Marvel Comics’ Incredible Hulk is on his way back to TV
Posted by dailypop on October 15, 2010
Via SlashFilm: http://www.slashfilm.com/2010/10/14/marvel-and-abc-developing-live-action-incredible-hulk-series/
Upon hearing the news of the recasting of Mark Ruffalo in the role of Bruce Banner/The Hulk for Marvel’s Avengers movie, I recall thinking about how strange it is that there are going to be three different incarnations of the character within ten years of each other. Little did I know at the time that there are actually going to be four.
That’s right; The Incredible Hulk is heading back to television.
Deadline and The Live Feed have the news, announcing that Marvel and ABC are currently in very early stages of development of a live-action (most likely hour-long) series adaptation of the comic book character. The project is part of a push from Marvel to enter the TV realm, kicked off last summer with the launch of Marvel Television. Heroes exec producer Jeph Loeb is the head of the operation, and The Hulk was among two high priority projects they settled on.
(Marvel Television’s other priority project is Cloak and Dagger, based on the superhero duo. That’s being developed for ABC Family.)
King Hulk Marco said
Yes! Thank you Marvel! Please God, let it be one actor for Banner and another actor for the Hulk. No CGI Hulk and get Ken Johnson to produce and please have recurring characters. Keep CGI to bare minimum. Also, have only a handful of gamma powered characters, both good and bad. They should try and combine the best of the comics with the classic tv series.
dailypop said
There are some interesting comments over on this site as well: http://origamikid.wordpress.com/2010/10/15/hulk-headed-for-abc-tv-adaption/
King Hulk Marco said
I have visited the link you have provided my friend, very impressive. This reminds of the list of tv shows that fans wanted to be made from their favourite comic book characters that I collated on their behalf and submitted to Jeff Parker to pass on to Jeph Loeb. Jeff told me he wasn’t allowed to forward to Jeph. Which, we all thought was a great shame. Hopefully this is now the shape of good things to come (touch wood).
Zeno said
It could work,but I am a bit skeptical. King Hulk,did you read the newest issue of Incredible Hulks? 614 was not bad but it seemed mostly filler,it didn’t advance the story much.
King Hulk Marco said
Morning Zeno, good to hear from you my friend. Just letting you know, I did respond to your last comment. Also, I felt Hulk #614 was a good issue. It comes accross as a set up issue before Hulk meets Hiro Kala. I loved the interplay between Bruce and Skaar. He loves his son so much that he wants to protect him from the upcoming battle. Skaar refusing the protection and wanting to be with his Dad no matter what. This was wonderful storytelling. Hard to believe that certain fans thought at the time that giving Hulk a family was a mistake.
ratchet said
The storyline is working do far – but it’s still uncertain if it can work in the long run… the also, Hulk “family” hasn’t done very much thus far…
King Hulk Marco said
The only things I didn’t like was 1). Lyra disappearing, as mentioned previously,I would LOVE to see her play a bigger part in this storyline. Where is the interplay between Lyra and her other family members? 2). Val being all very warrior-like in her dispatching of the Hulk robot. No words said in Hulk’s defence. Which is odd considering her history with the Hulk during their time as members with The Defenders. Please bear in mind that she was the one who comforted the Hulk when Jarella died in arguably one of the most moving scenes in Hulk’s history. Even today I still get a lump in my throat everytime I read that issue.
Zeno said
I agree with you King Hulk. That was gret. Len Wein is one of the all time best Hulk writers. The simple child like Hulk is my favorite incarnation. As for Valkerye, isn’t she a different person now? Her origin is very convoluted depsite being a minor character. Steve Gerber wrote her better than anyone. That was her Barbara Norris incarnation. I will look her origin up.
King Hulk Marco said
Hi Zeno,
I have purchased the Valkyrie one-shot recently, it is in my to read pile of 10,000 comics. It is supposed to explain everything.
I also thought that she (along with Thundra) had alot of potential with today’s audience even though both were created in Marvel’s creative phase. I was very happy (as you know) that both were brought back as part of the new line up of The Lady Liberators. I still can’t believe that Marvel missed a golden opportunity to have The Lady Liberators as a mini series.
I sill don’t understand why Lyra as suddenly been dropped from The Incredible Hulks comic. It makes no sense to me,she is as much a child of Banner’s as Skaar and Hiro Kala. I do hope that she will be reinstated in the comic soon. She is in need of a father too. I would love to see some father and daughter bonding between the two characters. Also some interplay with Skaar and Hiro Kala (and the other two Banner kids) would be nice to see.
Dailypop you are a father too, what are your thoughts? Would you like to see some father and daughter bonding?
