tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post9023017707538530408..comments2024-03-19T10:41:35.976-05:00Comments on Bronze Age Babies: Monster Mash: Incredible Hulk Annual 5Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04248324005584963229noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-43934953867736647972012-11-02T18:05:03.995-05:002012-11-02T18:05:03.995-05:00I think Herb took over Sgt.Fury & the Howling ...I think Herb took over Sgt.Fury & the Howling Commandoes in the later years of that title. Also had a bit of a run with the Defenders as that title began to wane.<br /><br />At one point, he had been heralded as the artist that was taking over Iron Man-- but I think that tenure was cut unceremoniously short. . .<br /><br />HB Humanbellynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-9647440241513156032012-11-02T11:49:56.126-05:002012-11-02T11:49:56.126-05:00I didn't actually buy the Hulk comic at the ti...I didn't actually buy the Hulk comic at the time this issue came out, but I picked it up and really enjoyed it. Some of these monsters I had never even heard of (at that time) and thus, this annual was made even more memorable. I haven't had this comic for many years, but I will probably troll eBay for a replacement copy. Thanks for the memories!Chuck Wellshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04529750105224374839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-24584998971015211082012-11-02T08:17:43.407-05:002012-11-02T08:17:43.407-05:00Fred, I feel much the same way about George Tuska ...Fred, I feel much the same way about George Tuska and Iron Man. Both he and Herb Trimpe had their detractors, but their long runs on those titles, and comparative lack of similar runs elsewhere, make them seem definitive artists for those strips, if only by default.<br /><br />Trimpe did draw the entirety of the late-'70s GODZILLA and SHOGUN WARRIORS books, but both were, in my opinion, quite undistinguished.<br /><br />As for Sal, yes indeed, Marvel's utility player for many a year.Matthew Bradleyhttp://marveluniversity.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-53666115386186675182012-11-01T21:57:12.526-05:002012-11-01T21:57:12.526-05:00I think for me I considered Herb Trimpe the Hulk a...I think for me I considered Herb Trimpe the Hulk artist because he only rarely drew any other mags, excepting occasional fill-ins. I can't think of any other comics on which he had an extended run of a year or more. Sal Buscema, in the early '70s at least, was the artist on Captain America and the Defenders. Of course, later on Sal not only had the long run on the Hulk but showed up on so many other mags, he seemed to be Marvel's workhorse of the late '70s the way Kirby had been in the early to mid '60s.Fred W. Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07602124919964053532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-23067598556620968102012-11-01T13:25:35.937-05:002012-11-01T13:25:35.937-05:00My Hulk-geekiness is just horribly, horribly expos...My Hulk-geekiness is just horribly, horribly exposed here, DavidB. End of Hulk #114? Where (uh. . . spoiler alert) the Sandman is transformed into glass? That is the first link in a Kevin Bacon-like chain of events that leads to the creation of Doc Samson in issue #141.<br /><br />That book had the longest, endlessly extending subplots of any title anywhere. Events that took place in issue #150 still had tangential consequences being played out four or five years later. . . <br /><br />HBHumanbellynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-29334657897803491982012-11-01T12:29:15.933-05:002012-11-01T12:29:15.933-05:00Not a big Hulk reader, but I remember being home s...Not a big Hulk reader, but I remember being home sick with the flu in '69 and my Dad bringing me home three comics, my FIRST comics..: Captain America 113, an Atlas one, and Hulk 114. <br /><br />Read the bejeebers out of all 3, so I'm partial to Mr. Trimpe over Sal. <br /><br />Kinda like Spidey's mag..: If Sal's inking his own work, there's no softening to correct his angular facial expressions, give me Romita or even Andru anyday. <br /><br />Just a style preference, that's all.david_bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00218727673816200051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-9932961057020073762012-11-01T09:43:34.852-05:002012-11-01T09:43:34.852-05:00HB, good point about Herb and Sal. I know there a...HB, good point about Herb and Sal. I know there are many who consider Trimpe the definitive Hulk penciler, and I'm not even saying he isn't. But I think you have to give equal consideration to Sal for that honor, especially since I believe his tenure on the book was even longer than Herb's. And that's not counting the many times he drew Greenskin as one of the Defenders. And yes, I believe you are correct about Xemnu's original plan. Good memory!Matthew Bradleyhttp://marveluniversity.