100 Greatest Superhero Stories Ever
By Steve Lam
Image Courtesy of Marvel Comics
#50. Incredible Hulk #92–#105, Giant-Size Hulk #1: “Planet Hulk”
Medium
Comic Book
Release Dates
April 2006–June 2007 (Incredible Hulk #92–#105)
August 2006 (Giant-Size Hulk #1)
Credits
Writer: Greg Pak
Pencillers: Carlo Pagulayan, Aaron Lopresti
Inker: Jeffrey Huet
Colorist: Chris Sotomayor
Editors: nathan Cosby, Mark Paniccia
The Reason It’s Great
There’s a reason why, for years, fans have wanted a film based on the “Planet Hulk” storyline. It’s got gladiators, alien worlds, and monsters. What else more can a Hulk fan as for? Starting as just a seed of an idea from Joe Quesada, Greg Pak would later expand it into “Planet Hulk.”
Fearing the Hulk is becoming too dangerous, the Avengers trick him into a shuttle that will take him to another planet. Unknown to them, the shuttle accidentally goes through a wormhole and lands on Sakaar—where the Hulk is taken prisoner by the Red King and forced to fight as a gladiator.
Later, the Hulk escapes, pursued by the Red King and his first lieutenant Caiera. After seeing the Red King’s evil ways, Caiera joins the Hulk, who defeats the Red King. As Hulk’s shuttle is being turned into a monument, a self-destruct sequence is triggered. Caiera is killed and Hulk vows revenge against the Avengers—paving the way for “World War Hulk.”
“Planet Hulk” is so influential that elements of the story have been adpated to the upcoming Thor: Ragnarok.