100 Greatest Superhero Stories Ever
By Steve Lam
Screen Capture from The Incredible Hulk Season 1, Episode 1: “The Incredible Hulk”
#41. The Incredible Hulk Season 1, Episode 1: “The Incredible Hulk”
Medium
Live-Action Television Series
Release Date
November 4, 1977
Credits
Director: Kenneth Johnson
Writer: Kenneth Johnson
Cast: Bill Bixby as Dr. David Banner, Susan Sullivan as Dr. Elaina Marks, Jack Colvin as Jack McGee, Lou Ferrigno as The Incredible Hulk, Susan Batson as Mrs. Maier, Mario Gallo as Mr. Bram, Eric Server as Policeman, Charles Siebert as Ben, Kenneth Johnson as Scotty, Larua Banner as Lara Parker, Richard Kiel as The Hulk
The Reason It’s Great
It was the one that started it all—the pilot episode. The two-hour television movie showed the Hulk’s origins and sets up the protagonist of David Banner. Unlike past superhero shows, The Incredible Hulk was geared more towards drama and creating strong characters.
Dr. David Banner is a physician/scientist who accidentally overdoses on gamma radiation. Now, whenever he becomes angry, it causes him to transform into the Incredible Hulk—a 330-pound 7-foot tall green creature. Jack McGee, a tabloid news reporter, incessantly pursues the Hulk.
The Hulk is eventually blamed for a lab accident that kills Banner’s work associate, Dr. Elaina Marks. Unable to control the Hulk, Banner leaves to find a cure for his condition.