How do you solve problem like the Rulk?

Attention True Believers! This is a call to action. As may already know, the Marvel Universe is under siege by a horrible blight known as the Red Hulk, or 'Rulk.' This monument to stupidity has destroyed any goodwill that Greg Pak created within the Hulk titles after the fantastic Planet Hulk and World War Hulk. Incredible Hulk #600 came and went, and we are none the wiser as to who the Red abomination to comic-dom is. And now, in an effrontery to common sense and good taste, the Rulk family is being expanded with the edition of the Red She-Hulk. (wait for face twitching to subside...)

We, the offended comic buying fans, need to do something to bring this horrendous nightmare to an end. This is an open call to all who are put off by the ridiuclousness of the Rulk, and to those of you who have subsequently dropped the title, to post in the comments of this very blog entry your feelings, protests, or detailed descriptions of solutions to the 'Rulk Problem.' Have fun with it. Maybe Jeph Loeb or Joe Quesada himself will wake up and smell the gamma rays and give us back the old Green Goliath! Let your voice be heard!
If the response to this is good enough, I'll repost the best ideas later. Make 'em good!

F&$%#&!

There are no words to describe this, only rage...

Dark Avengers: Ares #1 solicit

Click the pic to see the solicit for this and the Godhunter TPB on Kieron Gillen's site.

New BONE, Hulk 600, Wyoming

Pretty excited about this Newsarama report from SDCC, Jeff Smith has new Bone stuff coming out. I've read all of the trades and my sister is a huge fan. Smith never fails to entertain, and his work on Bone is always some of his best.

In other news, I borrowed a copy of Incredible Hulk #600 to read, (and according to my humble poll, most of you will either buy a copy or borrow one) I was fairly unimpressed overall, considering the hype. Sure it had a little bit of everything -- Spider-Man, M.O.D.O.K. is always fun, She-Hulk, Ben Urich, a requisite Stan Lee nonsensical story complete with Galactus cameo-- but ultimately I was just disappointed with the whole package. Way too short on new, relevant material. On top of all that, it doesn't help that Red Hulk appearances generally make my skin itch.

Lastly, an update on the status of this blog and its blogger. Much like when Thor relocated Asgard to the middle of Oklahoma, so too the Beta Ray Blog will be relocating its headquarters to the Equality State (Wyoming). As a result of this, new content here on the BRB will be sporadic at best until sometime in September, when I will return with renewed vigor. Thanks to everyone who visits and reads this blog. Don't worry, I will live again!

Beta Ray Bill: Godhunter #2

Kieron Gillen better be careful. If issue #3 of this series gets as exponentially more awesome as #2 did from the first issue, it will collapse in on itself and comic book shops around the globe will be consumed in the blinding flash of an awesomeness-singularity. But enough hyperbole.

In all seriousness, this story is pushing the character of Beta Ray Bill into new territory. It is a very welcome development to have an arguably second (or even third) string character, who for many years sat on the sidelines and was only included as a back-up to Thor or to add flair to a cosmic story, become fleshed out in such shocking and awe-inspiring ways. This story is more than just pushing the cosmic peices around the board, it is adding layers of personality to them. Stardust is a zealot. Silver Surfer seems to be resigned to the fact that he is a pawn of Galactus. And Bill himself may be losing his grip on reality.

I found the events of this issue to be shocking, but in a good way. Gillen is taking a big risk with this story, and so far it is paying off. Also, some of Bill's comments throw into question the events of the end of the Stormbreaker saga. I think these are important story elements that need to be addressed and have been igored for a long time. I know I am being extremely vague on the details, but I do not want to spoil this issue. Go read it yourself and be amazed.

I also really liked the reappearance of the I'than aliens that Bill saved last issue. They provided a very interesting twist, and I would like to see more of them in the future.

Kano's art has improved in this installment as well, the copious amounts of action depicted in a very dynamic way, and the serious parts represented with the visual weight they deserved. Not to mention a two page spread of Galactus in full beat-down mode!

All in all, another great issue. I can't wait to see how this ends. And I hope Marvel taps Gillen's talents again for further adventures of everyone's favorite horse-faced Norse god-like Scion of the Korbanites. (a.k.a. Beta Ray Bill)

Movie Updates - Thor and Green Lantern

Newsarama reports that Natalie Portman has been cast as Jane Foster in the upcoming Thor movie. This is obviously a good choice, good actors are good actors period. I wonder how they will handle this character, though. I was most surprised that they bothered to include her in the first place.

In other news, Ryan Reynolds has been cast as Hal Jordan in the Green Lantern movie set for 2011. Not sure how this will play out, though I do believe he has the acting chops to play Hal. I just hope everything else falls into place for this movie. I can easily see this movie being fumbled in the wrong hands.

Time Waaaarp!

Apparently, Marvel thinks its 1993! That's what the people want, gimmick covers! Hey, it totally worked for them in the 90's, right? Here is the preview of Marvel's replacement for their Ultimate line on Newsarama. Yep, you guessed it, a whole slew of new #1 issues with totally collectible 'foilogram' covers. First the return of the Clone Saga and now this? Have we learned nothing?

Next month: Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man #600 with bagged holo-chromium-gram die-cut gatefold cover! Buy three!

OK, I'm not really that mad about it. I would just like to see a little more innovation from the House of Ideas. We've been down this road before. It's all just a little strange. And then there are quotes like this:

“This is Marvel doing the nineties right,” explained David Gabriel, Marvel Comics Senior Vice President of Sales & Circulation. “We’re taking two of the most popular cover treatments of all time—foil and holograms—to create an all new kind of cover, as a ‘thank-you’ to fans who’ve been demanding this kind of variant!"

I don't know anybody who is demanding these types of covers. Plus, "doing the nineties right" didn't happen in the nineties, why try again? Talk about out of touch. Most comic fans want good comics, not trick covers. Wake up, guys.

Happy Independence Day!

Creepy Captain America Kid Salutes America!