PeterDavid.net

I think you're Geor -

Oh, never mind...

JLK

I can't understand people who says that Peter David's Hulk is not the Hulk.

Here in Spain the David's run on the series is considered the pinacle of the character. Say "Hulk" and "Peter David" follows in the next sentence.

David is for Hulk the same as Miller for Daredevil. Both of them took dry and boring characters and after some transition made them evolve.

Diference between two runs is that with Daredevil nobody says that "Miller's is not the real Daredevil"

Sigh.

"...Hulk smashing this and that and some other damned thing."

Why, PAD, that almost sounds like a "1776" reference.

"Franklin did this, Frankin did that, Franklin did some other damned thing." One of my favorite lines in the whole show. Good job. :)

("...and then the three of them - Franklin, Washington and the horse - conducted the entire revolution singlehandedly." Brilliant!)

For all I know, you could be George W. Bush. This could all be a twisted MK-Ultra experiment. (Admittedly, an elaborate one.)

I think the problem with the association of Millar with Daredevil is that Daredevil WASN'T that popular to begin with. So when Millar came on to the title, he became popular.

Hulk was already a fairly popular character that was frankly stagnet before Mr. David came on to the title.

What is even more intresting is that with one issue Bruce Jones pratically makes Mr. David's run on the book non-existant! Which begs the question about "The End" story... it is clearly the "The End" of Peter David's Hulk, not Bruce Jones. But no one did that or allow that to happen to Daredevil. Daredevil's history is still intact.

I love both versions of the Hulk. They just exist on different plains of realty I guess.

Up until the last 2 lines I was enjoying this entry.

There are just so many things wrong with the last two lines --

I guess the Avengers as a group could be considered to be President George W. Bush because they were _pro-active_ in dealing with the villains instead of watching events occur amid countless resolutions and attempts to stop wrong. I guess we should go back to the previous president who did absolutely nothing -- nothing, in response to the loss of U.S. lives.

(Those aspirin factories in other countries are really really hoping that another US President isn't caught having sex again, though.)

I got hooked on the Hulk because of your writing, and I got hooked on following your career based on my enjoyment of the work on the Hulk.

I'm still following you to new projects, and I have only read one issue of Hulk since you left. It was in the Mighty Marvel Must Hvaes that reprinted the JMS-Spidey-Sept 11 issue, or I probably wouldn't have read that. It was interesting, but not enough to make me make that monthly commitment again.

As for the Professor, I imagine Jones got that from "The Teacher" which was the name given to the fused personality of Billy Milligan - a real-life multiple from Ohio who was the subject of a book by Daniel Keyes. Your work on Hulk made me seek it out for my Abnormal Psych class. I always wonderedif you had read it for your research on the topic.

-Joe

While I'm sure it won't matter to Balder, here is a page that de-bunks that popular e-mail about how Clinton did nothing about terrorism.

http://www.snopes2.com/rumors/clinton.htm

Oh, and I still wonder why we are supposed to believe that Saddam has nuclear weapons in the face of all of these reports that say otherwise, but we are expected to believe that "pharmaceutical plan" was making aspirin instead of chemical weapons? I mean, if it's good enough for W, shouldn't it be good enough for Clinton?

-Joe

I cannot believe ANYBODY could be so ignorant as to say that PAD's Hulk isn't the 'real' Hulk... PAD's Hulk IS THE HULK. That's really all there is to it.

>>I guess the Avengers as a group could be considered to be President George W. Bush because they were _pro-active_ in dealing with the villains instead of watching events occur amid countless resolutions and attempts to stop wrong.<<

An object lesson that no matter *how* carefully one spells things out, some will still view it through their own prism and respond with non-sequitors.

The Avengers, as I recall, always worked very carefully with various national organizations, obeyed charters, and toed the line. I do not recall them unilaterally advocating regime change whether other countries liked it or not...which is what the Hulk and the Pantheon did do, and what Bush would have *liked* to do until his advisers brought him up short. It has nothing to do with being pro-active and everything to do with a philosophy that says, "Our way or get out of the way."

