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The Incredible Hulk (1968) #314-319, Annual #14
El Increíble Hulk de John Byrne
Contiene
The Incredible Hulk 314-319, Annual 14 y Marvel Fanfare 29 USA
Después de sus históricas etapas en La Patrulla-X, Los 4 Fantásticos y Alpha Flight, John Byrne tomó las riendas de la colección de Hulk, para ofrecer uno de los más revolucionarios cambios que haya sufrido jamás el Goliat Esmeralda. Esta etapa apenas duró unos pocos números, pero dejó una profunda huella en el personaje y en este volumen integral la recopilamos en todo su esplendor.
The Incredible Hulk 314-319, Annual 14 y Marvel Fanfare 29 USA
Después de sus históricas etapas en La Patrulla-X, Los 4 Fantásticos y Alpha Flight, John Byrne tomó las riendas de la colección de Hulk, para ofrecer uno de los más revolucionarios cambios que haya sufrido jamás el Goliat Esmeralda. Esta etapa apenas duró unos pocos números, pero dejó una profunda huella en el personaje y en este volumen integral la recopilamos en todo su esplendor.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published June 4, 2008
96 people want to read
About the author
John Byrne
2,957 books360 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
John Lindley Byrne is a British-born Canadian-American author and artist of comic books. Since the mid-1970s, Byrne has worked on nearly every major American superhero.
Byrne's better-known work has been on Marvel Comics' X-Men and Fantastic Four and the 1986 relaunch of DC Comics’ Superman franchise. Coming into the comics profession exclusively as a penciler, Byrne began co-plotting the X-Men comics during his tenure on them, and launched his writing career in earnest with Fantastic Four (where he also started inking his own pencils). During the 1990s he produced a number of creator-owned works, including Next Men and Danger Unlimited. He also wrote the first issues of Mike Mignola's Hellboy series and produced a number of Star Trek comics for IDW Publishing.
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
John Lindley Byrne is a British-born Canadian-American author and artist of comic books. Since the mid-1970s, Byrne has worked on nearly every major American superhero.
Byrne's better-known work has been on Marvel Comics' X-Men and Fantastic Four and the 1986 relaunch of DC Comics’ Superman franchise. Coming into the comics profession exclusively as a penciler, Byrne began co-plotting the X-Men comics during his tenure on them, and launched his writing career in earnest with Fantastic Four (where he also started inking his own pencils). During the 1990s he produced a number of creator-owned works, including Next Men and Danger Unlimited. He also wrote the first issues of Mike Mignola's Hellboy series and produced a number of Star Trek comics for IDW Publishing.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 10, 2021
John Byrne's 1st quick little run on the Hulk after epic runs on X-Men and Fantastic Four. Byrne introduces lots of changes, separating Banner and the Hulk, introducing the Hulkbusters, reintroducing Doc Sampson and finally marrying off Bruce and Betty. It ends with the all splash page Marvel Fanfare #29. Byrne's art is fantastic too.
May 14, 2023
I had originally only given this collection 4-stars instead of current five, because the conclusion is arrested by Byrne's sudden departure. Huge potential that was only just scratched. But now, as I’ve read these collected issues yet again, I’m going to go ahead with 5-stars. Byrne brings a wonderful and completely rejuvenating conceptualization to the character. He imbues both Banner and the Hulk with a vitality, an energy, and a life that hasn’t really been seen since the Hulk’s earliest days. Arguably, this is one of the best runs of that the Incredible Hulk ever produced.
December 25, 2017
Loved the Byrne run.
August 19, 2012
The problem with reviewing reprint volumes like this one is that you have to take into account the time in which it was written. The techniques of comic book story-telling have changed SO much in the last twenty years or so that anything written in the '80's or before seems weirdly antiquated to modern comic book readers. That's the case with Hulk Visionaries: John Byrne.
