Character Close Up

The History of Hulk: Part 2

Before picking up HULK: GRAND DESIGN – MADNESS in print and digital comic shops, read the pivotal stories behind the issue! Writer/artist Jim Rugg will unfurl the full saga of the Incredible Hulk in visionary style from the character’s very beginning to the present. Now, get the history behind the panels.

HULK: THE MIDDLE YEARS

Crossroads

in Incredible Hulk (1962) #301

Hulk’s journey through dimensions via the Crossroads nexus took place through issue #313.

Doc Samson Returns

in Incredible Hulk (1962) #314

The reunion between the Hulk and Doc Samson!

A Separation

in Incredible Hulk (1962) #315

The separation of Hulk and Bruce Banner took place in this issue, with Banner’s recovery from the ordeal in issue #316.

The Wedding

in Incredible Hulk (1962) #319

Bruce Banner and Betty Ross said “I do!” in this now-classic issue.

Versus the Avengers

in Incredible Hulk (1962) #320

Earth’s Mightiest Heroes attack the Hulk! Banner struggled against death in issue #321, and Betty and Rick Jones set off to recombine the Hulk and Banner in issue #322.

All-New Hulk

in Incredible Hulk (1962) #325

The appearance of the new Hulk! The newspaper story about him was seen in issue #329, while Thunderbolt Ross saved Betty’s life in issue #330, and the Leader returned (again) in issues #331-332.

Gray Hulk vs. X-Factor

in Incredible Hulk (1962) #336

The Gray Hulk faced the mutants of X-Factor through issue #337!

Viva Las Vegas

in Incredible Hulk (1962) #347

The Las Vegas residency of the Gray Hulk kicks off here! Plus, Hulk begins a relationship with Marlo Chandler in her first appearance.

Banner Is Back

in Incredible Hulk (1962) #353

The fallout from Banner’s return began here and culminated with Hulk leaving Las Vegas in issue #359.

"Countdown"

in Incredible Hulk (1962) #364

The "Countdown" storyline took place through issue #367.

Love and Loss

in Incredible Hulk (1962) #371

Betty’s miscarriage was covered in issue #360, but Banner finds Betty and learns of the loss of their baby several issues later.

To Merge the Hulks

in Incredible Hulk (1962) #376

The first gathering of Bruce Banner, Betty Banner, Rick Jones, and Marlo Chandler took place, with the successful combining of the Hulk’s personalities an issue later.

Infinity Gauntlet

in Incredible Hulk (1962) #383

Hulk’s uncomfortable encounter with Betty was recorded here, and the “Infinity Gauntlet” affair affected him through issue #385 and INFINITY GAUNTLET (1991).

Thunderbolt Ross: Redeemer

in Incredible Hulk (1962) #400

This milestone issue revealed Thunderbolt Ross in the Redeemer armor, saw Marlo resurrected, and featured Hulk’s battle with Hydra, the Riot Squad, and the Leader. Issue #401 featured Agamemnon offering leadership of the Pantheon to Hulk.

Future Imperfect

in Hulk: Future Imperfect (1992) #1

Hulk met Maestro in this dystopic limited series, leading to his session with Doc Samson in INCREDIBLE HULK #417.

Nick Fury

in Incredible Hulk (1962) #434

World War II hero Nick Fury is believed to be killed in DOUBLE EDGE: OMEGA #1, and his funeral is shown here. Shortly after, Fury is revealed to be alive!

Versus Major Talbot

in Incredible Hulk (1962) #436

The confrontation with Major Matthew Talbot, the grenade detonation, and Banner’s transformation back into Hulk played out through issue #438.

Fighting Thor

in Incredible Hulk (1962) #440

The nuclear attack and battle with Thor Odinson occurred here, while stories revolving around Betty’s memoir and Rick & Marlo’s TV show were told in issues #441-442.

Onslaught Saga

in Incredible Hulk (1962) #444

Banner stated that he used the Pantheon base. The psychic monster Onslaught orchestrated the battle between Hulk, Storm, and Cable in this issue and CABLE (1993) #34.

Another Separation

in Incredible Hulk (1962) #446

This issue chronicled the separation of Hulk and Bruce Banner, while Earth’s heroes’ experiences in the alternate universe were recorded in AVENGERS (1996) #1-12. Hulk and Banner were reunited in HEROES REBORN: THE RETURN (1997) #4.

Thunderbolt Ross Returns

in Incredible Hulk (1962) #455

Thunderbolt Ross returned and was reunited with his daughter Betty the following issue. Betty’s health took a turn for the worse in issue #465, and the hints of Abomination’s role in her poisoning were laid out in issue #468.

The Fate of Betty

in Incredible Hulk (1962) #469

The repercussions of Abomination’s actions—and Betty’s survival—play out through issue #474 and the 1999 Hulk series, HULK (1999).

Banishment & Planet Hulk

in Hulk (1999) #91

Hulk’s exile from Earth catapulted the “Planet Hulk” storyline which ran in issues #92-105.

World War Hulk

in World War Hulk (2007) #1

Hulk’s vengeance can be found in WORLD WAR HULK (2007) #1-5. The Red Hulk first appeared in HULK (2008) #1, the Red She-Hulk in HULK (2008) #15, and the future Hulk of Earth-928 in 2099 UNLIMITED #1.