Ultimate Marvel Handbook # 197

Features

Hi everyone. It‘s another week of the Marvel Handbook fresh off the presses. Hey Daron you ready for some debate and questions.

That’s what we’re here for.

Wait hold on I know what you want. You want to start up with more of that Wolverine debate don‘t you?

No. Not particularly.

Alright I’ll let you have your say more on Wolverine in the column. We have more to cover on that. Let’s start.

Before we do though. I need to apologize for the lack of a column last week. That was completely my fault. I clocked in roughly 72 hours last week and just didn’t have time to sit down and work on the thing. Sorry about that all.

Rick emails

Hey ya’ll !

I have a few questions regarding annuals. In the early ‘90’s Marvel decided to introduce new characters in each of their annuals. I remember Bantam was introduced in the Cap annual and this absolutely hilarious evil, goth mage was introduced in the X-Factor annual. Can you tell me what all characters were introduced and where they are now? Also, for a while Marvel was using their annuals for company wide crossovers and then they went to group crossovers. Which do you prefer: stand alone annuals, company wide crossovers, or group crossovers? Which (if any) cross-over was your favorite?

Thanks and keep up the good work!

Amazing Spider-Man Annual #27 Annex: He appeared a few more times after his first appearance but not to much. His last appearance was his own limited series
Avengers Annual #22 Bloodwraith: one of the few characters that stuck around a lot more. He showed up in quite a few Avengers issues. His last: Avengers 37 (vol3)
Avengers West Coast Annual #8 Raptor: His only appearance to date.
Captain America Annual #12 Bantam: Dead. He only appeared twice. His first appearance and his last.
Daredevil Annual #9 Devourer: First and only appearance
Darkhawk Annual #2 Dreamkiller: First and only appearance
Deathlok Annual #2 Tracer: Last appearance: (Spectacular Spider-Man #21)
Dr. Strange Annual #3 Kyllian: First and last appearance
Excalibur Annual #1 Khaos: First and last appearance
Fantastic Four Annual #26 Wildstreak: Appeared a few times. Last one was during Civil War
Ghost Rider Annual #1 Night Terror: Appeared in Blade for a time after this first appearance
Guardians of the Galaxy Annual #3 Wolfhound: First and last appearance
Hulk Annual #19 Lazarus: First and last appearance
Iron Man Annual #14 Face Thief: First and last appearance
Namor Annual #3 The Assassin: First and last appearance
New Warriors Annual #3 Darkling: Had his own little New Warriors arc and hasn’t been seen since
Punisher Annual #6 Eradikator 6: First and last appearance
Punisher War Zone Annual #1 Phalanx: (not the group) First and last appearance
Silver Surfer Annual #6 Legacy: Talk about being used a lot. Genis was the biggest character of the bunch. He had his own series for a time. Joined the Thunderbolts and Avengers of the future. Best character they made in the series.
Spectacular Spider-Man Annual #13 Nocturne: She appeared before this and a little after in a few issues of Spider-Man. Last app: Spectacular Spider-Man#218
Thor Annual #18 The Flame: Last time I saw him was Thor 82
Web of Spider-Man Annual #9 Cadre: First and last appearance
Wonder Man Annual #2 Hit Maker: First and last appearance
X-Factor Annual #8 Charon: First and last appearance
X-Force Annual #2 X-treme: He appeared a few more times and was believed for a time to be the third Summers brother
X-Men Annual #17 X-cutioner: He became an X-Villain in quite a few other X-books. He was used quite a lot more then most of these others
X-Men Annual #2 Empyrean: First and last appearance

As for your question about annuals & crossovers. I honestly don’t like any of them very much. I wouldn’t mind if I never saw an actually company wide or group crossover again, and the annuals are just a way for the companies to jack the cover price up for a month…no thanks.

Our buddy Jeff Ritter chimes in

Yo yo yo Jimbo!! (Ooops, sorry, Yojimbo is Dark Horse, ain’t he?)

Hey Jeff

I just wanted to make couple comments about things from last week’s Handbook.

First, I agree that Nightcrawler would have been an interesting Legion member. I’d call him Kid Brimstone. Or Bamf Boy!

