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Thanos: The Infinity Saga
Thanos vs. Hulk
Cosmic legend and fan-favorite creator Jim Starlin delivers an epic tale of Smash versus Space, as the Emerald Avenger goes head-to-head with the Mad Titan! It's bad enough that the Hulk has been kidnapped by Pip the Troll and traded to Annihilus, lord of the Negative Zone. But things get worse when Thanos is thrown into the mix! Annihilus plots to exploit the Hulk in a most unexpected fashion, but Thanos soon launches some Machiavellian machinations of his own. As Annihilus gains vast new might, the Hulk rampages through the Negative Zone...with Annihilus' perennial rival Blastaar in hot pursuit! But when Thanos' devious scheme comes to a head, can the Hulk survive? And can Thanos withstand the Hulk's pure physical power unleashed? Find out right here! COLLECTING: Thanos vs. Hulk 1-4, WARLOCK (1972) 12
109 pages, Paperback
First published May 26, 2015
9 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
About the author
Jim Starlin
1,338 books445 followersJames P. "Jim" Starlin is an American comic book writer and artist. With a career dating back to the early 1970s, he is best known for "cosmic" tales and space opera; for revamping the Marvel Comics characters Captain Marvel and Adam Warlock; and for creating or co-creating the Marvel characters Thanos and Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu. Death and suicide are recurring themes in Starlin's work: Personifications of Death appeared in his Captain Marvel series and in a fill-in story for Ghost Rider; Warlock commits suicide by killing his future self; and suicide is a theme in a story he plotted and drew for The Rampaging Hulk magazine.
In the mid-1970s, Starlin contributed a cache of stories to the independently published science-fiction anthology Star Reach. Here he developed his ideas of God, death, and infinity, free of the restrictions of mainstream comics publishers' self-censorship arm, the Comics Code Authority. Starlin also drew "The Secret of Skull River", inked by frequent collaborator Al Milgrom, for Savage Tales #5 (July 1974).
When Marvel Comics wished to use the name of Captain Marvel for a new, different character,[citation needed] Starlin was given the rare opportunity to produce a one-shot story in which to kill off a main character. The Death of Captain Marvel became the first graphic novel published by the company itself. (
In the late 1980s, Starlin began working more for DC Comics, writing a number of Batman stories, including the four-issue miniseries Batman: The Cult (Aug.-Nov. 1988), and the storyline "Batman: A Death in the Family", in Batman #426-429 (Dec. 1988 – Jan. 1989), in which Jason Todd, the second of Batman's Robin sidekicks, was killed. The death was decided by fans, as DC Comics set up a hotline for readers to vote on as to whether or not Jason Todd should survive a potentially fatal situation. For DC he created Hardcore Station.
In the mid-1970s, Starlin contributed a cache of stories to the independently published science-fiction anthology Star Reach. Here he developed his ideas of God, death, and infinity, free of the restrictions of mainstream comics publishers' self-censorship arm, the Comics Code Authority. Starlin also drew "The Secret of Skull River", inked by frequent collaborator Al Milgrom, for Savage Tales #5 (July 1974).
When Marvel Comics wished to use the name of Captain Marvel for a new, different character,[citation needed] Starlin was given the rare opportunity to produce a one-shot story in which to kill off a main character. The Death of Captain Marvel became the first graphic novel published by the company itself. (
In the late 1980s, Starlin began working more for DC Comics, writing a number of Batman stories, including the four-issue miniseries Batman: The Cult (Aug.-Nov. 1988), and the storyline "Batman: A Death in the Family", in Batman #426-429 (Dec. 1988 – Jan. 1989), in which Jason Todd, the second of Batman's Robin sidekicks, was killed. The death was decided by fans, as DC Comics set up a hotline for readers to vote on as to whether or not Jason Todd should survive a potentially fatal situation. For DC he created Hardcore Station.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
April 2, 2015
I wonder, do Marvel’s Commissioning Editors even listen to Jim Starlin’s pitches anymore?
