The Hulk - A Work in Progress
I always wanted to get into the Hulk; being aware of Banner's rich history it becomes quite clear that in order to truly understand what the Emerald Behemoth is about, you need or maybe just want to read things in order. Unfortunately, a list of that kind doesn't seem to exist yet. At least I couldn't find one. So what I'm trying to do here is collect Hulk books, arcs, etc. worth your precious time and putting them in the correct order afterwards, if possible.
The main problem is, I haven't read many Hulk books and the different types of Hulks is just insanely confusing to new readers like me. So, even if I won't be able to put those books in the correct order, this list will suggest good reads.
"EAT GREEN!"
For the "CURRENTLY READING"-paragraph, I'll mark the spot where I'm currently at. In case anybody is interested.
I'll put reading orders in spoiler blocks so the list remains only semi-huge.
CURRENTLY READING
The Incredible Hulk (1962) by Stan Lee & Jack Kirby
FINISHED READING
ORIGIN STORIES
Hulk: Season One - by Fred Van Lente
A very nice, modern retelling of the Hulk's origin story originally written by Stan Lee.
ONE-SHOTS + MINISERIES
Hulk: The End - by Peter David
An amazing non-canon story with an astonishingly good narrative. The inner fight of Banner Vs. Hulk is amazingly depicted. I was really saddened by the ending. Highly recommended!
STORY ARCS
Planet Hulk - by Greg Pak
> credit for the reading order does not go out to me; I merely found it on the net. I couldn't find the name of the nice guy who put this order together though. Thank you, whoever you are. :)
World War Hulk - by Greg Pak
MATERIAL TO RECALL
The Incredible Hulk (1962) > #1-6 (Total issues: 6)
> This series is the first solo-series of the Hulk, telling his first adventures after the accident with Banners gamma bomb, which created the Jade Giant (who was grey at first). It lasted for only 6 issues. After that, the Hulk appeared in Tales to Astonish again.
Tales to Astonish (1959) > #059-101 (Total issues: 43)
> This is one of Marvel's early anthology comics, starring the Hulk starting with issue #59, who took over Tales to Astonish, changing the comics name to The Incredible Hulk after issue #101.
The Incredible Hulk (1968) > #102-474 (Total issues: 373)
#181: And now... The Wolverine!
#182: Between Hammer and Anvil
#245-313: Bill Mantlo
#269-285: Pardoned
#286-300: Regression
#301-313: Crossroads
#331-467: Peter Allen David
#340-346: Ground Zero
#350: Before the Fall
#377: Honey, I Shrunk the Hulk
#388: Thicker Than Water (First appearance of Speedfreek)
#420: Lest Darkness Come
#467: The Lone and Level Sands
> Peter Allen David's run is often regarded as the greatest Hulk-run of all time.
Hulk (1999) > #01-11 (Total issues: 11)
#01-07: John Byrne
#08: Erik Larsen
#09: Ron Garney
#10-11: Jerry Ordway
Incredible Hulk (2000) > #012-112 (Total issues: 101)
> Follow-up volume of Hulk (1999); starts with #12.
#12-28: Paul Jenkins (with the exception of #26, which is written by McKeever)
#29-33: Fabian Nicieza (#29); Sean McKeever (#30-32); Christopher Priest (#33)
#34-76: Bruce Jones
#77-87: Peter David
#88-91: Daniel Way
#92-112: Greg Pak
> continues with #113 in Incredible Hercules (2008).
Hulk (2008) > #01-57 (Total issues: 57)
> Issues #01-13 have been counted to the Incredible Hulk series; with issue #14 Hulk (2008) stood on its own.
#01-24: Jeph Loeb introduced the Red Hulk in his run.
#25-57: Jeff Parker
Incredible Hulk (2009) > #600-611 (Total issues: 12)
> After issue #13 of Hulk (2008), the Incredible Hulk reaches its 600th issue and continues under its original name with the original numbering.
#600: Jeph Loeb
#601-611: Greg Pak
> continues with #612 in Incredible Hulks (2010).
Incredible Hulks (2010) > #612-635 (Total issues: 24)
> written by Greg Pak
Incredible Hulk (2011) > #01-15 (Total issues: 15)
> written by Jason Aaron
Indestructible Hulk (2012) > #01-20 (Total issues: 20)
> written by Mark Waid
Hulk (2014) > #01-16 (Total issues: 16)
#01-04: Mark Waid
#05-16: Gerry Duggan
Hulk: Gray by Jeph Loeb
Incredible Hulk: Future Imperfect by Peter David
World War Hulk by Greg Pak
Remember, this is a work in progress and I am by no means an expert on Hulk. Hell, I'm not even a comicbook-vet. I just recently started to read comics on a regular basis and paying attention to continuity and the many different writers and artists.
So - if anyone is even reading this - please keep this in mind. Constructive criticism and suggestions are very much appreciated.
