Marvel Animation & Lionsgate offer up their latest animated project that centers on Hulk smashing a lot of things. The Incredible One ups the ante by taking on not one but two of Marvel’s most proficient combatants. Christopher Yost (screenwriter) & Craig Kyle (co-writer and supervising producer) take these legendary tales and update them for a new audience.

Hulk vs Thor is a plot crafted by Loki (Graham McTavish) to overthrow his fair-haired brother and claim Asgard for himself while Big Daddy Odin is in hibernation or “Odinsleep”. Loki, with a little help from Enchantress (Kari Whalgren), takes control of Hulk and attempts to smash his way to the throne of Asgard. Thor (Matt Wolf) must use his god-like strength and enchanted hammer, Mjolnir, to stop the emerald giant’s rampage. Can even the son of Odin stop rage incarnate?


Hulk Milkshake Better Than Yours!

I can’t reveal the answer of that but I can tell you that Thor most certainly puts up a good fight alongside fellow Asgardian champions including Lady Sif (Grey DeLisle), Fandral (Jonathan Holmes), and Hogun (Paul Dobson). I’m not a Thor expert. I’ve read of him in various Avengers tales and most recent Marvel Comics crossover sagas such as "Civil War" and "Secret Invasion". But the world of Asgard just never really appealed to me. Still, the writers did a fine job of introducing a Norse newbie like myself to Thor’s realm amidst the scenes of Hulk’s (Fred Tatasciore) unhinged fisticuffs. Even though I was vaguely familiar with Thor's world I instantly related to the themes in the plot including Loki's jealously of Thor, Bruce Banner's longing for a normal life and Thor's determination to save Asgard even at the cost of his own soul.

Both Hulk Vs toons have differing animation styles. Hulk vs Thor has a more sophisicated and lyrical feel to it. The characters are elegantly crafted and Asgard itself is the lush paradise that many an artist has portrayed in the legendary comic series over the years. Out of the two, this is probably the more family friendly choice since there is very little blood spilled and rarely a cuss word uttered unless “Thee” is offensive to you.


"Thor Around The Collar" Can Be So Annoying

In the other corner is Hulk vs Wolverine. This flick is heavily inspired by the Len Wein written and Herb Trimpe illustrated comic book classic, “The Incredible Hulk #181”. Not only does the comic mark Wolverine’s first major appearance but also features the historic first brawl between Wolvie and Hulk. And before the Comic Nerd Council starts sending me “nyah nyah” letters Issue# 180 is technically Wolverine’s comic book debut but Issue# 181 is his first full length major appearance in a comic book. 'sigh', Now that the mini-history lesson is over….

I never read "Incredible Hulk #181" (and the CNC will probably rake me over the coals for that) but I can imagine how brutal and long a skirmish between a nigh invincible powerhouse and a nigh immortal killer with an unbreakable adamantium skeleton could become and Hulk vs Wolverine gives, I think, a decent snapshot of how such a battle would turn out. The update comes with the inclusion of Logan’s former buddies from Weapon X. Though it surprises me that with all three X-Men films reaching blockbuster status, three animated X-Men series, and a flurry of X-Men video games along with the dedicated readers who’ve been following Logan’s adventures for years that we would need yet another scene revealing that pivotal point where the poor mutant is captured, pumped full of adamantium alloy, and brainwashed into becoming an enforcer for a covert mercenary team.


Hulk's Guns Are Always Loaded

Luckily for the initiated the history lesson is brief and we’re quickly put on the forward track to the main plot that involves Logan (Steve Blum) being sent to take Hulk (Fred Tatasciore) down after the walking behemoth levels a town. The two fighters throw down until some unwelcome guests come in and capture the battlers. Logan is tough but even he might need a little assistance to conquer the combined forces of Sabretooth (Mark Acheson), Lady Deathstrike (Janyse Jaud) and Omega Red (Colin Murdock). But even Logan will find it hard to ask for help from a guy he multiply stabbed in combat.

This one is definitely geared for the older kids (though the younger ones probably won't get nightmares from this). Expect to see in Hulk vs Wolverine most of the things you wouldn’t see on Saturday morning such as blood, cussing, and limbs being hacked off. One of the most brutal scenes involves Hulk tearing the arms off of Deathstrike. Okay, her arms are cybernetic but still….that’s gotta smart a little. Marvel decided to give Hulk vs Wolverine an extremely edgy flair and nothing does edgy like anime. So, this 37 minute masterpiece was passed over to highly capable hands over at Madhouse Animation. Their name should ring a bell to animation enthusiasts. Among the company’s huge resume of works are the insanely detailed visuals of Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust, the essential anime classic Ninja Scroll, and the indie film darling Tokyo Godfathers.