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-90899282710185296672012-11-01T08:26:54.277-05:002012-11-01T08:26:54.277-05:00This was an annual that I learned to appreciate mu...This was an annual that I learned to appreciate much more as time went on. It took me a very, very long time to let go of Herb Trimpe as being (in my mind) the "permanent" Hulk penciler. Although even I recognized that he'd become less technically adept in his latter period on the book, I remained totally in the tank for him on sentiment alone. And when paired with a good inker (Joe Staton, at the end), Herb's pages were still wonderfully dynamic and engaging.<br /><br />But Sal B CLEARLY was a kindred spirit as far as his affection for the character goes, and has always brought a wonderful sense of visual depth and intensity of emotion (particularly w/ facial expression) to ol' Greenskin. As said above, this outing was fun in its use of Z-list monster-mag fodder characters-- and Sal's take on them is first-rate. Goom's mouth alone is fascinating, as every expression he makes becomes absurdly comic. <br /><br />What's funny about some of the criticism of Xemnu above (looking like a teddy-bear, etc), is that, IIRC, that aspect was part of his evil-plan schtick in his first Defenders appearance. Something to do w/ a kids' television show, and he was either this adorable giant stuffed animal, or Guy-in-a-Suit (Like Dancing Bear from Captain Kangaroo), or was supposedly animatronic or something. . . and was in fact going to kidnap all of earth's children and enslave them in another dimension. . . oh lord, who knows. (Sounds really Pinky & the Brain-ish, doesn't it?)<br /><br />The whole Using-a-Consecutive-String-of-Foes format to defeat the Hulk is, naturally, a painfully over-used device-- going clear back to Hulk #139. And Spidey Annual #1 before that. Heck, and the Flash before that ("Gauntlet of Villains" or some-such). The goal in #139 was to induce a heart-attack due to over-exertion. I kid you not. At first, I thought that was what was going on in this annual as well.<br /><br />Ah, ramblin' away-- very sorry--<br /><br />HBHumanbellynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-45748323738752782082012-11-01T06:31:38.444-05:002012-11-01T06:31:38.444-05:00Oh, jeez, I just came back this morning to read th...Oh, jeez, I just came back this morning to read the new comments and reread my own - it has more than the usual number of silly mistakes and typos ('where Speedos' - gah!), but most importantly, I meant to say Abel's inks AREN'T the best for Buscema...Edo Bosnarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-17606116796150193622012-10-31T23:44:25.182-05:002012-10-31T23:44:25.182-05:00I remember buying this one off the rack way back w...I remember buying this one off the rack way back when. I was never a big fan of the Hulk, but every once in a while, I would buy an issue just to see if I could find out why he was so popular. I enjoyed this issue....it was a one-shot slugfest, but it didn't really move my opinion-meter regarding the Hulk.Grahamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10547751537787941998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-8203114613208590562012-10-31T22:14:51.866-05:002012-10-31T22:14:51.866-05:00I think someone high up at Marvel said ' hey, ...I think someone high up at Marvel said ' hey, wouldn't it be a blast if we wrote a story where we incorporated all those old monsters from our 60s books?' with regard to this particular Hulk issue.<br /><br />By the way, I totally agree with Doug here- I would prefer to see a Guardians of the Galaxy movie with Major Vance Astro, Charlie 27, Yondu, Martinex, heck even Nikki! The new team with Rocket Raccoon and Groot doesn't really tickle my fancy as much. I would have loved to see Yondu and company tackle the Badoon on the big screen! <br /><br />- Mike 'it woulda been cool to see Starhawk too' from Trinidad & Tobago.