HAHA that Bamf boy one is funny.

Second, Cory mentioned Scott Summers and all the girls he’s loved before (with apologies to Julio Iglesias) and it occurs to me that after Tony Stark, Scott is probably the biggest douche in the Marvelverse. When was the last time he was happy and/or likeable (Daron, I looked it up, you can spell it with or without the ‘e’ so there ;P)–maybe early X-Factor? He was a stick-in-the-mud back in early X-Men, he fought Storm over the leadership around the early 200s, he bolted after he lost like a wuss and every time he comes back he tries to come off as a hardass when all he really is is an asshole. Little wonder why Daron and I like Havok better, eh? Heck I like Vulcan better. Wolvie oughta shiv him in the potic nerve and turn him off. Let him toughen up as the new Daredevil. Maybe get some humility. Oh wait, if he’s blind, Scott would just be blind. No radar powers. Serves ya right, Dr. Douche. Meanwhile Jimmy Jack Howlett is gonna get his wolf on with all your exes. And at just the right moment, Emma is gonna mindwipe US so we forget his incredible horrendous origin and we can enjoy him again. You can mark that crapfest up to Quesada’s stewartship, again.

I never really liked Cyc. Don‘t ask me why because really you had listed most of the reasons why I can‘t stand him. I don‘t mind answering the questions. Just not a fan

Third, on making Wolverine interesting again, it’s pretty simple, and they teach it in high school economics. Scarcity drives demand. Remeber when PT Cruisers came out? The wait for them was like 2-3 years because they didn’t mass produce the heck out of them like Ford Tauruses. Same with Wolverine. No X-Men appearances. No Avengers. No ongoing books. No miniseries. Not even a work around like “What if…?” and if it was up to me I’d even put a stop to trade paperback collections. ZERO WOLVERINE for 2 years. And then….insert theme from Jaws here…Spiderman is in trouble. Cap’s down. Cage is out. The Fantastic Four are off world. Pete’s in a bad way, the Lizard or Green Goblin or Venom is about to drop the curtain on the career and life of Queens, NY’s favorite sun and…*SNIKT!* Guess who’s back? Back again? Wolvie’s back! Tell a friend! (Hey it was either gonna be Eminem or “Don’t call it a comeback…” from LL Cool J. You crackas just gonna have to deal, dig?) Out steps Wolverine, in the brown colors, and he goes to town on the villain sacrifice of your choice. Pete’s saved! Yay! And Wolverine is back, he’s bad ass, you love him like Tony Almeda showing up to save Jack Bauer halfway through a season of ’24’ and all is forgiven. Trades go back in print. Ongoing series are restarted (new #1, natch) and he shows up in every book from Thunderbolts to Power Pack. But you can put “Because YOU Demanded It!” on every cover becase you will have created that demand. And no Origin reprints. Like the Clone Saga and Highlander 2, it just never happened. And it never WOULD have happened either if Quesada hadn’t sent his chocolate covered nuts to Bendis for Valentine’s Day that year.

I think your idea is good but I don‘t want no Wolverine. I keep him in just his title if you want to try that. No X-Men, Avengers. No Origins. No limited series. Just Wolverine the series. No over exposure

That’s definitely better than it is now. I could be happy with Wolvie just in his own book, or just in one of the X-books.

Fourth, and finally, to the reader called “cdot17” asking about The Hulk, the only time I ever personally enjoyed his stuff is when Peter David had the helm, especially when he was the “Smart Green” version, running with Rick Jones and Marlo and the Pantheon. Fun stuff. That said, I have really enjoyed Planet Hulk and think it oughta be fun when he gets home. Tony’s gonna get it. Bad.

Everyone loved the Peter David run even long time Hulk fans like myself. PAD did some great Hulk stories.

As for your sources, here’s another shameless plug that maybe Daron or Jim can help with the html on, I’m at work and ain’t that good at it without the cheat sheets I have at home:

COMIC BOOK RELIEF 2224 N 3rd ST, ST CHARLES, MO 63301
1-636-940-1244 or Toll Free 1-877-spidey-1

Comic book relief

Ask for Mike, tell him Jeff Ritter sent ya. He does mail order too! Good luck.

