I love Loeb’s Hulk series. So. Much. And with it being one of Marvel’s top-sellers, I’m not the only one. Being the fair person that I am however, I thought it would be a good idea to explore some of the pro’s and con’s of the series.

First up – the pro’s:

- An obvious positive point is that the launch of the series provided a new #1 and a good place for new readers to jump on.

- There is a distinct lack of continuity in this series, which gives it the ability to tell a story without the restrictions of big events and other books.

- Hulk smash. Hulk think not as well. Think classic better.

- If ever there was a book that exemplifies the concept of Marvel’s shared universe, it’s this one (with appearances by Iron Man, Thor, Doc Samson, She-Hulk, Namor, and many others).

- The evolution of the “Hulking out” concept. We all know and love the original green Hulk, whose transformation provides incredible strength but also caveman intelligence. Joe Fixit recently made an appearance; he is known for possessing less strength than Green Hulk, but average intelligence. Red Hulk is the latest step of that evolution, possessing strength to equal Green Hulk’s and presumably the same level of intelligence as when not Hulked out.

- New Hulk-ish characters. For one, Rick Jones is the new Abomination (or A-Bomb), and there will apparently by a Wendigo capable of Hulking out in issue #9. Add Rulk, and you’ve got plenty of opportunities for epic monster-smashing battles.

- “Oh. The. Humanity.”

THE CON’S:

- After Greg Pak’s run on Incredible Hulk (soon to be a modern classic) and World War Hulk, this series is a poor follow-up even for those who like it. I can sympathize with long-time Hulk fans here.

- Going back to the series’ lack of continuity, there’s no way of telling when any of this takes place. Or HOW, for that matter. Post-Civil War, obviously, but the Silver Surfer (who should still by on Sakaar) will be in issue 10, as well as in SKAAR, SON OF HULK #8 or 9. Things like this make HULK confusing for continuity junkies.

- All the ‘smashing’ scenes may make for a book with more action than mystery, which could go either way.

- There have been a few delays. Not that they really hurt the book in the eyes of the folks to enjoy it, but the impatient people who were already forming negative opinions used this as yet another reason to do so.

- Thor’s beat-down. Rulk defeating the might Thor apparently pissed some people off…

So. These are just one person’s views of the book. I invite anyone reading this to let me know what you think of the series, and whether you agree/disagree with this blog. I guess another pro of HULK is that it gives a lot of people something to talk about, whether you like it or not! :)

JL