PAD

Pad,

For me personally, your Hulk is the Hulk or at least my Hulk. After you left the seriesm I stayed for a few months but did not enjoy it.

I especially loved the Pantheon series of books.

Yay yay YAY! Peter, have you been reading the Hulk Message Boards lately, or did somebody tell you about recent threads on it... or are you just tuned in psychically to the zeitgeist of Hulk fans?

Regardless... thanks for this message. I hope somebody posts this to the Hulk MB. There are a few people there I'd love to have read it-- while some of the anti-PAD folks there are perfectly mature in expressing their negative opinion of your Hulk run, a couple are just belligerent, ignorant and immature. Reading this little piece from you wouldn't shut them up, but it would certainly fluster 'em.

Thanks for writing this! (And while I'm at it, thanks for writing the Hulk!)

The Peter David Hulk is the best description of the Hulk because it described that even with limitless strength you can be powerless. Or with genius you can be alone and frustrated. I feel those issues, and how it defined the character, were the most original stories I've ever read in comics.

Comics have become a soap opera, where nothing is supposed to change once its popular. PAD had an enjoyable evolving character and that just didn't fit with the comics industry. Its a shame.

I find the current trend of rehashing origins distasteful to the original creators of the characters. PAD's novel approach at keeping the Hulk and Banner growing was the best way to solve this problem and still stay true to the character's original concept. The fact that this is exactly what PAD are accused of not doing is mind-boggling.

AGREED. I was a Hulk fan long b4 I read any PAD HULK's. In fact, I didn'teven like PAD's HULK when I first read it. It was HULK # 349 and I was 11 (I think - Man, I'm old and have no life!). I hated the idea of a weaker, smarter Hulk in a suit. I wanted smashing. But, as I grew older, I found that I wanted a more intelligent Hulk. Now, I can't stand the smashing. "Hulk this" and "Hulk that" gets old fast! The current direction for the character is definitely NOT for me.

I don't even think that George W. Bush is really George W. Bush.

And I don't find "Hulk smash everything!" as amusing as I used to.

Hi Peter!

A creative writing instructor once told me that the first rule of writing is never apologize for your point of view. I bought the Hulk on monthly basis when you were writing it. I quit buying it when you stopped. Those who only want to see a mono-syllabic "Hulk Smash" comic have a diminished capacity to appreciate variety. For me, the dimwitted Hulk sufferred from "Swamp Thing" syndrome.

Basically the "angry" Hulk, and the pre-Moore Swamp Thing were both quest books. Both featured characters whose main drive or quest, was to restore their humanity. Nothing wrong with that, except in a monthly comic book format, the smart reader will realize that neither characters can ever succeed at their quest. If they do, series over!

Like all quest stories, a resolution must arrive one day, otherwise the series becames old REAL quick. I don't know about you, but I quit watching Voyager on a regular basis after Season 3.

What both you and Moore did for your respective characters, was eliminate a creative yoke. By freeing yourselves of the "quest" element inherent in both character's origins, you were both able to write MUCH more interesting stories. It's unfortunate most comic readers can't see this.

It's also unfortunate Bruce Jones has decided to write the "angry" Hulk. Bruce is a fine writer, but this is an aspect of the Hulk that I have zero interest in. It's been done!

To continue the Avengers analogy, consider that they never decided on their own to swoop in and liberate Latveria. Sure, it might be the desirable thing to do, but it would violate every thing about the rule of law that the Avengers have stood for.

On, and Mr. David, thanks for the two great panels at Dragon*Con (your Friday panel and the humor panel on Monday). Damn good panels, and a hell of a lot of fun.

You could be George W. Bush or you could be William J. Clinton and do nothing about terrorists that will, in 8-10 years, bomb your homeland. Your call.

