This book includes Incredible Hulk: Return Of The Monster, Incredible Hulk: Boiling Point, and Banner.

The first two parts of this book are a change from what we've expected from the Hulk in the past and let me tell you that change is sometimes a good thing. In this case, it's a great thing. Bruce Banner/the Hulk gets caught in a web of a secret organization's conspiracy and he is on the run from their notorious agents. While this sounds like a cliche, it's really not -- a big part of why it's not is, well...how many cliched conspiracies include the Hulk in them? Yes, the Hulk and Bruce Banner are strong enough characters to make even an ordinary-seeming plot really, really good.

It's a new twist on an old concept that just works out well.

As for those looking for the classic "HULK SMASH!" version of our brute, this book's got PLENTY of that in here thanks to Banner (by Brian Azzarello and Richard Corben). There are also a few scenes where the Hulk destroys many things in the other portions of the book, too.

It's well balanced between the Hulk's classic destructiveness and fugitive ways. The only difference is that it's seen through a new, fresh perspective. It's different. It's cool. But, most importantly, it's good. And that's reason enough for you to buy it.

This hardcover collects the recent "Incredible Hulk" storylines "Return of the Monster","Transfer of Power", and "Startling Stories: Banner" mini-series. What a great compilation! You have the suspenseful, masterfully-paced writing of Bruce Jones, and the powerful artwork of John Romita, Jr. The Hulk has not looked so, well...incredible, since Dale Keown's run in the early 1990s. This storyline is a perfect place to re-acquaint yourself with the Hulk since it begins a new run, and presents a much more believable Hulk than has been presented in the comic book in recent years. Fans of the Lou Ferrigno TV series will enjoy these stories. Nuff said! Buy it!!!

After reading and really enjoying the last two books in the series, I was somewhat nervously regarding the release of this book as it centres around a rather awkward secret and marital problems ( I personally like to avoid these sorts of problems in books and see the characters simply focus on beating the bad guys, winning the girl etc etc).

However the book is well written with the author exploring the past and present of the Uskervan matriach, a character who has been sidelined and treated a bit coldy in most of the previous stories. Richard Lee Byers however does a good job of exploring the character and adds plenty of exciting action to boot. To top it all off the book ends with a happy ending, something which always leaves me with satisfied feelings at the end of a book.

All in all this book is pretty good by the standard of most Realms novels and despite some credibility gaps as to what the characters do, is really pleasing (along with the other stories in the series) for the way in which it threads all the characters and stories together in a way that we grow attached to them and feel as if the family is really changing through the tests it has thrown at it (kinda like a soap opera I guess).

With the standard of the first 3 books in the Sembia series so high, I can barely wait for the next addition to the series "Black Wolf" to be released in December.

This book has all you need for a really fine time. The heroine is feisty and has a big, interesting secret. There's intrigue, monsters, swords and sorcery galore, masterful use of language and characters you can really take to heart.

If you've read other SEMBIA series stories and books, you'll find old friends and if you have not, you'll make some mew ones. Though this book is part of a series, its story is complete.

Buy this one. You'll have a rousing good read!

Good book to teach you the basic concepts of foosball, but you will not walk away from reading this book being an A+ player. It gives basic advice on shooting, but did teach me the roll-over shot. Defensive advice is not very in-depth, no specific advice on stopping specific shots. However, being the only foosball book out there, it ain't bad.

Wow! I was amazed to find this book on foosball. It has great sections on passing, shooting, and defense, and the stuff at the end is pretty funny. I would recommend this book for beginners and experienced players who just want a book on foosball.

Most get rich books for popular consumption are based on gimmicks and raise false hopes among the gullible. Lee & McKenzie are different. They show how anyone, even low-income people, can gradually build a fortune without luck and without expert advice. They show how getting rich in America is a choice that anyone can make. It takes discipline, resolve, perserverance, and patience. It doesn't require any financial expertise or knowledge of the stock market. Every young person should read this book and follow its simple rules. It gives the lie to the widespread belief that you have to be rich to make money. It will build confidence in the free-market system.

This book is my "pick of the week". I highly recommend this book to anyone who is trying to save for retirement. The book clearly maps out a course to follow to retirement wealth. I also liked that it wasn't all just numbers, the authors discussed the need for old fashioned values like honesty, determination and a good marriage. The examples that even people at the bottom rungs of the economic ladder can retire wealthy really hit home. I work with temp workers at my job from time to time and let me tell you, being poor is definitely a state of mind. None of them have a plan, all of them blame circumstance and all think winning the lottery is their only hope. I think this book is a must read whether you are scraping by as a temp or if you are making a bundle. Buy it, read it, live it! See you at the top!

