Issue(s): Tales To Astonish #60 (Hulk story only)
Cover Date: Oct 64
Title: "The Incredible Hulk"
Credits:
Stan Lee - Writer
Steve Ditko - Penciler
George Roussos - Inker

Review/plot:
Banner is building an indestructible suit of body armor (alternatively referred to as a robot) which will allow scientists to study an atomic explosion up close. Working on it, he gets stressed out and realizes that it is stress that triggers his change into the Hulk. It's almost the classic scenario except Banner deduces (incorrectly?) that the Hulk also turns back into Banner when under stress.

Later, of course, it will be shown that the Hulk turns back into Banner when he calms down.

Then a spy sneaks into Banner's 'robot', and the Hulk, vaguely remembering that Banner built it but not knowing that he and Banner are one and the same, figures that Banner built it to destroy him.

The Hulk is still talking with some intelligence - mostly complete sentences, referring to himself in the first person, reasoning things out... He's not in "Hulk smash!" mode yet.

During his fight with the spy, the Hulk gets very angry and starts to turn back into Banner.

General Ross finds Banner and first accuses him of being the one in the robot suit, but then the army confirms that the robot is still active. Banner realizes the stupidity of building a completely indestructible suit, and then turns around and offers to build a "second robot, even more powerful than the first!"

I guess he never heard the song about the old lady who swallowed a fly. Ross tells him to buzz off.

Next issue we are promised a new threat to Bruce. It seems to be Major Glenn Talbot.

The art is very cartoony and lacking in detail.

Quality Rating: D

Historical Significance Rating: 4 - development in the Hulk's condition - "you wouldn't like me when I'm angry". First ongoing Hulk story in Tales To Astonish.

Chronological Placement Considerations: N/A

References:

• The Hulk's origin in Hulk #1 is referenced.

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: Marvel Super-Heroes #25

George Roussos' ink lines are way too thick for Ditko's art.

the Hulk always seems to know he's turning into Banner. in this issue in particular, when he changes back during his fight with the spy in the armor, he says "I'm changing again...turning back into that weakling, Dr. Banner...!"

and i could have sworn similar types of exclamations have been made in earlier issues. so i'm not sure why Stan Lee's also saying that the Hulk "ironically" doesn't know he and Banner are one in the same.

Maybe it's a temporary realization that only happens during the transformation?

I guess Betty hadn't dyed her hair lately. Who knew she was prematurely grey?

This to me was the beginning of the classic Hulk vs. the military sequence of stories. I was not a fan of the Ang Lee Hulk movie but the fight with the helicopter in the desert did remind me of these stories.