Agreed bud. Let him carve out his own legacy a bit.

HULK #8

GERRY DUGGAN (W) • MARK BAGLEY (A/C)

ROCKET RACCOON & GROOT VARIANT BY TBA

AN “OMEGA HULK” SHOCKER!!!

• It’s RED SHE HULK’S turn to be needled by DOC GREEN.

• Doc Green visits and old friend. Wait -- he has friends!?

• Plus, you didn’t think we forgot about WHO SHOT BANNER?

Marvel.com- Tuesday Q&A: Gerry Duggan

The Hulk and Nova writer shares upcoming plans for Doc Green and Sam Alexander, plus see exclusive art!

Writer Gerry Duggan’s rolling out an all-new era in HULK, so we’re rolling out an all-new interview with him! All the better to get his take on everyone’s favorite green behemoth as well as a little NOVA action just for good measure.

Marvel.com: Gerry, where are you heading in HULK? And what elements of what's come before you did you want to maintain in your run?

Gerry Duggan: I really liked the assistants that Mark Waid wrote and as it happens, they dovetail nicely with what I wanted to do with the book. I have a couple dozen folders for Marvel characters on my laptop. Some character folders only have an idea or two; some have many pages of ideas, or ideas for ideas. These come in handy whether I’m asked to pitch on a character, or I’m writing a guest spot. “The Omega Hulk” was the blue chip idea in my Hulk/Banner folder. I’m glad editor Mark Paniccia dug the story; it’s going to be a fun time through the spring of 2015.

Marvel.com: Why “The Omega Hulk”? Why is that title perfect for this storyline?

Gerry Duggan: Well, Doc Green’s intention is to be the last Hulk standing, whether or not that is true, we’ll have to wait for the end. “The Omega Hulk” just sounds intense, too. If I was in a shop and there was a collection of 12 issues, all drawn by Mark Bagley, I would be leaving the comic shop with it under my arm. The elevator pitch is that it’s “an Armor Wars” for the Hulk crowd, and that’s not a lie but I’m leaving some big things out unsaid about the story and how it all fits in. I’ve been so excited about this story, that I actually set it aside and wrote most of the end already. I would estimate that issues #15 and 16 are largely written. Hulk readers have only gotten a chance to read issue #5, but I promise you, this team is going to stick the landing.

Marvel.com: Okay, in what ways is “Doc Green” different from all other Hulks and will most surprise readers?

Gerry Duggan: He’s a new Hulk persona. He’s Extremis powered, and smarter than Banner. He’s got a sense of humor, and he’s got morals, but it’s complicated. Feelings are irrelevant to Doc Green. He’s become the dominant personality, and he’s able to do it without sharing time with Banner. Or so it seems. Doc Green doesn’t sleep, for fear of giving Banner control. Doc Green doesn’t even identify with the name “Hulk.” He’s a dangerous character. He’s out to depower Hulks, and on the surface, that seems like a great thing to do for the Earth.

Whether or not he has private motives...only time will tell. Banner is interesting because there’s a monster inside of him, waiting to explode out. Doc Green is interesting because...he could be in the same boat.

Marvel.com: How do you see Rick Jones’ place in the Hulk saga? What do you want to say with him and how will he most impact the Hulk's current story?

Gerry Duggan: Rick Jones is one of our most important characters. Rick is our witness, the lens that we view the wonderful madness that is the Hulk universe. Doc Green fights A-Bomb in HULK #6, and then Rick’s story will really pick up.

Marvel.com: Now, Hulk's going after gamma-irradiated subjects, right? Why? And should they all fear such attention?

Gerry Duggan: Doc Green has only said he’s “going to cure them to help preserve life on this planet.” Any other motives remain unspoken, but there are developments along the way that might make readers question his alignment. Something quite...unsettling is on tap for the end of issue #9. Anyone Doc Green faces is in big, green trouble. Doc Green likes messing with people too. One of my favorite scenes is at the top of HULK #7. Bagley drew the most wonderful scene of Doc Green accomplishing a personal goal, but he’s really screwing with someone. I hope the surprise guest isn’t spoiled for people.

Marvel.com: Speaking of him, what do you love about working with Mark Bagley on this book?

Gerry Duggan: I could go on and on and on about Bags. He is one of the premiere artists working today, and I never thought I would be so lucky to get to work with him. This will be remembered as his story, and he’s never been better. His action is beyond compare, these double page splashes of the Hulks fighting will make you feel out of breath, and even better than that—and harder, too—is Bags nailing the emotional component. There’s so much happening with these characters that have been a part of a family for decades; some of the biggest gut punches are thrown with words in this story, and Bags’ close-ups on those moments are gold. I’ve always been lucky in collaborators. It’s especially true on HULK.

http://marvel.com/news/comics/2014/8/19/23110/tuesday_qa_gerry_duggan

@theacidskull: I don't think you'll have to worry about Kluh or Remender affecting Hulk or Gerry Duggan's run much, if at all. Why? Because in the Time Runs Out Avengers & New Avengers story arch, which takes place months after Axis, Hulk/Doc Green is his normal self.

