| I've got Ironman to blame for catching the comic | | | | hero-monster; the Fantastic Four have Ben |
| bug over the past few weeks. This weekend I | | | | Grimm, The Thing, an astronaut who was also |
| went to see another Marvel character, The | | | | pelted by radiation and turned into something alien. |
| Incredible Hulk, be re-introduced to the public. This | | | | But the Hulk is more famous because he came |
| is the second Hulk movie in five years; the | | | | first and is not part of a super team. He's also the |
| previous Hulk, directed by Ang Lee, more famous | | | | more interesting character because he's more |
| for Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon with its martial | | | | complex. Ben takes advantage of his new |
| artistry and Yo Yo Ma soundtrack, was a | | | | physique, and shoots his big mouth when it's |
| complete flop. | | | | clobbering time. The Hulk merely mumbles and |
| The 2008 Hulk has far more promising; for one | | | | runs away to find new clothes and a lab to cure |
| thing it has a stronger cast. Ed Norton plays | | | | himself and suppress his anger. The new movie |
| scientist Bruce Banner, the main character, who | | | | supports this by flashing Days Without Incident; |
| as Hulkmaniacs know is pelted by gamma | | | | the audience got a chuckle when that number |
| radiation that turns him into a huge green | | | | dropped to 0 and 1. |
| monster whenever he becomes angry. Liv Tyler, | | | | There are some things to learn from The Hulk, as |
| who I loved in Armageddon, plays Dr. Elizabeth | | | | there were from Ironman. For one thing, it's |
| Ross, Banner's scientific colleague and love | | | | obvious that a little knowledge can become |
| interest. William Hurt plays her father, a black-ops | | | | dangerous in the wrong hands. For another, you |
| style general who wants to use Banner's hulkiness | | | | see a struggle within a man who could use his |
| to turn soldiers into more powerful fighting | | | | strength for greed or ill-taken power - he can't |
| machines. | | | | harness it well enough to use it for good - but he |
| What makes this story work is not the special | | | | only wants to be himself. The Hulk is not the only |
| effects, but Norton's portrayal of Banner, who is | | | | hero who would prefer to human, but he works |
| struggling with science and inner demons to shake | | | | harder to return to humanity than any one of |
| the monster out of him. He is more like the | | | | them. |
| Banner played by Bill Bixby in the 1978 series: | | | | Ironman is the better movie, but The Incredible |
| always on the run, always just shy of a cure, and | | | | Hulk is worth your time if you're a Marvel fan. |
| always the hero. And the monster is a bit | | | | You'll even get another hint that these characters |
| smarter in this movie; he quickly knows how to | | | | will come together in sequels. These characters |
| shield himself from flying debris by tearing cars | | | | are a franchise that has lasted 46 years, but the |
| and tanks in half. I don't remember previous Hulks | | | | hits, starting with the first Spiderman, have been |
| being as resourceful. By the way, you'll catch | | | | coming for only six. These comics, the Beatles |
| glimpses of Bixby and Lou Ferrigno, his green alter | | | | and the Stones have been among the few |
| ego, in the movie that you won't want to miss. | | | | cultural icons that my generation has passed on |
| The Hulk is not the only hero in the Marvel | | | | to the future. They may be fictional, but they are |
| universe who would prefer not to be a | | | | icons nonetheless. |