The Right Attitude to Rain: The Sunday Philosophy Club (Random House Large Print (Hardcover))
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Needs More Substsance....
  • A little more introspective
  • Isabel Dalhousie takes a new direction
  • I finally love Isabel Dalhousie
  • Interesting and fun characters
The Right Attitude to Rain: The Sunday Philosophy Club (Random House Large Print (Hardcover))
Alexander Mccall Smith
Manufacturer: Random House Large Print
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0739326902
Release Date: 2006-09-19

Book Description

The delectable new installment in the bestselling and already beloved adventures of Isabel Dalhousie and her no-nonsense housekeeper, Grace.

When friends from Dallas arrive in Edinburgh and introduce Isabel to Tom Bruce – a bigwig at home in Texas – several confounding situations unfurl at once. Tom’s young fiancée’s roving eye leads Isabel to believe that money may be the root of her love for Tom. But what, Isabel wonders, is the root of the interest Tom begins to show for Isabel herself? And she can’t forget about her niece, Cat, who’s busy falling for a man whom Isabel suspects of being an incorrigible mama’s boy. Of course Grace and Isabel’s friend Jamie counsel Isabel to stay out of all of it, but there are irresistible philosophical issues at stake – when to tell the truth and when to keep one’s mouth shut, to be precise – and philosophical issues are meat and drink to Isabel Dalhousie, editor of the Review of Applied Ethics. In any case, she’s certain of the ethical basis for a little sleuthing now and again – especially when the problems involve matters of the heart.

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Needs More Substsance...........2007-10-03

I've read McCall's entire #1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, the first of The Sunday Philosophy Club series and now this. His books are repetitive, with constant allusions to what was written about in previous books. Please, in the future, write a prologue for those who haven't read prior books in a series, so those who have, don't have to be reminded of what they know.
The protagonist in this series is Isabel Dalhousie, who edits a journal of applied ethics. She fancies herself to be a philosopher, and constantly rambles on and on ad nauseum about defining her duties to other people.
She, like Mms Ramotswe, in the detective series, longs for a more gentile time, where people were connected to others, and polite to everyone; is a woman who was left money; starts out being single; unwinds with tea; and has an assistant whose first name is Grace. Although this series is more substantive than the first, there isn't enough meat in it for me.
Should Isabel have an affair with Jamie, or shouldn't she? Will it affect her friendship with him or not? Will her niece be upset (since her niece had an affair with him in the past)? Does her niece have a right to be upset? Is their age difference a problem? What will her housekeeper think? Does it matter if others approve. Get the picture.
I believe authors should "show not tell" and this author tells from every angle possible. Repeatedly.
Why the book is considered a mystery, is the only mystery one will encounter.

4 out of 5 stars A little more introspective.......2007-08-27

Not as jolly fun as some of Mccall Smith, this book deals with fall summer romances and other topics on love and life after forty. Certainly not a mystery. No corpses in this book

5 out of 5 stars Isabel Dalhousie takes a new direction.......2007-08-22

This is a wonderful, meandering story that gives the Isabel Dalhousie series a totally new focus. Isabel comes to the fore as a central character instead of her accustomed role as an observer of others. To be sure, the reader still gets the benefit of her ongoing philosophical mulling of virtually everyone and everything that happens in her life, but in this book, she actually HAS a life. And it's a life that has real emotion and serious romance. Throughout this book (and the rest in the series), the author, Alexander Mccall Smith, uses his characters so well to demonstrate the unceasing zig-zagging that marks everyone's interior lives and ultimately serves up a continuing story full of human foibles, generosity, uncertainty, warmth and love of all kinds. Like virtually all of Mccall Smith's books, "The Right Attitude to Rain" leaves the reader feeling better about human kind and reflective on how to better deal with life's fellow travelers.

5 out of 5 stars I finally love Isabel Dalhousie.......2007-08-18

I was not sold on Isabel when I read the beginning portion of this series (I preferred 44 Scotland Street), but I loved this book. Isabel in particular came alive for me in this book. Smith is so amazing -- even a classic fiction ploy comes as a surprise at the end of this novel.