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-53713929991691704602012-10-31T20:10:24.197-05:002012-10-31T20:10:24.197-05:00Not a classic by any means but still a fun romp. ...Not a classic by any means but still a fun romp. Interesting how the first several issues of Fantastic Four maintain that monster/alien invader vibe with the Mole Man's monsters, the Skrulls, the Miracle Man's fake monster, Subby's monster from the deep and Kurrgo. Took a while for Stan & Jack to shake those sort of stories out of their system.<br />BTW, listening to Orson Wells classic 1938 radio adaptation of H. G. Wells "War of the Worlds" on the local NPR station. Now don't anyone panic -- it's only a radio show!Fred W. Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07602124919964053532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-11902313338298461602012-10-31T19:48:17.624-05:002012-10-31T19:48:17.624-05:00Yeah, I remember this! I love Hulk Annuual #5! I g...Yeah, I remember this! I love Hulk Annuual #5! I got it off the stands when it was new. (I think I was 12.) It's one of the books I just couldn't sell when I liquidated my collection to help pay for my B.A.<br /><br />I think it holds up. I still read it every once in a while.Hoosier Xhttp://mushtown.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-15992204276119053612012-10-31T18:39:39.103-05:002012-10-31T18:39:39.103-05:00As Doug correctly assessed, a Buscema-blast is ALW...As Doug correctly assessed, a Buscema-blast is ALWAYS cool.. Despite my earlier lament, you still can't beat Sal for great art.. Wish the story had more going for it, but to see these monsters back in Bronze Age MU is pretty cool. <br /><br />Agreeing with Karen, it's a simple summer treat that teens today would probably regard as dribble. For us who remember fun for fun's sake.., it's like going home again.david_bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00218727673816200051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-24825997944215897522012-10-31T17:13:32.154-05:002012-10-31T17:13:32.154-05:00Edo -it sure seemed like Hulk had a fondness for b...Edo -it sure seemed like Hulk had a fondness for beans in the 70s, didn't he?<br /><br />Well, I'm sorry some of you didn't dig this one, because I have to say, this was one of the more enjoyable books we've had to review in quite a while. It was pure fluff, silly and goofy, kind of like eating a pop tart or an ice cream sandwich: there's nothing of any lasting value there, but it was a pleasure at the time of consumption.<br /><br />Plus, it was nice to see this simple, uncomplicated Hulk, in the days before Planet Hulk, World War Hulk, Red Hulk, etc. Just a simple dude who liked to eat beans and smash stuff.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17032477453891087135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-34343818808130265542012-10-31T15:26:30.933-05:002012-10-31T15:26:30.933-05:00Ah, yeah - that's the way it's supposed t...Ah, yeah - that's the way it's supposed to be, Sal drawing Hulk (even though I agree that Abel's inks are the best; another inker, or Sal doing his own inks, would have been better).<br />This does look like a silly slugfest, but at the same time I bet it is quite entertaining regardless. I love the idea of using the old Atlas monsters, and like david_b, I'm especially fond of Goom. I guess there's something about those big monsters who where Speedos. By the way, Goom, and his son Googam, also make an appearance in that Fin Fang 4 special. That's an example of a <br />more recent Marvel book that is actually quite good, or really funny at least.<br />Anyway, great review, guys. And Karen, re: Hulk's 'big wind' - I'm assuming that comes into play after he eats a pot of pork 'n' beans...Edo Bosnarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-28710954717882625282012-10-31T13:39:33.878-05:002012-10-31T13:39:33.878-05:00I had this issue. It was either the first Hulk mag...I had this issue. It was either the first Hulk mag I picked up or nearly the first. (I don't know the timing, but the first regular issue I grabbed was 183, with Hulk in the middle of another microuniverse adventure.) I loved this, and I spent a lot of time emulating Sal's artwork on the Hulk from this issue. I was 15 that summer . . .William Prestonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07896164917625191919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-11716253009297307842012-10-31T12:11:26.122-05:002012-10-31T12:11:26.122-05:00Like dbutler16, I never followed the Hulk nor was ...Like dbutler16, I never followed the Hulk nor was a big fan.. That being said, I'm a HUGE sucker for dramatic covers, like Trimpe's Hulk issues 102 through 123. Great use of dark colors and shading, meshing with Greenskin's imposing figure.