Review: 'Hulk Vs.'

From: comicmix.com
Written by: Robert Greenberger

Marvel has had varying degrees of success with the direct-to-video efforts but the program continues and there’s little surprise that the most recent offering featured Wolverine, given the release this week of X-Men Origins: Wolverine. What is odd is that Lionsgate chose to release the video Hulk Vs. in January, too late for the holidays and too early to capitalize on the Fox feature.

The two-disc set features separate Hulk features and shine very different lights on the character. In the first, Wolverine is assigned to hunt down a monster crossing the border from America, codenamed the Hulk. Along the way, the two battle with much carnage but then the plot is complicated by the arrival of several foes from throughout Weapon X’s career – Lady Deathstrike, Sabretooth, Omega Red, and Deadpool. In the 37 minute story, there are numerous flashbacks to the Weapon X program and how Logan was turned into a living weapon.

Visually, it’s the best animated Wolverine we’ve seen yet. The character designs for his opponents are pretty terrific, but no surprise since they were handled by Jeff Matsuda. It’s also one of the best voice casts I’ve heard on a Marvel production. The story moves along nicely and the action is pretty relentless.

On the other hand, it’s not much of a Hulk story. Also, on their own, each of the villains has proven to be a match for Wolverine, but here, collectively, they’re dispatched with far too much ease, weakening their threat.

The second disc has a stronger story but weaker vocal casting and shows Loki using the Hulk as a pawn in his game against his half-brother Thor. The 45 minute story is spent entirely in Asgard and pits not only Thor against the Hulk but Thor and Loki against Hel, bargaining for the soul of Bruce Banner. What happens to Banner is rather poignant and gives this tale an emotional wallop missing from the other adventure. If the forthcoming Tales of Asgard animated feature is anything like this, we’ll all benefit.

Each disc comes with an assortment of trailers in addition to Making Of featurettes. The Wolverine disc has footage from the Lionsgate panel at last summer’s San Diego convention while the Thor disc has a loving tribute to Jack Kirby.

If you have an insatiable appetite for the ol’ canucklehead, you could do worse than investing your time with this DVD set.

Hulk Vs: Watch Four All-New Clips Now

From: Marvel.com

See the latest from the January 27, 2009 DVD Release.

Everybody loves a good knock-down, drag-out fight, right?

Well, this January 27, 2009 the "Hulk Vs" DVD hits stores and promises two titanic tussles as the Jade Giant takes on Wolverine and Thor in separate bombastic battles—all on one DVD!

We know, you can't wait for January 27—and neither can we...So here's four all-new clips of animated antagonism straight from "Hulk Vs!"

And remember, stay tuned to Marvel.com for all of the latest news on "Hulk Vs." You won't want to miss a word, bub!

Check out the official Marvel Shop for your favorite Marvel Heroes!

Trailer for Hulk vs.

Trailer for Hulk vs. Wolverine & Hulk vs. Thor.

Watch the First Hulk vs. Wolverine Animated Trailer!

From:

When Marvel and Lionsgate launched their slate of Direct-To-DVD/Blu-Ray feature films we set out to bring comic fans an animated experience unlike anything seen before from Marvel animation. By creating films for the small screen we are able to tell stories with more drama, romance, and action than Saturday morning series will allow while taking chances on characters and storylines often deemed too risky for larger scale theatrical releases.

In January 2009 two of the most famous battles in Marvel's comic book history are finally being brought to life in the sixth Marvel/Lionsgate Direct-to-DVD/Blu-Ray release "HULK VS." Here's a little info on the films included in this release

HULK VS THOR – It's gods versus monsters in this epic 45 minute movie! Never have we explored the explosive power of the Hulk like we have in this new film, every major character from the Marvel Thor universe is thrust into battle with this Green Goliath as he brings a new Ragnarok down upon the realm of gods.

HULK VS WOLVERINE- This dark, violent, smash and slash story was first told in issue 181 of THE INCREDIBLE HULK and the rematches have continued to thrill comic fans ever since. Now Marvel and Lionsgate takes the best of those famous comic book battles and merges them into one heart pounding 33-minute story.We'll have more on Hulk VS Thor in the coming months but here's a brief description of Hulk VS Wolverine:

"ALBERTA, Canada. Over the past week, The INCREDIBLE HULK has been tearing a line across the Canadian wilderness, leaving a swathe of destruction in his wake. He has to be stopped, and there's only one man up to the job. He's the best at what he does, but what he does isn't very nice. He's WOLVERINE, an elite agent of Canada's top secret Department H, and he's been put on Hulk's trail with a single objective: stop the Green Goliath… at all costs.

Hulk and Wolverine are about to enter the fiercest battle of their lives. And they have no idea that there are a few unpleasant surprises waiting for them on the other side."Most people will need to wait until January 2009 to see this film BUT you don't have too…

Come meet Supervising Producer/Co-Writer Craig Kyle, Producer/Supervising Director Frank Paur, Co-Writer Christopher Yost and others involved in this Marvel Animation Milestone and watch the complete "Hulk VS Wolverine" film before it's January 2009 Blu-ray and DVD release at the 2008 San Diego Comic Con. The world premiere screening takes place on Thursday July 24th at 4:15PM in Hall H.