Issue(s): Hulk #303
Cover Date: Jan 85
Title: "Growing up is hard to do!"
Credits:
Bill Mantlo - Writer
Sal Buscema - Penciler
Gerry Talaoc - Inker
Jim Massara - Assistant Editor
Carl Potts - Editor

Review/plot:
The Hulk is still a prisoner of the Red barbarians we saw him captured by last issue. He's been put to work grinding the bones of captives into material that will be used to build up the Red barbarian's city. Which is pretty brutal imagery!

I already complained last issue about the ease with which the Hulk is defeated by these Red barbarians. I know the point is to tell metaphorical stories (this one's about how the Green princess needs to give up her innocent childhood to become a cold but powerful nature queen), but it's a bit frustrating on the heels of a story where just about every Marvel hero lined up to get smashed by the Hulk to see him beaten up by some two-bit gooney ghoulies.

It's also worth noting that this Banner-less Hulk was supposed to be a being of pure rage, but already in this story he's fallen in love with the Green princess and is generally docile.

One thing i have no complaints about is the Buscema/Talaoc art, which depicts the Dungeons & Dragons scenarios very well.

The nature of Dr. Strange's spell causes Hulk to get returned to the Crossroads whenever he becomes unhappy in whatever dimension he winds up in, but he sticks around for a long time in this one because of his attraction to the princess. When she grows up and becomes the dispassionate queen, the Hulk fades back to the Crossroads.

Quality Rating: C-

Historical Significance Rating: 1

Chronological Placement Considerations: Issue #302 ended with the Hulk in this world, but some time has passed since the end of that issue and the beginning of this one.

References: N/A

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: N/A