Don’t Make Him Angry: A Look Back at TV’s Original Hulk Smash

Story by Mitchell Smith

In the late 1970s, long before the Marvel Cinematic Universe, “The Incredible Hulk” was one of the first successful live-action adaptations of a comic book hero. Airing from 1978 to 1982. The show starred Bill Bixby as Dr. David Banner and Lou Ferrigno as the Hulk. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, the Hulk debuted in The Incredible Hulk #1 in 1962. By the 1970s, CBS was exploring ways to adapt Marvel heroes for television.

After a few animated efforts, producer Kenneth Johnson—best known for The Six Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman—was brought in to develop the Hulk for live action. Johnson was not a fan of comic books and wanted to ground the story, taking inspiration from Frankenstein and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. One major change was the renaming of the main character from “Bruce Banner” to “David Banner”—a decision often attributed to Johnson’s desire for a more grounded name. I grew up watching the Incredible Hulk. Pretty much you knew Banner was going to turn into the Hulk, it was just a matter of when. It never got old when he did finally turn in the Hulk.

This is one of the greatest super hero series long before CGI, back when things were still so real. Have a great week everyone.