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The Amazing Spider-Man & The Incredible Hulk Toiler Paper

Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 7:25 pm
by newtron
I know some of you might not consider this comic canon because of its unusual method of distribution (toilet paper), but I figured others might still be interested in an analysis. I've noticed that Paul B. has put some other promotional comics in his calendar, so maybe he'll be interested in doing the same with this.

The Gamma Gambit
By: Jim Salicrup, Michael Higgins
Originally published: 1979

Characters:
Peter Parker (Spider-Man), Dr. Robert Bruce Banner (The Hulk), Samuel Sterns (The Leader), unnamed scientist, unnamed crowd members

Packaging and cover: three splash pages of Spidey and the Hulk fighting in the desert. Not related to the story as far as I can tell.

Page 1. Pete has forgotten about a new atomic energy exhibition at the university, at which ESU will unveil an on-campus nuclear reactor. Since he's writing a paper on it for his physics class, he quickly changes into Spidey and rushes out the window.

Page 2. Dr. Robert Bruce Banner is at the bus station, complaining that the bus was late. He is also en route to the ESU exhibition. He hopes that the university's new process for generating gamma power will be able to cure him. Later, at the demonstration, both Banner and Pete are in the crowd. Peter's spider-sense starts to tingle.

Page 3. Suddenly, The Leader bursts through the wall in a giant "mechanoid". He needs an energy source, and he plans on using the generator of the new power plant. The Leader aims a gamma ray blast at Peter Parker.

Page 4. Banner pushes Pete aside, taking the brunt of the blast himself. This, of course, causes him to Hulk out.

Page 5. Hulk smashes the gamma generator. In the smoke, Pete changes into his Spidey outfit and rushes to the Hulk's aid. Hulk doesn't really want Spidey's help, and considers himself capable of smashing by himself. The Leader, however, escapes the mechanoid unscathed.

Page 6. Spidey webs up the leader and tries to be friendly to the Hulk. Hulk poo-poos Spidey's attempts. They both leave.

Continuity / Placement Hints
- Spidey and the Hulk are both in NYC
- Pete is an ESU student taking a physics class, so it's probably during the school year and definitely after ASM 31
- Spider-Man doesn't know that Bruce Banner is the Hulk's alter-ego, nor does he recognize Banner. He says "That guy--the one who pushed me out of the way--was really the Hulk! I didn't get a chance to see him clearly--but whoever he is--he was willing to risk his life for a stranger!". Spidey knows that Hulk is Doc Banner in M/TU 53, so it must come before that. I haven't found any earlier references where Spidey seems to know the Hulk's identity.

Anybody have any other ideas?

Re: The Amazing Spider-Man & The Incredible Hulk Toiler Paper

Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 9:51 pm
by lkseitz
newtron wrote:I know some of you might not consider this comic canon because of its unusual method of distribution (toilet paper), but I figured others might still be interested in an analysis. I've noticed that Paul B. has put some other promotional comics in his calendar, so maybe he'll be interested in doing the same with this.

The Gamma Gambit
By: Jim Salicrup, Michael Higgins
Originally published: 1979
If you'd like to read the story, it was reviewed back in August at Oddball Comics. It includes both full scans and a text version. The story was drawn by Marie Severin.

Re: The Amazing Spider-Man & The Incredible Hulk Toiler Paper

Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 9:58 pm
by newtron
lkseitz wrote:The story was drawn by Marie Severin.
That's interesting. Her name doesn't appear anywhere that I can see. I had assumed Michael Higgins was the artist.

Re: The Amazing Spider-Man & The Incredible Hulk Toiler Paper

Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 9:15 am
by newtron
it occurs to me that this would work really well if it was placed soon (immediately?) after battle of the century, which i also just posted about. they were both released at approximately the same time, the demonstration in this would give motivation for banner to be at ESU in battle of the century, and it would end up making a nice little story arc with spidey learning that the hulk isn't such a bad guy.