Hulk Smash (the) Avengers

  This trade collects the 5-issue miniseries, of the same name, that examines the Hulk's tumultuous history with Earth's Mightiest Heroes. From becoming a founding member of the Avengers and quickly their arch-enemy all the way through to about 2010 when Bruce Banner temporarily lost his gamma powers and a mysterious new RED Hulk come on the scene, just about every major time period of these two colossal icons of the Marvel Universe is contained in this book!

   Along for the journey are some of the original creators behind these classic events. Featuring the writing and artistic talents of Avengers legends such as Tom DeFalco, Roger Stern, Ron Frenz, Michael Avon Oeming and many more, the only notable absences from this collection were Stan 'The Man' Lee and George Perez, who has the distinct of being the only many to draw every Avenger and Justice Leaguer ever! (Another presence sorely missed is the late Jack Kirby, who co-created the Avengers with Lee. If I had it, I'd poor a little ink out in his illustrious honor.)

   The book was a wild ride of different incarnations of the team as well as different versions of the Hulk. Along with the original Green Machine and Avengers line-up, readers of this collection will get a peak at the Gray Hulk, Banner-mind controlled Hulk, plus cousin She-Hulk, best bud Rick Jones,  along with the West Coast Avengers and the New Avengers.

   A must read for any collector of the Hulk or the Avengers (or both!)

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.