I said it once and I will say it again: some things work better as shows than movies because they’re just too big for the theatres. And nothing is bigger than the big green not-so-jolly giant.
I think The Hulk is seriously due for a reboot, BUT as a TV series. However, to make it all work, it needs several conditions. So I put together a checklist that I think an Incredible Hulk TV series should have for it to be successful.
Note that this is all subjective and based on what I have seen in other series like The Flash, Gotham, Supergirl and more.
1- Dr. Bruce Banner and the Hulk need to be on equal footing in terms of being the stars of the show. - Bruce is an incredibly (no pun intended) interesting person who has dealt with some unique issues in his childhood and adulthood that ought to be emphasised more. Namely, unlike most superheroes, his home was not happy. His father was abusive, he grew up in a foster home and he worked his way up to having a great job and good life. This is a big deal because it makes him stand out. He had an abusive parent, but shaped up to be a good and kind person.
2- It needs to be true to the source material. - This is self explanatory, but in case it is not, let’s be true to how and why Bruce became the Hulk. By all means, shape it to work with modern science, but still stay true to how the wheel was made. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
3- Make the Hulk a hero. - The Hulk may be an angry green monster, but he is one with a heart of gold. The Hulk recognises when he is treated good or bad, and he doesn’t go around bullying or displaying sadistic behaviour. And he would NEVER beat up his own friends to satisfy his own ego. The Hulk has feelings beyond anger and a moral compass. In Thor Ragnarok, Hulk would not have acted the way he did there.
4- Let Bruce have Betty in the end. - We’re all sick of seeing heroes never get the girl or be betrayed. Seeing Barry and Iris be together in the end and be a great team together is a refreshing change. Let’s see more of that and let’s see that in the Hulk.
5- Do General Ross justice. - General Ross is both an antagonist and an ally to Bruce and the Hulk because his motives aren’t evil. They are more lawful and we often always see that he hates hurting Banner. Heck, he actually loves the guy. Let’s show this complexity in one of the most iconic characters in the Hulk.
6- You gotta have the Leader. - The Leader is an iconic enemy of the Hulk and his personality is very entertaining. He NEEDS to be in the series or else it will be missing this essential piece.
7- Apply twists and turns that work with the series not against it. - We understand that reboots will apply their own spin on characters and such, but make sure they work. Don’t change a character’s job, ethnicity or backstory unless it brings something to the table. For example, making Wally West Iris’ brother added something to Flash.
8- Don’t make every big bad the same. - One of the biggest mistakes the Flash has made is making ever big bad a speedster. That’s dull. With that said, don’t make every big bad the Leader or someone like him or an evil Hulk. Switch it up.
9- You gotta have the She-Hulk. - The She-Hulk in the animated series proved to be a great asset. She can be that again in the series, but in so long as she doesn’t steal the show. This is still the Hulk’s show not hers.
10- Revamp characters right. - It is the year 2019. We SHOULD update the way some characters dress and live at least. What would have worked back when the Hulk was first printed is outdated now. And not just looks. Lifestyles matter too. We live in an age where being coloured, non-Christian, gay, trans, etc. is more open.
Ok, so that is my list. Is there anything any of you fans of the big green dude you would like to add if the Hulk did become a series?
PS: I am not making a webcomic out of this. Like, the lawsuits would skin me alive.