Until the next installment of “Cory’s 10,000 Things About Marvel I’m Not Afraid To Ask,” be excellent and party on, dudes!

Hah. I liked your email Jeff and it was a pleasure to help out as well. Hope you email again bud

Cory emails

Sorry for the lateness, but Cory’s back like the rewind button…..with questions galore!

Hey Cory. Not to late

1- What’s up with the “marriage” of Spidey & Mary Jane? ( I once heard rumors of an impending death, divorce or seperation of the two). As a big Spidey fan, I’m actually against it. Though what was up with that pic I seen online of Spidey “hugging” her graveyard headstone?

That picture was actually of the second cover of Spider-Man Reign. The future. Really far in the future where Spidey is an old man. From what I’ve heard MJ will live to be involved in JMS last Spidey story One More Day

2- Whoa! I always liked Shatterstar, but what is up with the “sexual tension” between him & Rictor?

Well Shatterstar sort of thought Rictor had feelings for him. Mostly the writers did say Shatterstar wasn‘t gay but I can‘t understand how he could have feelings for Rictor if not. So I‘d say Star was bi.

3- Since being semi-armless, what up with Nitro currently being a “guest” of Atlantis? He gonna fade into limbo or stick around, you think?

I think he‘ll appear again. Might actually be a bit though. I bet if anything it would be in the Namor limited series coming out.

4- Speculation is: The Lizard will possibly be a villain in Spider-Man 4. With future sequels on the horizon, what villains do you wanna see on the silver screen? What possible story arcs would you like to see used? (I’d LOVE for Maximun Carnage to be used, especially by #5). A Spider-Man & Venom team-up!!!

Cool idea with Carnage. I think 4 should go Lizard and more Venom of course. Maybe even Kraven. 5 Could be Carnage. Could have Mysterio if you like and Electro appear. Which would be cool in a movie. 6. Hmmmmm The Sinister Six

I thought I heard Mysterio was going to be in 3 if only for a short time?

5- Top 10 smartest…hmmm, this list has to be rated by category to me at least. Science: Reed, Doom, Lizard Technology: Tony, T’Challa, Forge Genetics: Xavier, Hulk, Mr. Sinister. Some can be included in other aspects on multiple listings, so that would leave a process of elimination…just tally up the person with the most listings, that can show if not the smartest, the most “intellectually” versatile. What you think?

Not a bad list of characters there Cory. it’s nice to see we basically have two top tens this week huh?

6- Mastermind Excello? Who is this person and what got him so high on that list last week?

Real name: Amadeus Cho
Former aliases: No known former aliases
Other current aliases: Mastermind Excello

Occupation: none
Legal status: Unregistered superhuman
Group affiliation: No known group affiliation
Base of operations: Mobile

Place of birth: Place of birth unknown
Known relatives: No known relatives
First appearance: Amazing Fantasy Vol. 2, #15

Amadeus Cho is not you’re average teenager, not even above average could define this extraordinary teen. After making history on an internet game show called “Brain Fight” he becomes known to the world as Mastermind Excello, teenage super-genius. An unknown agency tries to track the boy down, destroying his home and possibly his family in the process. Running away with his only companion being a coyote pup, agents track him down but not before Amadeus runs into to another misunderstood genius with awesome power: the Incredible Hulk. The Hulk protects the teen and Mastermind gains a boost in his confidence and promises to find the unknown agency.

Sometime later, a terrible incident in Stamford, Connecticut kills 612 including the schoolchildren. The “Stamford Incident” gives rise to the Superhuman Registration Act and sends S.H.I.E.L.D. to apprehend the unregistered Mastermind Excello. After outsmarting some S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, Amadeus discovers a former hide-out in New Mexico, one belonging to his friend the Incredible Hulk. There Amadeus hacks into the Baxter Building security network and discovers that a group of heroes such as Mr. Fantastic of the Fantastic Four and the Avenger Iron Man have sent the Hulk into exile in outer space. Using a special phone line, he informs Reed Richards about his discovery and it is revealed via satellite that the Hulk isn’t where the Illuminati thought they had sent their former friend. Amadeus leaves Reed thinking about his betrayal toward his former ally and friend while Amadeus sets off to find the Hulk.

