TITLE: The Incredible vol. 2, issue #350
YEAR: December 1988
COMPANY: Marvel Comics
Written by Peter David
Inks by Terry Austin
Lettered by Joe Rosen
Pencils by Jeff Purves
Colorist: Petra Scotese
Edited by Bobbie Chase
Editor-in-Chief: Tom DeFalco
With the release of issue #350 of “The Incredible Hulk” back in December 1988, what many people got to see is another fight between the two behemoths.
Granted, there are two major differences that make it different from past Thing vs. Hulk issues.
For one, the Incredible Hulk is not the green goliath of “Hulk Smash” but the gray Hulk known as Joe Fixit” and if there is a green Hulk, it’s not the Hulk we know but a Hulk created by the Immortals long ago and picked up by Dr. Doom who used the technology to create a robotic green Hulk.
As for Joe Fixit Hulk, sure he’s gray but he possess intelligence and he’s a Las Vegas tough guy that turns this way during the night and it would be an ongoing battle between Bruce Banner and Joe Fixit, depending on Bruce’s level of stress.
And as for the Thing, he’s stronger but looks so much different than his usual self.
Growing up, while I enjoyed reading the Hulk, I always rooted for the Thing.
Of course, the Thing would more than likely lose the battle but while Thing knows that, he felt that with his new form and newfound strength, he could fight the Hulk. And poor Thing, he thinks he would beat the green Hulk but instead, finds out that he’s another Doombot.
But eventually, we get a battle between the Thing vs. Joe Fixit. And while Joe may not be as powerful as the green Hulk, with his intelligence combined with brawn strength, we eventually get to see how this battle ensues between both goliaths.
The winner is no surprise, afterall, it’s like rooting for your favorite team in the playoffs but can never make it to the championship. That’s how I feel about Thing vs. Hulk matchups. I know how things tend to end, but you can’t but help root for the Thing.
This battle doesn’t disappoint too much but it’s good to see an encounter and battle between two of Marvel’s strongest superheroes.