Incredible Hulk Epic Collection, Vol. 8: The Curing of Dr. Banner

Incredible Hulk Epic Collection

by Len Wein, Roger Stern, Herb Trimpe

The only thing bigger than the Hulk's anger is his love for Jarella! So when he's shrunk down and able to return to her microscopic world of K'ai, our big green buddy couldn't be happier. But a return to Earth leads to tragedy — and, well, that's when things are going to get smashed. With the Hulk heartbroken and enraged, nothing can stop his rampage — not S.H.I.E.L.D., not the Defenders, not even the might of the Absorbing Man! Only when Doc Samson arrives to delve into the mind of both man and monster can the world hope to cure Bruce Banner. Also featuring the introduction of Doctor Druid; a classic Hulk story by Jim Starlin; and an Annual featuring the newest creation of the Enclave, the utopian scientists who gave rise to Adam Warlock!

Collecting INCREDIBLE HULK (1968) #201-226 and INCREDIBLE HULK ANNUAL #6.

Genres: Comics, Collections, Comic Book

528 pages, Paperback

First published October 24, 2023

About the author

Len Wein was an American comic book writer and editor best known for co-creating DC Comics' Swamp Thing and Marvel Comics' Wolverine, and for helping revive the Marvel superhero team the X-Men (including the co-creation of Nightcrawler, Storm, and Colossus). Additionally, he was the editor for writer Alan Moore and illustrator Dave Gibbons' influential DC miniseries Watchmen.

Wein was inducted into the Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame in 2008.

Reviews

[Federico Kereki · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Buscema issues are the best, my favorite Hulk!

[Vaughn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another 3.5

Len Wein wrote most of this volume and his stories weren't bad but nothing special. I'm not a fan of his Hulk dialogue, it's very much the same thing over and over again (Leave Hulk Alone, Hulk will smash etc.). I enjoyed the return of Jarella, it's nice seeing a love interest who loves both Bruce and the Hulk. There was also some interesting development where Bruce tries to make a life for himself again, getting an apartment and some new supporting characters such as his landlady April Sommers and a magician, with the amazing name of "Kropotkin the Great". The art by Sal Buscema is also a highlight.

Roger Stern takes over near the end of the book and it gets much better (as things tend to be when Roger Stern takes over). I'm looking forward to the next volume which features him as the sole writer.

Several of Hulks foes return, such as Psyklop, Absorbing Man, Bi-Beast, the Circus of Crime and the Leader. We also see Hulk take on some heroes such as Jack of Hearts, Stingray and the Defenders.

Not a bad volume, but not one that I would see myself revisiting.

[Dean · Rating 2 out of 5]

'Classic' Hulk stories. Sal Buscema's art was really good here. Not to re-read. Basically a misunderstanding each issue leads to a fight. Preferred Stern's writing over Wein's.


Maybe I should claim ownership of Wolverine now?

[Scott Beattie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than the previous volume, which was also good. There’s more ongoing subplots and story threads in this volume, but, obviously, plenty of “Hulk Smash!” as well. Sal Buscema’s art gets better and better. Well worth a read for any Hulk fans or anyone curious to try Hulk out for the first time.

[Steven desJardins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite as exciting as the previous volumes, but a good selection of stories typical of that era's iconic version of the Hulk.

[Batusi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining Bronze Age Hulk collection that balances classic monster action with meaningful character development for Bruce.

As Banner searches for a cure to free himself from the Hulk, he clashes with powerful enemies while grappling with the hope that he might finally escape the curse.

This is a consistently enjoyable snapshot of this era, which shows why these Hulk stories remain so fondly remembered as well as why there was a successful TV show.