Screw critics, Peter. Your Incredible Hulk stories are the best in comics. I recently re-read your entire run and I can't tell you how much I miss you on that book.

I have to say that I do like Bruce Jones' work so far. It's different and very well written. But I don't feel any connection to the characters like I did when you wrote Hulk...

Can't wait for the new Captain Marvel tomorrow! Everybody buy two.

- Markisan

I've known Peter for years, and I know for a fact that he isn't George W. Bush.

He is, in fact, Barbara Bush.

---KRAD, running for the hills...

I just love it when people like Erik Larsen, who's never been able to carry a book on writing alone, and John Byrne, who claimed to cheer and celebrate when he heard that Peter was leaving the HULK, were not able to do better than Peter. If what came before Peter's run was so good, why wasn't it selling? Were Erik and John buying it? If not, why? I also notice that John Byrne didn't last long himself on the book after Peter left and Byrne took over.

>I do not recall them unilaterally advocating regime change whether other countries liked it or not...which is what the Hulk and the Pantheon did do, and what Bush would have *liked* to do until his advisers brought him up short.

Regime Change was the policy of the former Democrat administration as well. Nearly the whole democratic party (with bipartisan support) gave their blessing on the policy in 1998.

>I do not recall them unilaterally advocating regime change whether other countries liked it or not...which is what the Hulk and the Pantheon did do, and what Bush would have *liked* to do until his advisers brought him up short.

Regime Change was the policy of the former Democrat administration as well. Nearly the whole democratic party (with bipartisan support) gave their blessing on the policy in 1998.

Hey Peter-

I first came aware of you through your writting on the Hulk, and was sorry to see you go. Although your last year on the book never seemed to find its stride, I had the feeling that was more dur to editors trying to force the book in directions you didn't want to go. For years thought it was my favorite. Thanks for writting it.

While I don't read any of your comics anymore, I do still read all your novels, and enjoy those greatly too. Thanks for all the enjoyment over the years.

Now stop goofing off and get back to writting that New Frontier novel! #$%$#&^%ing cliffhangers....

I started reading the hulk when my old Comic-book-guy shoved a copy of Hulk # 1 in my hands and told me to read it! I quite enjoyed the story and it convinced me to get some of the back catalogue.

PAD's comics where the one's that kept me interested, i loved the smart hulk, i loved the pantheon and really i loved the book! the new series of hulk really didnt match up to what had written at times i have thought about dropping this title - but im hoping one day things will go back to being as good as when written by Peter.

When people say that PAD's Hulk isnt the real hulk - i would have to say - what would you rather read, a interesting book written with jokes and great stories or HULK SMASH again and again and again!

I have been a fan of the Hulk's since he was on TV and I was fourth-grader. I have managed to either read or possess just about everything that the Hulk has appeared in.

Arguments about who is the definitive Hulk are nothing more than a popularity contest.

Some writers are better suited to different characters. Peter David was made to tackle the Hulk. My favorite incarnation of the Hulk is the Savage, because that is the way that I first experienced him. Great stories were written about him and I am sure that their are many more to be told.

Kudos to Bill Mantlo for bringing me that fellow. But many thanks to Peter for being the best writer to ever spin a Hulk tale.

Peter, I read your entry from a month ago discussing how writers get no respect. I honestly never looked at it that way. I always know who is writing the Hulk and to me, that is the most important aspect. If it is a good story, the art needs to be no more than stick figures imo.

I find Bruce Jones' success on the current Hulk run baffling. How can he be so popular when the title character appears in only a few panels each issue and sometimes that is even a flashback? Savage, merged, gray, devil, who knows? we don't get to see him.

I'll probably read the Hulk til the day that I die, no matter who writes or draws him I'll just keep on hoping that he makes more frequent appearances in his own book.

Mark B.

I thought you had an incredible take not only on the Hulk but on the Leader as well. Add a great supporting cast that had a continual coming-and-going and you have a great book.

BTW, Peter--"Real Genius" just came out on DVD last week. Needless to say we snapped up a copy.