4 out of 5 stars Interesting and fun characters.......2007-08-17

In another installment in the Isabel Dalhousie mystery series set in Edinburgh, Scotland, we see the wealthy philosopher in a different light. In previous books she was described as a middle-aged spinster, but in this novel Isabel has a suitor. Who cares that he is her niece's castoff? Or that he is fourteen years her junior? Isabel ponders these sticky details as she continues to fall in love with Jamie.

Isabel isn't an innocent; she has been married before and has seen much in her life. She is aware of how fortunate she is to have inherited a house and enough money to keep her in good stead for life. She enjoys a good relationship with her niece, Cat, and is hosting her cousin and spouse, Mimi and Joe, on vacation from America.

It is through Mimi and Joe that she is introduced to another couple from America. Tom and Angela were observed by Isabel in an Edinburgh museum before she met them. She noticed things out of kilter with their relationship on first view, and those things are only reinforced when introduced. Why is Angela with the older man whose face is partially paralyzed? Is it love? Of him or his money? Should Isabel tell Tom of her suspicions about his fiance? Always a philosopher, Isabel feels the need to think and talk these questions out with Jamie. Here lies my biggest, maybe only, problem with the book. Jamie seems to agree with her every spoken thought and seems to have no opinions of his own. He comes across as too malleable. It's hard to feel sexual tension in the story when he has so little personality.

But this series is about philosophical judgments and how they apply to everyday life, and this book is no different. Isabel Dalhousie is an intriguing, fun character. The other characters in the book are interesting and the dialogue is entertaining. The lack of strong mystery doesn't detract from the diversionary amusement value.

Alexander McCall Smith always makes the reader aware of the gentle nature of humans, and a genteel way of life. This book becomes more difficult to put down after the halfway point.

Armchair Interviews says: You can count on this author making you think about human nature.
Isabel Dalhousie Set 1-3: The Sunday Philosophy Club; Friends, Lovers, and Chocolate; The Right Attitude to Rain
Average customer rating: Not rated
    Isabel Dalhousie Set 1-3: The Sunday Philosophy Club; Friends, Lovers, and Chocolate; The Right Attitude to Rain
    Alexander McCall Smith
    Manufacturer: Anchor Books
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Paperback
    ASIN: B000WFZ5JE

    Product Description

    The first three books in the delightful Edinburgh-set Isabel Dalhousie series.
    3 Book Set By Alexander McCall Smith; the Sunday Philosophy Club; Friends, Lovers, Chocolate; the Right Attitude to Rain
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      3 Book Set By Alexander McCall Smith; the Sunday Philosophy Club; Friends, Lovers, Chocolate; the Right Attitude to Rain
      Alexander McCall Smith
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Hardcover
      ASIN: B000VX944O

      Product Description

      3 Book Set By Alexander McCall Smith; the Sunday Philosophy Club; Friends, Lovers, Chocolate; the Right Attitude to Rain.

      Incredible Hulk Visionaries - Peter David, Vol. 2
      Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
      • This is what made me notice Peter David (and even the Hulk for a time)
      • Continuing Peter David's incredible run
      • GROUND ZERO, complete and unedited.... and more!!
      Incredible Hulk Visionaries - Peter David, Vol. 2
      Peter David , Todd McFarlane , Erik Larsen , and Jeff Purves
      Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Paperback

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      ASIN: 0785118780

      Book Description

      The gray Hulk's out to get the Leader and neither Man-Bull, Halflife, nor the Hulkbusters can stop him! The confrontation ends explosively as the drab-skinned demolisher is blown into a new world: Las Vegas?! Villains perish and rise in the culmination of Peter David's first Hulk arc! Featuring the earth pounding menace of the Absorbing Man, and guest-starring Wolverine and Nick Fury! Collects the Incredible Hulk #340-348.

