“Giant-Size Hulk” #1 Sells Out as Planet Hulk Continues to Roll

From the Marvel press release:

Giant-Size Hulk #1 has sold out at Diamond as “Planet Hulk” and all things Hulk continue to sizzle among fandom.
J. Caleb Mozzocco of Newsarama says, “Marvel’s “Giant-Size” format is the perfect one for Hulk stories—a character this big demands a big book, and, at 74 full-color story pages, Giant-Size Hulk #1 certainly fits the bill…with some great Hulk stories.”
Brian Ewing of IGN.com calls it a “must have…looking at the entire package as a whole, it’s a no-brainer.”
Featuring two all-new stories by Peter David and Greg Pak, one a Hulk-Champions flashback and a Planet Hulk interlude, along with a reprint of the popular Hulk: The End by Peter David, Giant-Size Hulk #1 delivered great Hulk stories all in one mind-blowing issue.
Be sure to pick up the next issue of the Planet Hulk saga in Incredible Hulk #96 as the next act of the Jade Giant’s epic begins, continuting from the events seen in Giant-Size Hulk #1.
Fans should note that some copies may still be available at the retail level.

Green Days digs “Giant Size Hulk” #1

Green Days, a Hulk fan blog, has a strong review of “Giant Size Hulk” #1, which hit comic book stores on Wednesday and includes the Greg Pak penned “Banner War” story. An excerpt:

“Banner War” should prove, for anyone who’s been wondering, that Pak has the chops not only to bring the action back to Incredible Hulk, but give us some new spins on the Banner/Hulk relationship. I’m more convinced than ever that I’d like to see Pak continue after “Planet Hulk” closes its doors.

Click here for the full review. WARNING: Spoilers in the review!

Mastermind Excello, aka Amadeus Cho, wins the “Amazing Fantasy” poll!

Marvel editor-in-chief Joe Quesada spills the beans in his “New Joe Fridays” Q&A session at Newsarama:

NRAMA: “Dash-Dot” – Whatever happened to the Marvel Poll to decide which character from Amazing Fantasy #15 would appear in their own series? Is that still planned? Who won?
JQ: The winner was Greg Pak’s revision of Mastermind Excello, a teen genius who met the Hulk in his AMFAN short story.
I think you’ll see Greg’s Excello costarring in one of his stories.

Click here for the Pakbuzz page on Amadeus Cho, aka Mastermind Excello
Click here for a page from the Mastermind Excello story from “Amazing Fantasy” #15

2006.06.21 – “Giant-Size Hulk” #1

View the stunning preview art! | Read the PULSE interview with penciler Aaron Lopresti!
“Giant-Size Hulk” #1 hits comic book stores June 21. The book features a “Planet Hulk” story written by greg Pak with pencils by Aaron Lopresti which falls between “Incredible Hulk” #95 and “Incredible Hulk” #96. Here’s the solicitation text from Marvel.com:

What is the untold story of the battle between one of the strangest superhero teams in the Marvel Universe and the engine of destruction known as the Incredible Hulk? See ol’ Purple Pants go toe-to-toe with Angel, Ice-Man, Ghost Rider, The Black Widow and Hercules in a story that holds a key to Post-PLANET HULK events! By legendary Hulk scribe Peter David and Juan Santacruz.
PLUS! A PLANET HULK INTERLUDE! Bruce Banner makes his first appearance on Planet Sakaar — and battles the Hulk for his body and soul! What secret is the Hulk hiding? What terrible truth does Banner reveal? And who will triumph in this ultimate showdown? By Greg Pak and Aaron Lopresti.
Also: Re-presenting the outstanding INCREDIBLE HULK: THE END by Peter David and Dale Keown.

Use the Comic Shop Locator Service to find a store near you.

Six preview pages from “Incredible Hulk” #96


Marvel Comics has released the cover plus five lettered preview pages for “Incredible Hulk” #96, the first issue in the “Planet Hulk: Anarchy” story arc, written by Greg Pak with pencils by Aaron Lopresti. Click on the links below to view the pages.
Cover | Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Page 5
“Incredible Hulk” #96 hits comic book stores on July 5. Use the Comic Shop Locator Service to find a store near you.

Pakbuzz interview with Aaron Lopresti, penciler for “Planet Hulk: Anarchy”

A Monster Guy talks Hulk
Aaron Lopresti is penciling the “Planet Hulk” story in “Giant Size Hulk” #1 as well as the “Anarchy” arc of “Planet Hulk” (beginning with “Incredible Hulk” #96). “Incredible Hulk” writer Greg Pak interviews Lopresti about everything from what’s fun to draw to the collaborative process to Michael Golden’s advice. Also featuring two of Lopresti’s gorgeous new preview pages from “Incredible Hulk” #96 (click on the images to see the full pages).
Greg Pak: I seem to remember “Incredible Hulk” editor Mark Paniccia telling me that you were hungry to draw the Hulk. What do you find so compelling about the character?
Aaron Lopresti:
There are two ways to look at a character. One is from the writer’s stand point the other from the artist’s. My desire to draw the Hulk is purely from the artist’s standpoint. He is a big muscular monster! At heart I am a monster guy, who also loves superheroes. The Hulk is the perfect combination of those things. If I were writing the Hulk, I would say that his dual personality, his struggle with his own humanity, and his struggle to find his place in the universe would be what attracts me to the character. But since I am only drawing, I will stick with the simple visual appeal the character has for me.

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NowPlayingMag.com likes “Battlestar Galactica” #0

Tony Whitt, writing for NowPlayingMag.com, has kind things to say about “Battlestar Galactica” #0. Here’s a taste:

… Pak’s script truly soars, turning into the beginnings of an unseen episode we wish they’d hurry up and film already. … the best payoff to this approach is that final page, which even a new reader can have a shock of surprise over, since Pak has set it up so well within this issue. It’s an amazing moment, and one which should get this series started with a bang.

Click here for the full review.
“Battlestar Galactica” #0, written by Greg Pak with art by Nigel Raynor, hit comic book stores June 1. Issue #1 goes on sale in July — tell your local comic store to preorder your copy today! Use the Comic Shop Locator Service to find a shop near you.