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Hulk
From acclaimed filmmaker Ang Lee,
a dark vision of the beast that lives inside the man . . .
In a Berkeley lab, Bruce Banner, a young man haunted by his murky past and the parents he never knew, works intensely day and night. A bright scientist with repressed emotions and few social skills, Bruce and his colleague, the sharp and beautiful Betty Ross, experiment with the body’s ability to repair itself and fight disease. But their research draws unwanted attention. For the power of regeneration catches the eye of the military, which sees its potential on the battlefields of the future.
But when Bruce is exposed to radiation in an accident that should have killed him, a ferocious truth about his past begins to emerge—along with something else, something deep inside his own body that is triggered when he is provoked . . . when he is pushed beyond reason . . . when anger takes over and he transforms into . . .
THE HULK
From the Paperback edition.
a dark vision of the beast that lives inside the man . . .
In a Berkeley lab, Bruce Banner, a young man haunted by his murky past and the parents he never knew, works intensely day and night. A bright scientist with repressed emotions and few social skills, Bruce and his colleague, the sharp and beautiful Betty Ross, experiment with the body’s ability to repair itself and fight disease. But their research draws unwanted attention. For the power of regeneration catches the eye of the military, which sees its potential on the battlefields of the future.
But when Bruce is exposed to radiation in an accident that should have killed him, a ferocious truth about his past begins to emerge—along with something else, something deep inside his own body that is triggered when he is provoked . . . when he is pushed beyond reason . . . when anger takes over and he transforms into . . .
THE HULK
From the Paperback edition.
Author Biography: Peter David is famous for writing some of the most popular of the original Star Trek: The Next Generation novels, including Imzadi and A Rock and a Hard Place, as well as the official novel of the movie Spider-Man. His original works include the original fantasies Sir Apropos of Nothing, Wode to Wuin, and Knight Life, and the quirky werewolf story Howling Mad. He single-handedly revived the classic comic book series The Hulk and has written just about every famous comic book superhero, including Captain Marvel, Spider-Man, and the futuristic Spider-Man 2099. He collaborated with J. Michael Straczynski on the Babylon 5 novels and comic book series, and with Bill Mumy, he created the Nickelodeon television series Space Cases. In his spare time, he writes movie screenplays, children’s books, and TV scripts.
From the Paperback edition.
Audio Cassette
First published January 1, 1993
15 people are currently reading
387 people want to read
About the author
Peter David
3,569 books1,365 followersaka David Peters
Peter Allen David, often abbreviated PAD, was an American writer of comic books, novels, television, films, and video games. His notable comic book work includes an award-winning 12-year run on The Incredible Hulk, as well as runs on Aquaman, Young Justice, SpyBoy, Supergirl, Fallen Angel, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099, Captain Marvel, and X-Factor.
His Star Trek work included comic books and novels such as the New Frontier book series. His other novels included film adaptations, media tie-ins, and original works, such as the Apropos of Nothing and Knight Life series. His television work includes series such as Babylon 5, Young Justice, Ben 10: Alien Force and Nickelodeon's Space Cases, which he co-created with Bill Mumy.
David often jokingly described his occupation as "Writer of Stuff", and he was noted for his prolific writing, characterized by its mingling of real-world issues with humor and references to popular culture, as well as elements of metafiction and self-reference.
David earned multiple awards for his work, including a 1992 Eisner Award, a 1993 Wizard Fan Award, a 1996 Haxtur Award, a 2007 Julie Award and a 2011 GLAAD Media Award.
Peter Allen David, often abbreviated PAD, was an American writer of comic books, novels, television, films, and video games. His notable comic book work includes an award-winning 12-year run on The Incredible Hulk, as well as runs on Aquaman, Young Justice, SpyBoy, Supergirl, Fallen Angel, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099, Captain Marvel, and X-Factor.
His Star Trek work included comic books and novels such as the New Frontier book series. His other novels included film adaptations, media tie-ins, and original works, such as the Apropos of Nothing and Knight Life series. His television work includes series such as Babylon 5, Young Justice, Ben 10: Alien Force and Nickelodeon's Space Cases, which he co-created with Bill Mumy.