      Customer Reviews:

      5 out of 5 stars This is what made me notice Peter David (and even the Hulk for a time).......2006-01-13

      As the second volume in the Peter David/Todd McFarlane run, these issues hit their stride as Peter David gives us the Wolverine/Hulk smackdown and then lets the supporting characters call them idiots for fighting in the first place. This moment is one of many (there's a similar Rhino story) that show both Peter David's affection for the genre and his willingness to break "the rules" when it suits believable story telling. (in other words, comic book logic dictates that big muscle bound mutants fight. Real world logic dictates that most men avoid fights. David lets the RL logic invade.)

      The 80s were an interesting time for comic books as Alan Moore and Frank Miller were breaking the established rules and telling stories that fell outside the tedious standards. Peter David's run on the Hulk was very similar to Moore's Swamp Thing revolution, in that he took a long established storyline (in Moore's case it was Swamp Thing's thwarted yearning to be 'human again', in David's case it was Banner's inability to control his raging green id.) and shifted it into something new. His version of the Hulk was funny, witty, mean-spirited and grey. He also allowed the weird experiments to change the rules of the Hulk (he became a werewolf more or less).

      Sadly, Peter David was working against the entropy that is the Marvel universe which decrees that all characters should go back to their original 1964 concept, no matter how boring. Peter David would later make the Hulk green again (but well adjusted) and then left the series to lesser writers who returned the the same old garbage.

      For that reason alone, you should buy this book to see what happened when one writer was allowed to play with a character that had been trapped in the ether of "continuity."

      5 out of 5 stars Continuing Peter David's incredible run.......2005-12-27

      The second collected volume of Peter David's unheralded run on the Incredible Hulk, this TPB is more ample proof that no one has ever written Marvel's jade (or gray as he is here) giant better. This volume of Hulk Visionaries finds the Hulk taking on the Leader and an assortment of villains, as well as a knock down, drag out brawl with Wolverine. Also in this TPB is the first appearance of the suit wearing "Mr. Fixit" Hulk who takes a job in a Vegas casino. It's truly something that has to be seen to be believed, but for longtime Hulk readers who fondly remember the heyday of David's run, they know that this was the beginning of something really special and unique in the history of the character. All in all, whether you enjoyed the first TPB or are a fan of Peter David's monumental Hulk run, Hulk Visionaries Vol. 2 is a must own.

      5 out of 5 stars GROUND ZERO, complete and unedited.... and more!!.......2005-10-14

      Marvel continues its series of Hulk Visionaries: Peter David trade paperbacks with a re-release of the conclusion to the famed writer's "Ground Zero" storyline, this time with all the pages and scenes fully restored!

      In addition to the Gray Hulk's legendary battle with Wolverine, and his subsequent skirmishes with the Leader and minions Half-Life, Rock, and Redeemer, this collection also includes the first two issues where the Hulk loses the torn pants and dons a three-piece suit and hat to become "Mr. Fixit", an enforcer and legbreaker for a Las Vegas casino, one of the most unique takes on the character to date.

      Peter David continues to astound, taking the earliest concept of the Hulk as an "atomic age Jekyll and Hyde" and developing it into something truly remarkable: a Hulk who finally has the life of his dreams, constantly fearing that Bruce Banner will one day resurface and take it all away from him. Todd McFarlane, Erik Larsen, and Jeff Purves lend their artistic talents to these stories, fittingly marking the ending of one era and the beginning of the next.

      Also featuring a battle with the Hulk's longtime sparring partner, the Absorbing Man, Hulk Visionaries: Peter David 2 is another classic milestone in the existence of the gray goliath. Keep them coming, Marvel!
      Incredible Hulk Vol. 2: Boiling Point
      Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
      • Great Book
      • Great story
      • one problem
      • Excellent Second Bruce Jones Hulk Arc
      • Vol 2
      Incredible Hulk Vol. 2: Boiling Point
      Bruce Jones , and John Romita Jr.
      Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Paperback

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      ASIN: 0785109056

      Customer Reviews:

      5 out of 5 stars Great Book.......2006-08-21

      The story in this book is very well written and the art is done great. The story moves pretty fast and this story can be easily completed in one sitting. The Hulk is seen a decent amount of times while the story itself still helps evolve the character of Bruce Banner. I reccomend this book for anyone that's a fan of the Hulk.

