Hulk: Fall of the Hulks Prelude

Fall of the Hulks (Collections Editions) #0.5

by Jeph Loeb

Collects Hulk numbered 2, Skaar: Son of Hulk numbered 1, Hulk: Raging Thunder, Planet Skaar Prologue, All-New Savage She-Hulk numbered 4, and Hulk numbered 16. This title also includes material from Amazing Fantasy (2004) numbered 15, Hulk numbered 9, and Incredible Hulk numbered 600-601.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Marvel

232 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Joseph "Jeph" Loeb III is an Emmy and WGA nominated American film and television writer, producer and award-winning comic book writer. Loeb was a Co-Executive Producer on the NBC hit show Heroes, and formerly a producer/writer on the TV series Smallville and Lost.

A four-time Eisner Award winner and five-time Wizard Fan Awards winner (see below), Loeb's comic book career includes work on many major characters, including Spider-Man, Batman, Superman, Hulk, Captain America, Cable, Iron Man, Daredevil, Supergirl, the Avengers, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, much of which he has produced in collaboration with artist Tim Sale, who provides the comic art seen on Heroes.

Reviews

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars. I started this book earlier this week but stopped and read the Loeb stuff and Paks Skaar book. So most of what’s in here I read in those books. So let’s just focus on what I had not read yet which would be, Hulk: Raging Thunder, All new Savage She-Hulk #4 and Incredible Hulk 601. Raging Thunder was the first appearance of Lyra, Hulks daughter. I was into her origin and the alternate future she came from. The All new Savage She-Hulk issue was solid. Good enough that I wouldn’t mind reading the previous three issues from Van Lente. Hulk 601 has the awesome artwork of Ariel Olivetti. Story was cool as well. Banner moving around dealing with not being the Hulk anymore and looking to show Skaar somethings. Actually looking forward to seeing where that goes.

[Quentin Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume is a bunch of somewhat random issues thrown together to serve as a prelude to the Fall of the Hulks event. I've noticed Marvel loves to do these "Prelude" collections, and most of the time they don't really add much to the event. It's probably also the case here, but at least the stories were entertaining.

We get a few stories featuring Red Hulk, a few with Green Hulk, a few with Skarr Son of Hulk and a few with the She-Hulks. Overall I suppose it's a nice introduction to some of the characters we'll be seeing in Fall of the Hulks, but I'm not sure how directly any of these stories tie into the event. The thing is, most readers who are going to read Fall of the Hulks have read at least some of the issues collected here, so in a way this collection is redundant. Still, there were several issues I hadn't read and it was a good read overall.

[Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're looking for a cohesive narrative, you will not find one in this book. It's meant to give the readers a general idea of what's gone on recently in the Hulk's corner of the Marvel U, a primer for the (then) upcoming "Fall Of The Hulks" event. Depending on which stories interest you more, you'll know where to focus your attention (and your cash) in regards to this event.

Easily superior to World War Hulk and the later, uninspiredly-titled Incredible Hulk - Volume 3: World War Hulks, the plot of "Fall Of The Hulks" involves a conspiracy by the Intelligencia, a cabal of the Marvel U's smartest villains, whose goals include - but are not limited to - corrupting the intellects of Reed Richards, Henry Pym, and Bruce Banner, among others.

A collection of overall strong stories, suffering from a lack of cohesion. If you're already following these series, this volume is superfluous. It was meant to draw in new readers; it offers nothing new to the ones already on board.

[Just a Girl Fighting Censorship · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well that was a little more than hard to follow. This is not a full story, instead it is a massive cut and paste. You just back and forth through titles (Collects: Hulk #2, Skaar: Son of Hulk #1 - Hulk: Raging Thunder - Planet Skaar Prologue - All-New Savage She-Hulk #4 - and Hulk #16 - Plus stories from Amazing Fantasy vol. 2 #15 - Hulk #9 - Incredible Hulk #600-601)

So this was basically a very sloppy "getting to know you" intro to all the various "Hulks" with the big question being who is the Red Hulk and what does he want.

This is worth the read but be prepared for slight confusion. The issues are all taken from different books so there is a range of authors and illustrators, some are better than others.

[Justin · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book serves as an intro to a few Hulk stories that (presumably) coalesce around the Fall of the Hulks event. The problem is that you'll need a fair bit of familiarity with Hulk stuff already to follow these, and then they don't really lead anywhere anyway. There are a few good moments, but the writing's generally pretty mediocre. This one's for true Hulk enthusiasts only.

[Trey · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book gives you one issue leading into each one of a bunch of different stories related to the Red Hulk instead of one coherent story. It's like a commercial for each series. Stupid.

[Shannon Appelcline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, a mishmash that doesn't offer any coherent story. The Pak stories are mostly good, the Loeb stories are mostly mediocre, and Parker and Van Lente fall in the middle.