JSM

I love the "Banner Hulk" period.

In fact, i sold most my hulks except from 300 till the last PAD issue.

I still love reading those issues. Specially reading hulk "beat" Captain America and being a "smart @$$"

I can't get over the people who currently write into the Hulk comic's letter page, raving about Bruce Jones's take on the character because "it reminds (them) of the Hulk TV show"!! I remember: a bad wig, interminable slow-motion sequences where the Hulk just kind of stood there, a laughably bulbous fake nose, growling and roaring in lieu of dialogue (and, yes, I know that the reason was in no small part due to Lou Ferrigno being hearing-impaired. But, still...!), and stunts that were little more than 'Six Million Dollar Man' rehashes. Lookit...at the risk of severely dating myself...I was five, six, seven years old when the "Batman" series was in first-run episodes on ABC. I have wonderful memories of watching the show with my older brother and my parents, of playing Batman with my friends the day after a new episode aired, et al. Do I dislike, say, 'The Dark Knight Returns', the O'Neil/Adams and Englehart/Rogers stories, the first Burton/Keaton movie?? Would I prefer that DC's current version of the character would be the comics equivalent of 'Holy....' this that or the other, Burt Ward smacking one fist into one palm, "Pow!" "Bam!" "Zokk!" sunbursts ('Zokk'?!?), Adam West's halting 'Not...so fast...old...chum" delivery which at times out-Shatnered Shatner?? HELL, NO!! Peter David's ('merged') Hulk remains, to me, the best incarnation of an iconic character....to date.

Hooper

Dear Peter,

I must say that while you were writing the Hulk, I greatly enjoyed it. I liked merged and the gray Hulks, I loved Rick, Marlo, and your version of Betty. You managed to breath life into outmoded concepts, and you did it with a sense of humor.

That being said, I do like what other writers have done with the Hulk since you left. Paul Jenkins' revelation that the merged Hulk was not really merged but instead a new personality created by Sampson really intrigued me (Bruce is not left handed). I am currently enjoying Bruce Jones' run also. The wandering nature doesn't bother me, mainly because it allows Bruce to interact with new and interesting people. While the Hulk wandered, his book was a bit like DC's Showcase. He met new or obscure characters and fought with them. If the Hulk hadn't been so peripatetic, we never would have met Sabra, the 3-D Man, or Machine Man.

And to state the unpopular opinion, your own views did occaisionally pop out during your writing, Peter. Your distaste for the first President Bush was apparent while you wrote X-Factor (which I loved, by the way), and your views on Israel came out in the story where the Hulk fought Sabra, and again during the story where he liberates his old girlfriend from prison. I don't think anyone can ever really be seperated from their work, but you made valiant attempts in all your stories. I actually though that you were Catholic, because you made Betty a nun and appeared as a priest during Rick Jones' wedding. Man was I wrong, but then, I though the Thing was Catholic, too (read FF 55, or there abouts).

"Hulk smash!" is incredibly fun to parody, and fun to read once in a while, but about the most boring thing to read on a regular basis.

I have every issue of PAD's run on the Hulk, and stopped buying it when he left. The Hulk has always been more interesting when he has a mind, and when PAD brought DID into the picture, I just sat back in awe that no one had even attempted to explain the Hulk that way before. And yet it fit so nicely.

John Byrne cheered? The man who obliterated every book he was ever allowed to helm? Wow, he's even more of a jerk now than he was when he was drawing the X-Men.

I have a short list of great comic book writers, and PAD is in the top five. Byrne isn't even on my top five artists list.

Peter, your Hulk ruled.

Mr. David,

I hope you don't mind my having posted this entry on to the Hulk Message Boards. In the couple days since, you've been engaging in debates with some of your most vocal (and most lame) critics, all of which I've enjoyed reading, but some of which you don't seem to have enjoyed writing.