<br /><br />Unfortunately, this ain't one of 'em.. Almost looks like Kirby did the main Hulk-head on the cover. <br /><br />I know the typical Hulk plots aren't all that.. well, thought-provoking. No exception here.<br /><br />Don't get me wrong, slug-fest issues can be super-fun and great all their own. Just sounds like this one didn't have much background other than the mysterious guy recreating Earth's worst monsters, who mysteriously never appeared anywhere previously in the Marvel Universe of our heroes before. <br /><br />"Groot from Planet X"..: A pal of Kurrgo's perhaps...? Yet another survivor of Planet X's destruction.<br /><br />(Goom's my guy, by far.. I need to collect the original Goom issues.)<br /><br />"6 Most Savage Foes of All"...?<br /><br />Ok........ (*sigh*)<br /><br />What works against this becoming a classic is a few points IMHO..:<br /><br />1) Yes, the classic Hulk zapped hairstyle courtesy of Blip for comical effect;<br /><br />2) Sal's attractive art, clean and suitable, yet somewhat underpines the potential for a classic issue. Almost permeates a phoned-in air to it, both story and art.<br /><br />3) No suspense or drama to drive this obligatory slugfest to any suitable climax. By comparison, the weirdness of the 'Legion of the Unliving' Englehart had Kang unleash in Avengers 132 was silly as well ('Frankenstein's Monster'..?), but at least had some sense of dramatic pacing and depth. Here these villains are simply dropped in on Hulk, slug it out for a few pages, then on to the next one. <br /><br />Love Sal's work on nearly anything, but skippin' this.<br /><br />david_bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00218727673816200051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-88199217842942648292012-10-31T12:10:37.952-05:002012-10-31T12:10:37.952-05:00Bought this back in the day at the golden age of 1...Bought this back in the day at the golden age of 13, and even then, I thought it was pretty goofy. It's clearly fun, but I think the make-or-break factor is that all of the villains were pre-existing ones, even if not from super-hero comics or anything I'd ever read (which at that time included Xemnu's prior appearances). If they'd created those villains just for the annual, it would probably have been laughed off the stands, but Len was clearly in a backward-looking Roy Thomas/Steve Englehart mode when he plotted it.<br /><br />Kudos to Claremont for what was presumably a difficult scripting assignment, and a nice reminder of all the other fine work he did before or in addition to X-MEN. Of course it says something when even the "real" villain, who DID have a history in the super-hero comics, is still a low-rent loser like Xemnu, but let's face it: Dr. Doom is not going to use the Groots of this world to do his dirty work. Pure escapist fun.Matthew Bradleyhttp://marveluniversity.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-10940514781821411882012-10-31T10:52:33.032-05:002012-10-31T10:52:33.032-05:00I remember Xemnu appeared in one of the later issu...I remember Xemnu appeared in one of the later issues of Marvel Two-in-One, fight the Thing and Wonder Man. He looks kind of ridiculous and was treated that way in the story, which was kind of silly.<br />He is like a white-haired version of the red fur monster in the old Bugs Bunny cartoons.Inkstained Wretchnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-17410775370309804372012-10-31T08:55:26.730-05:002012-10-31T08:55:26.730-05:00This looks fun. I've never been a big Hulk fan...This looks fun. I've never been a big Hulk fan, but I did recently pick up a few back issues at about $2 each from the LCS on a whim. I think the Hulk is one of those titles for me that is worth picking up if the cover looks interesting.dbutler16https://www.blogger.com/profile/00046066729353639991noreply@blogger.com