As the name states, this book explains how it is possible to build wealth AND achieve a satisfying life by following a few simple rules. There are no off-the-wall advice or get-rich-quick schemes offered here, unlike the material from some other "financial gurus". All of the principles presented in this book are logically sound and time-proven, but I hesitate to say "common-sense" because so few people actually practice them in reality.

For example, I think we've all heard about the power of compounding--and how it can turn a modest savings into a significant nest egg over time. However, very few people take this to heart and apply it to their daily money management decisions, because they feel it requires too much work or they feel helpless in controlling their expenses. What the authors do is demonstrate, by using specific examples and crunching the numbers, that even minor expenditures today can have significant economic impact down the road. They show that by making certain choices early on in one's life, nearly ANYONE can build a fortune in America. It truly doesn't require a genius or lots of luck to become rich today. Moreover, the authors point out that one doesn't have to sacrifice all of life's pleasures or live like a pauper in order to achieve financial security. All it takes is a little prudent savings and investing. If you believe in the opportunity to achieve wealth in this country, but have trouble getting motivated and taking action, this book is for you.

The chapter on investing is excellent. The authors explain how trying to beat the market is futile, and "safe" returns can be riddled with risk over the long haul (due to inflation). If you believe that you are just as capable of managing your investments as paid experts, you'll like this book.

Most people aren't aware of the return on education; I know I went to college just because it was the thing to do (and my parents wouldn't have it any other way ;) This book describes how increasing one's education level can substantially affect (negatively and positively) one's earnings. It's very interesting reading.

What this book also emphasizes, that most other financial advice books neglect to mention, is that living a good lifestyle is not only satisfying but also FINANCIALLY rewarding. Practicing good ethics enables a person to feel good about him/herself (leading to a more productive life), and making healthy lifestyle choices extends your life (thereby allowing the power of compounding to work longer). If you want validation that doing the right thing and living responsibly is rewarding emotionally AND financially, then read this book.

The only point that I have a minor quibble with is: getting married is good for wealth building. I understand what the authors are trying to say, which (I think) is: being in a committed relationship and having a contributing partner can accelerate the wealth building process. However, I don't believe that the actual marriage contract is necessary for achieving wealth. While marriage may help some couples stay together, it can also provide a false sense of security for others (causing them to stop working as hard on maintaining the relationship). Some people choose not to get married because they have no desire to produce offspring, others do it to avoid the "marriage tax penalty". I think unmarried, committed couples are just as likely to build significant wealth (and live fulfilling lives) as married couples. Anyway, I'm being technical here, and what's important is that the authors do get their point across.

I really liked this book, and I am practicing all the principles described in it. I find my peace of mind higher than ever, knowing that I'm well on the path towards a secure future.

Short review: ... buy it. If it requires selling vital organs or loved ones to pay for it, it's worth it.

Long review: I enrolled in an Art History course with no idea what I was going to get as a textbook. This book is well-written, intelligent, informative without being overly esoteric, and above all beautiful. The prints are generally in color and always well-reproduced. Historical context is always provided, which gives a solid background for anybody looking to learn about the time any artwork was created. The text also offers insightful commentary about each piece selected for display. This book is so good, in fact, that it's become known as the semi-official Art History 101 textbook. Even if the history's not your thing (and for crying out loud, why not?), the book provides untold hours of beauty.

One word: perfection.

If you are taking an art history class and this book is a text for it - buy it!!! I borrowed it from a friend to save some money and now, I am sorry I did. I have graduated from college, but loved the art class so much, that I wish I had bought the book. I would love to look through it now. It is full of wonderful information - you can't go wrong!!!

Despite 10 pound book up four flights of stairs at school, I found that this book is one of the most resourceful. There is a historical timeline that parallels goings on in the rest of the world that is very helpful so that you could get the gist of what's going on at the time. Also, in the text itself, it gives definitive explanations to what is happening at the time so that you can understand fully what the artist is saying or where he/she is coming from. For those who do not know classics, bibilical stories, and other things, there are also good explanations for those, so the reader/student is enlightened and erstwhile, in comprehension of the work. Absolutely the best resource when it comes to art history and the interpretation of art.

Dick Lee brings a funny, irreverent style to explaining customer relationship management (CRM). He is candid about many of the reasons that some CRM projects have failed. And he gives some practical advice to those who may be just beginning a CRM project.