7- I forget, but what was the reason behind Wolvie marrying Viper awhile back? Dual control of Madripoor?

Recently, when the throne of Madripoor was left without an heir, the Viper brainwashed many of the women in the life of Wolverine in order for them to capture Wolverine and bring him to her. She reminded him of his old debt to Seraph, their mutual mentor. Following his code of giri, or honorable debt, Wolverine agreed to marry the Viper. The Viper had gambled that Wolverine’s respectability in Madripoor would enable her to seize the throne. She also used him, along with Sabretooth and Shadowcat, to foil both Hydra’s and the Hand’s attempts to control the island. Soon after, the Viper was installed as the ruling princess of Madripoor.

Following an illegal Bloodsport tournament hosted on the island, in which Wolverine was a participant at the Viper’s request, the demonic ninja spirit named Ogun attacked and, after failing to possess Wolverine, possessed Viper. In order to exorcise the spirit, Wolverine seriously wounded Viper, and Ogun’s spirit was dissipated. In return for ensuring she received medical treatment, Wolverine made the Viper agree to divorce him. During this time, the Viper must have had plastic surgery to repair her facial scarring, as she no longer bore scars on the right side of her face.

8- I noticed 2 things recently. 1- Wolverine does suck…a lot, but not totally, Iron Man seems almost villainous, and Spidey has “identity issues”. 2- All 3, amongst others, have future movies on the horizon. In terms of my revelation, is there any connections to the comic book world status to comic book movies? I figure Spidey’s black costume will play a big role in the movie and in the books of 07, Iron Man’s movie in 08 will return him back to a fan favorite, and maybe Wolverine’s movie will cure his current lackluster status. But as a Wolvie fan, I can’t wait till 08. I’m sure the movies will surely impact the sales of the comics. So what you guys think?

Well movies have always impacted the comics in their own ways Cory. As We’ve seen various times in the past with the movies the comics took some impact in improved sales and even some general changes to the characters. Also let‘s face it. Without X-Men being done as a movie and them talking of Wolverine then Marvel might never have done the origin. Why? Because they didn‘t want the movie to dictate the origins.

Well the movie’s origin of Wolverine (as much as we’ve seen anyway) followed almost precisely what we’d seen before in the comics. It was the comic creators’ horrible story that has ruined the character’s origin, not the movies. And as for the movies…if Brett Ratner is still helming the impending Wolvie movie, I probably won’t even see it. However, if the rumors I’ve been hearing about our man Joss Whedon taking over X4 (if there is one), well the franchise just might be watchable again.

9- My LAST Lobo/Wolverine inquiry. Since DC characters are more “god-like” over Marvel’s “everyman”. There is obviously no way Wolvie can hang with Supes, but am I the only one who would LOVE to see a Lobo vs. Sabretooth faceoff???

Quite correct on the fact DC over powers their characters in my opinion. I would read a Lobo/Creed fight. Just has to be done right. Give me a good artist and writer that will keep it fair.

I wouldn’t say DC’s characters are overpowered, its just a different universe than the Marvel U. Their characters are in general more powerful, but they deal with larger scaled issues more often. I’d say there are pros and cons to both ways. Which I think is why people like to read from both companies…to get some very different stories.

10- About Wolvie’s remedy. I say in terms of teams: X-Men & New Avengers, his solo title is a given. In the 90’s Spidey had what like 9 titles? He was Amazing, Sensational, Spectacular, etc. He is number 2 in terms of Marvel’s popular characters. Sorta like Supes/Bats and Spidey/Wolvie…but he is now oversaturated so he needs a HELL of a revamp. But Daron, besides this why do you think Marvel really needs that Crisis/Zero Hour change? But will that work, let alone solve anything?

