Iron Man had the first movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). And they did a great job setting up the MCU universe. The next movie is The Incredible Hulk (2008). This is the movie with Ed Norton (not Eric Bana).
This is a perfect opportunity to paint the Hulk. He comes in a box all by himself for $35 MSRP.
The Model
The model is fantastic and captures the Hulk. He’s big, he’s covered in muscles – even his muscles have muscles – and he’s angry. And while this is obvious it’s important to point out. The model is huge compared to Iron Man and the rest of the Marvel Crisis Protocol minis.
I wanted to try a few different ways to paint the green so I painted each leg with a different technique.
I decided to go with the more comical contrast with the really deep shadows (left).
This model is mostly green skin so if you can find a green skin tone you’re happy with you’ll be fine.
Paint Scheme
Skin
- Base Warboss Green
- Wash Biel-Tan Green
- Layer Warboss Green
- Highlight 50/50 mix Warboss Green and Moot Green
- Highlight Moot Green
Pants
- Base Genestealer Purple
- Wash Druchi Violet
- Layer Genestealer Purple
- Highlight 50/50 mix Genestealer Purple and Slaanesh Grey
Metal
- Base coat Leadbelcher
- Add in some Runelord Brass splotches
- Wash Nuln Oil
- Dry brush Iron Breaker
- Dry brush Stormhost Silver
Nails / Teeth
- Base Ushabti Bone
- Layer Screaming Skull
Hair
- Base Eshin Grey
- Layer Dawnstone
- Wash Nuln Oil
Coke can
- Base Mephiston Ren
- Wash Agrax Earthshade
- Highlight Wazdakka Red
Beer bottle
- Base Dryad Bark
- Wash Agrax Earthshade
The Movie
After painting the model I rewatched the movie. And I watched it with my romantic partner who had never seen it so I got to hear her impressions the first time through the movie.
While I love the simplicity of the Hulk, I’m angry let me smash things to feel better, it just doesn’t work on a story level. The movie did a fine job explaining the origin of the Hulk and I liked that they tried to add a romantic element. But the movie was just bad.
And while I love Ed Norton as an actor he’s a bit too strong willed for the Hulk. The Hulk was inspired by Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde and there’s supposed to be a battle between Banner & the Hulk. But Ed Norton is too in control of himself.
I think the MCU team made the right choice switching from Ed Norton to Mark Ruffalo. I’ll discuss more in future posts but he’s a bit more bumbling. I believe Mark Ruffalo can lose control to the Hulk. Ed Norton is too in control.
From the entire MCU perspective they introduced General ‘Thunderbolt’ Ross. He’s the father of the love interest and he’s a minor character throughout the MCU. You probably remember him most as Secretary of State Thaddeus Ross from Avengers: Age of Ultron.
My Favorite MCU Movies (so far)
- Iron Man
- The Hulk
Iron Man is far superior to the Hulk. It’s funnier, the character has interesting flaws, and there’s snappy dialogue. I suspect the Hulk will remain at the bottom of this list as I go through the MCU.
The Comics
While the movie was terrible the comic was great! A friend recommended Planet Hulk and I finally understand why I loved Thor Ragnarok so much!
If you loved Thor Ragnarok, almost the entirety of Hulks part in that movie is from Planet Hulk.
And this is why the MCU storylines are so great. They take bits and pieces from the best comics. Planet Hulk was written in 1999 and they combined it perfectly with Thor’s storyline. They even included two of Hulk’s gladiator friends from Planet Hulk into Thor Ragnarok.
- Miek
- Korg the Kronan
And these two were some of the best parts of Thor Ragnarok.
Lack of Character Development
On Planet Hulk there was some character development unlike the movie. He has a few conversations with Banner and Banner takes control for a short while.
But Hulks motives are so simple. He wants to be treated like a person instead of a monster. But he fails to see why he should sometimes be treated like a monster and he doesn’t seem to get past that.
Wrap Up
The movie is utterly garbage. You get introduced to General Ross, you learn the origin story for Hulk, and other than that you could skip the movie entirely.
Planet Hulk on the other hand was great! I’d recommend it to anyone who likes comics or anyone who liked Thor Ragnarok.
The MCU team did a great job making Hulk an amusing secondary character. He’s not complex enough for a movie all about him.
But regardless of his character development he’s still a beast and should be fun on the table throwing dumpsters and smashing other characters.
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