      5 out of 5 stars Great story.......2006-04-14

      Trapped in a hostage situation with more going on that is readily apparent, Bruce Banner tries to defuse a situation without losing his cool. Great writing by Bruce Jones, and fantastic art by Lee Weeks.

      5 out of 5 stars one problem.......2006-02-24

      one problem. I couldn't put this book down. Lee Weeks is a great story teller; his pencils add the right mood to bruce jones' horror / road adventure script. great comix. try the one before this too.

      5 out of 5 stars Excellent Second Bruce Jones Hulk Arc.......2004-11-21

      Only a bare shade less awesome than its predecessor "Return Of The Monster" means "Incredible Hulk: Boiling Point" is still one of the best story arcs in the Hulk's decades-long history. An armed holdup at a convenience store goes Very badly for everyone involved - including a police negotiator living down the disgrace of botching a bank robbery negotiation that saw a little girl hostage get killed - when one of the customers inside the store is Bruce Banner, stil on the run and still on the quest he was set on at the end of the Return Of The Monster trade paperback. The twist is, with shots fired, Banner doesn't just turn into the Hulk and crush whoever he wants to like a hollow eggshell; with hostages, a wounded cop, a squad of police outside ready to storm the building, and a maniacal hostage-taker, that would be too many variables to insure that innocents don't die; especially considering that nowadays Bruce's control over the savage Hulk is tenuous at the best of times. Added to that, he of course can't simply choose not to transform, he has to control his own emotions and nerves very, very carefully in this volatile situation before any jarring of an adrenaline rush chooses the Hulk transformation for him.

      Making matters worse still, the mysterious organization pursuing the Hulk from previous issues on the scene, posing as law enforcement themselves, hoping to force the transformation, and willing to kill as many innocents as needed to push Banner over the edge.

      Reprints #s 40-43 of the current Incredible Hulk ongoing, with the final page of # 41 in particular one of the most dramatic and chilling scenes in comics history.

      4 out of 5 stars Vol 2.......2004-03-17

      The Bruce Jones story line continues here. And it is just as good as in the previous volume. The story and art continue its level of quality and this one, like volume one, has some nice turns to it.
      Essential Incredible Hulk, Vol. 2 (Marvel Essentials)
      Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
      • tfhtdutyuurrur
      • RAAAAAAAAR HULK CRUSHES COMPETITION WITH GREAT COMIC RAAAR!
      • Graphic novels really should be listed as regular novels
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      • An intriguing Essential collection from Marvel
      Essential Incredible Hulk, Vol. 2 (Marvel Essentials)
      Stan Lee
      Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Paperback

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      ASIN: 0785107959

      Book Description

      In this second collection of classic early material, General "Thunderbolt" Ross continues to stalk the Jade Giant while Dr. Bruce Banner strives to find a cure for his horrifying condition. It's not an easy path, as he must contend with the arrival of the Leader and the Abomination, two others humans who have been altered thanks to the merciless gamma radiation.

      The Hulk finds himself opposed by the army, super-villains, and even the love of his life, Betty Ross. It's certainly not easy being green, and all the child-like Hulk wants is to be left alone. Nice wish, but he's the only one who wants that. Everyone else wants him dead.