I had my words above. Daron your turn

Marvel’s issues extend well past Wolvie, and in fact he’s pretty insignificant in the larger scheme. Marvel’s biggest problem is that their entire continuity has been jacked for a long time. You can thank Joey Q for a major part of it, with his “don’t let continuity get in the way of a good story” proclamation. Which just sounds asinine to me. Any good writer should be able to tell their story within the “confines” of previous continuity. Isn’t that partially what editors are for? Shouldn’t they be helping the writers work through continuity, instead of working around it?

Anyway, as I said, the continuity is completely jacked. We have no idea who’s alive or dead, or how they got to be in either state in a lot of cases. You have good guys gone bad and bad guys gone good, both of which they’re gonna want to “right” at some point. We have Pete’s identity out, which again I think they’ll want to “hide” again. And the list goes on and on. There’s been no sense of time in the Marvel U ever. Some characters age, and some stay the same. A Crisis could do so much for Marvel, but I fear they’re too stubborn to do anything like that. They wouldn’t want to take a page from DC, you know.

11- After reading New Avengers #27, I so wanna believe that Matt Murdock is Ronin. Especially after his brief interaction with Maya Lopez, or a playful Hawkeye.

I would go for Daredevil being Ronin or even Hawkeye. They fit.

12- Wolverine Origins & endings #11…..ummmmm…. GOOD: the possible return of Cyber. BAD: The ongoing story. UGLY: Wolverine’s “son”…please let this story be non-canon. He’s ugly, seems homosexual, and is a bad character to me. I’m just so lost with this one arc, and who is the big “slow” brute guy? His cloned daughters book is KILLING this title.

I admit I‘m not the biggest Wolverine Origins fan but I can help a bit. It is cannon sorry to say for you. The big guy I think is sort of going to be the body Cyber gets reborn into. The clone daughter. I like X-23.

Told ya.

13- In Punisher WJ#3, what is the Satan’s Claw?

Baron Strucker’s chief weapon is his mechanical right hand, the Satan Claw, which channels energy, increases his strength, and contains gattling guns, claws, knives, and teleportation technology.

For more go here

14- Jack Flag. Kudos to him for fighting the powers that be, but sorry for him to now be “paralyzed”. Damn, I was just starting to like his rebellion more & more.

It‘s a shame. He just got back too.

15- Top 10 Marvel artifacts:
1-Cosmic Cube
2-Infinity Gauntlet/Gems
3- Gem of Cytorrak
4- Adamantium/Vibranium
5- Terrigen Mist
6- Unstable molecules
7-Ultimate Nullifier
8- M’Kraan Crystal
9- Eye of Agamotto/Book of Vishanti
10- Silver Surfer’s Surfboard

Really cool list. Mine is coming up

Can Surfer’s board really be considered an artifact? And for that matter can Adamantium, Vibranium, Terrigen Mist, or Unstable Molecules be considered artifacts? All 4 of them are basically refined scientific substances. Doesn’t an artifact usually have a more “one of kind” connotation, and not something that can still be reproduced? Just wondering…

That’s it for ole Corinator this week. Taking a few days off work. Thanks as always, keep up the good work fellas, Make mine Marvel, and See ya in 7!

See ya Cory.

Top 10 Marvel Artifacts

1. Infinity Gauntlet/Gems
2. Cosmic Cube
3. Rings of the Mandarin
4. Nega Bands
5. Quantum Bands
6. Moonstones
7. Eye of Agamotto
8. Cloak of Levitation
9. The Darkhold
10. Crimson Ruby of Cytorrak

There ya go. Those all sound like artifacts.

Top 5 best Marvel titles of the week

1. ASTONISHING X-MEN #20: The secret is out! With the knowledge that Colossus is the mutant destined to destroy Breakworld, what will Ord’s next move be?! And what exactly has happened to Cyclops?! Part 2 (of 6)!

2. GHOST RIDER #8: In a small town northeast of Chicago, people are losing their heads…literally. The sheriff of this sleepy little town firmly believes he’s found the culprit—a scruffy drifter found sleeping in the bushes with blood on his clothes and no believable explanation for where he was and what he was doing when the murders occurred. He even gave the sheriff a fake name: “Johnny Blaze.” But the identity of the true culprit is even more macabre: Lucifer has taken up residence in a new host – a casualty of CIVIL WAR who’s bound to raise eyebrows! And what does this all have to do with CIVIL WAR?