David often jokingly described his occupation as "Writer of Stuff", and he was noted for his prolific writing, characterized by its mingling of real-world issues with humor and references to popular culture, as well as elements of metafiction and self-reference.
David earned multiple awards for his work, including a 1992 Eisner Award, a 1993 Wizard Fan Award, a 1996 Haxtur Award, a 2007 Julie Award and a 2011 GLAAD Media Award.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
March 8, 2013
Hey. Hey Bruce. Hey Bruce?
Love, Kat.
November 25, 2012
My problem with this novelization is the problem I have with most superhero movies. They take themselves too damn serious. They need to embrace their inner geek and just go with it. No apologies. No trying to be something else. And the problem with the Hulk is the perfect example of this. Bruce Banner is a mad scientist who turns into a giant green beast. Stop trying to make it into Shakespeare. It isn't. It's never going to be. It doesn't have to be. And that's okay.
September 5, 2012
It was wonderful to read and catch all the tiny details which harken back to the Bill Bixby TV show and the comics themselves.
March 10, 2016
The book adaptation of the film adaptation of a comic book, Hulk is actually better than at least one of its two source materials.
Since the Ang Lee movie hands to rewrite the origin of my favorite comic book hero, I expected some of the more absurd elements of Bruce Banner's transformation into an unstoppable green monster to be changed. I accepted that, but didn't really enjoy the way the film chose to rush through some of the important details, because to many Hulk fans, the psychological reasoning behind why a mellow guy would turn into a raging beast and his coping and understanding his condition are just as important as the fact that his alter ego can smash stuff. This book goes a little more into that, without the weird artsy-ness, but is still only mediocre because of the treatment of the real source material, the comics.
Since the Ang Lee movie hands to rewrite the origin of my favorite comic book hero, I expected some of the more absurd elements of Bruce Banner's transformation into an unstoppable green monster to be changed. I accepted that, but didn't really enjoy the way the film chose to rush through some of the important details, because to many Hulk fans, the psychological reasoning behind why a mellow guy would turn into a raging beast and his coping and understanding his condition are just as important as the fact that his alter ego can smash stuff. This book goes a little more into that, without the weird artsy-ness, but is still only mediocre because of the treatment of the real source material, the comics.
July 1, 2022
A wonderful ride into the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the year 2008 started with Iron Man and finishes up with the Incredible Hulk. Peter David, having novelized not just the previous MCU adaptation but the underwhelming Ang Lee Hulk movie fulfills a grand adventure in this book.
Bruce Banner is a physician, and scientist searching for a way to tap into the evolutionary leaps to enhance mankind on the biological level. But an accidental overdose of gamma radiation alters his body chemistry in what can only be called incredible. Though having survived the procedure, whenever he becomes angry or agitated he becomes a powerful creature driven by rage. Banner wants nothing more than to purge this dangerous side of him forever but parties driven by power and greed want to harness his power and make it theirs.
This book most likely came from an adaptation of the penultimate script as various scenes from this book do not appear in the movie or appear different from the final film. Peter David is a marvelous adapter of other comic book movies such as the Raimi Spider-Man Trilogy and the aforementioned Ang Lee Hulk movie and the MCU's Iron Man. Not surprising given he has written his fair share of actual comic books. He probably used the penultimate script and worked from there as some scenes from the book that didn't show in the theatrical cut have appeared in various DVD/Blu-ray deleted scenes. Such as the original planned opening of Banner trying to kill himself or Blonsky's debriefing after the failed snatch and grab in Porto Verde. As well as more scenes with Betty's new boyfriend Leonard Samson. But there are also some scenes that were not filmed such as the original lead into Porto Verde involved a child getting gamma poisoning instead of Stan Lee's cameo character. Speaking of Stan Lee, he does still cameo, a scene as a fisherman in a boat called Excelsior that he uses to help Banner and Betty. The fate of Samuel Sterns is also different. But what is most significant is the author's talent in adding details to many characters no matter how important they are or aren't.