      Customer Reviews:

      5 out of 5 stars tfhtdutyuurrur.......2005-08-14

      The bad bad bad reviewer from the first volume is a dumbas dumbass dumbass.The style and amount of action in this comic is perfectly satisfying.It will make you understand why the hulk trusts no one because of how he's been betrayed.It's great to see how the Hulks character evolves as he starts to learn more about his own history and his relations with others.The love,hate,and misunderstanding that exists amongst the struggles between Bruce Banner The Hulk Betty Ross General Talbot and the General makes for an excellent story.Great artwork/Not in color.The person who said The Hulk from volume three is the best version is a dumbass. This one is the best.There is a lot of print so you'll have lots of time to enjoyit. Almost ever story in this novel has you rooting for The Hulk.You'll really get into each story and be wondering what's going to happen next and what the conclusion will be.It's amazing to see how Stan Lee weaves one story into the next.Cast-Of course Namor+Thunderbolt Ross+Betty Ross+General Talbot/Puppet Master/ Silver Surfer/High Evolutionary+New Men/Inhumans/Rhino/Sandman/ Mandarin/Ka-zaar/Galaxy Master/A Radioactive Monster/Space Parasite/Exexecuctioner and Enchantress+Asgardians/Umbu The Unliving/A Giant Android/Nick Fury and Sheild+A version of Sheild from another nation/Living Lightning Legion
      The battle between the best, Namor and the Hulk,is really great
      Spoiler Alert.
      Warning Warning.
      Here it comes
      I'm serious. .
      The Hulk dies.
      Just Kidding.
      Seriously The Hulk doesn't die but instead just the opposite happens.Someone "comes back to life" and that someone as you might have guessed is the Leader.The last story in this book is the best. It is about an evil plan being carried out by the Leader and it will make you believe that nothing can stop The Hulk.Be warned if you read this book you'll "need" to read volume three because you'll love volume two so much and it will leave you in suspense.The only problem with volume one is that the amount of dialouge used by The Hulk is a bit excessive and some of it seemed unneccesary but you could probably care less when you read it.

      5 out of 5 stars RAAAAAAAAR HULK CRUSHES COMPETITION WITH GREAT COMIC RAAAR!.......2004-09-11

      Dr. Robert Bruce Banner is a weak yet intelligent scientist with a dark secret: high emotions cause him to transform into the huge greeb monster known as the Hulk- a creature of immesurable strength who just wants to be alone. But when he's angry, he resorts to breaking things. Did I say secret? My bad, Banner's secret identity was revealed to the public in the first Essential volume. But Bruce went inti hiding shortlly thereafter. Military General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross is the man who had hounded the Hulk all these years and still does not trust him completely. Major Glenn Talbot also distrusts Bruce Banner for differant reasons- because both are in love with the beautiful Betty Ross. Betty obviosuly has her heart set on Bruce, but he's almost never around.

      This anthology collects the last issues of Tales to Astonish (#92-101, Hulk stories only) before changing to the Incredible Hulk(Volume 2) with Issues 102-117 and the first Incredible Hulk Annual all from the late 60s. With Namor out of the picture, Hulk now has twenty-plus pages all to himself(Tales to Astonish was a comic shared between two superheroes who each got aobut ten pages worth of story). Now Marvel's second Silver Age hero is up for bigger battles written by Stan Lee with art by John Romita and various other artists.

      The stories get bigger with each issue. One flaw is taht a trend starts to develop between some issues (Hulk somehow winds up in extraterrestrial place. Hulk proves his worth to the foreigners and is zapped back to Earth.) There also aren't many new villains except for lame part-timers like the Man-Beast, Galaxy Master, Space Parasite and Umu the Unliving or something. Most of Hulk's enemies are guest stars- Tales to Astonish #100 features a titanic showdown between Hulk and Namor the Sub-Mariner, current stars of the book. Other guest stars include Nick Fury, the Silver Surfer, Ka-Zar, the Inhumans and the good dudes from Asgard. The guest villains include the Mandarin, the High Evolutionary, the Sandman, Maximus, the Puppet Master and the Executioner. But one of Hulk's major villains in his small stable of villains unexpectedly returns in an awesome three-parter that ends the book and proves that Hulk deserves this rating. Now when's Volume Three coming out?

