Hulk Gray Issue 5 Page 11 By Tim Sale

Another dynamite write up, Sonu. Your love for not only the art, but the thought, care and effort Jeph and Tim invested in the deeper meaning behind the color book titles, is a wonderful tribute to them. 

People’s feelings about the color books are fascinating to hear. Many say Yellow is their favorite, which is understandable. Thanks to the full on wash, you’d be hard pressed to argue it’s not Tim’s most impressive art for an entire series. 

However, many also say Blue is their favorite. Which is also understandable, as people’s love for Gwen found a welcome outlet in Jeph and Tim’s fond revisiting of their relationship. 

But, for my money, Gray will always be my favorite. The contrast of the ink-washed Hulk with the stark black and white backgrounds was breathtaking. Especially the scenes set outdoors. 

More importantly, however, is the tale itself. While all of the color projects were tinged with loss and reflection, your comments about self-love are particularly fitting. While Matt and Peter struggle with it as well, Bruce’s knowledge that the beast is part of him elevates the plight of the waking nightmare he lives in. 

All that said, for me, it’s the ending that clinches Gray as my favorite. Yellow and Blue had alternately (and fittingly) upbeat and sad endings. But Gray’s ending was revelatory. The idea that Betty’s love for Hulk came from her conflicted love for the monster that was her father blew me away when I read it, and continues to do so on each reread. 

And Tim agreed. Many were the times we talked about the color books, and he was unequivocal in his assertion Hulk was their best project, and possibly Jeph’s finest writing. 

Very happy you added this splendid piece to your collection. Now go get yourself a Yellow page. I won’t get in the way this time. LOL.

What a great page. Congrats on this one. One of my (luckily few) regrets in this game is getting rid of the Hulk Gray page I had years ago. Glad you got such an incredible example from the series.

Beautiful, beautiful page on so many levels ! Thanks for sharing this one .

Tim Sale on Hulk is one of my favorite things - great write up and congrats! 

That is a great page from the series, congrats!

Sweet love letter from Loeb and Sale to the Hulk and his universe.  This page shows a romantic side of the Hulk and you see that big intimidating black mass, but a handsome and gentle brute in the face and his fancy eyebrows.

Helluva write up, and a great page too. Gary hits that sweet spot of story and art for me as well. 

What an imposing figure to stare up at. Tim Sale was a true genius, I am guilty of sleeping too long on his Hulk Gray pages and absolutely regret it daily. Beautiful page and congrats!

Congrats with this masterful page from one of Loeb and Sale's best work!