I'd say give the first Visionaries trade a try. Perhaps the second one as well.

It is true, though, that the first part of PAD's run involves the use of a lot of stuff that began with the JB run. Perversely, PAD's run is better if you read the Byrne and Al Milgrom runs leading up to it, 'cause it's sort of amazing to watch him make a world of gold out of a world of iron.

But what version of the Hulk is Rafael thinking of when he says he doesn't like the character?

So...

Banner's driving through the desert, and swerves to avoid hitting an old man. The old man awaits death...in the form of a creature named Fragment...



I loved this comic when it came out. If only the storyline of the series wasn't kinda wandering through the desert, too, I thought...

It got better.

When I read that issue on its own -- just 'cause I was collecting various PAD comics -- I didn't like it at all.

When I read it in sequence with the issues on either side of it, I liked it quite a bit better, just because it was so much more focused and correctly attuned than the stuff around it.

I think 331, PAD's debut as regular writer, is a more impressive issue.

I don't have 328. I have 331 forward in the Visionaries TPBs.

Yes.

Still love it all these years later. A lost art.

It is a hell of punch, I still have those issues to re-read every few years...

You don't see superhero punches like that anymore.And in his prime, JB was the best at it.

Typing men busy?

Hulk smash puny thread!!!

I have all the PAD issues and I really enjoyed the run until the end.

I had all but a few in the last two years, myself. It really seemed fresh and exciting throughout. I believe it's my favorite run of its time,actually. Nothing contemporary compelled me to buy it as long as Hulk of the PAD days. I just never saw it for months at a time after high school. He left the Pantheon around the time I was graduating. That's from 1986 to 1992 I pretty much didn't miss it; actually, I jumped on board with #308 and bought everythin from The PUNCH issue to 430 or so before missing some. A hundred issues. Those are titles you really loved.

I loved the Frank issues but mainly because of the art.

I was really excited when Gary Frank came on board. I picked up Supergirl to see his work again.

He draws a great Batman too, and I loved his one-shot Birds of Prey he drew.

Well, this died on the vine, didn't it? I'm just starting the PAD years, after beginning my trek with issue #300 and working my way up. Doot, you should get back to this so I can follow along, more or less. Even if you don't want to, my needs matter more. Thanks.

I'll make it easy for you Doot. I'm on issue 340, the one with Wolverine. I'll wait right here.

The issues from when Dale Keown jumped on the book through to the end of the Pantheon Sage in Hulk #425 stand as one of my favorite runs of all time.

I'm liking the Toddler art in these early ones. I know it's sentiment more than actual raw talent, but his Spider-Man and Hulk still look awesome to me. I bought the Spider-Man Toddler Omnibus with Christmas money.

If you do it, I can join in circa #374, which is where I started collecting (and ended with David's departure).

Extremely disappointed in Doot's lack of dedication in fulfilling my request.

But I started the thread.