Posted By Dan Greenfield on Jul 9, 2020 | 2 comments

Six issues of unfinished business…

John Byrne joined The Incredible Hulk in 1985 and then — poof! — he was gone after a mere six regular issues, evidently in a dispute with Marvel Editor-in-Chief Jim Shooter.

Since then, fans have wondered what Byrne would have done with the Green Goliath had he gotten the chance to see his vision through. But by 1986, he’d jumped to DC and taken the reins of Superman.

Still, those six issues have long had a cult following — and now, according to an Amazon listing, they’re set to be collected as part of The Incredible Hulk Epic Collection: Going Gray, due in December.

Here’s the official description, along with one of Byrne’s covers:

Incredible Hulk Epic Collection: Going Gray

Strange changes for the Hulk! His interdimensional exile is over and the incredible Hulk has returned to Earth! Doc Samson has a wild plan to separate Bruce and the Hulk for good…but can Banner survive without his emerald alter ego? And can the planet survive a rampaging, Banner-less Hulk? As the Avengers battle the behemoth, a new team of Hulkbusters forms — and Bruce, seemingly free at last, finally finds happiness with Betty Ross! However, two halves of a whole can’t stay apart forever… but the Hulk that returns is surlier, craftier — and gray! But if this is the Hulk, then who’s the long-haired green giant smashing up the American Southwest? And which longtime supporting character will meet their maker? Featuring the complete classic John Byrne run – and the status quo-smashing setup to Peter David’s multi-year epic!

COLLECTING: VOL. 14: INCREDIBLE HULK (1968) 314-330, INCREDIBLE HULK ANNUAL (1968) 14-15, MATERIAL FROM MARVEL FANFARE (1982) 29

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A few thoughts:

— Byrne’s issues were #314-319, plus a story in Marvel Fanfare #29 originally slated for #320. (He also scripted Hulk Annual #14.) His Hulk was green. As the description suggests, the “Going Gray” in the book’s title refers to the issues later in the edition in which Bruce Banner’s alter ego reverts to his original color. But you knew that.

— Byrne turned 70 this week. Wanna read something cool? Check out JOHN BYRNE’s ALPHA FLIGHT: The TOP 13 Stories — RANKED, by comics writer Fred Van Lente. (Click here.)

— The 512-page paperback lists for $39.99 and is due mid-December, according to Amazon. That generally means it’ll be in comics shops a week or two before that.

— Standard caveat: This has not been solicited by Marvel yet, so nothing is official until it’s official. Even then, things can change. Just keep coming to 13th Dimension for updates.

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MORE

— JOHN BYRNE’s Complete GENERATIONS Saga to Get Omnibus Treatment. Click here.

— JOHN BYRNE’s SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL Volume 2 Gets Release Date. Click here.