The Incredible Hulk was the first superhero that I personally related to emotionally.  You can probably thank Bill Bixby for that (but props to Lou Ferrigno, as well).  It wasn’t exactly the comic book Hulk that appeared in the live-action television series; however, it could be the changes they made for the television show that made the Hulk more real and likable to a ten-year-old girl.

First of all, they changed his name from Bruce Banner to David Bruce Banner (he went by David).  I don’t see why that change was needed, but okay.  Secondly, instead of being exposed to gamma rays from atomic testing, he was a victim of a lab accident that occurred when he was testing gamma rays on himself.  He also became a medical researcher/physician rather than a physicist which I guess was necessary for some of the plot pieces.  And, finally, when it came to the transformation, the Hulk wasn’t as strong as the comic (and later film) version; and, he didn’t speak.  No “hulk, smash” lines that we all love so much.  But, what really seemed to be what endeared him to me was the underlying emotion of the show.

I don’t recall the very first episode I watched, but in my mind the series started for me with the season two premiere (a two-hour movie that aired in September of 1978).  Mariette Hartley played Dr. Carolyn Fields, who was diagnosed with a syndrome similar to ALS and had been given only eight weeks to live.  David, thinking his unique situation might lend itself to finding a cure for Carolyn; tells her of the Hulk.  They then decide to try and help each other; and, along the way, they fall in love and get married (probably a plot to pull the girls in with romance).  Then, on the day that the procedure to cure Carolyn (with tissue samples from the Hulk) is supposed to take place, a hurricane hits.  While driving to the hospital, Carolyn ends up in agonizing pain and out of the car, in the middle of the storm.  David rushes to her side, trying desperately to get her to the hospital in time; but, he morphs into the Hulk (I mean, come on this is a tense situation).  Carolyn embraces the Hulk and just before dying in his arms, tells him (David) that she will miss him.  My heart hurt.

But, the tears didn’t end after that episode.  You see, the series staple was that the Hulk was constantly being hunted by a newspaper reporter (Jack McGee).  So, whenever there was a rumor that the Hulk showed up in some small town, Jack would find his way there and David would have to leave.  The end of each episode usually had David, one shoulder/hand holding his backpack, walking down the road, hitchhiking out of town, looking back as he left all the friends he had made and the people he had just helped.  The ending credit piano music, titled “The Lonely Man*,” swelled in the background.  I think I cried at the end of every episode; and, to me it is still the saddest closing sequence of any television show…ever.

So, was I destined to be Team Marvel?

Well, just three months later the film “Superman” hit theaters.  There it was, the black & white Action Comic, kicking off the magical journey and John Williams’ breathtaking score sucking you right into those really cool, semi-3D opening credits.  If “The Incredible Hulk” gave us the most heart-wrenching ending theme, “Superman” certainly gave us the most engaging opening theme of 1978.  Then, add in the amazing cast, sparkling with virtual newcomer Christopher Reeve – it was absolutely thrilling and romantic and moving and funny and wonderful!  Somehow, that nerdy Clark Kent seemed so loveable.  Another alter ego, but unlike the Hulk, everyone knew the man in the cape was a hero.  Superman saved the day and gave hope to Truth, Justice and the American Way.  Plus, he could fly!  Who wouldn’t love Superman?  He was smart, honest, caring and strong.  You would never root for the enemy, even when he was remarkably portrayed by Gene Hackman (“Miss Tessmacher!”) or, in later sequels, played by Richard Pryor or even Jon Cryer.  It all worked for me…all except that man made from the sun or something like that.  From what I understand, due to budget cuts for some reason, Warner Bros. kind of gave up on that 1987 sequel, knowing they weren’t going to make any more Superman films for a while.  Oh well – on to the next.

And, the next was “Batman” in 1989!  Before the film came out, you never would have figured on Michael Keaton being the one to don the cowl and cape; but, when he did, it was more than obvious that he was an inspired choice.  Now you had a superhero that was not only cool, but rich.  So, even if he didn’t have superpowers, he had the money to make all these fascinating, incredible crime-fighting toys!  Can a superhero be any cooler?  Now, as much you might want to roll your eyes and start pointing out all the flaws that came about after Keaton passed the reigns to Val Kilmer and then George Clooney, you won’t find me jumping on that bandwagon.