Unfortunately, he misses in a couple of important areas.

First of all, he shares many of his beefs with CRM failures, but doesn't go into nearly enough detail on how to avoid those problems. The book is called a "Survival Guide," but it is really more of a meandering definition of CRM and a superficial view of "how to" handle a few specific issues.

Secondly, he is clearly biased towards "operational CRM" - at one point going so far as to say that marketing automation is a "trojan horse" and that database marketing is "not even close" to CRM.

If you're just starting a CRM project for the first time - and your CRM project is mostly sales or service automation - then buy this book. If you're more advanced, or implementing back-office CRM (i.e. a data warehouse, marketing automation, data mining, or integrating across channels) then look for something else. Another good "basics of operational CRM" book is Michael Gentle's, "CRM Project Management Handbook."

This book hammers home the point that having a customer-centric business stratgy is imperative for CRM. I've heard and read alot about just going out and buying a software package, following it's processes, and automating stuff. This book should disabuse you of that idea. Lee defines CRM and how to get there for a win-win solution for the company and the customer. Dick Lee takes the reader through six commonly misunderstood areas of CRM and provides practical advice for sucess. It makes sense and I've seen it work.

The book is written in a readable style (often irreverent and funny) that gets the salient points across. Company leaders and decision-makers should read this one before undertaking CRM -- or if you need to chart a correction course, it's insights will help.

As a CRM consultant in Latin America, I found this book very helpful to explain my customers what CRM is and what isn't. Perhaps one of the most valuable concepts that Dick Lee explains in his book is that CRM doesn't equal software. He also presents the reader with a step by step guide to implement a successful CRM initiative. In my opinion however, the most important concept that I got from this book was that CRM is about listening to the customer -genuinely - and transforming according to customer's needs and expectations. CRM is a way of life for organizations not a software, and that is neatly explained in Mr. Lee's book.

this book is just awful, it is a disgrace to tokyopop! i also hate how it is read in a left to right style which is the american way, hello peeps it is called TOKYOPOP not AMERIPOP!! And what does norse mythology have to do with Japan?? I hate DragonballZ and all that dang mainstream ... to! I WOULD PUT 0 STARS BUT IT WONT LET ME!

This book is fairly interesting though slightly difficult to follow. Like many first books in a series, this one takes strides to introduce the main players, and still tell a compelling story. In this way it does a great job. This book introduces the reader to a fairly fantastical world filled with giant monster, evil sorcerers, great warriors, and the ever-present scheming villain.

The drawings are filled with action, and the details on the characters are wonderful. My only gripe is the pacing of some of the pages. This books sometimes goes on for a couple of pages without any dialog. This is great for the action scenes, but also makes it somewhat difficult to follow. Did the giant explosion happen before or after the sword swing? This isn't a huge problem, but I had to take it into account.

When its all said and done, though, I definitely plan on picking up the new additions as they come out.

This was a great manga, although technically not a "manga" persay since it comes from Korea. Myung-Jin Lee did a fabulous job on the art. This takes place in a sci-fi version of the Norse legends, sort of like REIGN THE CONQUEROR is a sci-fi version of Greek mythology. The goddess Fenris has been reborn in the body of a human sorceress. She is being stalked by an ambitious Valkerie. Fenris runs into the might young warrior Chaos and his friend, the enchantress Iris. They bring her back to Iris' city of Fayon in the kingdom of Midgard. But Fenris soon learns she has ties to Iris. Plus, the scantily-clad thief Lidia hopes to gain the favor of Chaos, and joins the others on their quest. This series has alot of cool graphics and great design. Cooler than a Thor comic book any day!

If you like nice big pictures without going to the full details of the x-men, this book is for you. If you are a long time fan, I would recommend get the previous edition, it still includes the annoying "behind the scenes" of the first movie (as if there were not enough DVD's with such feature) but includes more about the characters of the comics.. This updated edition includes just a few more pages but, some mutants don't appear or are not fully well described as in the previous edition, which you can still get here in Amazon. It's a nice book indeed, the cover and the quality of the paper and great illustrations, but they really need to get in touch with the fans to meet their needs. There is the need of a REAL X-men guide to all the characters, organized alphabetically prefferably.

ULTIMATE X-MEN by DK Publishing gathers all the information and trivia one might need to understand the X-Men and Marvel Universe. The depth and scope of the information is sufficient to pique the curiosity of an early to intermediate X-Men fan, and is concise and helpful at minimizing pedantry.