Hulk & Wolverine Never Have Dirty Mouths Thanks To Orbit Gum

If that’s not making you’re mouth water enough then how about the addition of Deadpool to the cast. Voiced by Nolan North, the “Merc With A Mouth” adds some well placed comic relief to the tense and ultraviolent atmosphere. I can’t say I’ve ever been a major fan of Deadpool but his appearance in Hulk vs Wolverine tempts me to buy one of his trade paperbacks. Well, almost. If there was nothing better on the shelf then I would strongly consider it.

Oh and Hulk Vs Wolverine has, in my opinion, the best line: “Hulk smash Claw People!!” That is officially my new ringtone for the month.

At first glance Hulk vs Thor is a fun and exciting concept that’s just perfect for an animated feature (though at 45 minutes I would rather deem it as a ‘short’). To the naked and highly suspicious eye this is what one might call “shrewd marketing ploy”. It’s not a big secret that Thor is among the heroes on Marvel’s shortlist of future comic-to-film superstars. The buzz is that The Mighty Mjolnir wielder will get his chance to tackle the big screen in Summer 2010 and that will bring Marvel one step closer to revealing their big Avengers flick a year or so after that. What better way to introduce a “new” character to the field than by teaming him up with an established franchise star?

Wolverine, on the other hand, is practically a household name thanks to that knockout Fox animated series, the so-so "Evolution" series and Hugh Jackman’s spot-on portrayal in X-Men, X2 and X-Men; The Last Stand. Still, Logan’s healing factor has managed to successfully ward off the effects of overexposure so Hulk Vs Wolverine helps more than hinders the potential box office receipts for the upcoming X-Men Origins: Wolverine set for May 1st. Hey, if I was Marvel I, too, would probably make a last ditch effort to indoctrinate any stragglers that missed all the previous Logan productions.


Overcompensating Much?

All that aside, Hulk Vs has something for everybody. Hulk Vs Thor is a little more traditional with larger than life characters, bright and vivid colors, and an emotionally charged story dipped in magic and folklore. The action can get a little hairy but it doesn’t cross the line as much as the dark, gritty and bloody Hulk Vs Wolverine. They took off at least one kid glove for that one.

The DVD and Blu Ray releases also include sneak peeks at the upcoming Marvel / Lionsgate animated feature, Thor: Tales of Asgard. This toon flick will tell the tales of “young Thor” along with “young Sif” and “young Loki”. We’ll learn how Thor and Loki became such bitter rivals, we’ll see the buds of passion possibly bloom between Thor and Sif, but most importantly we will see the trials young Thor has to go through to earn the right to wield Mjolnir. Hulk Vs Thor also has a tribute to the legendary Jack Kirby & Stan Lee who created "The Mighty Thor" comic book as well as a behind the scenes look at the making of Hulk vs Thor.


By The Power of Grayskull!!.......Er, That Doesn't Sound Right Does It?

Hulk Vs Wolverine also has a “making of” documentary. Yet instead of a sample scene from the upcoming Wolverine solo picture the second prominent featurette is a brief yet in-depth look at the newest mutant cartoon series, Wolverine & The X-Men. Exclusively broadcast on Nicktoons, this latest incarnation has Professor X and Jean Grey missing and Logan leading the search party. I appreciate that Craig Kyle addressed Logan’s odd and slightly uncharacteristic status change from team tough guy to team leader. I'm glad I wasn't the only mutant lover that found the new position, um, puzzling. However, I applaud the inclusion of Emma Frost who finally gets some screen time after making majorly positive waves in the X-books since the early 90s. Also, be sure to check out the informative and fun footage from the Hulk Vs Wolverine debut at the 2008 San Diego Comic-Con.

Hulk Vs Thor and Hulk Vs Wolverine really are two different stories that happen to feature the same green giant. Both are very entertaining in their own ways but I feel like Marvel / Lionsgate still hasn’t quite found their groove yet. If I had to get really picky about it I would say that the Warner Brothers / DC Comics toons have achieved that balance of storytelling that simultaneously appeals to adults and kids while Marvel / Lionsgate doesn’t seem to be sure whether they want to cater to the kiddie market or the older folks.

Then again, if Marvel / Lionsgate wants to continue hopping back and forth over the fence then everyone still benefits from seeing their beloved Marvel heroes in lovingly crafted and finely voiced animated features. For every Doctor Strange I guess there must be a The Next Avengers. http://www.marvel.com/hulkvs