What would the year of comic book heroes be, without the beloved hulkster? One of the best dramas ever on television IMHO was the series starring Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno, The Incredible Hulk . It was filled with such tragedy, drama and the popular fad of bionic man-ish action defeating some bad guy or another, while he walks the streets of the world ... alone.

Inevitably, the 1978 TV series pissed off the comic purists. And admittedly, as the series came into it's final year, my interest had waned (only because I believe series should be developed with a complete storyline for the series - a beginning, middle and end - Babylon 5 is a perfect example of a complete series). There were several TV films that finally closed the saga, and the 1990 finale aptly titled, The Death of The Incredible Hulk, was directed by Bill Bixby himself (only a few years before he would pass away, in real life). But I will always remember it fondly, particularly that sad piano riff that so clearly expressed the soul of the story.

Now, we get a big screen view with the summer release of Hulk. This story, however, follows more closely to the Marvel character ... particularly the enormous size of the creature. You'd have to see it, to believe it.

The background of the character is also closer to the original, specifically the troubled childhood of the young Bruce Banner, and several key antagonists during his adulthood:

• Dr. Bruce Banner aka The Hulk, played by Eric Bana (another rising aussie superstar, he will be playing Hector in next year's mega myth flick, Troy)
• Dr. Betsy Ross, David's love interest and daughter of General "Thunderbolt" Ross, played by Jennifer Connelly (Jim Henson's Labyrinth, The Rocketeer, Dark City, and Academy Award winning performance in A Beautiful Mind)
• General "Thunderbolt" Ross, played by Sam Elliot (Mission: Impossible television series, Frogs, The Legacy)
• Dr. David Banner, Bruce's real dad, played by Nick Nolte (The Deep, Nightwatch)
• Major Glenn Talbot, Bruce's antagonist also vying for the love of Betsy, played by Josh Lucas (Child of Darkness, Child of Light TV movie, American Psycho, and Session 9)

Will we see some super foes do battle with the big, green meanie? Not sure. Early reports of the storyline had the Hulk chase down 3 escaped convicts who also got a dose of gamma radiation. However, from what spoilers have been released since the novelization hit the streets, it doesn't appear that any superhero baddies, or even goodguy cameos will be seen in this first installment. But don't rule any surprises out, just yet ... Lou Ferrigno makes a cameo, and there might be a twist to what may be the Absorbing Man, in the film. Beyond that, the Hulk will have his hands full dealing with his past, his anger and kicking the crap out of the entire city of San Francisco.

Release Date: June 20th, 2003

Visit the official web site for the whole scoop on the hulkster:
http://www.thehulk.com/