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 Gladiator from Outer Space"
Pages: 10

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 #4; next appearance in Incredible Hulk #5)

Supporting Character(s)

• Rick Jones (last appearance in Incredible Hulk #4; next appearance in Incredible Hulk #5)

Villain(s)

• Mongu (Boris Monguski; no further appearances)
• Communist soldiers (no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• Two military officers (no further appearances)

Synopsis:
A spaceship lands near the Grand Canyon. Inside is Mongu, a gladiator who challenges Earth to send their best champion to a duel. Bruce Banner hears the challenge and answers it as the Hulk. When he arrives he quickly discovers that Mongu is a fake. The entire charade was staged by communists to capture the Hulk. Despite falling for the ruse, the Hulk defeats the soldiers and sends them home defeated. When the American military examines the aftermath of the battle, they blame the Hulk.