3. NEXTWAVE: AGENTS OF H.A.T.E. #12: To all those who HAVEN’T been buying NEXTWAVE–
Thanks a lot, jerks! This is the last issue! To all those who HAVE been buying NEXTWAVE– YOU RULE!! Do not miss this pulse-pounding conclusion to the greatest work of western literature EVER! Hamlet? Horrible. War and Peace? What-a-joke! The Great Gatsby? The Great Lame-by, maybe. Those works are going to be moved to the Bad Section of your local bookstores after this issue comes out. Don’t miss this or you won’t know what your children’s children are reading in school.

4. SENSATIONAL SPIDER-MAN #35: The War has ended, but the fallout continues. As Spider-Man and his family get used to the new status quo…other Spider-Men begin appearing all over the city. Younger, less-experienced versions of our web-spinning hero, causing havoc wherever they go. Who’s creating these arachnid dopplegangers and why? And will Peter Parker be able to stop them, and whoever’s behind them, before more lives are lost? Including the life of one of his star students?

5. THUNDERBOLTS #111: The new Thunderbolts embark on a manhunt for Captain America’s old sidekick, Jack Flag. Can Jack survive against the raw power of Venom and the cunning of Moonstone? And what has he done to deserve being hunted down? Plus, discover how Songbird ended up a low-ranking member on the team she used to run.

Civil War update:

Ghost Rider #8: Johnny is being held by the police as the story starts. The officer accuses him of killing a boy and beats him into becoming Ghost Rider. The officer winds up in the hospital and the room he held Blaze was burnt up. Two more kids die and someone with a flame head killed them. Elsewhere we a see mother tied up and the son who did it has turned into Jack O’Lantern

World War Hulk update

Prelude: INCREDIBLE HULK #88-91:

88: Hulk with a beard is in Alaska catching fish in his own exile. A pilot arrives at Bruce’s cabin. They talk of course with the pilot telling Bruce not to forget his humanity. Bruce makes it to the bar and Mark, the pilot to meet a woman there. He goes to the bathroom only to see two men harassing a woman. Hulk deals with the men himself. Days later Mark arrives again with a call from Nick Fury.

89: Bruce lands at an oil tanker along with Mark. Nick has been looking for Bruce it seems. Nick tells him about a Hydra space station conducting experiments with a new artificial intelligence system but it was really a weapon to detonate nuclear weapons anywhere. Bruce of course ask tons of questions. (good ones to). They send Hulk into space after showing how to destroy it. Once Hulk reached the place he finds out it’s a SHIELD station which captures him. He yells out Fury’s name.

90: Back at the SHIELD Nick is told they have Hulk contained. The Agent ask Fury about how Hulk will survive but Fury said he will adapt. Back in space Hulk tries to break free. He does only to be attacked again. Hulk continues to fight the tendrils until too many surround him. The weapon starts charging up. Bruce wakes up and finds dead bodies all over the station and a robot waiting for him

91: Nick Fury is talking with various generals at the Pentagon about the situation. They know Hulk is still the best to deal with the situation. Back on Godseye, Bruce stands in front of the robot. Bruce starts to turn into the Hulk but he doesn’t see a metal tendril coming up behind him. The Godseye flings the Hulk out of the station. Hulk continues to fight. After winning he enters a space shuttle which sends him away from the planet. The Illuminati exile him

Planet Hulk: Exile 92-95:

92: Hulk watches the monitor where Reed Richards, Tony Stark, and Dr. Strange are telling him they are exiling him. The ship spirals toward a black hole and crashes on another planet. Bug like creatures leap out at Hulk who fights back and gets hit by a weapon and bleeds. A group of red skinned people watch. The Governor of the Wukar talks to Hulk. Hulk attacks but is shot and chained. Hulk and the bugs are auctioned. Great Devil Corker tries to eat Hulk who escapes. The Hulk leaps up at the Red King, but before he can reach him a pale white skinned woman blasts him out of the air. The Red King stands over Hulk. Hulk and him fight but the white woman stops the fight and Hulk is blasted from behind. Hulk is sent to Maw.