I'm torn between getting the awesome knock down brawl between Doc Green and his ex-wife Betty in November or the Fantastic Four's return to the blue uniforms. Both look good but Duggan finally delivered the entertaining, smart and powerful Hulk that Waid never gave fans in his run. Decisions, decisions...

@theacidskull: True, but at least we have an excuse if Hulk/Banner does something truly horrific in nature during Axis. Not many characters have or get that in comics. More or less, we'll have to wait and see on the matter.

Hulk #5: Omega Hulk, Part One

I cannot argue against such an awesome pose like that. Hulk it is then :P

if it happens that hulk turns evil, i won't be a fan of him anymore. lol.

Apologies then because AXIS is making a new evil Hulk called Kluh. But it'll only be temporary I imagine.

This is a new incarnation of the Hulk, called Kluh. According to Remender he is the Hulks Hulk. I am not really sure what to think about it, but i know so little about AXIS to really comment on it yet and the event is still not here.

@lvenger: Well the Hulks's Hulk is going to fight Nova in the tie issue 23 and 24 of Nova's series.

..Man, having been out of the country for two weeks I seem to have completely missed the launch of the Duggan Hulk comic - doh!

So, I take it you like it and is it better than Savage Hulk?

i.e. which one do you recommend I stick with..

@bezza: I'd recommend going with duggans hulk. The guys got big things in mind for hulk, and that Mohawk is just too good to pass up.

Ok, I will check it out next week, sounds promising!

@bezza: My advice? Keep up on both titles. They're great and totally worth it.

@greenscar1990:

Thanks, yeah perhaps I will. seeing as Hulk is my favourite dude, I am sure I can excuse two Hulk books a month!

Did you pick up a copy of Hulk # 5? Got mine today and most enjoyable Hulk comic for ages! A good start by Duggan!

I did indeed, a very good start to Duggan's run to say the least.

Excited to see Hulk duke it out with Rulk and maybe Skaar. Don't think the cure would work on Skaar, but the battle should be fun.

I just read the original sin series and I didn't know that Bruce was the one who made Doc Green after messing with the extremeis code.

@greenscar1990: Just seeing Hulk standing there doesn't mean we know anything about Banner/Hulks state of mind. That could just be a cover since it has Iron Man on it who doesn't sound like he will be an Avenger during Time Runs Out since his personality is changed and he and Cap had a huge falling out. For all we know since Kluh is described as "the hulk's hulk" it could mean that Banner stays in the hulk body all the time and then becomes Kluh when he loses control.

..bit late, but read Hulk #5 over the weekend and then again and its off to a great start IMO. Is It better than Savage Hulk though? The first story is building to an interesting finale.

Looks like things are on the up for us Hulk fans after a long, long time in the comic doldrums.

@bezza: do you know what's going to happen after this storyline in savage hulk?

NO I don't unfortunately, I think @theacidskull probably has more on this than me, or @greenscar1990....

@bezza: ahh, ok. Thanks anyway.

Acid's on a 3 month break I'm afraid due to studying and personal commitments but I do know what comes after the current arc as does GreenScar who can confirm whether what I'm saying is true. In Savage Hulk #5-6, I believe Gabriel Hardman and Corrina Beckcho are doing a two part story set during the Crossroads arc (no idea what that storyline is though) where a Bannerless Hulk fights Doctor Strange. Here are the links:

http://marvel.wikia.com/Savage_Hulk_Vol_1_5

SAVAGE HULK #6

CORINNA BECHKO & GABRIEL HARDMAN (W)

GABRIEL HARDMAN (A/C)

• HULK VS DOCTOR STRANGE!

• An inter-dimensional race against oncoming ARMAGEDDON!!!

• Will HULK destroy an entire city to get revenge on DOCTOR STRANGE?

• Can Strange reach the humanity in Hulk in order to save them all?

And after this, Jim Starlin is doing an arc where Hulk goes into spaaaace and fights Blastaar, Annihulus and Thanos. The last one is bound to get both of you excited ;)

@lvenger: thanos for the info mate, and believe me as soon as you mentioned thanos I started hyperventilating. By the way Are all these stories based in the past or are the latter ones (like Jim starlings arc) becoming present? I seriously hope hulk does well, I can almost guarantee he gets his a** kicked though.

