Stan Lee // Jack Kirby
May 1964
****
The return of the Lava Men, whom Thor faced last fall. But aside from one of Lee’s typical warmongering advisors, these classic Kirby monsters aren’t villains. Incidentally, this ish acts as a coda to the Hulk’s career with the Avengers, after breaking w/ them finally in The Fantastic Four.
[continued from The Fantastic Four #26]
[last issue: The Avengers #4]
[next issue: The Avengers #6]
Archive for the ‘Betty Ross’ Category
The Avengers #5
June 6, 2012The Incredible Hulk #6
February 15, 2010
March 1963
Stan Lee // Steve Ditko
****
A Brainiac-type alien nearly conquers Earth, but Banner/Hulk bluffs him out. But why does his sidekick recruit a teen brigade? Ditko inks himself, just as he goes monthly on Spider-Man. His Hulk seems to mutate from panel to panel, & at one point has Banner’s head! His solution: wear a Hulk mask!
last issue: The Incredible Hulk #5
also indexed for Mar. ’63
The Amazing Spider-Man #1
The Fantastic Four #12
Journey into Mystery #90: Thor
Tales of Suspense #39: Iron Man
The Incredible Hulk #5
February 14, 2010
Stan Lee // Jack Kirby
January 1963
a-story: *****
b-story: ***
Surly Hulk chafes at reverting back to Banner—a new wrinkle on the ‘milksop alter ego’! The a-story is a new approach for the mag, pitting him against an underground empire! The high point has him in gladiator combat w/ a robot! In the b-story, he performs feats of strength to rout the Red Chinese.
last issue: The Incredible Hulk #4
next issue: The Incredible Hulk #6
also indexed for Jan. ’63
The Fantastic Four #10
Journey into Mystery #88: Thor
The Incredible Hulk #4
February 13, 2010
Stan Lee // Jack Kirby
November 1962
a-story: *****
b-story: ****
Kirby’s art gives troglodytic Hulk life thru leaps, thunderclaps, & a brutish face. The a-story flows great too, starting w/ an origin recap from lovestruck Betty Ross’ POV. Then Banner merges his brain w/ Hulk’s body via early Kirbytech! Story B is a lark: a goofball Red plot to capture Hulk.
next issue: The Incredible Hulk #3
next issue: The Incredible Hulk #5
also indexed for Nov. ’62
The Fantastic Four #8
Journey into Mystery #86: Thor
The Incredible Hulk #2
February 11, 2010
Stan Lee // Jack Kirby
July 1962
****
With its scientist hero, nuclear monster, & alien invasion, Hulk is indebted to ’50s-style SF comics. The surprise is that the title char’s really the antagonist! Now green & fending off both toad-men & the US military, the Hulk’s alienated from all humanity. And he’s willing to conquer the Earth!
last issue: The Incredible Hulk #1
next issue: The Incredible Hulk #3
also indexed for Jul. ’62
The Fantastic Four #5
The Incredible Hulk #1
February 10, 2010Stan Lee // Jack Kirby
May 1962
*****
Like the Thing in FF, the Hulk’s more monster than superhero, a grey Jekyll-Hyde w/ Karloff looks. As a radioactive monstrosity attacked by the US military, he’s almost a villain! Sure the ish also has a Red spy; but it’s the heroic alter ego who wins the day using science & diplomacy.
next issue: The Incredible Hulk #2
also indexed for May ’62
The Fantastic Four #4
Index Indigo 