I have to say, I haven't read all the Hulk books and am not all that familiar with past story arcs. I'm reading from Marvel Comics from the 60s and forth to do it properly and in order (I got a long way to go).  
 
Anyways, for those who have more experience reading Hulk, is it fair to say that this character has been getting bigger storylines now more than ever? Whereas Spider-Man, X-Men, and Fantastic Four could have their popular story arcs go as back as the 70s and 80s, Hulk has been starring in some big events more in recent years than ever before.  
 
While the entire Marvel universe shared Civil War, Hulk was off-world starring in his own arc: Planet Hulk. Then when he returned, he starred in his own arc again: World War Hulk. Despite others in the Marvel universe taking part in the story, Hulk is the lead character in all this. Now, although people are getting bored with it, the whole Red Hulk storyline did indeed start off real exciting.  
 
Now the Hulk family is getting multiple books: Hulk, Incredible Hulk, Skaar: Son of Hulk, and Incredible Hercules is always considered in the Hulk family of books.  
 
Anyways, is this really the time when Hulk is being given a more prominent role in the Marvel universe than ever before in the character's history?

 Definitely.  Hulk is kind of going the way of Spiderman after his movies starting coming out.  But eventually this will all settle down, Banner will be featured in a boatload of comics, but he won't really play as big of a role in things that he currently does..  The only setback for Hulk is that I don't think he has quite as many fans as Spidey.
 
But, I'm usually wrong, so whatever.

"I never hated a Hulk comic until Loeb took over and created Rulk. If you want Hulk at his best then you need to read Peter David's run. "

@adam_michaels: Great info, love these threads! Thx