      5 out of 5 stars Graphic novels really should be listed as regular novels.......2004-03-30

      I love graphic novels as much as the next collector and have just about everything listed by Amazon. Not exactly everything, but a great percentage. This graphic novels should actually be rated and listed the same as regular novels, because the dynamics of their stories, not just the fantastic artwork, takes you away to places that novels, such as STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND, CHILDHOOD'S END, FOUNDATION, RINGWORLD, STAR TREK novels, DARKEYE: CYBER HUNTER and so forth, take you. All are extremely imaginative and have visually-gratifying narrative/dialogue not too far removed from graphic novels such as this or any other. Broaden your minds, but hang on to the graphic novels as well!

      4 out of 5 stars Ol' Greenskin kicks out Namor and gets his own comic book.......2003-11-06

      When I think of "The Incredible Hulk" it starts from the period covered in "The Essential Hulk, Volume 2," when Herb Trimpe was doing the pencils and John Severin was doing the inks. This is not to be confused with the period right before that when Herb Trimpe was doing the inks over Marie Severin's pencils. This only sounds confusing because we are talking about the Trimpe-Severin period and not the Severin-Trimpe period, and while this is the same Trimpe it is different Severins, although they are brother and sister. Collected in this volume are "Tales to Astonish" #92-101, at which point the Hulk and the rest of the Marvel superheroes doing time shares in comics like the Sub-Mariner, Captain America and Doctor Strange, got their own titles. Namor's title started with issue #1 while "The Incredible Hulk" picked up at #102 and we continue through #117.

      The Hulk benefited from getting a full twenty pages each month instead of the ten page more so that the other characters. That was because with Captain America, Nick Fury Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., and Dr. Strange the Marvel writers and artists came up with pretty good multi-part stories. However, a key part of the Hulk is the whole transformation bit back forth from the Hulk to Bruce Banner, and that is hard to do every issue when you only have ten pages. Stan Lee does the writing for most of the issues and if you compare these stories to those in Volume 1 of "The Essential Hulk" you will find that the main thing is upping the ante on the Hulk's opponents. This time around Ol' Greenskin gets the Silver Surfer, the Rhino, the Missing Link, the Mandarin, Ka-Zar, the Sand-Man, and the return of the Leader. There is a lot of borrowing from other comic books, but when you are coming up with lame original villains like the Space Parasite, this is not a bad thing. The best story lines of the bunch are the multi-part story with the High Evolutionary and the one in the land of the Inhumans in the first "Hulk" annual, although his best fight is with the Sub-Mariner, which is what took place in the second to last issue of "Tales to Astonish" that they shared together, #100 (nice touch).

      The issues collected her are a definite improvement over Volume 1, but the glory days are still to come. Hopefully we can get to Volume 3 in this series so you can see for yourself, but only Spider-Man, the X-Men, and the Fantastic Four have gotten that far so far. I do not mind that these collections are just in black & white because I appreciate the economics involved and if you want your favorite title in color the Marvel Masterworks series is getting around to those as well. You just have to be patient, because it might be a long haul. Final Note: Great choice of using the Hulk from #105 for the cover of this collection.

      4 out of 5 stars An intriguing Essential collection from Marvel.......2001-10-23

      The Marvel Essential series is perfect for both novice comics fans and the hardcore faithful, providing 500+ pages of comics for less than .... Some of the collections vary in quality; the first Hulk collection is a bit spotty, with weak writing and inconsistent reproduction. But Hulk vol. 2 is a much better package. The reproduction is uniformly crisp, and the quality of the stories improve greatly. Granted, the stories aren't as deep or rewarding as Peter David's long run (or even Bill Mantlo's 80's run), but it's a fun romp nonetheless. If you're looking for more good fun, I highly recommend Marvel's Essential Fantastic Four vol. 3 and the Essential Spider-man collections (all are wonderful!). You can't go wrong here!
      Incredible Hulk Vol. 2
      Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
      • More oversized goodness
      Incredible Hulk Vol. 2
      Bruce Jones
      Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Hardcover Comic