The art is gorgeous, as almost all of Byrne's art was in those days; even though the fashions and hairstyles and what-not of the characters seem pretty goofy now. The writing, well... this is what I mean by judging a comic with more than twenty years distance. It was standard then to weigh a book down with tons and tons of internal monologue, captions, dialogue... most of it quite unnecessary and obvious. I suspect that this translated in the minds of readers then as "mature". Blame Alan Moore for that, I reckon. It took a long time for comic book writers to eventually lose the self-explanatory captions and the thought balloons and actually work with illustrators in an efficient way.
But taking that into account, this volume is enjoyable. Doc Samson finds a way to separate Bruce Banner from Hulk, leaving the Hulkster a mindless monster on a rampage. There's lots of good "Hulk Smash" action as some of the Avengers get their asses stomped trying to take him on. Meanwhile, Banner gets hitched to long-time girlfriend Betty Ross.
I give it only 3 stars, though, because I can't quite separate my "modern comic book reader" brain enough to get past the bloated, purple prose of the day. This isn't John Byrne's fault. It's just the way it is. And having not read this run when it was fresh, I don't have any sentimental attachment to it that might ease the pain of slogging through.
Still, worth a quick read if you're a Hulk fan.
The art is gorgeous, as almost all of Byrne's art was in those days; even though the fashions and hairstyles and what-not of the characters seem pretty goofy now. The writing, well... this is what I mean by judging a comic with more than twenty years distance. It was standard then to weigh a book down with tons and tons of internal monologue, captions, dialogue... most of it quite unnecessary and obvious. I suspect that this translated in the minds of readers then as "mature". Blame Alan Moore for that, I reckon. It took a long time for comic book writers to eventually lose the self-explanatory captions and the thought balloons and actually work with illustrators in an efficient way.
But taking that into account, this volume is enjoyable. Doc Samson finds a way to separate Bruce Banner from Hulk, leaving the Hulkster a mindless monster on a rampage. There's lots of good "Hulk Smash" action as some of the Avengers get their asses stomped trying to take him on. Meanwhile, Banner gets hitched to long-time girlfriend Betty Ross.
I give it only 3 stars, though, because I can't quite separate my "modern comic book reader" brain enough to get past the bloated, purple prose of the day. This isn't John Byrne's fault. It's just the way it is. And having not read this run when it was fresh, I don't have any sentimental attachment to it that might ease the pain of slogging through.
Still, worth a quick read if you're a Hulk fan.
May 13, 2022
This single Visionaries volume of John Byrne's Hulk collects #314–319 as well as Annual #14 and Marvel Fanfare #29. All written and drawn by Byrne with the exception of the Annual which features the artful skills of Sal Buscema. Sadly, however, neither Annual #7, drawn by Byrne and written by Roger Stern, nor #8, co-written by Byrne and Stern and drawn by Sal Buscema, are included in this volume. Although, it would admittedly have made for a heftier volume, but would also have provided a more complete volume of Byrne's earlier association with the character.
This volume gives us a mindless Hulk separated from Banner, the introduction of the Hulkbusters, the revamping of Doc Samson and a battle royale with the Avengers. A fun, albeit all too brief, run that is recommended reading to any and all Hulk fans out there.
This volume gives us a mindless Hulk separated from Banner, the introduction of the Hulkbusters, the revamping of Doc Samson and a battle royale with the Avengers. A fun, albeit all too brief, run that is recommended reading to any and all Hulk fans out there.
May 13, 2025
Hulk Annual #14 (1985) by John Byrne & Sal Buscema
Incredible Hulk #314-316 (1985) by John Byrne w Keith Williams
Byrne’s era begins contrasting Sally B’s Savage Hulk and Byrne’s all new Incredible Hulk. Both are magnificent beasts.
After long runs on FF, Supes & Alpha Flight we look forward to many issues of Byrne’s Hulk.
A heads up match between Hulk, his old pal Namor, Hercules and Wonder Man is high on my wish list but the big reveal is Doc Samson’s new get up. I know the old one is a bit tragic but I love it.
And just like that John Byrne’s run comes to a screeching halt. The man that had included a compliment to Jim Shooter in almost every issue of Alpha Flight leaves over “artistic differences”.
