Variant Alert: Immortal Hulk #33

Immortal Hulk # 33 is also being labelled as the 750th issue of the Hulk. I don’t believe the numbering quite correct on that. However, I won’t complain as this gave Marvel the excuse to release it as a double-sized issue. In addition there have been a whole bunch of variant covers for this one.

Though they all are awesome in their own way – two stand out for me. These are the Joe Bennett variants. Joe is also the main artist on this series – in case you weren’t aware.

These covers are exactly what I’ve been wanting since the first few issues debuted – especially his version of Incredible Hulk #1. However, seeing his rendition of Wolverine has quite possibly made his homage to IH #181 my favorite version of this cover to date.

The IH#1 homage is fairly available and not expensive. It came standard to most comic shops. However, the IH#181 homage cover is a special issue only available from Ultimate Comics (however I found mine on Ebay). So it’s a bit more expensive and also limited to only 2000 copies world-wide. There is even a sketch (black&white) version that is very pricey. Check it out here.

Immortal Hulk #33:Jaw-Ripping Review

IH33Usually 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.

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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.img_2477

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.