CultureWorm Speaks!- Hulk: Planet Hulk Prose Novel

CultureWorm Speaks!

A Bookworm/ComicWorm Crossover!

Planet Hulk: A Novel of the Marvel Universe

by Greg Pak

Adapted from the Graphic Novel

****

Acquired: Barnes and Noble Booksellers

Series: Novel of the Marvel Universe

Hardcover: 304 pages

Publisher: Marvel (October 17, 2017)

Language: English

Subject: Science-Fantasy

****

WARNING!!!- This Review May Contain Spoilers! For Novel and Comic Alike!!!

The Story: Betrayed by Earth's heroes and exiled into outer space, the man-monster Hulk has landed on the distant planet Sakaar, ruled by the tyrannical Red King. Sold into slavery, Hulk becomes the Green Scar, the planet's mightiest gladiator - but his new masters get more than they bargained for when he forges a bond of brotherhood with his fellow fighters: crafty insectoid Miek, the horrific Brood, wise rock-man Korg, Shadow Warrior Hiroim, noble-born rebel Elloe and her loyal guardsman Skee. Together, these gladiators start a revolution that could change their entire world - or destroy it. It's a savage sci-fi fantasy by award-winning writer Greg Pak, guest-starring the Silver Surfer!

The Review: The Planet Hulk Saga is one of the most iconic storylines for the entire Hulk character. The Hulk is thrown into a wild, violent world, where he is beaten, bruised and enslaved but ultimately, he triumphs. He rises to King of the world and wins the heart of the beautiful princess. 

(In many ways: Caeira does fit the profile of princess.)

It is an epic tale of adversity, science and fantasy, and profound heroism. The Hulk really seems to blossom in the pages of this tale. 

Epic really is the appropriate word to utilize in the description of this story. Not in the common way that the term has entered common vernacular, but it the ways of old tales. The legendary, John Carter of Mars, Hercules, and other tales of ancient heroes. There is a great amount of comic book action, but there is also a lot of thinking. Sitting around the campfire and ethical dilemmas that challenge the protagonists. Being based on a comic, they may not be the deepest conflicts in literature but it does render the text far from the mindless entertainment reputation they still suffer from. Rich and dynamic characters and a certifiably diabolical main villain. 

There are few places where the story is altered from the comic’s storyline or some passages are omitted all together. The biggest one is the “Banner War” chapter of the original comic. In the graphic novel, “Banner War” is where the Hulk and his alter-ego Bruce Banner wage a war within the landscape of their shared minds.

Honestly, these changes are to the story’s detriment. Banner War in particular was something that Bookworm was really looking forward to. It is an interesting delve into the Hulk’s psyche and what makes him what he is. 

It does makes sense that it was omitted though. It probably would have disrupted the flow of the story. It can work in a comic as the art can benefit the narrative. In a novel format, such a cerebral passage would have felt out of place in such an action packed story. It also would have made the book a little on the long side. Considering that this is a story based off of a comic book, speed is essential to maintaining the readers interest. 

Another notable change that occurs is near the ending, in regards to the manager of the main villains defeat. It is a rather small change but it has a big impact. The original death of the villain had a poetic justice ring to it that Bookworm loved. The altered death also has the poetic justice thing going on but it felt more profound in the original as it dealt with a threat that had plagued the Hulk from the beginning. 

Truth be told, the alterations can be forgiven. The main reason for this is the final major alteration to the plot. Normally, plot changes, like the ones previously mentioned, are causes for the book to decline in ratings. Not this time though. If anything, this decision on the part of the author, actually redeems this story in the eyes of Bookworm. Bookworm will try not give anything away but a recurring theme for many forms of art, comic books in particular, is the “Status Quo is God” phenomena. It refers to how writers or those in charge of the writers try to return the story to where it began. This is the bread and butter of sitcoms where the main family is sitting around the couch at the end of the episode. In spite of everything that had been through, big or small, nothing has changed and when the audiences sees the next episode or read the next issue, it will be as if nothing happened. This is something of a necessity for serialized entertainment but it does lessen the impact a story can have on the characters. This came into play at the ending of the original graphic novel, in order to return the Hulk to the status quo. It felt to Bookworm that this cheapened the effect of the original story. Yes, tragedy can be a powerful thing in the world of storytelling but considering the Hulk’s character and all that he has been through in his decades of storytelling, the ending he receives in this book is the ending that he truly deserves. 

The ending to this novel makes Bookworm yearn for a sequel, specifically one that is not “World War Hulk,” the official comic followup to the graphic novel storyline. Bookworm wants to see what happens after this story not the original comic. 

The Final Verdict: Bookworm does not care what the “official” storyline is. This is the story that is the canon. The Hulk of Bookworm’s imaginations will always be upon the planet Sakaar. Hopefully, we may see further adventures of the Green Kings in the future. 

Rating: Five Hulk Fists out of Five

!!!BUY A COPY NOW!!!

****

thecultureworm.blogspot.com