With the Hulk reverting to his savage state and Banner an anti hero at best (very hard to picture the new Hulkbusters or their leader any kind of hero) Doc Samson was stepped up to fill the role in the mold of Captain Comet in SSoSV or the Shroud in SVT-U.
Betty has married Bruce almost over Rick Jones’ dead body with her father reluctant to give away the bride.
The art remains some of the best the series saw, and it just feels like wasted potential.
Incredible Hulk #314-316 (1985) by John Byrne w Keith Williams
Byrne’s era begins contrasting Sally B’s Savage Hulk and Byrne’s all new Incredible Hulk. Both are magnificent beasts.
After long runs on FF, Supes & Alpha Flight we look forward to many issues of Byrne’s Hulk.
A heads up match between Hulk, his old pal Namor, Hercules and Wonder Man is high on my wish list but the big reveal is Doc Samson’s new get up. I know the old one is a bit tragic but I love it.
And just like that John Byrne’s run comes to a screeching halt. The man that had included a compliment to Jim Shooter in almost every issue of Alpha Flight leaves over “artistic differences”.
With the Hulk reverting to his savage state and Banner an anti hero at best (very hard to picture the new Hulkbusters or their leader any kind of hero) Doc Samson was stepped up to fill the role in the mold of Captain Comet in SSoSV or the Shroud in SVT-U.
Betty has married Bruce almost over Rick Jones’ dead body with her father reluctant to give away the bride.
The art remains some of the best the series saw, and it just feels like wasted potential.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 23, 2022
I originally read this when the individual issues came out, and I re-read those same issues this time. It still stands up and the only thing missing is the Alpha Flight issue that brings the Hulk back to Earth. John Byrne’s writing and art are wonderful and Sal Buscema’s art on Annual #14 is classic? Iconic? I don’t know but it’s great.
Why only 3 stars? The length. It feels like Byrne had a long term plan but issue 320 has Al Milgrom writing, I believe until Peter David takes over for his legendary run.
Why only 3 stars? The length. It feels like Byrne had a long term plan but issue 320 has Al Milgrom writing, I believe until Peter David takes over for his legendary run.
February 8, 2019
John Byrne definitely is one to take titles and turn 'em topsy turvy. Without much explanation, Doc Samson with a lot of technology has done the impossible, he's physically separated Bruce Banner from the Hulk. So now the Hulkbusters are back as an assembled team of scientists. Before the separation can happen, of course the heavy hitters of the Avengers have a big fight with the Hulk - Namor, Hercules, Wonder Man, and Iron Man.
October 1, 2017
John Byrne is usually spot on and his Hulk is some of the best this title has seen. The art is gorgeous and the story is fine....there are a few spots where I would have liked to see more depth, but perhaps that would have happened had he stayed on the book longer.
September 28, 2020
These old hulk books are...okay.
I wish there was something half as good as Planet Hulk. Does no one have anything interesting to say about my favorite super hero? Have all his great stories already been told?
I wish there was something half as good as Planet Hulk. Does no one have anything interesting to say about my favorite super hero? Have all his great stories already been told?
July 28, 2024
This is Byrne at the top of his game, with solid stories and plenty of action. I always wondered what his run on this title was like when as he left my beloved Alpha Flight in 1985 to do this title. Now I know.
February 6, 2024
John Byrne demonstrates his flawless command of the superhero genre. This could have been his masterpiece if only "creative differences" with Marvel hadn't prevented him from finishing it.
September 7, 2025
Los trazos de Byrne son de mis favoritos, y estos pocos números que realizó contienen momentos trascendentales en la vida de Banner y mucha mucha acción y peleas, se lee de un tirón.
June 11, 2024
3/5⭐️
"El increíble Hulk" es una lectura mixta, con historias muy buenas y otras algo olvidables. Rememora el origen del personaje de forma brillante, proporcionando una base sólida y nostálgica para los fans del gigante verde. El dibujo es bueno, complementando bien la narrativa visualmente atractiva.
Los guiones también destacan, denotando una clara pasión por el cómic y los superhéroes en general. Aunque no todas las historias alcanzan el mismo nivel de calidad, el conjunto ofrece una experiencia satisfactoria para los aficionados al género.
