when he got Hulk-hooked. But different from Gammaguy agove, Alejandro chose the TV show: “The series is enormously better than the comics. The comics did entertain me when I was a kid, but never overcame the TV series; never reached this deep." Yes, Alejandro is looking forward to the movie: “I believe they can do a very good product based on the comics, if they keep the good things over the Godzilla-type movie resources. Ang Lee said he saw the Hulk movie as an old Greek tragedy, and I think that about the series. After all, the trouble is the same. In the series, my favorite [character] was David Banner. The best episodes are those which deals with his trouble directly." Alejandro’s favorite episode: “The pilot. It's brilliant. There are no bad guys (McGee it isn't); just a tragic fate. A long file of events which unchains the tragedy. It's comparable to Frankenstein or Jekyll & Hyde absolutely." Regarding the comics: “I hadn't read the Hulk comics in a long time. I remember the first issues of Tales to Astonish that I had when I was a kid. They were fun. I saw the Origin of the Hulk in the 1966 animation version (which is exactly the comic book storyline animated) and it was fun too. Just fun."

Rob McCullah, a sculptor, has " been a fan of The Incredible Hulk since I was old enough to read a comic book. Although the TV series was ok, I have to go with the comic book because it has a lot more action going on. I can’t wait to see the Hulk movie! I hope that the story stays as close to its comic book origins as the Spider-man movie did. I thought the series Hulk was ok (for a TV series), but the comic book version is far more impressive to me because of the way the illustrator portrays the Hulk in all his raw unfettered rage, and the way comics seem to make the Hulk move like the unstoppable machine of destruction that he is. I have to say that my favorite episode of the Hulk TV series is the one where he battles another older Hulk-like creature created in much the same manner that the Hulk was created. It was a very action packed episode. By far, my favorite [comic] issue is Incredible Hulk # 323 written and penciled by AL MILGROM. It’s the issue when Hulk was seemingly defeated by the entire Avengers team and was put inside a six-foot thick adamantium dome for three days or so, where the Avengers hoped to suffocate Hulk to death. A few days later after all had become seemingly quiet, the Avengers, having thought they had finally killed the Hulk, were suddenly, savagely corrected when the Hulk exploded out of the adamantium dome after building his rage up so greatly, that he grew five times his normal size and strength! Once free, he literally beat the living hell out of any and all super heroes who dared stand in his path. It was AWESOME to say the least! My other favorite issue is the one where Hulk battles head to head with Thor and wins. It was written by Eric Larsen."

** Ilana’s Note - Interesting how in the comic book, according to Rob McCullah above, the Hulk beat “the living hell" out of any superheroes who stood in his path. In the television version, Ken Johnson comments, “Did you notice the creature never hit anybody? The audience of the Hulk was wonderful: the largest segment was adult women, then adult men, then teens, then kids (the perfect demographics for advertisers.) I still get reams of fan mail complimenting us on the way we handled the creature, the potential violence and the overall depth of the series -- something quite unexpected by everyone. I'm glad and proud that we were able to touch so many people and have such a good and lasting impact." If you’d like to send a letter to Ken Johnson, please email me or leave me a note in my newsgroup at newsguy.writers.scificapsule with your email address so I can send you the info. Also, feel free to comment on The Hulk or this article in the newsgroup as well! **

Kyle L. Dennis became a fan “back when I was about three or four around 1978-1979 when my mom bought me a copy of his comic. It was my first comic book." This could be why Kyle prefers the comic over the TV series. Regarding the movie: “[I am] very much looking forward to it. One thing that always upset me about the series was they couldn't show the Hulk with the strength he had in the comics. With CGI they can show him at the proper strength levels. Also he will no longer be just a muscular actor with green body paint. He will be The Hulk." Bruce Banner / Hulk is Kyle’s favorite character. “When I was young," Kyle says, “I was abused both physically and sexually by my father. I always thought of the Hulk as my hero because he was abused as a child. I always dreamed when I was a kid how cool it would be to be or meet the Hulk so he could stop my father from abusing me. I know that was just wishful thinking, but the thought of it helped me greatly during those times." Kyle doesn’t have a favorite episode, but as for the comic books, anything written by Peter David and Stan Lee.

John Hoffman was in fourth grade when he found a Hulk comic in the basement. He prefers the comic and is definitely looking forward to the movie because “Even though it probably won't be like the comic I am still looking forward to it in the same way I look forward to watching an episode of the TV series. I expect a different Hulk but that's cool. It's better than no Hulk movie at all." John’s favorite character is the Hulk because “He the strongest one there is and he doesn't get pushed around. I would say Rick Jones is my second favorite character in the book. He represents the average guy." As for the TV series: “The first episode. I liked the origin." Comic-wise, John’s favorites are Issues #340 - #346 because “they deal with the Ground Zero story arc which takes you for a great ride. The Hulk cast goes through highs and lows and ends with a bang."