As a fan of the cinematic universe, it took me a while to find this epic story after nearly ten years and having watched so many great movies. Not to mention this is what fans refer to as the first of the Fury's Big Week Trilogy with Iron Man 2 and Thor. This brought back many great memories as this and Iron Man showed just an inkling of how marvelous their cinematic universe was going to become.
Bruce Banner is a physician, and scientist searching for a way to tap into the evolutionary leaps to enhance mankind on the biological level. But an accidental overdose of gamma radiation alters his body chemistry in what can only be called incredible. Though having survived the procedure, whenever he becomes angry or agitated he becomes a powerful creature driven by rage. Banner wants nothing more than to purge this dangerous side of him forever but parties driven by power and greed want to harness his power and make it theirs.
This book most likely came from an adaptation of the penultimate script as various scenes from this book do not appear in the movie or appear different from the final film. Peter David is a marvelous adapter of other comic book movies such as the Raimi Spider-Man Trilogy and the aforementioned Ang Lee Hulk movie and the MCU's Iron Man. Not surprising given he has written his fair share of actual comic books. He probably used the penultimate script and worked from there as some scenes from the book that didn't show in the theatrical cut have appeared in various DVD/Blu-ray deleted scenes. Such as the original planned opening of Banner trying to kill himself or Blonsky's debriefing after the failed snatch and grab in Porto Verde. As well as more scenes with Betty's new boyfriend Leonard Samson. But there are also some scenes that were not filmed such as the original lead into Porto Verde involved a child getting gamma poisoning instead of Stan Lee's cameo character. Speaking of Stan Lee, he does still cameo, a scene as a fisherman in a boat called Excelsior that he uses to help Banner and Betty. The fate of Samuel Sterns is also different. But what is most significant is the author's talent in adding details to many characters no matter how important they are or aren't.
As a fan of the cinematic universe, it took me a while to find this epic story after nearly ten years and having watched so many great movies. Not to mention this is what fans refer to as the first of the Fury's Big Week Trilogy with Iron Man 2 and Thor. This brought back many great memories as this and Iron Man showed just an inkling of how marvelous their cinematic universe was going to become.
August 23, 2022
After having completed Peter David’s wonderful novelization trilogy of the even more brilliant Sam Raimi Spider-Man trilogy, my expectations going into this novelization of one of my favorite superhero films were admittedly high.
And 300 pages later…. It’s safe to say that my expectations were absolutely met! The Hulk has always been a dark character and Peter David (having been a proficient comic book writer for the Hulk in the past) certainly kept that in mind while writing this.
This brilliant adaptation of Edward Norton’s screenplay helped fully flesh-out the film and revealed some of the horrifyingly darker aspects of the film that executives had cut out.
Acting is an art form, and Edward Norton is one of its finest artists but even he can’t explicitly convey every single thought process his character is having and this book indeed compensated for the internal monologues of not just his character but everyone else’s.
I also enjoyed Peter David’s array of literary devices ranging from meticulous metaphors to biblical allusions to scientific facts that made this book much more than a written version of the film.
And 300 pages later…. It’s safe to say that my expectations were absolutely met! The Hulk has always been a dark character and Peter David (having been a proficient comic book writer for the Hulk in the past) certainly kept that in mind while writing this.
This brilliant adaptation of Edward Norton’s screenplay helped fully flesh-out the film and revealed some of the horrifyingly darker aspects of the film that executives had cut out.
Acting is an art form, and Edward Norton is one of its finest artists but even he can’t explicitly convey every single thought process his character is having and this book indeed compensated for the internal monologues of not just his character but everyone else’s.
I also enjoyed Peter David’s array of literary devices ranging from meticulous metaphors to biblical allusions to scientific facts that made this book much more than a written version of the film.
December 22, 2023
Peter David writes the character well, having worked on the comics for nearly 12 years and written tons of other Hulk media, but can only improve so much on the flawed script of the film. And like the film, David struggles with competing tones of tragic pathos and superhero spectacle. Still, his expanded detailing of character and backstory is welcome, and brings it closer to the Greek tragedy that the film wanted to be. Not bad at all for what it is.