"El increíble Hulk" es una lectura mixta, con historias muy buenas y otras algo olvidables. Rememora el origen del personaje de forma brillante, proporcionando una base sólida y nostálgica para los fans del gigante verde. El dibujo es bueno, complementando bien la narrativa visualmente atractiva.
Los guiones también destacan, denotando una clara pasión por el cómic y los superhéroes en general. Aunque no todas las historias alcanzan el mismo nivel de calidad, el conjunto ofrece una experiencia satisfactoria para los aficionados al género.
May 17, 2013
Following a year-long off-world exile, the Hulk finally returns to Earth, only to be captured by his old sparring partner Doc Samson, who has a plan to cure him permanently: separate Bruce Banner entirely, mind and body, from the Hulk.
The storyline starts off strong, with the Hulk back in full Jekyll-and-Hyde mode. Byrne even depicts the inner war through a dream sequence in which Banner and the Hulk continue their struggle for dominance.
After Banner and the Hulk are separated, it becomes an entirely different story. The Hulk is reduced to a totally mindless, raging monster, devoid of any personality whatsoever (not even the basic “Hulk will smash!” side is evident here), and Banner is reduced from the tortured yet resourceful scientist to a mad scientist/monster hunter type. Furthermore, the two halves never actually confront each other in the real world, eliminating any and all possibilities of putting a new spin on the whole man vs. monster conflict that is such a big part of what makes the Hulk such a fascinating character.
Byrne’s art, by contrast, remains excellent from start to finish, and has been beautifully restored in this collection. There’s also the added bonus of an annual illustrated by longtime INCREDIBLE HULK artist Sal Buscema, an epilogue of sorts to his own decade-long run.
With guest appearances by She-Hulk and the Bi-Coastal Avengers, there is plenty of action to be had, and some of the plot-points Byrne creates would figure heavily into the series’ development even after his brief run concludes. A good enough introduction for the new reader, but the more seasoned fans may find it lacking.
The storyline starts off strong, with the Hulk back in full Jekyll-and-Hyde mode. Byrne even depicts the inner war through a dream sequence in which Banner and the Hulk continue their struggle for dominance.
After Banner and the Hulk are separated, it becomes an entirely different story. The Hulk is reduced to a totally mindless, raging monster, devoid of any personality whatsoever (not even the basic “Hulk will smash!” side is evident here), and Banner is reduced from the tortured yet resourceful scientist to a mad scientist/monster hunter type. Furthermore, the two halves never actually confront each other in the real world, eliminating any and all possibilities of putting a new spin on the whole man vs. monster conflict that is such a big part of what makes the Hulk such a fascinating character.
Byrne’s art, by contrast, remains excellent from start to finish, and has been beautifully restored in this collection. There’s also the added bonus of an annual illustrated by longtime INCREDIBLE HULK artist Sal Buscema, an epilogue of sorts to his own decade-long run.
With guest appearances by She-Hulk and the Bi-Coastal Avengers, there is plenty of action to be had, and some of the plot-points Byrne creates would figure heavily into the series’ development even after his brief run concludes. A good enough introduction for the new reader, but the more seasoned fans may find it lacking.
October 30, 2015
I've never really taken note of Byrne's artwork before, having only encountered it in the pages of Claremont's X-Men via the Essential series. Black and white clearly doesn't do his work justice. I'm a big fan of David's Hulk, but have almost always found the artwork to not be entirely to my taste. Here we have beautiful artwork with a compelling (though too short) story--Hulk is divorced (by Doc Samson) from Banner for the first time, leaving a seemingly mindless monster. Byrne's run ends with Banner's wedding to Betty beautifully juxtaposed against a raging battle, Hulk vs. Doc Samson and the Hulkbusters, every page split in half with each corresponding subplot kitty corner to each other on a two-page spread. The contrast between the two storylines is striking, and It's a very effective narrative device. It's a shame Byrne didn't continue with the storyline, because if the Marvel Fanfare included in this collection is any indication, he had plans to develop the mindless Hulk into a more developed creature, perhaps with the potential to be integrated into society as Samson originally hoped when he freed Hulk in issue 315. The Fanfare story, while a bit confusing without the backstory, remains a powerful teaser for what Byrne's Hulk might have been had he had more time to write the character.