Jim Starlin: “Thanos…”
Marvel: “SOLD!”
Well, this is where me and Jim Starlin part ways. I see now that The Infinity Gauntlet was a quality one-off because everything else of his has been utter crap. A Death in the Family and The Cult were two of the worst Batman books I ever read and last year’s Infinity Revelation was a load of toss. Thanos Vs Hulk though? This is just Jim Starlin taking the piss and I’m done.
Bruce Banner is kidnapped by Pip the teleporting troll for Annihilus to harvest the Hulk’s DNA and become Hulkified. Thanos is tangentially drawn in through some contrived machinations of Pip’s for a cameo before disappearing entirely. This book should really be called Hulk Vs Annihilus but it seems Marvel won’t have Starlin put out a comic without his purple creation in the title!
The Thanos/Hulk fight is a joke. Thanos projects himself virtually into Banner’s head and they fight in some weird netherworld. It’s so pointless, it beggars belief – and THAT’S the Thanos Vs Hulk title fight?! This is early on in the “story” and that’s a wrap on Thanos who leaves for good afterwards! Annihilus – a small grasshopper-armoured alien – hulks out and the rest of the book is him chasing Hulk across an alien city until Hulk decides to fight back and, predictably, win.
It’s appalling just how thin, disposable and banal the plot for this miniseries was, not to mention how misleading from its title. There’s art and there’s product and this one falls firmly in the latter. Don’t support crap like this and send Starlin/Marvel a message by ignoring it entirely.
Jim Starlin: “Thanos…”
Marvel: “SOLD!”
Well, this is where me and Jim Starlin part ways. I see now that The Infinity Gauntlet was a quality one-off because everything else of his has been utter crap. A Death in the Family and The Cult were two of the worst Batman books I ever read and last year’s Infinity Revelation was a load of toss. Thanos Vs Hulk though? This is just Jim Starlin taking the piss and I’m done.
Bruce Banner is kidnapped by Pip the teleporting troll for Annihilus to harvest the Hulk’s DNA and become Hulkified. Thanos is tangentially drawn in through some contrived machinations of Pip’s for a cameo before disappearing entirely. This book should really be called Hulk Vs Annihilus but it seems Marvel won’t have Starlin put out a comic without his purple creation in the title!
The Thanos/Hulk fight is a joke. Thanos projects himself virtually into Banner’s head and they fight in some weird netherworld. It’s so pointless, it beggars belief – and THAT’S the Thanos Vs Hulk title fight?! This is early on in the “story” and that’s a wrap on Thanos who leaves for good afterwards! Annihilus – a small grasshopper-armoured alien – hulks out and the rest of the book is him chasing Hulk across an alien city until Hulk decides to fight back and, predictably, win.
It’s appalling just how thin, disposable and banal the plot for this miniseries was, not to mention how misleading from its title. There’s art and there’s product and this one falls firmly in the latter. Don’t support crap like this and send Starlin/Marvel a message by ignoring it entirely.
March 1, 2025
Jim Starlin's 2000s output continues, with this somewhat random Thanos vs. Hulk story. I guess Starlin really wanted to draw Hulk.
The art is good, some of Starlin's best (although his legacy is more of a writer than artist) and the 70s-era artist surprisingly holds up well with modern flashier comics. It's also interesting to see Starlin explore the 21st century Marvel cosmic universe, with Annihilus as the villain and some of the latter Guardians of the Galaxy status quo.
Ultimately though, it's a rather unnecessary story about the Hulk being kidnapped by aliens and Thanos shoehorned in. That's okay, comics can be fun for fun's sake and not everything has to be the most epic stakes ever. Starlin has many classics in his repertoire, which everyone should read, while this story is mainly just for completists.
The art is good, some of Starlin's best (although his legacy is more of a writer than artist) and the 70s-era artist surprisingly holds up well with modern flashier comics. It's also interesting to see Starlin explore the 21st century Marvel cosmic universe, with Annihilus as the villain and some of the latter Guardians of the Galaxy status quo.