At the age of five, Stephen "Joefixit2" Yarish, bought his very first comic book, The Hulk, from a neighbor's garage sale. He definitely prefers the comic book. He’s enthusiastic about seeing the movie: “I've been waiting for it for 28 years! I've seen all the other comic book superheroes get their own movies; it's about time the Hulk got his! It's a great story about a man fighting the demons inside of himself." Stephen’s favorite character? “The grey Hulk ‘Joe Fixit’ personality of the Hulk. He had the strength, intelligence and an attitude! What more could you want! While I watched every single episode of the Hulk when it first showed, due to technological limitations, the Hulk only fought normal people every week, so every episode was kind of the same. David Banner arrives in town, meets a down and out person, turns into Hulk and beats up the villain (mob/corrupt cops/just general bad guy)." Stephen’s favorite Hulk comic issue “is #170, the first comic I bought. Classic issue of Savage Hulk fighting island of monsters." Check out Stephen’s Hulk website at http://www.incrediblehulk.com .

Nick, who has a Hulk forum as well as a Wonder Woman website became hooked when the TV series first started airing. Nick never read the comic, yet is very much looking forward to the movie. “I think they have done an excellent job with casting and the trailers look great," Nick comments, “The thought of all the comic heroes we used to watched on TV series coming to the big screen is exciting. The next comic to movie adaptation I am looking forward to (besides The Hulk) is Wonder Woman." Which character is Nick’s favorite? “Well, the Hulk, of course. I think, at one time or another, we have all been able to relate to having some kind of inner turmoil as the Hulk character had to deal with. It's fun seeing him let loose of his!"

Mick Martin, fan of the Hulk since third grade, definitely prefers the comic book over the TV series. About the upcoming Hulk movie: “I can't wait. I know there might be certain aspects of it which will disappoint me, but I'm just thrilled that the special effects technology is out there to give us a Hulk that isn't just a body builder covered in paint -- the technology to create a Hulk that truly embodies the veritable force of nature that we've been given in the comics. It's kind of ironic, because I'm always the first one to scoff at people who take special effects in films to be the end-all, be-all component that makes them successful, but the special effects really will be a major part of what makes me hate or love this flick." The Hulk of the comic is Mick’s favorite character. Mick says, “The Hulk was always an outsider, even in his more intelligent incarnations. I was always an outsider growing up, which is a big reason for the Hulk's appeal for me. As I've grown, I've come to appreciate him even more because in the family tree of super-heroes, he really is unique. He doesn't care about saving the world or making it a better place. You make him mad, he drops Rhode Island on your head, end of story. He's not a super-hero in the conventional sense, but he IS a hero in a much more personal sense: he will conquer anything in order to simply stay free." Mick’s favorite comic issue: “Tough one. Well, obviously FUTURE IMPERFECT has got to be up there in my top ten. Having the Hulk meet his future, darker self was just such a simple, ingenious shift; showing that the same anger and rage which made him so powerful would eventually be his undoing. Peter David's last issue, #467, was great as well. I haven't liked much of the current run of The Hulk, and sometimes I consider dropping the title and simply accepting Hulk #467 as the last Hulk story EVER. The only issue of the current run I really LOVED was Hulk #33, written by Priest, and I think it deserves a place in the Pantheon of great Hulk stories. And, of course, there are just too many great stories to name by almost all of the Hulk writers like Thomas, Wein, Stan Lee, Roger Stern, Mantlo. One that always sticks out in my mind is Hulk #406, when Marlo is revived from her coma while the Hulk fought Doc Samson and Captain America. It was just such a sweet, simple story and worked so well. I still tear up a little bit when I read it."

Lady Yann’s mom is the one who got her into The Hulk. “I went to the cartoons and then the comic book," she says. Lady Yann prefers the comic books and is furiously looking forward to the movie: “I think that these days they would be better at the CGI and special effects than they were in the past." Who is Lady Yann’s favorite Hulk character? “That's a hard one. I would like to see something that focused on female superheroes. Sure you have Jean Grey and Storm from the X-Men. Face it Jean and Scott go hand in hand. I would like to see a female hero make the big screen like Laura Croft did." Lady Yann’s site can be found here.

Next article will be the man behind “The Incredible Hulk" television soundtrack! Don’t forget to post any questions or comments at newsguy.writers.scificapsule.

 - by Ilana Rapp