Let me just say, so many of us are so glad to have had you posting to the Hulk Message Boards in these last few days, and I hope that you'll continue to do so, even if just on a semi-regular basis.

Don't let the idiots drive you away!

Thanks!

The Hulks are a toss-up for me.

I can't see how anyone could possibly hate "Banner Smash!"

But the merged Hulk never staved off a mob of angry picnickers with Hostess Fruit Pies.

Obviously, the only TRUE Hulk would be one that combines these two elements. Oh, he'd have to team up with John Byrne's She-Hulk all the time.

PAD, some questions, if you will...

1) Did you intend to have the Abomination kill Betty, and was it going to be done the same way? As it stands in Casey's run (if I remember correctly), she fell ill from radiation poisoning and the 6'8", 900 lb Blonsky snuck in and slipped her an intravenous cocktail of his blood and untraceable posions, which is what actually killed her as Banner managed to undo the prior radiation damage.

2) Would the merger have broken down even if the Hulk and Banner hadn't been ripped apart in Onslaught: Marvel universe?

3) What is your opinion on the make-up of the Jones run, a opposed to it's success? Do you read it, and if so, what do you think of the characterization (like how Samson acts like everything since the 200's never happened... there is this odd, rivalric tension between he and Banner)?

Thanks for your time.

ºS†å®™

PAD, some questions, if you will...

1) Did you intend to have the Abomination kill Betty, and was it going to be done the same way? As it stands in Casey's run (if I remember correctly), she fell ill from radiation poisoning and the 6'8", 900 lb Blonsky snuck in and slipped her an intravenous cocktail of his blood and untraceable posions, which is what actually killed her as Banner managed to undo the prior radiation damage.

2) Would the merger have broken down even if the Hulk and Banner hadn't been ripped apart in Onslaught: Marvel universe?

3) What is your opinion on the make-up of the Jones run, a opposed to it's success? Do you read it, and if so, what do you think of the characterization (like how Samson acts like everything since the 200's never happened... there is this odd, rivalric tension between he and Banner)?

Thanks for your time.

ºS†å®™

I love PADs run, but he is SO full of it when he denies that the Hulk was a mouthpiece for his political views.

If the Hulk is George W. Bush and not Peter David, why was he so fiercely pro-choice and pro-gay? That doesn't sound like a conservative like Dubya to me.

I tend to agree with the person who said that it is impossible for the writer to separate himself from his views.

Nor should he try or even want to.

Peter's time on the Hulk was the best ever for that character. It was the one comic I consistently bought during that time. I have been reading his books and comics every since.

Not sure if anyone's still reading this topic, but I agree with Ben Hunt that Paul Jenkins's reworking of the merged Hulk was interesting while it lasted. Or at least, the idea that the three main Hulks were all still there in Banner's head, along with other variations, and you never knew which one was gonna come out--that was creative and could have been a lot of fun. And the way Jenkins established and explained that situation was fairly faithful to Mr. David's run and what had come before. If the savage Hulk was a manifestation of Banner's abused childhood, and the gray Hulk was his adolescence, then the professor was Banner's conception of adulthood. Which is interesting to me, since a lot of people, perhaps especially comics fans, have an idea of themselves as adults that may be different from their more fractured true selves. Anyway, I agree that Jenkins's characterizations of the gray and especially the merged Hulks were a little off, and it's a shame to have to reduce the merged Hulk at all.

If it helps any, and I don't have the issue in front of me, but around the time we were finding out that the merged Hulk was in fact another shard of Banner's personality, Jenkins had Samson turn to the camera and say something like, "I'm sorry. I had to." Which I always assumed was Jenkins's way of saying, I had to mess with things just so I could move forward. Or, like the plastic surgeon in Batman, except gesturing toward the previous year's issues, "You see vat I haff to vork wiss here..."

Of course, then Jenkins took off, and now we have Bruce Jones, who's simply forgotten about all the other Hulks, seems to pay little attention to the book's history, and who's really fairly boring. Oh, well...