Comic Title: Essential Hulk Vol. 1 TPB
Publisher: Marvel
Cover Date: 1999
On Sale Date: February 24, 1999 Direct Market Date February 24, 1999
Source: Diamond Shipping List, Shipping This Week: February 24

Direct Market Date February 24, 1999
Source: ComicList, New Comic Book Releases List for Wednesday, February 24, 1999

Direct Market Date February 24, 1999
Source: Usenet, Late Comics Report for the week of February 25, 1999

Direct Market Date February 17, 1999
Source: Previews, Vol. 8 #12 (#120)

Shipping Date February 17, 1999
Source: Comics Buyers Guide, #1318

Cover Price: $14.95
Page Count: 512

See Also: The Guide to Graphic Novels and Collected Editions

Title: "The Monster and the Machine"
Pages: 14

Feature(s):
Hulk

Writer: Stan Lee
Penciller: Jack Kirby
Inker: Dick Ayers
Letterer: Artie Simek

Reprinted From:
Incredible Hulk #4 (1962)

Feature Character(s)

• Hulk (last appearance in Incredible Hulk #3; next appearance in Incredible Hulk #4)

Supporting Character(s)

• Rick Jones (last appearance in Incredible Hulk #3; next appearance in Incredible Hulk #4)
• Betty Ross (last appearance in Incredible Hulk #2; next appearance in Incredible Hulk #5)
• Thunderbolt Ross (last appearance in Incredible Hulk #3; next appearance in Incredible Hulk #5)

Other Character(s)

• The cast and crew of a movie (no further appearances)
• U.S. army personnel under the command of General Ross (Charlie named; no further appearances)
• A family (Bobby named; no further appearances)

Comments:
The origin of the Hulk is recapped in Betty's memories.

With the help of a machine, the Hulk is transformed back into Bruce Banner. Bruce can become the Hulk again while keeping his intelligence.

Synopsis:
Betty Ross wonders what the connection is between the Hulk, Bruce Banner, and Rick Jones. She suggests to her father that Rick may be able to help find Bruce, so General Ross orders Rick to be taken into custody. Rick refuses to reveal Banner's secrets. He then summons the Hulk to rescue him.

After Rick is freed, he takes the Hulk to a hidden lab. Rick uses an experimental gamma ray machine to transform the Hulk back into Bruce Banner. Dr. Banner then alters the machine to turn himself back into the Hulk, but this time he maintains his intelligence.

Bruce intends to use the Hulk's strength for good, but the public is still frightened by his monstrous appearance. The Hulk returns to the lab and transforms himself back into Banner. Bruce worries that the Hulk is still difficult to control.