The Incredible Hulk

[rosenlake at mac.com]

Scott Badger wrote:
> I think Marvy can be read as a warning - a double warning, even - re.
> Dillinger-esque folk-heroes.  If we examine Dillinger, the man, would we
> still find a true subversive? or, just another megalomaniac bully?  And, can
> we assume that any *popular* version is a real "hero"?  Is Hulk Hogan a
> Badass?

Hulk Hogan is a professional wrestler who take his name from the
comic-book hero, The Hulk, every boy's dream pal.

Information from <http://www.hulk-emm.com/history/hist1.html>:

While Bruce Banner was developing the gamma bomb for General Ross (his
future father-in-law), his father, Brian, was being released from an
criminal mental institution after serving time for killing his wife
(Bruce's mom). Although reluctant at first, Bruce allowed Brian to stay
with him. Later, Brian began acting belligerent. When Bruce left to
visit his mother's grave, Brian found and brutally attacked him. But,
Bruce kicked his father and accidentally caused him to crack his skull
on his wife's tombstone. The guilt of killing his father eventually
contributed to the Hulk being able to see astral forms. 

Dr. Bruce Banner, set to test the new Gamma Bomb, observes that teenaged
Rick Jones has wondered onto the bomb site. While saving the reckless
teenager, Dr. Banner is caught in the full blast of the bomb and bathed
in the mysterious Gamma Rays, causing, at times, his transformation into
the Incredible HULK! Hunted by the Army and captured by the Gargoyle,
the Hulk and Rick fight their way to freedom... and assist the Gargoyle
in ending his personal torment.

The Toad Men attack the Earth in hopes of planetary conquest. Dr. Banner
and Rick, while building a containment cell for the Hulk, are captured
by the Toad Men. After a serious run in with the Hulk, the Toad Men are
bent on destroying him, but in the end, it's Dr. Banner and his
inventions that finally defeats the Toad Men and send them packing. 

The Hulk, lured into a rocket ship, is sent into outer space, where he
is blasted with another dose of gamma radiation. This extra gamma caused
a "connection" between the Hulk and Rick, who now has complete mental
control of the Hulk. 

And check out some of his enemies, besides his father-in-law:

Colonel Cary St. Lawrence -- She is an Army Colonel who was in charge of
capturing the Hulk.

Leader -- He uses his gamma enhanced intellect to try to destroy the
Hulk and rule the world.

Maestro -- In an alternate future, the Hulk became an utterly evil
dictator known as the Maestro and ruled the world.

-------------------------
Pynchon's Badass is not necessarily good, but he fulfills a popular need
to see the machine, The System, resisted.

Yours,
Eric R