Red Hulk

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caption=Promotional image of Red Hulk
Art by Daniel Acuna
character_name="Red" Hulk
publisher=Marvel Comics
debut="Hulk" #1 (March 2008)
creators=Jeph Loeb
Ed McGuiness
real_name= Unknown
species=
homeworld=
alliances=
aliases=
supports=
powers=Superhuman strength, stamina, and durability.
Regenerative Healing Factor.
Emits high amounts of gamma radiation which increases when angered.

Red Hulk is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in "Hulk" #1 (January 2008) and was created by writer Jeph Loeb and artist Ed McGuiness.

Publication history

The Red Hulk was introduced in "Hulk" #1, written by Jeph Loeb and drawn by Ed McGuiness, a monthly ongoing series started following the "World War Hulk" crossover. [ [http://www.marvel.com/news/comicstories.1974.Jeph_Loeb~and~Ed_McGuinness_Make_The_Hulk_See_Red Jeph Loeb & Ed McGuinness Make The Hulk See Red!] . Marvel.com. 2007-12-03] Marvel also released a one-shot "King-Size Hulk" (June 2008) in which Frank Cho, Arthur Adams, and Herb Trimpe supplied the artwork. [ [http://www.marvel.com/catalog/?id=8766 King-Size Hulk #1] . Marvel.com.] [ [http://challengerscomics.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=652&Itemid=18 King-Size Hulk #1] . challengerscomics.com. 2008-05-22]

Fictional character biography

Crossing the Canadian wilderness, the Red Hulk encounters, and kills, a Wendigo"King-Size Hulk" #01 (June 2008)] before reaching Russia, where he murders Abomination ["Hulk" #01 (March 2008)] . Red Hulk is next seen in New York, where he attacks S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Tony Stark, She-Hulk and others investigating Abomination's death. He then erases all files on the Hulk, using a sophisticated computer virus before destroying Stark's newly commissioned Helicarrier"Hulk" #02 (April 2008)] . After this, Red Hulk travels to Gamma Base in Death Valley, squaring off against Rick Jones (in his A-Bomb persona) before facing android Harpies and defeating the original Hulk"Hulk" #03 (May 2008)] . Thor interrupts the confrontation between the two Hulks."Hulk" #04 (June 2008)] After defeating Thor in the weightlessness of space (which allowed Red Hulk to hold Thor's Hammer) Red Hulk returns to Earth and goes on to cause an earthquake in San Francisco which was dealt with by the Hulk, She-Hulk, A-Bomb, the Avengers and the Fantastic Four."Hulk" #05 (August 2008)] Hulk, and the returning Thor, face and defeat Red Hulk as the others save the city. After his defeat, Red Hulk is visited by Doc Samson and General Thunderbolt Ross who say they gave Red Hulk his power to defeat Hulk and now that he has failed they are cutting him loose."Hulk" #06 (September 2008)]

Characterization

Red Hulk's identity has yet to be revealed within the comic series, but in an interview Marvel Editor in Chief Joe Quesada suggested it was Ares. [cite web |title=The Red Hulk’s Secret Identity Revealed! |url=http://www.comicnerd.com/marvel-comics/the-red-hulks-secret-identity-revealed/] [cite web |title=My Cup o' Joe: Week 7 |url=http://www.marvel.com/news/comicstories.3507.MyCup_o~apos~_Joe_Week_7 |publisher=Marvel Comics |date=2008-05-06 |accessdate=2008-07-18] However, issue five of the "Hulk" series contradicts this as Ares is seen on a team heading after Red Hulk.