93: Some of the people of the planet dream of freedom they know Hulk can free them. At Maw A large lava creature rises up but Hulk takes it right out. Hulk is told to kneel and does this time because a control disk. He introduces himself as Primus Vand and they are at the Empire’s most lethal gladiatorial training school. Twenty-two prisons enter a field, but that only seven of them will leave it. A fight starts and Hulk and 7 are formed as a team: Miek, Brood, Korg, Elloe, Captain Lavin Skee, and Shadow Warrior with Hulk. They all tell their origins. They are sent to a lava pit and have to fight Korg’s brother Margus among others. After another win they face a pack of wildebots. Another win for green Scar. A dinner celebration the Green Scar and his gladiators are declared the victors. Red King talks to his followers as an explosion happens. Hulk and the others in his team look at the Sakaar Insurgency surprised.

94: Hulk refuses to escape as Death’s head’s are sent to deal with them. Elloe is taken away. The other gladiators are taken to some type of sex parlor but Hulk winds up in a room with the Lieutenant is waiting to buy him and free him of fighting. He refuses and goes off. Elsewhere a Dreadnought appears and fires as Hulk leaps towards it. More Deaths heads are sent down on the gladiators. Hulk reappears and takes them out as fast as possible. Later back in the cell and tell their origins and become Warbound. We finish the issue with a site of the Silver Savage.

95: We start with the Lieutenant ask about Silver Savage origins. We see how he got to the planet and then we go to the area where Hulk and Surfer are due to fight. They are friends and don’t want to but with the disk they are forced to. Surfer takes out Hulk’s allies easily before Hulk attacks and removes the disk. But he also continues to beat Surfer before Korg stops him. Soldiers are sent to deal with them and use the disk to control Hulk’s allies. Surfer frees them and finally Hulk and crew beat down the others. Afterwards Surfer offers a trip home to Earth but Hulk refuses.

Planet Hulk: Anarchy 96-99, Giant:

Giant Size Incredible Hulk # 1: (this I’ll just cover the Planet Hulk part) Hulk dreams of fighting back on Earth and taking out all those heroes who turned their backs on him. We finally see Bruce Banner as well in the dream. Hulk and Banner fight for control with Banner coming close to winning only to change back to Hulk stating to Korg that only the monsters are there.

96: Hulk’s group rest for the night at a camp (This is also where Hulk has the dream in Giant). Some of the pink skin people of the planet are there as well. After a threat from Hulk one runs away. He runs into the Lieutenant and tells her where to find the Hulk and the others. Hulk and crew are attacked by some type of grenade but survive and have to find a new place to train. Miek knows a place. Elsewhere Wildebots attack a town only to have Hulk and his group save the place. Miek and Brood talk about Miek’s hive and how he recalls a massacre. Some of the soldiers attack Hulk’s group. Miek comes close to killing one but Hulk finds some of the hive stopping the fight.

97: We start with Red King leading a massacre of some of his own people. Back with Hulk’s group the bugs and Hulk deal with Primus and his soldiers. They free more and more slaves. As Hulk’s army increases as well. They group continues to make it’s way threw more and more of Red Kings people but Hulk stops Miek from killing one of them. Elsewhere the Lieutenant meets up with the Red King who’s killing more people. He tells her to kill the pretenders. Miek is called by the Bugs and evolves into a bigger bug.

98: Hulk prepares to go into war as the bugs stop him lead by Miek. They refuse to move. Hulk tells them move or let Miek lead them into war. Miek and Hulk start to fight but in the end Korg stops the fight. Hulk takes lead again but the Lieutenant shows up. The bugs try attacking without success. Hulk goes to deal with her himself. The two start a brawl as we learn her origins. Both survive each others most powerful attacks. As a ship crashes in the middle of the soldiers and unleashes spikes that take control of the soldiers who surround Hulk and the Lieutenant.

