This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Asgardian (talk | contribs) at 03:37, 22 March 2009 (Unfortunately, extras are all unsourced POV and speculation told in a colloquial in-universe fashion, complete with repetition in the first paragraph. Suitable for a fan site, but not here.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 03:37, 22 March 2009 by Asgardian (talk | contribs) (Unfortunately, extras are all unsourced POV and speculation told in a colloquial in-universe fashion, complete with repetition in the first paragraph. Suitable for a fan site, but not here.)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) Comics character| Red Hulk | |
|---|---|
 Cover to Hulk #1 (Jan. 2008). Art by Ed McGuiness. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Hulk #1 (Jan. 2008) |
| Created by | Jeph Loeb Ed McGuiness |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Unknown |
| Team affiliations | Offenders |
| Notable aliases | Rulk |
| Abilities |
|
Red Hulk, referred to as Rulk in comic narration, is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Hulk #1 (Jan. 2008) and was created by writer Jeph Loeb and artist Ed McGuiness.
Publication history
According to USA Today, the Red Hulk was created to boost sales and create buzz in the lead up to the 2008 film The Incredible Hulk. The initial story line is a murder mystery which centers on the identity of the Red Hulk.
According to Loeb, he and McGuinness were working on a miniseries for the regular Hulk comic book, and that " came over from DC for one reason, and that's he wanted to draw the Hulk." Initially, the ideas was for a story entitled "The Strongest There Is" where the Hulk would, according to Loeb, defeat "everybody in the Marvel universe" and return the character to his roots as the strongest Marvel character. They came up with a number of ideas, including the Hulk knocking out the Watcher, "because nobody had ever done that." At that point, editor Joe Quesada called Loeb and told him they had an idea for a Red Hulk, and they wanted it to be a mystery.
The character was introduced in Hulk #1 (Jan. 2008), a monthly title written by Jeph Loeb and drawn by Ed McGuiness. A one-shot publication titled King-Size Hulk (June 2008) also featured the Red Hulk, and was written by Loeb with artwork by Frank Cho, Arthur Adams, and Herb Trimpe.
The first twelve issues (Jan. - Dec. 2008) assert that the character is very aggressive, as the Red Hulk murders the Wendigo and Hulk foe the Abomination; destroys the Helicarrier of spy organization S.H.I.E.L.D; defeats several Marvel heroes, and after causing an earthquake in San Francisco is finally defeated by the combined efforts of the Hulk and the thunder god Thor. While in custody, the character is revealed to have been created by General Thunderbolt Ross and psychiatrist turned hero Doc Samson. Neither the General nor Doc Samson identify him by any other name. He later battles the Lady Liberators, and after tricking them kidnaps member Thundra, who becomes his ally.
Elder of the Universe the Collector teams the character with other villains in a bid to crush superhero team the Defenders. The Red Hulk dubs the villainous team "The Offenders".
Powers and abilities
Marvel editor Mark Paniccia has described Red Hulk as "absolutely uninhibited, tactically intelligent", while writer Jeph Loeb states "The Red Hulk is the kind of Hulk we haven't seen before — a thinking, calculating, brutal weapon-toting kind of Hulk." To further distance the character away from the original: "Everything the Green Hulk isn't, the Red Hulk is."
The character has abilities almost identical to those of the original Hulk, including superhuman strength, speed, agility, durability and advanced regeneration. The Red Hulk deviates from the Hulk mythos in that the character's strength does not grow in direct proportion to his anger - the Red Hulk instead emits increasing levels of gamma radiation, hence the statement, "the madder this Hulk gets, the hotter he gets". In Hulk #1 - 9 (Jan. 2008 - Jan. 2009), the character shows proficiency in strategy, hand-to-hand combat, and weapons use.
