REVIEW: Hulk: Grand Design - Monster

Jim Rugg is a name that I have never heard in comics before, but after reading his first part of the new Grand Design series focused on The Green Goliath, I now look forward to seeing Rugg’s name more often within the funny pages.

From having read the X-Men Grand Design series some time back, I know that I am guaranteed a cliff notes version of the landmarks within the rich history of the Hulk, showcasing what makes Bruce Banner so Incredible. From already having read through Loeb and Sale’s Grey as well as Jenkins and Rivera’s Mythos and some of Lee and Kirby’s Hulk Marvel Milestones, Rugg’s tribute to the greatest Avenger explains the footnotes in the Hulk’s history with an attention to detail that is remarkable since the Rugg puts the information that could be consumed within whole volumes of back issues into one page.

The acid wash effects on these pages give these vintage tales a vintage look and the recreations of key issues like the spiral notebook rendering of #181 belong in art galleries. As a Hulk-head I knew of Hulk’s relationship with Jarella, Doc Samson’s relationship with Betty, and that Hulk got cut off the Avengers – but I know the why’s and the deeper reasons behind these nuggets of lore that pop up here and there in every issue of the Hulk that I have had the pleasure to read since I was a kid. And when I was a kid the Hulk had a Saturday morning cartoon, so it was special to see that and the 80’s Bixby/Ferrigno series get a nod as well as Hulk’s Rolling Stone cover get some love, since I rank Hunter S. Thompson’s work as one of my main draws into getting into journalism in the first place.

Rugg being given Hulk’s encyclopedia is a great decision on Marvel’s part. The way he handles Banner’s mythos with such care and makes the 7 foot tall beast appear like he could carry the Marvel Universe on his back (just see his Secret Wars homage page) is a tribute that old Jade Jaws has deserved for the longest. “Monster” clocks in at the era of the early eighties. So if Rugg can keep up the pace for the rest of the Hulk’s rich history, I am eager to see how he handles Ewing’s esoteric run and Cates’ most recent abusive arc.

Bruce Banner has always been counted out and undervalued in the Marvel Universe. Despite his various flaws and self-inflicted wounds, it’s about damn time someone showed the green behemoth some appreciation.

Score : 4.5/5

(W) Jim Rugg (A/CA) Jim Rugg