If you are going to accept Jack Nicholson as The Joker and a follow up film that brought in Christopher Walken and Danny DeVito, then how could you not expect the camp to only become even schlockier in the sequels?  I knew exactly what I was getting into when kicked back in my semi-reclining movie theater seat, opening weekend, popcorn in hand, Coke in the cup holder, and ready to meet Two-Face, The Riddler, Poison Ivy and, even, Mr. Freeze!  Yes, there are nonsensical, foolish elements…the bat credit card, sky surfing and those ridiculous bat nipples.  But, although I didn’t particularly like George Clooney in the part; the movies were still fun.  I liked the puns…”winter has come at last,” and the constant reminders that in Batman history, these movies were following a television series that lit up the screen with multi-colored scrolls of “Pow!” and “Bif!” – Let’s not take it too seriously folks.  And, I am also a big fan of both Chris O’Donnell and Alicia Silverstone, so even if I am the only one on the planet – I would rather watch the outrageously bright and somewhat silly Batman movies than the shadowy, deep Christian Bale ones.

In my mind there are two Batmans: Frank Miller’s comic and a 1960s television series, for those people that didn’t really know too much about superhero comics, like me.  (I read Archie, Richie Rich & Casper)  I think the two Batman series of films took the same approach.  The Nolan/Bale version was truer to the original creation (the comic) and the other one took place in an alternate, cartoony Gotham.  Good or bad, one shouldn’t have to measure up to the other.  Recently, I had a discussion with my co-worker Richard about this and came to realize this stays extremely true to my personal tastes.

Dark, European stories bore me – especially the Broadway ones: “Les Miserables,” “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Oliver!” – yawn!  I want to like them, I really do; but, I don’t.

Now, let’s look at “The Dark Knight.”  It’s filled with English/British talent from Christopher Nolan to Christian Bale to Gary Oldman to Michael Caine…and, it even has the word DARK in the title.  There was no way that film was going to be at the top of my Batman list.  Sigh.  So, DC, you had me on your superhero team for a very long time, but I just couldn’t make the transition when you decided to go dark, no matter how much I loved the idea of Batman.

And, then came 2012 and I haven’t looked back since.

“The Avengers” took my love of superheroes to a whole new level.  There wasn’t just the misunderstood, wanting to do the right thing, lonely scientist that unfortunately turned into a raging creature from time to time (Banner); or, the “I’m a superhero because I can afford to make cool stuff” troubled tycoon (Wayne or Stark); or, the almost too mild-mannered, fighter for justice and all that is good (Rogers or Kent).  Marvel put all three of them together, but didn’t stop there.  They added the legendary Asgardian god of Thunder, the world’s greatest marksman and an elite female sleeper agent.  I mean, come on.  Superhero overload and nothing short of astounding.

And, for that girl who was introduced to her first superhero at age 10, I am sure she would have fallen in love with all of them.  The Avengers are not only superheroes, which is beyond cool by itself; but, they are also the combination of the perfect man: Tony’s wit with Steve’s integrity, the smarts of Bruce, the loyalty of Clint and the looks of Chris Hemsworth (which, I prefer with short hair) and what else do you need?  Maybe a bit of a feminine touch (every man must be in touch with their feminine side)…and that is why we have Natasha.

And, just when you think you have everything you need, Stan Lee comes along with another layer of icing on the cake.  The Falcon, Vision, Ant-Man, Spider-Man, the Winter Soldier, Scarlet Witch, Black Panther, Dr. Strange, Starlord, Drax, Groot…and, even Loki.

It’s like you find yourself in a perfect day.  In your mind, nothing could make it any better.  And, during this perfect day, you are suddenly offered a magnificently relaxing massage.  Nice addition.  Then, you turn around to find a buffet of every single food you love.  Wow, things just improved.  Wait a minute; is that your favorite band practicing over there?  Okay, this is even better than five minutes ago. And, then you smell something that delights your senses to the fullest. Are you kidding me, this is awesome.  And, now…how about some fireworks!  What just happened here?

That is how the movies in the Marvel Universe make me feel.  I can’t wait to see what comes next.  They aren’t all the best in the line-up, but knowing they lead us to the next one, can’t help but provide me with an incredible feeling of anticipated wonder.  And, truly, it’s so much fun.  There is nothing like that moment in the theater when the newest film is just about to hit the screen and you know your favorite hero from the last film is finally going to meet your favorite hero from that one before.  After all, who doesn’t want to be a superhero and team up with all the other cool superheroes in an attempt to save the world together?

Yes, I will continue to drink the Marvel Kool-Aid until there is not a single cup left.  Now, if I could only get Batman to join me.  Now that would really be a perfect day.  #50WeeksTo50

*”The Lonely Man” music was also used in both the 2008 film “The Incredible Hulk” (eh…) and the 2017 film “Thor: Ragnarok”…YES!