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The Incredible Mr. Hulk

The Incredible Hulk is one of the most notable Marvel characters due to its unique features. The green color on the massive frame of the character, Dr Bruce Banner, gives it a harrowing, menacing appearance, almost like a transformation of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde long before this character was conceived.

The Hulk came to being when Banner got exposed to a blast from the gamma bomb that he was creating. Due to this, he will have erratic transformations, and unarguably changing his life forever. With his change, he can accumulate massive levels of strength, capable of breaking anything in his path. Also, when he gets angrier, he gets stronger. Sudden surge of emotions can make him transform.

Beyond the green flesh

The series was transformed to various media like animation, games and of course films. The first one was in 2003 which was quite poorly received. The next reinvention as on 2008 entitled The Incredible Hulk. A lot consider the Hulk as one of the greatest characters in Marvel. The series was first released in print in 1962 written by Stan Lee and penciled by Jack Kirby. Aside from The Jekyll-Hyde connection, Lee also cited Frankenstein as an inspiration for the character. Some intellectuals consider the Hulk as a reaction to the cold war with the vision of a post apocalyptic nuclear aftermath. Others look at the character as a case of Schizophrenia.

The Hulk was one of the Pioneers of the so-called Avengers; he has also become a guest in the popular Fantastic Four Series. Nonetheless, the actual character, Banner, is a prisoner in his own body. Due to his emotional state and fear of transforming, he is not able to create lasting bonds since no one would be able to understand him. Nonetheless, he is the perfect example of brains and brawn, of a refined savagery, an irony of life.

When Reality Appeals: The Unique realism of Fantastic Four

The Stan Lee- Jack Kirby tandem created their very first superhero team series in 1961. Fantastic Four helped in putting a much needed realism in the crime fighting genre. It is one of the most popular, and breakout stars of Marvel Comics that transformed them from a small publishing outfit to a big conglomerate.

The story circles around a team of 4 scientists/ explorers who were on a space mission and were hit by a massive cosmic ray that transformed their genetic structure, giving them capabilities beyond human. The leader of the group is Mr. Fantastic that can stretch his body to extreme extent. Invisible woman can become invisible and create force fields. The next one is The Torch whose body can transform into flame. Lastly, there is Thing whose drastic transformation changed his body into a stone like quality.

A move towards reality

Ever since its conception of Fantastic Four in 1961, it has been that their relationships were quite dysfunctional and it really gives a human element and conflict in the series. This attitude towards each other has broken down other archetypes where there was so much convenience between the characters; they tend shy away and become approachable, lacking that sense of individuality. Or course, this is not just the conflict that people can expect from the series. Their arch-nemesis is Doctor Doom as well as the Silver Surfer, Galactus and Namor.

Throughout the years, Fantastic Four has achieved quite a status and it has been transformed into the big screen. The first one is the low budget film in 1990 and the next one was in 2005. The most recent film was in 2007 entitled Fantastic Four, Rise of the Silver Surfer. They are very unique since the element of realism is very apparent, they do not conceal themselves with alter egos and they also have personal and professional issues to manage.

The Dark Knight, from Past to Present

The Dark Knight of Gotham City is undeniably the most popular and iconic comic characters in the 20th century. Throughout the years, this classic DC series never got out of the limelight, going to different reinventions from cartoons and of course in movies. It was first conceptualized and transformed to print in 1939 by the artist Bob Kane and the writer, Bill Finger. The cartoon was transformed to TV, cartoons and many other formats. The very first “theatrical” presentation of Batman was in 1966. The character returned to the big screen in 1989 with the critically acclaimed Tim Burton Film, Batman. After that, 3 sequels came in 1992, 1995 and 1997. The last 2 films were directed by Joel Schumacher and the dark knight was played by Val Kilmer and George Clooney. In 2005, Batman Begins was released and in 2008, the top Grossing The Dark Knight was the latest Hollywood offering.

Looking beyond the mask

The character was considered as the best detective in the world. He got the wits and the money to transform his mansion into an elaborate headquarters. There is a lacking of realism in this respect and it is one of those comics that follow the superhero sidekick genre. Although it is not without those psychological banters especially with his alter-ego, Bruce Wayne and of course, the crazy villains he has to put up with all the time. The Joker is the most popular nemesis of the dark knight as well as Catwoman, Poison Ivy, Two Face, The Penguin, The Riddler and Dr. Freeze.

Nothing can beat batman. He is a cultural icon that has really taken the world by storm with the help of radical reinventions in the imagery, it became a lot darker, more serious but nonetheless, very attractive for old and new fans of the dark knight.