Zeno said
You make some interesting points King Hulk. I know you have always been a big fan of Lyra and yes,the character has potential. As for Valkerie are you familar with Jack Norris?Barbara’s husband was a good portion of Gerber’s Defenders. The one thing Gerber did not deal with was the fact that they were both part of a cult in Hulk 126. Her saving the Hulk indirectly leads her to becoming Valkeryie in the early Defenders issue.
dailypop said
I’ve only read the first issue of the new Incredible Hulks and while it was decent the family dynamic still feels forced to me. I’m interested in seeing parent/child stories in comics, but it so rarely works for me. The Hickman Fantastic Four material has explored this concept very well. Pak’s Hulk is still feeling square peg-ish to me, but it’s still too early to judge.
Speaking of kids, has everyone been reading the Mighty Thor all ages series?
Zeno, I have very fond memories of the Gerber Defenders series. I’m slowly (very slowly) working my way through the Essential collections. I hope that Marvel finishes the run in Essential format.
ratchet said
I agree DP – although am enjoying the series so far – I’m not so sure the family dynamic is and will work in the months to come.
King Hulk Marco said
Hi Zeno, I have read some of those reprinted issue’s featuring Barbara & Jack Norris (not many mind you). The child-like incarnation of Hulk that you mention was, if my memory still works was very protective towards Aragon the winged horse. Marvel did a one-shot Marvel Handbook for the 70′s that covered alot of the forgotten storylines. Try looking for it at your LCS in the back issue section. Failing that e-bay. Lyra was a created and released for Father’s Day 2008 (along with Skaar #1). I did get the impression, which was reinforced after talking with other fans that issue was seen as a throw away one-shot. Hell, the character was even given a name until nearly a year later! Now her future is quite bright. Interesting to see what the Hulk landscape will be like in 12 months time.
King Hulk Marco said
Zeno thank you for popping over to Grey’s site and helping a fellow Hulk fan out. You are a 24 carat diamond my friend. l have left a little something on his site to cheer the poor guy up and to thank you. Enjoy!
Zeno said
King Hulk, I might have asked this before but have you read Gerber’s Defenders run? It is one of the most underrated superhero comic book runs of all time. And did you ever read the later Defenders story ‘Who remembers Scorpio?’ by Kraft and Keith Griffin?
King Hulk Marco said
Hi Zeno, I am not too familiar with the early Defenders storylines to be honest with you and Jamieson. The very few Defenders comics I do have, I inherited when my older cousin stopped collecting comics in the late 70′s early 80′s.
King Hulk Marco said
Hi Jamieson, thank you for dropping over to Grey’s site. Any chance you could add a link to his site on yours? Hopefully by doing that he would receive some increased traffic to his site. Kindest regards! Marco
dailypop said
I used to have a Blogroll but no one really used it and many of the sites I referred to went down, so I just de-activated that widget, otherwise I’d definitely link to Grey’s site. When his next article goes live I’ll add a link, though.
King Hulk Marco said
Dailypop,
Thank you for doing that.
Just letting you know that I MIGHT be getting my own website in afew months time. I will be starting the logistics probably after Christmas.
Mine will be more a business based one (it’s primary purpose to earn me cash) with some fun stuff added on.
I have afew idea’s that I am currently juggling with. I will have to do market research and all that fun stuff to see if it is viable business venture.
Obviously, I can’t at this stage mention what my idea will be.
Wish me luck!
dailypop said
Best of luck, let me know if you have any questions.
ratchet said
Let me know if you want my help too!
King Hulk Marco said
Hi Jamieson, I agree with your assessment regarding the Hulk family dynamic. It is what Gary feels as well. I believe that Greg Pak is still trying to find his way in finding the correct voice for this series. I am going to give this series a shot. Has I am sure you guys can remember, I did voice my concerns that I felt it was way to soon for the family to be dealing with Hiro Kala. They really should have saved it for Summer 2011 or 2012 and concentrate on developing the various relationships within the team. Who fills what function etc. I find myself in agreement with you again regarding parent/child storylines. It is an art that Marvel hasn’t yet fully mastered. Exceptions to the rule have been the recent FF & Spider-Girl (May-Day Parker) storylines have been generally excellent. Also, Jamieson I wanted to thank you personally for your kind offer of advice/help as I look at the possibilty of starting my own business on the internet.
King Hulk Marco said
To Ryan, (I haven’t forgotten you). I’ll play you at your game. If yours is a genuine offer of advice/help I thank you and will bear that in mind. If it is another sarcastic jab at my person (which I feel it could be). Well, I will send wave upon wave of insults at you telepathically! Lol – and some people say I have no sense of humour!
ratchet said
That is actually a good one! It made me laugh…