Ultimately though, it's a rather unnecessary story about the Hulk being kidnapped by aliens and Thanos shoehorned in. That's okay, comics can be fun for fun's sake and not everything has to be the most epic stakes ever. Starlin has many classics in his repertoire, which everyone should read, while this story is mainly just for completists.
July 16, 2021
Let me start by saying Starlin is definitely in my list of top ten favorite artists, maybe even top five. Also Thanos is probalby in my top ten villains. So those facts make me a bit biased. That being said, this book was a bit of a bait and switch. Of the four issue series, Thanos only makes appearances in two of the issues. Also for a book titled "Thanos Vs. Hulk" I'd expect more of a battle then the few page throwdown we got to see, and even that wasn't quite as advertised.
We do get to see Hulk Vs. Blastaar and Hulk Vs. Annihilus in better fights than he has with Thanos. This is also the "HULK SMASH!" Hulk, which I always liked the best for some reason. I guess they just put "Thanos" in the title to sell books, because they could have called it "Hulk: The Negative Zone" or something similar and not left a bad taste in buyers mouths.
Final thoughts, even though this book had its issues, it still had enough going on that I enjoyed it, and Starlin's art was nice as well. Just not quite what it should have been.
We do get to see Hulk Vs. Blastaar and Hulk Vs. Annihilus in better fights than he has with Thanos. This is also the "HULK SMASH!" Hulk, which I always liked the best for some reason. I guess they just put "Thanos" in the title to sell books, because they could have called it "Hulk: The Negative Zone" or something similar and not left a bad taste in buyers mouths.
Final thoughts, even though this book had its issues, it still had enough going on that I enjoyed it, and Starlin's art was nice as well. Just not quite what it should have been.
December 30, 2016
Hulk stories really are shite aren't they? (excluding Planet Hulk obv!)
You add Thanos and Annihilus to the mix and expect something original. Instead you just get Purple and Green mixed together which produces a really shitty colour.
This book makes no fuckin sense whatsoever. The reason i've not given it 1 star is because I get to see Thanos play some mind games, which is what Starlin is good at doing with him. Apart from that it's absolutely pointless.
You add Thanos and Annihilus to the mix and expect something original. Instead you just get Purple and Green mixed together which produces a really shitty colour.
This book makes no fuckin sense whatsoever. The reason i've not given it 1 star is because I get to see Thanos play some mind games, which is what Starlin is good at doing with him. Apart from that it's absolutely pointless.
September 11, 2015
I feel ripped off by this collection. Great, great comic art, but a terrible, terrible story (or lack thereof).
This is more How Annihilus Got Big than it is a Versus story, Thanos is hardly in it, and the content shouldn't have covered more than 2 issues.
Unless you REALLY care about the art and don't have any interest in a decent story, pass on this one.
This is more How Annihilus Got Big than it is a Versus story, Thanos is hardly in it, and the content shouldn't have covered more than 2 issues.
Unless you REALLY care about the art and don't have any interest in a decent story, pass on this one.
June 4, 2015
Utter crap.
It does not contain the apocolyptic battle promised in the title. But it does give us Hulk scared of big bug, because space stuff.
It does not contain the apocolyptic battle promised in the title. But it does give us Hulk scared of big bug, because space stuff.
June 13, 2015
Was disappointed to find that Thanos only appeared in 50% of the story.
June 17, 2015
Where are negative stars when you need them?
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February 5, 2024
Ok but why call it 'Thanos vs. Hulk' when the main fight isn't even between Thanos and Hulk?!
November 1, 2021
That was so bad! Not only a misleading title, but a mini-series that's just completely empty!
January 11, 2023
Qué despropósito...
June 17, 2015
Fun, but pretty lightweight and once you discover it's all the set-up/ prequel to an upcoming 'Infinity' project it feels like a wasted effort.
Interesting to see Starlin taking on the Hulk, but he is so used to doing talking characters that he over-uses Pip, due to his need for lots of monologuing and exposition and by the end it feels like Thanos is just a guest star in the mini with his name in the title.
Being the Hulk, there are lots of great city-leveling fight scenes, and that helps.
There is no such thing as bad Starlin, but this is only good, where so much of his stuff is great.
Interesting to see Starlin taking on the Hulk, but he is so used to doing talking characters that he over-uses Pip, due to his need for lots of monologuing and exposition and by the end it feels like Thanos is just a guest star in the mini with his name in the title.
Being the Hulk, there are lots of great city-leveling fight scenes, and that helps.
There is no such thing as bad Starlin, but this is only good, where so much of his stuff is great.
September 4, 2015
Public library copy.
Wow, the only thing to comment on positive side of this was the art was decent. Nice progression of art compared to the older work, which was included at the end. The story was a horrible mess and anyone expecting an out and out throw down between the Hulk and Thanos, as the title suggests, will be disappointed. I'm doubting folks at Marvel Studios are planning to implement any ideas from this story into the cinematic universe beyond maybe saving the Hulk to finally reappear and help fight Thanos.
Wow, the only thing to comment on positive side of this was the art was decent. Nice progression of art compared to the older work, which was included at the end. The story was a horrible mess and anyone expecting an out and out throw down between the Hulk and Thanos, as the title suggests, will be disappointed. I'm doubting folks at Marvel Studios are planning to implement any ideas from this story into the cinematic universe beyond maybe saving the Hulk to finally reappear and help fight Thanos.
June 30, 2015
This was a huge disappointment. I expected an epic showdown between Thanos and Hulk with the fate of the universe at stake. Instead, Thanos is a minor character, and the book is full of characters that are not remotely interesting. It should be titled Annihilus vs. Hulk and the Misadventures of Pip the Troll. With the exception of a few funny lines here and there, the plot and dialogue are trash. I'll give it 2 stars only because the illustrations are decent.
June 4, 2015
It was okay.
I think Starlin works better with longer more complicated stories. This one is straight forward Thanos vs Hulk as advertised. If full STARLIN glory. Admittedly, it looks great, with that 70's vibe. But it's a pretty simple story.
I think Starlin works better with longer more complicated stories. This one is straight forward Thanos vs Hulk as advertised. If full STARLIN glory. Admittedly, it looks great, with that 70's vibe. But it's a pretty simple story.
March 4, 2018
2 or 3 stars relative to typical Hulk comics; zero stars for the characters that are actually the main players in it.
Thanos is in this for about 5 seconds, and never does anything interesting or important in it. Most of the story is Pip the Troll talking to himself for the sake of exposition. The long and short of it is this: Pip kidnaps Bruce Banner and delivers him to Annihilus's chief scientist, Doctor Bultar, so they can synthesize some chemical element that occurs momentarily when Banner morphs to Hulk. The Negative Zone villains have no problem controlling Hulk, and are easily successful in their endeavor.
As soon as Pip delivers Banner/Hulk, in exchange for a date with an alien babe that never actually happens, he realizes the consequences he'll face from the Avengers, and sets to spying and trying to return Hulk safely to Earth. This should really be no problem for him with his teleporting powers, but instead he waits and watches until the Big Baddies have extracted the mysterious gamma molecule or whatever and used it to significantly amplify Annihilus's stature and powers. Then, instead of just teleporting the unconscious and captive Hulk, he wakes him up instead, which of course results in a Hulk rampage.
The only purpose of this comic is to watch a mindless Hulk fight a Hulkified Annihilus, which sets up Annihilus's new size, look, and ability to project fear, all of which are seen in the Thanos Revelation trilogy that follows this story.
Thanos is in this for about 5 seconds, and never does anything interesting or important in it. Most of the story is Pip the Troll talking to himself for the sake of exposition. The long and short of it is this: Pip kidnaps Bruce Banner and delivers him to Annihilus's chief scientist, Doctor Bultar, so they can synthesize some chemical element that occurs momentarily when Banner morphs to Hulk. The Negative Zone villains have no problem controlling Hulk, and are easily successful in their endeavor.
As soon as Pip delivers Banner/Hulk, in exchange for a date with an alien babe that never actually happens, he realizes the consequences he'll face from the Avengers, and sets to spying and trying to return Hulk safely to Earth. This should really be no problem for him with his teleporting powers, but instead he waits and watches until the Big Baddies have extracted the mysterious gamma molecule or whatever and used it to significantly amplify Annihilus's stature and powers. Then, instead of just teleporting the unconscious and captive Hulk, he wakes him up instead, which of course results in a Hulk rampage.
The only purpose of this comic is to watch a mindless Hulk fight a Hulkified Annihilus, which sets up Annihilus's new size, look, and ability to project fear, all of which are seen in the Thanos Revelation trilogy that follows this story.
December 17, 2020
Jesus but this sucks, and plenty of comics do these days, but this is especially awful because I don’t think I’ve ever given a one-star review to anything with Jim Starlin’s name attached to it.
And that word “attached” feels particularly appropriate here, “attached” just like the stupid cosmic bar in this comic is stupidly named “Starlin’s,” and if old Jim really thought that was a good idea, then maybe he’s gone round the bend and it’s all just hopeless at this point because that’s just as stupid as the day is long, and little in my nearly 50-year relationship with Jim Starlin would indicate that he’s capable of such stupidity in his writing.
No, I think the name “Starlin” is just attached here to grab a few shekels from the faithful because it doesn’t look like Starlin and it doesn’t read like Starlin, and if unfortunately he really did write and pencil Hulk versus Thanos then he must have had a terrible stroke lately and is on some nut-shrinking, mind-clouding medication. And that’s just a little sad for me to think about right now.
....
And that word “attached” feels particularly appropriate here, “attached” just like the stupid cosmic bar in this comic is stupidly named “Starlin’s,” and if old Jim really thought that was a good idea, then maybe he’s gone round the bend and it’s all just hopeless at this point because that’s just as stupid as the day is long, and little in my nearly 50-year relationship with Jim Starlin would indicate that he’s capable of such stupidity in his writing.
No, I think the name “Starlin” is just attached here to grab a few shekels from the faithful because it doesn’t look like Starlin and it doesn’t read like Starlin, and if unfortunately he really did write and pencil Hulk versus Thanos then he must have had a terrible stroke lately and is on some nut-shrinking, mind-clouding medication. And that’s just a little sad for me to think about right now.
....
May 16, 2017
This is ridiculous, I feel like most of plots for the huk have to be that way though. But feels like some bizarre 80’s cartoon plot. And it’s fun however there is some deft character development for the 2 main villains.
I really liked how they contrasted Thanos style of leading with Annihilus. Thanos is most of all cleaver. He is huge and strong but would probably still be where he is without that (eg, he goes to fight/get information himself vs the bug who sends his minion to get stuff for him- the hulk in this case).
For thanos the fight with the hulk was all a ruse to get information on the negative Zone while Annihilus is a leader entirely on cult of personality. He needs the new strength to continue being a leader. While thanos sets it up in way to beat the hulk, Annihilus leaves the possibility to lose. Ultimately Thanos is the better Chess player.
I really liked how they contrasted Thanos style of leading with Annihilus. Thanos is most of all cleaver. He is huge and strong but would probably still be where he is without that (eg, he goes to fight/get information himself vs the bug who sends his minion to get stuff for him- the hulk in this case).
For thanos the fight with the hulk was all a ruse to get information on the negative Zone while Annihilus is a leader entirely on cult of personality. He needs the new strength to continue being a leader. While thanos sets it up in way to beat the hulk, Annihilus leaves the possibility to lose. Ultimately Thanos is the better Chess player.
May 30, 2019
An entertaining romp into the Negative zone and beyond as only Jim Stalin can. the title is a bit of a misnomer as the story is actually Annihilus Vs Hulk with Thanos more as an Anarchistic observer and occasional meddler.
