Hulk Crossroads story

I recently reread PAD's Hulk novel 'What Savage Beast' and he mentions that the Hulk had several adventures based around the Crossroads. I'm assuming (incorrectly, perhaps) that this was a story(ies) in the monthly title. Was it ever collected, or what issues were these in? Are they worth buying? I don't read Marvel (I'm a DC fan, but I enjoyed Future Imperfect and the Marvel novels) but I enjoy alternate Earth stories. Were any of these stories like alternate Earths, or just adventures taking place in different locations, without taking advantage of the alternate Earth concepts?

I know. Lots of silly questions. Thanks for any feedback...

<<I recently reread PAD's Hulk novel 'What Savage Beast' and he mentions that the Hulk had several adventures based around the Crossroads. I'm assuming (incorrectly, perhaps) that this was a story(ies) in the monthly title. Was it ever collected, or what issues were these in?>>

The Crossroads Saga appeared in HULK # 300-313 (going from memory here). Also, the concluding chapter in HULK crossed over into an issue of ALPHA FLIGHT. This coincided with John Byrne leaving ALPHA FLIGHT and taking over the writing/art chores on HULK.

They weren't alternate Earths, but adventures in other weird worlds and dimensions. In one, the Hulk encountered the N'Garai (from UNCANNY X-MEN #143.) The U-Foes also turned up at one point, although I don't recall how they got there (I think Vector's powers went out of control and pushed them all out of Earth's dimension, but I may be misremembering.) Klaatu also passed through. Many of the stories had nothing to do with the Marvel Universe, though.

They're not bad stories, if you're seeking Hulk back issues.

I actually found this story line unreadable and left around that time. I later picked those issues up and still found them to be subpar. The Hulk is brainless (the guy is so stupid he doesn't even know when to eat) and wanders from one Twilight Zone experience to another (What if the Hulk went to a world controlled by a giant child, what if the Hulk went to a world where he was the weakest being....?) He is finally tricked by a bunch of light balls to try and help them escape (they are actually evil light balls.) He eventually is returned to the Marvel Universe when Alpha Flight literally 'fishes' him out of the Crossroads (I believe Sasquatch or Box is trying to find a new body.)

In Byrne's last issue of Alpha Flight. And you're right with how Hulk comes back to the MU.

The Hulk issues in question weren't by PAD - I think it was Mantlo that is responsible for them. At the end of it all Byrne swapped books with Mantlo and Mignola, thus they crossed over the Hulk into Alpha Flight, Byrne went on to have a short run with the Hulk (a run that I still rather like) and Mnatlo-Mignola did Alpha Flight.

In defense of Byrne's Hulk run (oooooooo I know I'll get flamed for saying just that) - it wasn't that bad. After the uneven run by Mantlo Byrne at least brought the title some stability. Plus he had Bruce marry Betty. The reason why people abhore it is because they 1] abhore Byrne, 2] remember the run of PAD as being better - as if you can compare a run of around 100+ issues with a run of 8, 3] they detest Byrne.

Certainly the Byrne run was a light in the dark that was Mantlo and Milgrom's respective runs.

<< I actually found this story line unreadable and left around that time. I later picked those issues up and still found them to be subpar. The Hulk is brainless (the guy is so stupid he doesn't even know when to eat) and wanders from one Twilight Zone experience to another (What if the Hulk went to a world controlled by a giant child, what if the Hulk went to a world where he was the weakest being....?) He is finally tricked by a bunch of light balls to try and help them escape (they are actually evil light balls.) He eventually is returned to the Marvel Universe when Alpha Flight literally 'fishes' him out of the Crossroads (I believe Sasquatch or Box is trying to find a new body.) >>

This was the FIRST time that I dropped the Hulk. John Byrne got me reading it again. Brainless, in another dimesion with no supportiing cast

I totally agree...Byrne's first go at the Hulk (although short) was enjoyable and it made me come back to the title. I really, really, really, really liked the grey Hulk (it was Byrne who introduced that version again.) He was so much more interesting to me than the brainless, child like and intelligent versions (although Eric and Co. did a good job of making the child like version quite funny in the Defenders.) The Joe Fixit personality was very close to the way Stan originally portrayed the character in issues 1-6. I wouldn't mind seeing him return. Of course, although I am enjoying the current run in the Incredible Banner, um, Hulk, I would like to actually see more Hulk.

Shameless plug time:

please check

All right, I'll admit it: Despite Hulk having always been my favorite title (and hence Mantlo one of my favorite writers), even I thought it was getting too weird with the Crossroads storyline. But that was then. When I returned to those issues a few years later, I thought they were great and I still do. Worth reading? Absolutely. But it's not kids' stuff.

- Tue

I agree. I'd read decades of the Hulk book. After reading a couple of the crossroads stories I started wondering if I'd finally gotten too old for 'funny books'. Byrne's run was a pleasant change.

Actually, Al Milgrom reintroduced the grey Hulk. When Byrne left the book, Banner and the green Hulk were still separated. But the grey version only made a brief appearance during Milgrom's run, which spent more time setting up the Rick Jones 'teen Hulk.' When Peter David came on board, his first two orders of business were making grey Hulk the status quo and making sure teen Hulk never reared his pretty head again.