99: Hulk tells the Lieutenant to stay put but she stabs his foot and is hit away by him. Hulk starts fighting the spikes. But gets bit by one and fights the infection. He wins creating a new creature which Hulk kills. Elsewhere Red King talks to Lieutenant on why she failed. Spikes trap a village but Hulk and crew are there. He gets infected again but Lieutenant frees him and fights alongside him to save the village. Miek and his crew free their queen. The spikes attack them and Hulk goes to help his friends. Winning again. The Lieutenant also helps a crying child but a bomb hits killing the kid in her arms. She joins Hulk’s group willingly as Hulk declares to go after the Red King.

Allegiance: Issues 100-103

100: Hulk and his crew are in camp tending to the Queen as the imperials attack. Caeira tells them to stop but they don’t and it angers Hulk to crack the ground and cause a large river of lava that wipes out the imperials. One hour later they escaped but the spikes finally infect the queen. Meik is forced to kill her. Hiroim tries to argue about leaving and Hulk’s allies back him. The bugs think Miek is Sakaarson but he says he fight for friends. Hulk and his group wonder the desert as we hear Hiroim’s origins before more enemies arrive.

Mastermind Excello continues his run from SHIELD. While on the run he finds one of Hulk’s old hide outs in New Mexico and contacts Reed who is working on the Thor Clone. Excello hacks in and finds out the full truth about Hulk. He tries to find Hulk but can’t find him on the planet he should be. Excello remind Hulk of past fights and heroic acts. Afterwards Reed tells Tony what he learned

101: Hulk fights the Devil Corkers thinking they are enemies. The Shadow people stop him. Hulk is taken and shown ship that brought them there and explain more of the great portal. They wish to test Hulk but Hulk refuses but still is taught threw this event showing his past events on the planet. The elder says Hulk is not the Sakaarson. Hulk takes the ship with him. Elsewhere Korg and Miek with the bugs take on Red Kings ships as Hulk shows up on the vessel he took. They take out all of the vessels heading for Crown City. Red King gets his armor on and prepares to fight. The Hulk and crew go to face the spikes. We see Hulk going to the spike leader and making an alliance. Elloe gets tricked easily into leading an assault against the Red King. Lucky for her she is saved in the end by Hulk and his army (now including the spikes.)

102: We go to Hulk and crew meeting with the spikes and learning their origins. They ask Hulk for help as well. Crown city: Hulk now with a bigger army gets attacked by Red King’s crew. Red King goes after Hulk himself and we see the fight begin with Hulk smashing Red King to bits and pieces it seems. Hulk and Red King’s fight causes a crack in the ground. The Oldstrong and Korg see this as the end but Hulk jumps in and he shifts the plates back as Red King watches. Hulk emerges punching Red King hard enough ytp ground him where a wildbot comes out and kills him. The fight ends with Hulk’s crew victorious. Hulk is proclaimed king as we see Hulk willingly be eaten by the spikes as we see a tomb in the end.

103: We start in the palace where the spikes drain Hulk back into Bruce who turns back into Hulk before walking threw the city. Some soldiers still loyal to the Red King attack only to be stopped by Miek and Elloe. Elloe’s mother asked them to be spared. Hulk shows up and stops the all around battle. Elloe and Miek battle in the arena as Hulk shows up demanding they fight him. He is attacked but survives and calls them all Warbound. Hulk then demands a queen. Caira takes him and in her room sees Bruce for the first time before she kisses him and they make love. After they wed we see a science hall where Miek and Brood find Hulk’s ship and how to remind him of what happened.

Light email question week. But it‘s still not a bad week. I got a chance to update Planet Hulk and Jeff emailed. Which was cool.

That’s great, just what I need…you inflating Jeff’s head.

I‘m glad to see it and hope to see it more. Keep those questions coming folks.

Indeed, and sorry again for the lack of the column last week.

1. Digital comics Comics you can read online

2. Marvel is in the process of adding new bios and added a ton of new ones. Check them out here

3. As always your opinions on anything in the article or out on the shelves is welcome. After all you never know what type of response you will get.

4. Keep those emails coming and make sure to label them Marvel Handbook. The more emails the better the article is.