Planet Hulk

Imagine for a second that you are the Incredible Hulk - not the dumb "Hulk Smash" version but a smarter Hulk. Imagine you awake in a spaceship that the heroes of Earth, many whom you thought were your friends, have confined you to because they have deemed you too 'unstable' to live amongst them anymore. Imagine your rage as you tear at your bonds - you free yourself but only long enough to survive the spaceship crashing onto a distant, savage, alien planet - not the destination that was planned for you. Imagine that you, the Incredible Hulk, are no longer the 'strongest one there is'. Imagine that there are things on this planet stronger and more terrible than even you.

That is the premise that begins the animated adaptation of one of the greatest Hulk epics ever - 'Planet Hulk'.


Almost immediately after crash landing on the wrong planet, the Hulk is enslaved and forced to fight for his life as a gladiator in the games. He quickly proves his worth and gains allies amongst the other slaves. Even those in power begin to fear this newcomer as they watch him battle to the death on a daily basis. The more victorious the Hulk gets, the more popular he becomes.


It's a fantastic story and one that takes everything you know about the Hulk and turns it 180 degrees. Usually he is able to smash his way out of any situation. However, on this planet, he must use his mind and he must learn to trust if he is going to survive - both are skills the Hulk hasn't had much use for in the past.


There is an additional story element about a prophesied savior that will come from the heavens and make the land come alive again - something the legend of Skarr (the name the inhabitants of the planet come to call our Hulk) takes full advantage of. I can live with this plot point but it really isn't necessary to advance the story. I am sure that when writer Greg Pak was done with his tale it was the one part he regretted adding.

For the Marvel completest there are some playing around with timelines and there is a major substituted character that may surprise some. However, the substitution actually works BETTER for the overall tale than did the original one in the comic book. Such a change can be forgiven when you have such a great story to tell and it IS told well. Anyone who enjoyed the previous animated movies from Marvel will not be disappointed. Even if you already know the story, there is much to enjoy here. We are truly blessed fellow fanboys and fangirls to live in this time when great superhero animated movies are being made alongside their live action cousins.