I believe all of them are set in the past though loosely considered 'canon' by Marvel. And regardless of the outcome, Starlin's depiction of a Hulk vs Thanos fight will have an interesting reaction from the fanbases.

@lvenger: hopefully hulk does well though I can see it going similar to gladiators and drax's fight.

@lvenger:

Thanks for that, I am really torn now about which Hulk book to keep with. I am not sure I can afford both!

I also agree with @thedailybagel..... we expect Thanos to win, obviously, but hope Hulk isn't just one shotted!

@bezza: I'm praying for hulk to do well. I'm pretty sure it'll be an even fight until thanos reveals he was holding back or testing him or something like that then proceeding to tear hulk a new one.

@thedailybagel:

Well I admire your optimism, but thinking about the fight scenes in Infinity, I am not too hopeful...Thanos brutally beat down black bolt (who has defeated Hulk in the past), easily tanking a full scream from him and then went on to tank Thor's hardest shots with ease....

It would be great if Hulk could get angry enough to at least stagger Thanos a bit...oh well, look forward to finding out!

@bezza: I'm just hoping for the best, honestly though black bolt beat hulk way prior to his amp and I'm pretty sure pak originally intended for skrull bolt to be the real black bolt. But yeah thanos is a beast.

Something that keeps me optimistic about the fight though is how hulk smiled at thano after he punched him during infinity. I mean hulk went from being knocked out from an effortless pimp slap to smiling at his punch, he's gotten stronger over the years. It's pretty much set in stone that he won't win but I'm willing to bet that he'd damage thanos to some degree.

Just gotta keep hoping for the best!

@bezza: @thedailybagel: You're both forgetting that Hulk, during WWH, withstood a scream that tore a chunk off the moon the size of Rhode Island. Thanos did not take that level of damage/assault/ from Black Bolt during Infinity, because if that were the case all of New York would have been torn off the planet.

You both seem to forget that Hulk tanked Thanos' best shot and kept on coming, forcing Proxima Midnight to use the weight of a Supernova star to pin Hulk down to avoid further altercation. And this was just random Savage Hulk.

Thanos himself has compared Hulk to the Power Gem wielding Champion, a conflict which he mostly played it safe behind his shields until they began to falter, thus forcing him to teleport just as Champion destroyed the planet. He even stated himself to avoid direct altercation with the Hulk. Why? Because unless he uses BFR, all force is going to do is make Hulk come at him stronger with each passing second.

I can see a similar situation happening between Hulk & Thanos, especially given his recent BFR treatment of Gladiator in the recent Thanos: The Infinity Revelation. He isn't foolish enough to engage Hulk with pure force, cause even with his impressive powerset, in the end it would eventually lead to Thanos' downfall. All of Thanos power and destructive force would only serve to make Hulk grow angrier and stronger. Thus, instead of risking a battle which he knows would go on indefinitely and could most likely result in his defeat, Thanos would use strategy in the form of BFR.

Honestly, I look at the situation like this. There's a couple of scenarios which I believe will play out. I believe Thanos will either use/manipulate the Hulk into eliminating a powerful cosmic threat, because being the Strongest creature in the Marvel Universe and nigh-indestructible is exactly what the Mad Titan needs in this particular situation. Thanos won't get his hands dirty, he eliminates a threat to himself, and Hulk proves to be the Strongest there is.

If and when Hulk & Thanos come into conflict, I believe that:

1. It'll end in stalemate with no decisive victor

2. Thanos will use his tech to BFR/transport Hulk away

3. Thanos will pull a 'Champion with Power Gem' gimmick

One thing I've also noticed is that some don't know or realize that Mr. Starlin, though he did create Thanos, also likes and has a high respect of the Hulk.

That's all I've got to say on the matter. We'll see when this particular arch of Savage Hulk comes out. Until then, we can only begin to speculate.

@greenscar1990: whilst I appreciate your optimism thanos is just on another level when it comes to power. He's got similar (if not superior) strength compared to hulk, the durability that would make it nigh impossible for hulk to put him down and the tech+ranged options to give hulk a beating wherever he feels like it.

As for infinity revelation, thanos was just playing it smart. He beat beta ray bill down in a few punch and Ronan didn't serve much better, Adam warlock knocked out quasar and surfer purely because he knew they didn't stand a chance against thanos. He wasn't scared of gladiator IMO, just making his job easier.

As for jim starlin, him writing it makes me fill optimistic. It's pointless to be really excited for an upcoming story if your just gonna have the protagonist (hulk) get the sh*t knocked out of him so it'll be a good fight, hopefully.