November 1, 2019
Peter David had an amazing run on Marvel Comics' "The Incredible Hulk." I can only imagine his chagrin at being handed this script and being tasked with churning out a novelization.
March 11, 2024
Bruce Banners und Bettys Beziehung in dem Buch hat mein Interesse echt entfacht!
November 10, 2025
Peter David shows how he gets Bruce Banner better then most.
December 16, 2025
Peter David, escritor que llevaba varios años escribiendo al personaje, nos entrega una buena novela que es mejor que la película en la que se basa
October 17, 2025
This is really confusing, since it seems Goodreads only has one entry for Peter David‘s novelizations for BOTH films. So, to clarify:
Hulk (2003): 8/10
The Incredible Hulk (2008): 4/10
Hulk (2003): 8/10
The Incredible Hulk (2008): 4/10
December 15, 2023
The great Peter David adapts Aang Lee's film brilliantly. I always held the movie in high regard. It's not what people were expecting at the time, a poignant exploration of childhood trauma, and the "sins of our fathers". Those facets are delved into way more here in the novelization and David's prose breathes more life into the characters than the movie was able to.
David's legendary 12 year run on the Hulk comics from 1987 to 1999 made him the perfect person to write this. I usually stay away from novelizations, but seeing his name on the cover made this an instant must have. The reading experience did not disappoint, I definitely prefer it over the film. The one part of the book that does not improve on the movie is the spectacular action sequences. Man, those still hold up to this day and were exquisitely thought out. Most movies these days have uninspired battles and are just a jumble of CGI without any soul, but I digress.
Definitely read this book if you have the time and enjoy the character. It's good to let off some steam with the big angry green behemoth every once in a while.
David's legendary 12 year run on the Hulk comics from 1987 to 1999 made him the perfect person to write this. I usually stay away from novelizations, but seeing his name on the cover made this an instant must have. The reading experience did not disappoint, I definitely prefer it over the film. The one part of the book that does not improve on the movie is the spectacular action sequences. Man, those still hold up to this day and were exquisitely thought out. Most movies these days have uninspired battles and are just a jumble of CGI without any soul, but I digress.
Definitely read this book if you have the time and enjoy the character. It's good to let off some steam with the big angry green behemoth every once in a while.
May 10, 2010
Well, buat filmnya, aku lebih suka Incredible Hulk-nya Edward Norton daripada yang ini. Dan setelah baca novel ini... ternyata sama, lebih suka versi novelnya Incredible Hulk. Mungkin karena novel ini terlalu muram dan hampir tidak ada unsur humornya. Dua bintang cukuplah.
September 30, 2007
Rubbish story. Rubbish film to go with it.
October 25, 2007
this book was pretty much about the movie if you ever saw the movie. It really makes you think and wonder and want to keep reading.
June 25, 2008
A good adaption of the movie; I enjoyed it very much.
May 8, 2009
Better than the movie for damn sure.
September 16, 2010
I liked the Hulk film, rather than the earlier Incredible Hulk. Other than that, this was just a so so novel.
January 24, 2019
So much better than the actual movie. Peter David sprinkles mentions of the larger Marvel Universe throughout. So good. The movie blew, though.
February 7, 2019
Novelization of the movie starring Ed Norton and Liv Tyler. Nothing more, nothing less. It's still good though.
Want to read
February 6, 2011good
April 4, 2012
Read this in anticipation of the film in 2008, still memorable to me now for a few added moments and backstory to Bruce Banner that makes him more complex than a film has yet to do.
December 6, 2012
somehow I felt I must buy this novel...maybe I'm a fan of the hulk
February 17, 2013
Is my boss
Read
March 14, 2013great
March 1, 2014
This book is incredible. Peter David added so much depth and detail to the story, and the characterization for both Bruce and Betty was great.
July 16, 2013
All I remember from reading this was that it left no lasting impression and it was such a damn long and fat book :-/
September 25, 2013
Could not get into this book, took me forever to finish. The hulk is cool and all but he's not one of my favorite superhero.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews