Tracing the Hulk’s Family Tree
Did you see the trailer for the latest “Incredible Hulk” movie that ran on various programs last night? Yes, another Hulk flick- supposedly made in response to “rectifying” the Hulk image after the Ang Lee film (I’m not going to do the joke that this films director said “Don’t make me Ang Lee- you won’t like me when I’m…” – anyway, I’m not)
This reminds me how monsters beget other monsters-I’m not talking any “Son of Dracula” (coming soon to the Sven show again) or “Son of Godzilla”- I mean, how certain monsters really were an influence on the creators of other famed monsters. The Hulk is a good example- a combination of two famous monsters. The story goes that Stan Lee based the Hulk on both Dr. Jekyll / Mr. Hyde and the Frankenstein Monster.
Stan wanted the dynamic of the learned, gentle man (Jekyll) who became a raging monster (Hyde)- and also liked the concept that the Frankenstein monster, in spite of his appearance and brute strength, was a sympathetic character.
Jack Kirby, one of the greatest comics artists of all time, played off some of the features of Karloff’s Monster to create the image of the Hulk. So, the “Green Goliath” owes something to the traditional monsters- though I don’t think Frankie or Mr. Hyde ever had to duke it out with the craggy “Thing” from the Fantastic Four…
More sequels, besides the Hulk (I know- some don’t call it an actual sequel to the first flick) are on the horizon- including one we’ll have a special feature about, on an upcoming Sven show. That’s the new version of “Prom Night”- you probably recall the 1980 version that featured Jamie Lee Curtis. In her role is Brittany Snow, who was the nasty TV dance party diva in the movie “Hairspray.”
But- the one sequel that’s in the works that may surprise you is – a new version of “Attack of the Killer Tomatoes!” Yes, you loved the original (which gave George Clooney one of his early roles-just think, instead of “Ocean’s 11”- he could’ve made “Heinz 57!”)-and, the semi-lousy TV cartoon show- so, now you can relive the thrills all over again! I’d say if they don’t use some version of the original theme song (“I know I’m gonna miss her- a tomato ate my sister”)-they shouldn’t bother at all. Of course, with some many sequels coming out, this film might have to play…ketchup! Get it? Catch-up? I…ahem…
Until they re-make “Night of the Lepus”- with the killer giant rabbits- I’ll never be happy with any remakes!
This reminds me how monsters beget other monsters-I’m not talking any “Son of Dracula” (coming soon to the Sven show again) or “Son of Godzilla”- I mean, how certain monsters really were an influence on the creators of other famed monsters. The Hulk is a good example- a combination of two famous monsters. The story goes that Stan Lee based the Hulk on both Dr. Jekyll / Mr. Hyde and the Frankenstein Monster.
Stan wanted the dynamic of the learned, gentle man (Jekyll) who became a raging monster (Hyde)- and also liked the concept that the Frankenstein monster, in spite of his appearance and brute strength, was a sympathetic character.
Jack Kirby, one of the greatest comics artists of all time, played off some of the features of Karloff’s Monster to create the image of the Hulk. So, the “Green Goliath” owes something to the traditional monsters- though I don’t think Frankie or Mr. Hyde ever had to duke it out with the craggy “Thing” from the Fantastic Four…
More sequels, besides the Hulk (I know- some don’t call it an actual sequel to the first flick) are on the horizon- including one we’ll have a special feature about, on an upcoming Sven show. That’s the new version of “Prom Night”- you probably recall the 1980 version that featured Jamie Lee Curtis. In her role is Brittany Snow, who was the nasty TV dance party diva in the movie “Hairspray.”
But- the one sequel that’s in the works that may surprise you is – a new version of “Attack of the Killer Tomatoes!” Yes, you loved the original (which gave George Clooney one of his early roles-just think, instead of “Ocean’s 11”- he could’ve made “Heinz 57!”)-and, the semi-lousy TV cartoon show- so, now you can relive the thrills all over again! I’d say if they don’t use some version of the original theme song (“I know I’m gonna miss her- a tomato ate my sister”)-they shouldn’t bother at all. Of course, with some many sequels coming out, this film might have to play…ketchup! Get it? Catch-up? I…ahem…
Until they re-make “Night of the Lepus”- with the killer giant rabbits- I’ll never be happy with any remakes!
0 TrackBacks
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Tracing the Hulk’s Family Tree.
TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.wciu.com/blogs/mt-tb.cgi/522
Leave a comment