Oh look more overrated wishful thinking about Hulk's chances against Thanos. It's not like Thanos has a vast array of powers capable of KOing or killing Hulk and it's not like he's fought against more powerful opponents like Tyrant or even Odin and lived to tell the tale.

@thedailybagel: With all due respect, other than BFR'ing the Hulk, I don't see where Thanos is going to put him down at all given Hulk's powerset and every increasing response when assault by force-based attacks whether they be blunt, edged, or energy based. Even with his tech, I find it more likely that we'll have a situation similar to Thanos' altercation with the Power Gem wielding Champion than anything. And you're forgetting that neither Thanos or Hulk needs to win in this altercation for it to be interesting/satisfying.

If it comes down to a stalemate, with Hulk proving he's stronger and just as durable as Thanos while the Mad Titan proves to be more strategic and resourceful, I think it would be a win for both sides of either fanbase. Don't you agree?

As for what happened in Infinity Revelation, I'm not surprised. Ronan has had trouble with the Thing even with his weapon. Beta Ray Bill was deprived of Stormbreaker and didn't get a chance to breathe, thus allowing Thanos to lay him out with numerous powerful blows infused with cosmic energy. And Quasar & Surfer were sucker-punched from behind by Adam Warlock, whose a formidable enough opponent to surprise and even render them unconscious with a powerful enough blast.

But I'm not here to argue or debate. I'm just stating my opinion along with some very notable facts. And they come down to these 3 scenarios.

1. It'll end in stalemate with no decisive victor

2. Thanos will use his tech to BFR/transport Hulk away

3. Thanos will pull a 'Champion with Power Gem' gimmick

And if you ask me, all three of these scenarios are solid choices.

When is this battle between the two supposed to drop? Hopefully soon, I always look forward to their altercations.

@greenscar1990:

Hey dude, good points...

I would point out that the WWH Black Bolt was a Skrull and he merely whispered at Hulk before he was grabbed and pummelled, where as BB did this to Thanos

Also, Thanos really only slapped Hulk away, so we didn't see how Hulk would stand up to the sort of beating Thanos gave the silver Surfer.

I think I am right in saying that Hulk and Thanos have never actually faced off in a proper 1 to 1 clash, so its all conjecture on everyone's part. Logic suggests Thanos is too powerful for Hulk, but hey I am just looking forward to the battle. Also, yep, Jim Starlin is a legend. Creating Thanos and Mongul, two of the best baddy bruisers in the business!

@bezza: You're still forgetting a major detail. Pak intented it to be the real Black Bolt, until Bendis had to ruin/recton it. Nonetheless, the Skrull Bolt had the same level of power as the real deal. I mean, that scream tore a chunk off the Moon the size of Rhode Island! BB's screams to Thanos didn't even achieve that level of power or damage.

And you may also notice that when Thanos struck Hulk, it was at full force, because Thanos blows to Thor & Captain Marvel were nowhere near as powerful/impactful. Still, Hulk shrugged it off. Not here to debate, just stating the facts.

We'll see when Savage Hulk #7 comes out this December. However, I wouldn't be surprised if Starlin has Thanos acknowledge how powerful Hulk is. Call me optimistic, but I wouldn't be surprised if Starlin has the Jade Juggernaut give Thanos a solid fight that ends in a similar manner of the Power Gem wielding Chamipon.

@greenscar1990:

I hope you right 'bro, I do and yeah, Hulk did well to get straight back up from that smack that Thanos gave him. He fared much better than Black Bolt!

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=55361

I doubt there is much if any of a fight between the two. The story is apparently part of the setup for Starlin's next Thanos mini. I'm guessing we will see Thanos recruit/manipulate Hulk in to doing/getting something for him.

I wouldnt be so sure. Starlin has shown that he has a lot of respect for the Savage incarnation of the character in the past (Thanos' comparison of Hulk to the Power Gem wielding Champion, The Big Change, Hulk's performance vs the Celestial Order vs the other Defenders in Thanos: The End). Starlin's Thanos is also a fair bit more "down to Earth" than Hickman's IMO - contrast how he dealt with BRB & Gladiator in Infinity Revelation vs Infinity where he just stood there & tanked Thor's best shots.

At any rate I'm not anticipating much direct conflict between the two.

@fifthchild: it won't be prolonged but come on, who would pass up the opportunity to have hulk and thanos to duke it out? If only for a few panels. I doubt starlin would be so eager to do the story if he wasn't going to have a confrontation between the two, that would be the main appeal of the book.

Fellow Hulk fans is it safe to assume Doc Green is the smartest being on earth now?

I think the main appeal for Starlin is to get more Marvel work & setup more Thanos/Infinity stories. I could imagine a page or two of battle but I wouldn't expect much else.