November is Hulk Month

A couple of years ago I decided to dub November Hulk Month for Comic Geeks Unite. Why would I devote an entire month to one hero, but not do it for any of the others? Well I have a few reasons for doing that.

Let’s start with the selfish reason: the Incredible Hulk is my favorite hero. Why? For starters he combines two other loves of mine which are Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and classic monster movies. Stan Lee has said that he based the Hulk off from the classic Robert Louis Stevenson book and Boris Karloff’s portrayal of Frankenstein’s monster. I also like that not only is the Hulk a split personality from his scientist alter ego Bruce Banner, but that because of the Hulk’s brute force Banner is a reluctant hero. There is also a certain appeal in the Hulk’s unlimited strength. The madder he gets the stronger he gets making he essentially unstoppable.

Another reason is one of memoriam. It was in November (the 21st) that, sadly, Bill Bixby passed away. Bixby’s portrayal of David Banner in the television series (and television movies that followed) is one that fans compare all other actors who take on the part. Bixby was also well known from other TV series such as, ‘My Favorite Martian’ and ‘The Courtship of Eddie’s Father’ to name a couple. His representation of David Banner showed us a truly tortured soul who was a true Jack of all trades even though no matter where he wandered and what job he took inevitably his doctor background, not to mention the Hulk, would come out.

Fun fact about Bill Bixby; did you know he never let his son watch ‘The Incredible Hulk’ series? He never wanted his son to think that if his father got angry he would turn into a giant green rage monster.

November is also the month in which Lou Ferrigno was born. Lou’s birthday is on November 9. The Hulk himself, who even after the series ended has been a big part of anything Hulk. Ferrigno voiced the Hulk in the 1990’s cartoon series, as well as being the voice in the Edward Norton Incredible Hulk movie. His voice was even added to the mix for the noises and voice for Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk in, ’The Avengers’. Ferrigno has also been a consultant in the look of the Hulk for both the previously mentioned Edward Norton film as well as ‘The Avengers’. Let’s also not forget Lou’s cameos in the Eric Bana Hulk film and Edward Norton’s film. In both he played a security guard, but in Norton’s Lou got a much better nod.

Fun fact about Lou Ferrigno; he almost wasn’t the Hulk. Originally Richard Keel had been cast in the role, but the director’s son said that Keel didn’t look right. While Keel was tall he wasn’t bulky enough to properly play the Hulk. Thus Lou Ferrigo got the part and made geek history.

The last reason is because the pilot episode for, ‘The Incredible Hulk’ television series debuted in November. On November 4 the Hulk came to life on the small screen. For the first time in live action we got to see the transformation of David Banner into the strongest creature on the planet. Sure his origin and profession were changed and updated, but it worked. Along with being chased by the relentless tabloid reporter Jack McGee who became the constant antagonist throughout the series. It’s the longest running live action series Marvel has ever had.

So there you have it. That is why I have dubbed November Hulk month for Comic Geeks Unite. I hope you’ll join us as we celebrate everything The Incredible Hulk.