Incredible Hulk by Peter David Omnibus Vol. 1

Background. In 1987, Peter David took over The Incredible Hulk with a clear premise: the character had become stuck in the cliché of a raging monster. David decided to explore the character’s psychology in depth, developing the theory of Bruce Banner’s multiple personality disorder. His run would last 12 consecutive years, becoming one of the longest and most acclaimed ever written for a Marvel character.

What it contains. The start of Peter David’s run on The Incredible Hulk, featuring the early story arcs that redefine the character: the introduction of the intelligent Grey Hulk, the exploration of Bruce Banner’s dissociative disorder, and the first clashes with villains such as the Leader. Lead art by Dale Keown, one of the key figures behind the Hulk’s aesthetic in the 1990s.

Why it’s worth reading. Peter David transformed the Hulk from a one-dimensional character into a complex psychological study. The concept of dissociative identity disorder (Savage Hulk, Grey Hulk, Professor Hulk and Banner as separate personalities) is his own, and has been adopted as canon in subsequent films, television and comics. Dale Keown depicts the Hulk with a muscularity and presence that defined an entire aesthetic. Essential reading.

Edition details. 1003 pages. First volume of the complete run. US edition published by Marvel Comics. ISBN 9781302921422.