Reception
The first five issues of the Hulk title sold out and had second printings with covers featuring interior art from Ed McGuiness. Issue #6 was the second best-selling title of September 2008. An IGN review of the series, however, was critical of the lack of character development, citing the emphasis on continuous action sequences over the ongoing question of Red Hulk's identity. The review later also derided the treatment of other mainstream Marvel characters within the pages of Hulk: "The series has already treated She-Hulk and Iron Man like ragdolls who crumple under the awesome might of Red Hulk. Now it's Thor's turn." Claiming bad dialogue, poor pacing and maltreated characters, the review claims Ed McGuiness' artwork has been the only saving grace for the title. Marvel's insert booklets in Diamond Previews began referring to the Red Hulk character as "Rulk" (a portmanteau of Red Hulk), to distinguish from the original Hulk character. Creator Jeph Loeb began using the term as of issue #7.
Augie De Blieck Jr. of Comic Book Resources gave the first six issues a positive review, describing it as a "silly fun action romp" and a "popcorn comic". Blieck Jr. liked Loeb's lack of subtlety when giving out clues, saying "this is a book where anytime someone is about reveal the solution to the big mystery, they get knocked out by a slap in the face from the Red Hulk or a machine gun to the gut." His one criticism was that, although he liked the artwork, he would have preferred Dale Keown as the arist.
In an interview with Loeb, Z. Julian Cenac of ComixFan.com noted that some readers were upset that the Red Hulk was able to casually defeat other powerful Marvel characters, and were concerned that such a high power-level wouldn't be sustainable. Loeb replied "I tell the best stories I can."
Other media
Red Hulk has appeared in a video game as an action figure. He is a playable character in GameStop's Xbox 360 exclusive version of the video game tie-in to 2008's The Incredible Hulk movie. Red Hulk is featured in the Target exclusive Build-a-figure series from Marvel Legends and has a Big Bad Toy Store exclusive 10" Marvel Select action figure which features a new head sculpt based on Ed McGuinness' art. There is also a upcoming Series 25 Red Hulk Minimate figure.
References
- ^ Colton, David (2008-02-17). "The reliably green Incredible Hulk gets pulled into a crimson tide for '#2'". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - Cavna, Michael (September 3, 2008). "The Interview: 'Hulk' Writer Jeph Loeb". Washington Post. Retrieved 2009-03-04.
- Jeph Loeb & Ed McGuinness Make The Hulk See Red!. Marvel.com. 2007-12-03
- Hulk #10 (Feb. 2009)
- George, Richard (2008-05-30). "The Future of the Hulk: Marvel reveals new details about the current and future status of the Hulk line".
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ CBR News Team (2008-08-12). ""Hulk" #5 is red hot - second printing announced". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 2008-08-28.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - "Top 300 Comics Actual--September 2008" icv2.com
- ^ Schedeen, Jesse (2008-06-25). "Hulk #4 Review, Who is the hulkiest Hulk of them all?". IGN. Retrieved 2008-08-28.
Each issue provides about 30 seconds of plot development, which usually centers around heaping more layers of mystery atop the Red Hulk's identity. The rest involves smashing, being smashed, or a bit of both.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Schedeen, Jesse (2008-08-06). "Hulk #5 Review, It's hammer time for Red Hulk". IGN. Retrieved 2008-08-28.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - De Blieck Jr., Augie (January 6th, 2009). "Pipeline". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 2009-03-04.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - Cenac, Z. Julian (2009). "An Ultimatum of an Interview with Jeph Loeb". ComixFan.com. Retrieved 2009-03-04.
- "The Red Hulk Comes To GameStop". Game News International. 2008-05-08. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - Marvel Legends Exclusive Red Hulk Build-A-Figure Action Figures: Set of 7 - cmdstore.com
- BBTS Exclusive Marvel Select Red Hulk - marvelousnews.com
- http://www.diamondselecttoys.com/store/item.asp?ItemNo=79956&CategoryID=381
External links
- Red Hulk at the Marvel Universe
- Red Hulk at the Marvel Database Project
- Red Hulk at the Comic Book DB (archived from the original)
- Jeph Loeb's Red Hulk Interview, IGN, November 27, 2007
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