Every Sunday morning we showcase a classic comic cover, complete with compelling commentary, for your cordial contemplation. It’s the Classic Comic Cover Corner!
Incredible Hulk #258 – April, 1981
Cover art by Allen Milgrom and Frank Miller
It was just a couple of weeks ago that we showcased The Incredible Hulk #271, which featured the first comic book cover appearance of Rocket Raccoon, the feisty star of the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy film; but who could have guessed that recent political unrest in the Ukraine would lead us to the first appearance of yet another furry character, also on the cover of an Incredible Hulk comic?
To remain topical, it would have been easy to feature DC Comics’ “Red Son“, which has Superman (or Superbaby that is) actually landing in the Ukraine (instead of Smallville, Kansas), but that cover just doesn’t have the same umph as Incredible Hulk #258, where our hero is being gut-punched by the Crimson Dynamo while being held back by the wooly Ursa Major.
In the classic Bill Mantlo penned Cold War tale, “To Hunt the Hulk”, the Soviet Super-Soldiers, including the mutant anthropomorphic brown bear, Ursa Major (in his very first appearance), go up against the Jade Giant, who, as always, just wants to be left alone.
On a serious note, comic writer Bill Mantlo, who created (and/or co-created) Rocket Raccoon, Ursa Major, Jean DeWolff (of Spider-Man fame), Woodgod and dozens of other comic characters, is in need of some help from comic fans. In 1992, the comic veteran suffered terrible injuries, which included massive brain damage and being in a coma for several years. The excitement over the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy film has brought his plight into focus (read more about the situation at this very good hollywoodreporter.com article) and if you would like to make a donation to help out, you can find a PayPal link on writer Greg Pak’s website HERE.
On a lighter note, if Ursa Major had bothered to check out the The Incredible Hulk TV series from the late-seventies he would have known what the Hulk does to puny bears.
Be sure to follow us on Facebook!
