Indestructible Hulk #1
It’s a day in this week, so that means it’s time for another Marvel’s Next Big Thing press call! This afternoon we’re talking to Mark Waid and Leinil Yu about the impending smash hit Indestructible Hulk.
Central to this new chapter in the Hulk’s rampage is his induction into one of the Marvel U’s most influential groups as an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.. As a field agent for the boys and girls in blue, Hulk will be clocking in a lot of frequent flyer miles. “I’m actually trying to take [readers] on the most imaginative Marvel Universe-based ride we can concoct. We want to bring Bruce Banner and the Hulk into the Marvel Universe tapestry. And the easiest way to do that is to make Hulk an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.”
But the big green guy is only one side of the equation.
“Hulk is a chronic condition,” says Waid of Bruce Banner’s new attitude about the Hulk problem. Following the events of Avengers vs. X-Men, the scientist is ready to take a sabbatical from his constant efforts to eliminate the Hulk. Instead, he’s going to focus on his own efforts as a man of science and as a humanitarian. As Waid puts it “The Hulk destroys and Banner builds.”
Yu described a wild process of different looks and designs for the Hulk, his hair and his armor. He almost had a mohawk.
We couldn’t resist asking about Hulk’s new trunks, which appear to be armor-plated. Marvel’s Jim Viscardi agreed that they appear to be “S.H.I.E.L.D.-Grade Control Top Pantyhose.” Is it a kind of control mechanism implemented by S.H.I.E.L.D.? Just how long a leash are the agency and his handlers affording this unstoppable force of nature? Waid explained that S.H.I.E.L.D. actually has far less control than they think, despite their best efforts. As for the trunks? We’ll find out more soon, but how about this? Apparently those aren’t for Hulk. Those are for Banner.
Science Spanx?
Smash Spanx?
Villains? How about Attuma? The Quintronic Man (which Yu has enjoyed re-designing)! And, oh yes, the Frost Giants!
We can’t tell you too much about that floaty robot football head on the cover of issue #1, but we think he’s related to the new pants and S.H.I.E.L.D.’s supposed control over
You’ll find mention of one of our favorite expanded universe characters Phil Coulson in the preview pages below. We won’t be seeing too much of Coulson initially as Waid isn’t taking the lead on introducing the character into the world of Marvel NOW!, but we’ll be seeing plenty of Maria Hill. We asked the writer for his take on the firebrand and her relationship with Banner and the Hulk. “She’s not a terribly relaxed human being,” Waid said. “That’s the perfect person to have to deal with a creature that’s all id and no ego. That’s the heart of it to me, that’s the fun of it to me. And Banner enjoying, relishing tweaking her. It’s not above banner to drop a box on his foot in front of Maria just to see her heart stop for a second.”
As for a crossover with Waid’s celebrated Daredevil run? It’s not on the schedule yet, but it’s a sure bet. Waid began spitballing titles like “Blind Rage.”
Indestructible Hulk #1 hits shelves on November 14th.
Hey look! Preview pages! And a Walt Simonson variant cover!
-
- From Indestructible Hulk #1
Find us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Subscribe to our RSS Feed
Some rights reserved.
Liked Irredeemable a lot and love his Daredevil run so far. I think I might give this a try. The art is not bad at all either!
Not picking this up due to budget issues. It’s not that I don’t want to buy the book, Waid’s writing is great, but the other Marvel NOW! books excite me more than this one.
Love Yu’s art.
Agreed…this looks gorgeous.
Of all the Marvel Now books, this is the one I’m the most excited for.
It’s A MARK WAID book…..I will be checking this out
picking up the first issue then get the trade like waid but with guardians of the galaxy,spider man,all new x-men,captain america and uncanny avengers plus 2 more marvel and 9 dc i can’t afford it
Why pick up the first issue and then buy the trade?
i order the first issue two see if i like waids hulk and was planning to pull it but i want guardians of the galaxy and justice league of america i also order the first 8 issue of captain america so i could get the first arc since i heard it was 8 issue long.
Whoa… you just blew my mind, bro…
Looks good, one of the better Marvel Now pitches.
I agree.
Really not liking the Hulk buzz cut.
Really? I actually like it, they have never shown him with short hair before, so something new.
I’m not particularly excited about this one but it sounds like it will be good so I’ll give it a shot.
*fingers crossed* Please be dumb hulk. Please be dumb hulk. I don’t know if I can take another completely level headed intelligent version of the hulk.
I get the sense that he’ll be dumb and ferocious.
Are you referring to Professor Hulk? I hope that he’s similar to the Hulk on AvengersEMH.
The Avengers EMH Hulk is my favorite version of the character ever.
@indigomx9 No I was referring to Greg Pak and Jason Aaron’s hulk which in both he seemed completely in control and having full conversations with people for pages and pages. My first introduction to the Hulk (along with most marvel characters) was with The Ultimates and I LOVED that Hulk but every time I see the Hulk in the 616 it’s complicated and boring. How hard is it to write “HULK SMASH” and just have him ripping things in half for the rest of the issue…..i’m not asking for much here people. Leave the conversations to all the people terrified of the Hulk
Isn’t SHIELD supposed to be a secret organization? Wouldn’t an eight foot tall, muscle bound green monster be a little……conspicuous?
This book looks great! Mark Waid is a wonderful writer who keeps finding new ways to be wonderful with old wonderful characters. And Yu’s art is stellar. I was hot & cold on their “Superman: Birthright,” but I bet they really nail it with this title. Real excited to hear about this.