Immortal Hulk #33:Jaw-Ripping Review

Usually I don’t take time to review individual comics – but in this case I NEED to make an exception.

For the past year or so we Hulk fans have been treated to comics the likes of which are rarely produced. This series has been lightning-in-a-bottle with this team of creators featuring Al Ewing, Joe Bennet and Alex Ross. With each issue I am engrossed in the story and the art, and I always say it can’t get better. But then they throw a curve ball and blow my mind.

This latest issue, a double issue, is crammed to the brim with gamma-goodness. We are treated to multiple Hulks, a new horrific transformation, and the true terror of Xemnu – not to mention a last minute surprise. This issue also marks (supposedly) the 750th issue of the Hulk – though the numbering doesn’t seem to truly support this.

I cannot recommend this issue more. The art is gorgeous and horrific. The story continues to draw you in and make you want more. If Planet Hulk was ‘Gladiator’ – Immortal Hulk is most assuredly ‘The Thing’.

I won’t be one of those reviews where I spoil anything or basically re-state the plot. I encourage you to go pick this one up.

Wow…I am indeed smashed.

C2E2 2020:The ImmortAL Ewing

Recently I had the good fortune to attend C2E2 in Chicago. I say good fortune as the event was just early enough to avoid being cancelled due to the Coronavirus. Any later and I am sure it would have been.

This year I was only able to attend for a single day, Friday. But this worked out for me. I was able to do most of what I set out to do.

The highlight of this year’s show was a visit by the writer of Immortal Hulk, Al Ewing. As you can imagine I was freaking out. So, of course, he was my first stop at the convention. His line went amazingly fast and I was able to talk with him briefly. Al was a very nice guy and signed my books. I now have a copy of Immortal Hulk 1 and 2 signed by him. Not to mention he also signed my copy of Avengers 684 (first appearance of Immortal Hulk). They are all out being graded by CGC. Can’t wait to get them back.

It was so cool to meet him and able to check one more name off my list of creators for Immortal Hulk. (To date I have met Alex Ross and Al Ewing and commissioned a sketch by Joe Bennet.)

I had also hoped to meet Ed Brisson to sign my copy of Old Man Logan, but he missed his flight. So he was not available on Friday.

However, as a nice substitute I learned Tyler Kirkham was selling his variant for Wolverine #1 that was a IH #181 homage. So I decided to grab his gray hulk version and was able to get is signed. So that was cool! I don’t own many virgin covers…so this was a neat addition to the collection.

 

As I do enjoy other comics the entire event was not just Hulk related. Sean Murphy, writer and artist for Batman: White Knight, was also in attendance. So I took some time and visited him as well. I was delighted to know he was doing remarks as well as signatures. So now my copy of Batman: White Knight #1  has an awesome Joker sketch on the cover.

 

My only small regrets is I missed out on Al Ewing speaking at a Marvel panel on Saturday and visiting Mark Ruffalo (actor of Bruce Banner/Hulk in MCU). But I really couldn’t afford one more day or the admission for Ruffalo. He was the most expensive celebrity there.

Overall though I am very happy with my visit and can’t wait to go again next year.

Get SMASHED!!

 

 

Hulk Steelbook Special Editions

Remember Ang Lee’s Hulk back in 2003? Or perhaps you remember the better received ‘The Incredible Hulk’ with Edward Norton that “helped” kick off the MCU?

In either case it seems both movies are being re-released in special edition steelbook editions individually or as a dual deluxe box set.

The art on the packaging across all editions seems slick and the inclusion of special items such as art cards and apparently an ‘Incredible Hulk #1’ comic is kinda cool. As a Hulk fan I am interested, but I try not to re-buy movies I already own. So I will need to think on this.

It is nice to the Hulk getting more attention and hopefully pull in a larger fan base. With news that Disney now holds full rights to the Hulk – is this possibly a first step in getting ready for a new Hulk movie on the horizon?

If so, I hope they have learned from the fan criticism in regards to how they treated the Hulk near the end of Thor: Ragnarok and Endgame. They severely nerfed him and turned him into a big joke. I did not appreciate that. Very disappointing given they started out on such a good foot with the first Avenger’s movie.

Ang Lee’s Hulk movie will always hold  special place in my heart as it was the first time encountering the jade giant. That movie started me off as a Hulk fan.

And ‘Incredible Hulk’ to date is the best Hulk movie aside from his time in Avengers. Lets see what the future holds with this, but for now this shows mean green is still of interest to many.

To see the individual editions see the images below.

Marvelocity: Ross and Kidd Book signing

If you follow this site then you’ll know I had the opportunity to meet Alex Ross earlier in the year. Thankfully he decided to make a second appearance on August 10, 2019 at the Dunn Museum. He was there to promote both his book Marvelocity, and his art exhibition of the same name. This time was the added bonus of the co-creator, Chip Kidd, who was in attendance.

They both sat down for a few hours to sign their book and take some quick questions. I showed up early and after waiting a few hours I was able to quickly meet them. This time I was clear-headed enough to grab a photo with Alex. I also requested he sign my bust of the Earth X Hulk created by Alex. All in all an awesome moment for me as a huge Hulk and art fan.

I also was treated to a signature by Chip Kidd. So now my copy of Marvelocity is signed by both these awesome guys. Having a signed bust of this unique Hulk by the creator is a great addition to my collection. To date I am lucky enough to have a hulk statue signed by Stan Lee and this bust signed by the Ross.

Can’t wait to see if he makes another appearance. I am so happy to be living close enough to meet him like this.

Till next time – GET SMASHED!

Marvel’s Avengers: Hulking out on PS4!!

Announced at E3 2019 is a brand new game titled ‘Marvel’s Avengers’. And Yes, it is featuring the HULK!!! (We have waited a long time for a new Hulk video game)

Not too many details have been released regarding it, except that I infer from the trailer that it plays like a third-person version of Marvel Heroes. If you don’t know – Marvel Heroes was a free to play MMO for PC that operated from 2013-2017. You could purchase multiple different characters (and skins for each one > example: Hulk could look like Joe Fix-It) and fight them in giant battles alongside other players to achieve certain goals or collect special items.

Marvel’s Avengers seems to take the same concept of playing as a hero alongside others and complete a campaign. Except this time its not a top down MMO and you are closer to the action with more control over the character.

One nice perk seems to be that the developers, Square Enix, will push out new heroes and campaigns on a regular schedule and all for free (I hesitate to get excited by this as I’m sure there will be limits).

Of course, new characters is great – but for me, I doubt I will switch out much from Hulk. I just hope they offer skins so I can vary his appearance. I would love to smash as Joe or the War Hulk!

Check out the launch trailer below. Game will release May 15, 2020.