Marvel editor Mark Paniccia has described Red Hulk as "absolutely uninhibited, tactically intelligent", [cite web |last=George |first=Richard |coauthors=Schedeen, Jesse |title=The Future of the Hulk: Marvel reveals new details about the current and future status of the Hulk line |url=http://uk.comics.ign.com/articles/877/877905p1.html |date=2008-05-30 |accessdate= ] while writer Jeph Loeb states "The Red Hulk is the kind of Hulk we haven't seen before — a thinking, calculating, brutal weapon-toting kind of Hulk." To further distance the character away from the original. "Everything the Green Hulk isn't, the Red Hulk is." [cite news |last=Colton |first=David | title = The reliably green Incredible Hulk gets pulled into a crimson tide for '#2' | url = http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/news/2008-02-17-incredible-hulk_N.htm | publisher = USA TODAY | date = 2008-02-17 | accessdate = 2008-06-12]

Powers and equipment

Red Hulk has powers almost identical to those of the original Hulk, including superhuman strength, stamina, and durability, as well as the ability to heal at an accelerated rate. However, unlike Hulk, the Red Hulk does not grow stronger with rage, but rather gives off increasing levels of gamma radiation, hence the statement, "the madder this Hulk gets, the hotter he gets". However, over-aggravation can cause Red Hulk to get dizzy from the radiation and heat that is generated.

He has been known to use firearms, notably an experimental S.H.I.E.L.D. issue handgun ergonomically designed for giant hands, taken from the armory of the Stark-designed Helicarrier. Additionally, Red Hulk has used a knife to behead a Wendigo. ["King-Size Hulk" #1]

Reception

The first 5 issues of the "Hulk" title sold out and had second printings with covers featuring interior art from Ed McGuiness.cite news |last=CBR News Team |first= | title = "Hulk" #5 is red hot - second printing announced | url = http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=17678 | publisher = Comic Book Resources | date = 2008-08-12 | accessdate = 2008-08-28] However, reviews of the series have have been critical of the lack of character development, citing the emphasis on continuous action sequences over the ongoing question of Red Hulk's identity.cite news |last= Schedeen |first= Jesse| title = Hulk #4 Review, Who is the hulkiest Hulk of them all? | url = http://uk.comics.ign.com/articles/884/884159p1.html | publisher = IGN | date = 2008-06-25 | accessdate = 2008-08-28 | quote =Each issue provides about 30 seconds of plot development, which usually centers around heaping more layers of mystery atop the Red Hulk's identity. The rest involves smashing, being smashed, or a bit of both.] Critics also derided the treatment of other mainstream Marvel characters within the pages of Hulk "The series has already treated She-Hulk and Iron Man like ragdolls who crumple under the awesome might of Red Hulk. Now it's Thor's turn."cite news |last= Schedeen |first= Jesse| title = Hulk #5 Review, It's hammer time for Red Hulk. | url = http://uk.comics.ign.com/articles/896/896771p1.html | publisher = IGN | date = 2008-08-06 | accessdate = 2008-08-28] . Noting the bad dialogue, poor pacing and maltreated characters, reviews consider Ed McGuiness' artwork to be the only saving grace for this title.

Marvel's insert booklets in Diamond Previews began referring to the Red Hulk character as "Rulk" (a portmanteau of Red Hulk), to distinguish him from the original Hulk character, a term character creator Jeph Loeb has used as well.

Bibliography

* "Hulk" vol. 3 #1–present (Marvel Comics, March 2008-present)
* "King-Size Hulk" one-shot (Marvel Comics, June 2008)

In other media

Video games

Red Hulk is a playable character in GameStop's Xbox 360 exclusive version of The Incredible Hulk video game. [cite news

Toys

Red Hulk will feature in an upcoming Build-a-figure series from Marvel Legends [ [http://www.cmdstore.com/marvel-legends-exclusive-red-hulk-build-a-figure-action-figures-set-of-7.html Marvel Legends Exclusive Red Hulk Build-A-Figure Action Figures: Set of 7] - cmdstore.com] and has a Big Bad Toy Store exclusive 10" Marvel Select action figure which features a new head sculpt based on Ed McGuinness' art. [ [http://marvelousnews.com/index.php?catid=23&itemid=11541 BBTS Exclusive Marvel Select Red Hulk] - marvelousnews.com]

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