RULK REPORT : Writer Jeff Parker discusses the future of “HULK”!

Dave Richards, reporting staff writer of Comic Book Resources recently sat down with acclaimed writer Jeff Parker and discussed the future of the Red HULK comic series.  Here are some highlights:

CBR: Let’s move on to the story that begins in January’s “Hulk” #47. It looks like the central relationship in that story is between Ross and his daughter, the Red She-Hulk, Betty Banner. What’s it like writing these two characters together? And in terms of plot and themes what is that next story about?

PARKER: The two Red Hulks haven’t seen each other in some time, since the end of the “World War Hulks” storyline. Ross has been wanting to see his daughter again, and while he was in touch with Banner, all Bruce could do was throw up his hands and say, “I have no control over it.” But Betty is finally ready to reconnect with her dad — unfortunately it’s not Betty who shows up, but Red She-Hulk.

CBR: From the solicits it looks like Zero/One is the main villain for the Red Hulk & She-Hulk story. What made you want to pit her against the father/daughter pair?

PARKER: Ross needed to follow up on the journal left by Zero/One’s assistant Jacob that outlines her potential as a world threat. And I’ll admit, since I knew Elena Cassagrande was going to be drawing a few issues and she draws such terrific women, I started thinking in terms of bringing all those characters together.

CBR: In February the Red Hulk also pops up in the “Circle of Four” storyline that runs through “Venom” #13, #13.1-13.4, and #14. You and Rob Williams worked with Rick Remender on this story line. What was it like working with them? What made you want to be part of the story?

PARKER: Those guys are a lot of fun to work with. We did almost all of the story hashing over the phone, which I don’t usually do, and it came together really well. The story is about a team who shouldn’t be a team, so it’s automatically full of conflict.

CBR: What can you tell us about the Hulk’s role in the “Circle of Four?” How big of a part does he play, and will the events of “Circle of Four” have an impact on the regular “Hulk” series?

PARKER: He’s been set after Flash Thompson/Venom in a role that calls back to how they would have interacted in the military. So it’s their hunt that kicks it off. This jump into a dark mystic world kicks off an occult arc called “Haunted Hulk.” Something that happens here plagues Red Hulk starting with his big 50th issue!

CBR: We’ve talked quite a bit about the stories in “Hulk.” Let’s wrap things up by talking about the visuals. The next several months will see you working with a couple different artists. Who are they and what can readers expect from their work?

PARKER: The “Circle of Four” Hulk issue is drawn by Julian Totino Tedesco, who is excellent. I don’t know if you’ve seen his covers for Marvel or his other work, but he is impressive. 

Elena, who I mentioned before, came in for the “Fear Itself” issues and drew a wonderful M.O.D.O.K. She’s also drawing an issue that could have way bigger fallout later — when the Eternals run afoul of Red!

The “Haunted Hulk” arc will be drawn by someone I’ve been lucky to work with a lot in the past, and no stranger to Hulk books: Carlo Pagulayan! I never get tired of teaming up with that guy. He makes everything feel so epic and exciting.

CBR: We’ve talked a little bit about your plans for “Hulk” in 2012. Can you offer up any more hints or teases? Anything else you can tells us about your plans for the milestone “Hulk” #50?

PARKER: In issue 50 there will be a back-up that connects to the story with art by Dan Brereton! Dan and I have wanted to work together forever, and this supernatural subject matter is the kind of thing he crushes on.

CBR: Sounds like 2012 will be a great year for “Hulk” fans! Care to put a capper on both this interview and your work on “Hulk” in 2011?

PARKER: I see a lot of people online who had an aversion to the character, an idea of a replacement or new Hulk, tell me they were pleasantly surprised after reading the book and became regular readers. I just want to end the year by thanking them for their trust in me and the team, and for editors Mark Paniccia and Jake Thomas being on top of everything. I work with some serious pros!

To read the full interview, go to : http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=36035

-A.J.
A general falls. A red monster rises. Stay tuned.
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