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      ASIN: 0785111425

      Book Description

      Already on the run from the police and the U.S. government, Dr. Bruce Banner and his brutish alter ego face an even deadlier pursuer - a clandestine force with a secret agenda all their own. If a relentless, unkillable foe that knows all Dr. Banner's secrets and weaknesses isn't enough, will his oldest foe - the Abomination - one of the few beings alive that can match the Hulk's brute might finish the job? This deluxe hardcover volume collects Incredible Hulk Vol. 3 and Incredible Hulk Vol. 4 - plus other behind the scenes materials!

      Customer Reviews:

      5 out of 5 stars More oversized goodness.......2006-04-14

      The continuation of Bruce Jones' excellent run on the Hulk. Great art, and a no holds barred fight with the Abomination.
      Essential Incredible Hulk (Tpb Vol 2)
      Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
      • awesome hulk collection...
      • Astonishingly Incredible
      • The Hulk truly is incredible
      • Bad,Bad,BAD!
      • IN the beginning
      Essential Incredible Hulk (Tpb Vol 2)
      Stan Lee
      Manufacturer: Panini (UK) Ltd.
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Paperback

      Science Fiction & FantasyScience Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books | Authors, A-Z | Books on CD | Books on Cassette | Fantasy | Gaming | Large Print | Media | Science Fiction | Writing
      GeneralGeneral | Graphic Novels | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
      ASIN: 1904159532

      Customer Reviews:

      5 out of 5 stars awesome hulk collection..........2007-01-17

      if you are a fan of the hulk, you can't pass this one up. there isn't a dvd-rom collection of the hulk yet, so unless you want to pay big bucks for the masterworks collections (which are a lot shorter) this is the way to go. i don't mind it anyway, it's kind of nice just to see the king kirby's pencilwork without color. lee and kirby= the greatest team ever in comics.

      4 out of 5 stars Astonishingly Incredible.......2004-09-11

      Right now the Incredible Hulk is one of the most famous comic books of our time. But like the X-Men, it was not famous at first. Hulk's first series was crushed after only six issues. After that he was stuck in guest star limbo for about a year(but he got a major role in the early issues of the Avengers) until he was brought back in Tales to Astonish #60, but the stories were only half as long to make room for stories about Ant/Giant-Man (and later the Sub-Mariner), which were also halved. It wasn't until Tales to Astonish became the Incredible Hulk(Volume 2) with the 102nd issue that Hulk was back in his full-length comic. But I'm getting ahead of myself there- ah yes, the premise.

      Dr. Robert Bruce Banner was an atomic scientist working at a New Mexico missile base when he was caught in the test-explosion of his very own invention, the deadly G-Bomb. Irradiated by the gamma rays, Banner know possessed the ability to transform into the Hulk under conditions which vary throughout the series. As Banner, he is an intelligent yet weak human. As the Hulk, he is a large green monster-like person with bulging muscles and a limited vocabulary. Unlike other superheroes, Banner often cannot control the Hulk or his transformations(except when Banner's mind winds up in the Hulk's body at times). As the Hulk he is also hounded by the military and General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, father of the woman Banner loves. His only confidant early in the series is Rick Jones, whose life Banner saved before he was caught in the G-Bomb's explosion. At times Rick is the only person who can control the rampaging Hulk except for maybe the beautiful Betty Ross.

      This anthology contains all six issues of The Incredible Hulk (Volume 1) as well as issues 60-92 of Tales to Astonish-but only the Hulk's stories are collected. For the other, non-Hulk stories you'll have to check Ant-Man Essential or Marvel Masterworks: Sub-Mariner.

      The Incredible Hulk (Volume 1) is one of the only problems with these stories. After a sensational first issue the series starts to degenarate. Changes are made to the Hulk in nearly every issue which are changed later(for instance in Isuue 3, Hulk is exposed to more radiation which allows him to fly and gives him a mind link with Rick Jones. The mind link disappears by Issue 5, and the flying is later retconned into just wide leaps.) The villains are weak too. I enjoyed Gargoyle, but the Toad Men and all the Communists(these comics were made during the cold war in the 60's if I forgot to mention) bring down the first issues. The only ones who become ongoing villains from the first six issues are Tyrannus and the Ringmaster's Circus of Crime. Don't get me started on the Metal Master.

      Tales to Astonish fulfills its name, as it's filled with cliffhangers, fresh villains and less commies (they get REAL annoying after a while). There's Hulk's greatest nemiseses, the Leader and the Abomination. There's guest stars like the Chameleon and Hercules. The first appearances of Boomerang and the Secret Empire, who move on to be pains in other people's asses. There's also the Leader's wide range of mechanical Humanoids. The story also evolves into one that may be more familiar to modern day readers: a man fighting the monster within him while on the run from the military. It also intriduces Major Glenn Talbot, a charming soldier who hates both Banner and the Hulk and falls in love with Betty Ross instantly. And it gets much better in the second volume.

      Classic stories by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. But if you bought the Marvel Masterworks Incredible Hulk Volume 1, you'd get it in color and see that the Hulk was colored gray instead of green in the first issue, which makes way for a vital retcon much further down the road. You also would have paid more money, but you would have gotten it in a more durable format with clean, crisp pasges unlike the Essential's flimbsythird-grade pages. But then agian you only would've gottne the first six issues of the Hulk, and no Tales to Astonish to make up for it! And there isn't a volume 2 yet that I know of, so I reccomend the Essential in this case.

      4 out of 5 stars The Hulk truly is incredible.......2004-06-13

      I usually don't buy Marvel comics,especially the graphic novels.I'm usually reading DC,such as Superman,Batman,and the Justice League.I thought I tired something different for a change so I decided to go with the not-so-jolly-green giant a.k.a. The Hulk.I got the Hulk because lately I've been interested with the whole concept of Robert Banner trasnforming into the Hulk.The movie I thought was lame,but this book is completley awesome.The only drawback from this book,along with the other Essential series is that the pictures are black & white.As much as I would've loved it to be in color,I got over it real quick and forgot all about it.It features classics like the 1st issue of the Hulk.I plan on buying more of this Essential series,but I would never switch over,leaving the likes
      of Superman,and Batman.If you're into Marvel,especially the Hulk,you defentley should run out and buy this.

      1 out of 5 stars Bad,Bad,BAD!.......2003-12-23

      after reading some of the other Hulk books like boling point, Abominal,Ground zero, and Dogs of war I saw this at a book store
      and thought the hulk in his early dayes are proboly no diffrent from the books I read so I bought it. Big mistake. The green hulk does talk and like a complete idiot too. Was that freak the Leader? I don't think so. Bruce Banners now dead wife Betty acted
      like a idiot. One star becouse The Hulk and Abomination have a cool fight in this but it's not even that good. If you are looking for somethin were the hulk and Abomination fight get Abominal, In that Bruce meet's the Abomination's aboused wife. Better yet, get the Tv series.

      4 out of 5 stars IN the beginning.......2003-08-28

      The hulk book is a great There is nothing better than sitting back and getting lost in the world of stan lee, and reading about alittle hulk smash, although not in color i think people forget about the wonderful story telling that stan lee can provide, in some cases i find my self getting lost in the story more than the picture, but jack kirby is a master artist.
      The Incredible Hulk, Vol 1 #67 (Comic Book): Dead Like Me 2 of 4
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        The Incredible Hulk, Vol 1 #67 (Comic Book): Dead Like Me 2 of 4
        BRUCE JONES
        Manufacturer: MARVEL
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Paperback
        ASIN: B000ON5RWY

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        8. Top Of The Heap (Hard Case Crime)
        9. Wicked Fix: A Home Repair is Homicide Mystery (Mainely Murder, The)
        10. A Catskill Eagle, a Spenser Novel

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