Hulk: The Movie Adaptation

    (Marvel, 2003)
™ and ©2003 Marvel Characters, Inc.

Let’s start with the “main feature,” the movie adaptation. This might make for a fine film, but, as a comic-book story, it’s flawed.

First, it strays far from many fans’ comfort zones when it comes to continuity. That, however, is inherent in adapting comics to TV and movies and then “reverse-engineering” them back to comics. So deal with it or don’t read comics based on movies based on comics.

The story itself is hurried and convoluted. The characters are unlikable and dysfunctional. (Father issues in particular are the order of the day.) And there’s just not enough Hulk action.

Again, it might work better on the screen than on the page, but we’re talking about the page here.

The supplemental material is better, but even that comes with a caveat. Two of the stories (Incredible Hulk #34 and The Ultimates #5) are excellent but are also reprinted in the Marvel Encyclopedia that shipped the same week. The third reprint, an abridged retelling of Ultimate Marvel Team-Up #2-3, isn’t, but is also nowhere near as good. (Decades of Hulk stories, and two out of three are “Ultimates”?)

This collection is best for newcomers, roped in by the movie, who may want to read a few good Hulk stories. The seasoned fan has probably read the best parts already and, if purchasing the Marvel Encyclopedia, may want to bypass this collection in favor of the regular comics adaptation of the movie (or the eventual DVD).

— Jack Abramowitz
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#1

August, 2003
Cover Price: $3.50
8 copies available from $2.75 		James Shamus, Bruce JonesMark Bagley