Starlin has great fun here both plot wise and artistically. Kudos to Marvel for including a Warlock issue from 72, also written and drawn by Starlin, showing some of the minor characters and situations that were re-purposed decades later for this collection.
A fun romp that although not quite what the title advertises, or a story line with grand implications for the Hulk is still worth the price of admission.
Starlin has great fun here both plot wise and artistically. Kudos to Marvel for including a Warlock issue from 72, also written and drawn by Starlin, showing some of the minor characters and situations that were re-purposed decades later for this collection.
A fun romp that although not quite what the title advertises, or a story line with grand implications for the Hulk is still worth the price of admission.
December 31, 2017
well, what a way to end the reading challenge with this pile of crap that passes for a comic. i’m cool with ol Jimbo Starlin, but Christ pal- what the hell was this? when i was browsing the Marvel Unltd. catalogue and came across Thanos vs Hulk, i was like, “yeah, this’ll be the ticket!” boy, was i dead wrong. uninspired story, mediocre art and just terrible dialogue from pathetic iterations of otherwise great characters. i almost felt insulted by this presentation. oh, well, you win some, you lose some.
January 31, 2026
Bah, capisco che Starlin abbia la sua idea su come creare un avversario che possa inpensierire il suo folle titano, ma in questo albo in realtà lo scontro tra Hulk e Thanos è solo virtuale, nel senso che avviene proprio in una realtà virtuale.
Il finale ci presenta un Annihilus molto potenziato che pone le basi per i futuri scontri.
Disegni buoni ma colorazione eccessivamente pesante in molte tavole.
Nel complesso siamo alle 2 stelle e mezza.
Il finale ci presenta un Annihilus molto potenziato che pone le basi per i futuri scontri.
Disegni buoni ma colorazione eccessivamente pesante in molte tavole.
Nel complesso siamo alle 2 stelle e mezza.
May 20, 2017
You would think Thanos & Hulk will be a clash of the titans. Their encounter is poorly set up & some of the lines are quite unfunny. At least the saving grace is the pretty art but there's only so many same frames of Thanos whacking Hulk & vice versa. And who cares about Pip The Troll? Really. 4 wasted issues with a tag-on 1972 nostalgic Warlock issue that also revolved around Pip. Nuff said.
April 8, 2018
So, this book, called "Thanos vs Hulk" barely had any Thanos in it. In fact, he's not even in the last two of four issues save for one panel. Definitely not Starlin's best. Maybe Marvel retitled this or something, as "Hulk vs Annihilus" would have made a lot more sense, even if the story was still only ok.
October 11, 2021
Pip the Troll is coerced into kidnapping the Hulk for Annihilus. After he's out from under Annihilus's thumb, he tries to get Thanos to help free the Hulk. Thanos seems to take an interest at first, but then sits back and lets things play out.
Why does this book exist? Who thought this was necessary?
Why does this book exist? Who thought this was necessary?
May 15, 2024
Truth be told this is not going to be a very unbiased review due to the fact that I am a huge Jim Starlin fan! But this is a fight I have wondered about for years; how would Hulk (H) measure up against Thanos (T) in a 'brawl' with no holds barred. So far this is looking good...looking forward to finishing this story!
September 8, 2017
Bit of a letdown, this one. The titular conflict is but a portion of the story, which feels unfinished. The art is stellar and some of the ideas are great (like Annihilhulk), but the plot never quite hangs together.
June 12, 2019
This was a fun Hulk story, but the "Thanos vs. Hulk" is a big cash-grab of a title. Thanos is in this for like what, 4 pages? Marvel titled this to capitalize on the Thanos name/brand, but that's not what this is.
May 4, 2018
This was utterly boring.
October 10, 2018
That conflict almost happened....
Very little of the Thanos/Hull conflict. Mostly him vs Anihilus. Marvel comics disappoints again...... I'll stick with DC, thank you.
Very little of the Thanos/Hull conflict. Mostly him vs Anihilus. Marvel comics disappoints again...... I'll stick with DC, thank you.
April 29, 2020
El título es engañoso y no hay mayor trama...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews