AngryAsianMan.com has featured Greg Pak as its Angry Reader of the Week! Here's an excerpt:
I'm in the business of escapist entertainment. But I'd argue that the greatest escapist literature doesn't just let us avoid our problems; it gives us a safe space to explore new ways to deal with our real world challenges. One of the reasons I've been so drawn to the Hulk, for example, is that he's insanely fun because we can all vicariously enjoy his anger and smashing. But what makes him a truly great character is that his stories almost always explore the price of all that anger and smashing. There's a process of emotional discovery in those stories that's incredibly attractive to me as a reader and a writer.
The fantastic Reilly Brown, fan favorite penciller of the "Incredible Thorcules" storyline that ran in "Incredible Hercules" #132, 134, and 136, is auctioning off some original art as part of the Heroes4Haiti initiative to benefit the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund.
The auctions include the first appearance of Thorcules (Herc dressed as Thor, natch) from "Incredible Hercules" #132 and page 20 from "Cable & Deadpool" #50.
The bundle includes every "Planet Hulk" and "World War Hulk" issue, the "1602: New World" mini, all of Pak's "Skaar: Son of Hulk" comics, a few "Incredible Hercules" issues that feature the Hulk, and Pak's current run on "Incredible Hulk" up to issue #606. Here's the big list:
Every Hulk-related comic book ever written by "Planet Hulk" and "World War Hulk" writer Greg Pak -- signed, plus extras!
"1602: New World" #1-5 - featuring the 1602 Banner and Hulk
"Amazing Fantasy" v2 #15 - First appearance of Amadeus Cho
"Incredible Hulk" #92-105 and "Giant Size Hulk" #1 - the "Planet Hulk" epic
"Planet Hulk Gladiator Guidebook"
"World War Hulk" #1-5
"Incredible Hulk" #106-111 - tie-ins to "World War Hulk"
"World War Hulk: Aftersmash"
"What If Planet Hulk"
"Marvel Spotlight: World War Hulk"
"World War Hulk: Gamma Files"
"Warbound" #1-5
"Incredible Hulk" #112, "Incredible Hercules" #126, and "Hulk vs. Hercules: When Titans Collide" - "Incredible Hercules" issues involving the Hulk
"Skaar: Son of Hulk" #1-12
"Skaar: Son of Hulk: Savage World of Sakaar"
"Hulk Family: Green Genes" #1
"Planet Skaar Prologue" #1
"Incredible Hulk" #601-606 - Pak's current "Incredible Hulk" run, including the first installment of the "Fall of the Hulks" story
"Dark Reign: The List: The Hulk" #1
Extras include:
Black Bolt variant covers for "World War Hulk" #1
Sketch variant cover for "World War Hulk" #3
Frank 3rd printing variant for "Incredible Hulk" #106
Frank 2nd printing variant for "Incredible Hulk" #107
Garney 2nd printing variant for "Skaar" #1
McGuinness Hulk variant cover for "Skaar" #12
Marvel has announced that "Incredible Hulk" #606, written by Greg Pak with pencils by Paul Pelletier, has sold out at Diamond. A second printing of the book with a new cover featuring Skaar and Doom will go on sale on February 24. "Hulk" #19 has also sold out and will also get a second printing.
"Incredible Hercules" co-writers Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente have been interviewed by Dom Ducote and Dusty Crochet for the KANE AM 1240 Popmedia Primecast. Lots of talk about the art of collaboration and breaking into comics -- and the Incredible Hulk.
Pakbuzz is now on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/pakbuzz, bringing you the latest about Greg Pak's comics and films in 140 characters or less. Please feel free to friend us or follow us or whatever it is you crazy kids do with this thing.
The reason I've been buying this series is because it's written with wit and intelligence, and just when you think you know where the story is going, writer Greg Pak throws in a delightful curve. He's made Banner into a figure almost as fearsome as the Hulk - and that's saying something.
... [the art] by Paul Pelletier was, simply put, excellent. Pelletier’s art reminded me of David Finch’s in almost every conceivable way, which to me isn’t a bad thing. Lots of energy bounced off of these pages, along with the trademark savagery that seems to follow any of the Hulks.
"Magneto Testament" nabs Best Miniseries of 2009 from CBR Forums X-Book Awards
The users of Comic Book Resources' X-Men Forums have voted on their favorite books of 2009, and "Magneto Testament" has been named the Best Mini-Series of 2009. Here's a blurb:
Magneto's past is often glossed over, without much focus, as concentration camps aren't exactly a subject that's explored in depth in all ages comics that often. Greg Pak, though, wanted to go there, and help to explore what it is that makes a guy like Magneto who he is, giving him his truest, most definitive origin story ever.
Ryan the Iowan has posted a rave review of "Incredible Hulk" #606 at the Weekly Crisis. Here's an excerpt:
• The pull of the artists behind this week’s Incredible Hulk #606 (Paul Pelletier and Ryan Stegman) was enough to snag this issue a spot on my pull list and, must to my pleasure, it turned out to be one of the best books of the week.
• The lead story picks up the current status quo for the now-powerless Bruce Banner as “attempts” to be a “father” to Skaar, though his true alliances come to light as the Red Hulk sends him to Latveria to take on Doctor Doom.
• For being so action-oriented, this is a really complex story with a slew of twists and turn. Greg Pak does an awesome job of spinning and insanely dense story here.
• I’ve only read bits of the Fall of the Hulks story, so I was really surprised by how accessible this issue was. Pak does a good job of filling in some of the larger story gaps.
"Magneto Testament," written by Greg Pak with art by Carmine DiGiandomenico, has been named one fo the 2010 Great Graphic Novels for Teens by the Young Adult Library Services Association.
We're in the home stretch of my first Heroes4Haiti benefit auction, and you now have just over an hour to bid on original concept art for "Planet Hulk."
Once again, this book soars to new heights of entertainment and depth. Between Rodney Buchemi's clean and expressive art, and Pak and Van Lente's humorous and exciting script, I can't imagine anything more that I would ask for in a modern superhero comic. Truly this issue, and this series, are pinnacles of the genre.
"Incredible Hulk" #606, written by Greg Pak with pencils by Paul Pelletier, has nabbed a four star review from Doug Zawisza at Comic Book Resources. Here's an excerpt:
... this is one of the best issues of any "Hulk" title I've read in quite some time, thanks in part to the aforementioned visual effects trio and the solid writing of Greg Pak. Pak crams a lot into this book, never once forgetting that this is a title with the word "Hulk" featured prominently. Pak delivers Hulk in action -- more than one Hulk, as a matter of fact. Pak gives the reader a Bruce Banner who should be feared for his conniving mind moreso than his alter ego.
As you might have guessed from my voluminous post about comic books and the Apple tablet, I want the iSlate, and I want it now. But recent rumors indicate that although the long-rumored machine will supposedly be announced on January 27, it won't actually ship until June. And as far as comics go, that might actually be a very good thing.
According to Apple Insider, an analyst named Shawn Wu claims that "checks with supply chain sources" indicate the tablet won't ship until June. Meanwhile, MacRumors notes that Amazon has tweaked its Kindle royalty program to offer better rates to publishers -- with the new deal beginning in June, presumably to compete with the new Apple tablet.
As a reader eager to get my hands on an Apple tablet, June is way too late. But as a creator with an interest in getting as many new readers as possible buying comics for the Apple tablet, an extra few months to prepare may be invaluable.
If we're lucky, the tablet will be able to display regular ol' pdfs, which will make it possible to put old content into readers' hands almost immediately. But the tablet may use different formats -- or may introduce a brand new format. My hope is that Apple reveals the formats at or shortly after its January 27 event. And then publishers and individual creators will have plenty of time to prepare their content to take advantage of whatever new features the format will allow.
Even if the tablet uses only preexisting formats, we'll benefit from having a little more time to prepare our content -- at the bare minimum, by adding hyperlinks and supplemental material that will allow readers to immediately access new comics by clicking on links within the comic they're reading. (See my previous post for a whole lot more on this subject.)
And if we're extremely lucky, Apple will reveal what online stores will support the new format (an updated iTunes store? Longbox?) so we'll get a soft launch of the sales tools and can hammer out any kinks before the actual tablet hits.
It's also possible that a June launch could benefit smaller publishers and creators by giving them more time to work out deals with Apple to get into the stores. As I recall, the first iteration of the iTunes store had only big record labels. It took a while for independents to get access. If we're lucky, we can avoid that kind of logjam and get comics of all kinds into the Apple store in time for the tablet's launch.
Finally, the extra time will allow individual creators to continue to build their networks and mailing lists so they're ready to spread the word about their comics when the tablet finally hits.
Paul Nomad has posted his interview of Greg Pak, Matt Striker, Joe Quesada, and Eric Rollman at last week's "Planet Hulk" movie premiere in New York City. Check it out:
Greg Burgas taps "Incredible Hercules" for CBR "Best of 2009" list
"Incredible Hercules," written by Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente, has cracked yet another Best of 2009 list. Greg Burgas has picked "Incredible Hercules" as one of the year's best ongoing series and "Incredible Hercules" #136 as one of the year's best single issues. Click here for the full scoop.
The special election to fill Edward Kennedy's Senate seat is down to the wire, and there's still time to vote. So if you're registered to vote in Massachusetts, please drop this blog and get to the polls!
All funds received will go to Doctors Without Borders via the eBay charity system.
Check out the auctions from other creators at Heroes4Haiti.com -- and absolutely feel free to donate directly to Doctors Without Borders if you're so inclined by clicking the image below.
Heroes4Haiti auction: Greg Pak sells "Planet Hulk" concept art to benefit Doctors Without Borders
Heroes4Haiti is an initiative organized by Mike Cavallaro to encourage comic book creators to sell original art, services, or books via eBay's charity tools to benefit Haiti relief.
I'm kicking in with original character design concept art that I created during the "Planet Hulk" run. There are two pieces of art being sold together. The featured characters are Miek and his "Native King" daddy and the "Green King" Hulk. These images were published in the collected edition of "Planet Hulk" -- here's your chance to own the originals! All funds received will go to Doctors Without Borders via the eBay charity system.
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Marvel has announced that "Incredible Hulk" #606, written by Greg Pak with pencils by Paul Pelletier, has sold out at Diamond. A second printing of the book with a new cover featuring Skaar and Doom will go on sale on February 24. "Hulk" #19 has also sold out and will also get a second printing. 