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February 22, 2015No sé si en este libro se recopila toda la etapa del maestro Byrne con el coloso esmeralda, pero con el tiempo que llevo leyendo comics, no he visto algo como esto.
Posiblemente de aquí tomaron elementos de una serie de episodios de la mítica serie animada de los 90 basada en el personaje, la separación celuar entre Banner y su alter ego, los Hulk Buster, la boda entre Banner y Betty Ross y otros giros argumentales bastante interesantes. Pero quizás la luz que más brilló a pesar de lo breve fue la de Rick Jones y todas las cosas que vivió no solo con Hulk sino con buena parte del Universo Marvel.
Las secuencias de acción, en especial la prolongada pelea entre Hulk y el doctor Sanson y la interrupción de Iron Man, Wonder Man, Namor y Hércules más todo lo sucedido fue lo que, al menos a mi parecer, hicieron de una lectura Increible
Posiblemente de aquí tomaron elementos de una serie de episodios de la mítica serie animada de los 90 basada en el personaje, la separación celuar entre Banner y su alter ego, los Hulk Buster, la boda entre Banner y Betty Ross y otros giros argumentales bastante interesantes. Pero quizás la luz que más brilló a pesar de lo breve fue la de Rick Jones y todas las cosas que vivió no solo con Hulk sino con buena parte del Universo Marvel.
Las secuencias de acción, en especial la prolongada pelea entre Hulk y el doctor Sanson y la interrupción de Iron Man, Wonder Man, Namor y Hércules más todo lo sucedido fue lo que, al menos a mi parecer, hicieron de una lectura Increible
November 13, 2014
La segunda etapa editorial del personaje abre con un tropiezo. Tras enganchar con una buena premisa (un Hulk inusualmente violento se desata sobre una comunidad rural) y añadir elementos reconocibles para el potencial nuevo lector (Un doctor Banner fugitivo, la identidad falsa bajo la que trabaja...), la trama se diluye en un contexto complicado y la forzada aparición de otros personajes Marvel que van turnándose para intentar detener al coloso; el relevo de Jerry Ordway en los últimos números logra un pobre remedo para una historia que prometía desde el primer número.
April 20, 2011
This collects John Byrne's brief run on the Hulk. As always, the art is beautiful and there are some great action scenes, but once Byrne seperates the Hulk and Banner it becomes the comic version of a Godzilla movie. Large green monster stomps across the country side while the military tries to stop him.
It wore a bit thin and there was a bit too much angst.
Maybe if Byrne had stayed on longer there would have been a better resolution to the story.
It wore a bit thin and there was a bit too much angst.
Maybe if Byrne had stayed on longer there would have been a better resolution to the story.
August 29, 2016
Hulk is back from the Crossroads!
This is a fairly slim little volume that sets up the status quo for Peter David's amazing run on Hulk. There's 10 uncollected issues after this, that are not to date available as e-comics so you'll have to read the floppies. One will be pricey as it has the death of a leading character.
This is a fairly slim little volume that sets up the status quo for Peter David's amazing run on Hulk. There's 10 uncollected issues after this, that are not to date available as e-comics so you'll have to read the floppies. One will be pricey as it has the death of a leading character.
September 29, 2012
Wow, I think I've read this before but it didn't seem as bad back then. Now, the art is a mess and writing is the worst kind of comic book fare; bad dialoge, pointless action, and a main plot that is over the minute it begins. Bad stuff.
January 10, 2017
Not bad. Cool story about the separation of Hulk and Banner, but it really pales in comparison to the Visionaries with Peter David. His Hulk arcs were legendary. Although the Bryne stuff is an importnat turning point in the Hulk comics, it just doesn't stand up.
August 10, 2011
A shame that JB's run did not last long...But this one is fabulous!
March 7, 2013
GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT:)
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