The artwork and book design make this a fun and easy read, akthough some diagrams seem sketchy and overly simplified, such as the designs for the Danger Room and the Blackbird. Topics that every fan is aware about, such as the Weapon X project or Cyclops powers are covered in depth, while subjects that I really wanted to see more of, such as the Age of Apocalypse and Onslaught are given two pages respectively! More discretion and sensiblity on the part of the editors would have been helpful.

The Marvel Universe is byzantine to say the least, drenched in overly convoluted stories, mishmashing mutants with cyborgs, aliens, gods, magical powers, time travel; along with conspiracies, twisted romances, deaths and resurrections: only a bureaucrat at IRS would be able to follow them through. But if anyone else has managed to make sense out of it all, it's DK in this book, ULTIMATE X-MEN.

Ultimate X-Men will appeal to fans of the mutants because of its comprehensive explanation, not only of the individual characters, but also of the relationships between them. The book delves into the history and lore of all the characters. The major characters are profiled as they have developed since the sixties, all the way up to the animated TV series and this summer's blockbuster movie. Minor characters are profiled briefly, but they are all listed. The book contains a family tree which is very helpful for understanding the complex genealogy of the mutants. Summaries of major story lines such as Jean Grey's Phoenix transformation are summarized. The artwork is adequate, but not stupendous. The main strength of this book is the comprehensive explanation of the history of the X-Men. Comic buffs and X-Men fans will like this book for its detail. People who aren't fans may not appreciate the book, but they probably aren't interested in buying it anyway.

Combine H. P. Lovecraft, Julio Cortazar (his story "House Taken Over" may have been inspired by this book) and the siege mentality of "Straw Dogs," and you have "The House on Borderland." Written before World War I, this book ranks right up there with Poe's only novel, "The Narrative of A. Gordon Pym" as one of the seminal contributions to the genre of science-fiction (before there was such a term) and horror. The narrative of an elderly widower -- told in the form of a manuscript found in the ruins of the house -- is compelling. The "action" tends to sag a bit in the middle of the novel as the narrator's mind/spirit embarks on a nightmarish "out of body" journey where he floats as a passive "witness" to an unexplained dimension of time and space, where the house also exists, and he seemingly observes the death of the solar system. However, the narrator's recounting of his mounting dread and helplessness as the story builds to its frightening climax is remarkable. You're left with many questions, none of them satisfactorily explained. But that's the mystery of the house and the manuscript -- some things just have ragged edges. I'm amazed no one has seen fit to adapt this to film.

Is William Hope Hodgson's 'The House on the Borderland' the creepiest, eeriest story ever written? It is sometimes described that way, although I cannot confirm it because I have yet to read every creepy or eerie story ever written. I have read a fair amount of H.P. Lovecraft, some Robert E. Howard, and many modern mass-market horror novels. Hodgson probably ranks somewhere in between those two regions. Written in the early part of the 20th century, this author's novel is an attempt to blend together horror, science fiction, and fantasy. Unfortunately, Hodgson later died in WWI, forever silencing a splendid talent. Without a doubt, Hodgson influenced later horror and fantasy authors with this jaunt through the spectral reaches of space and time.

The story begins when two men make a fishing expedition into the hinterlands of Ireland. Near a tiny hamlet called Kraighten, the two encounter some of the strange local people who speak an unknown language. Further strangeness ensues when they realize that much of this area does not appear on any map. The two men explore the surrounding area, stumbling over an old garden near a yawning abyss. Then they discover the ruins of a large house on an outcropping of rock. While exploring these remains, one of the men discovers a damaged manuscript in the wreckage. Taking the book with them, the two travelers head back to camp, but not before experiencing some serious reservations about the area. A bubbling lake nearby scares them, as does unsettling sounds coming from somewhere in the vicinity. After hightailing it back to camp, they begin to read this mysterious journal. What follows constitutes the bulk of Hodgson's book, a deeply disturbing tale about an anonymous man who lived in the house and who experienced a series of events unexplainable by any rational means of discourse.

Some years before, this man lived in the house with his loyal dog and his spinster sister. He was a loner, more interested in spending his time reading books or rambling around his large gardens than throwing parties or hanging out with the local population. One night while lounging in his study, the man undergoes a strange out of body experience. He is transported to another dimension, where he finds an exact replica of his own house on a vast plain surrounded by enormous statues of deities, scary creatures who look like pigs, and a luminous mist of unknown origin. While this might be enough to scare any sane person out of his or her wits, our man continues to stay in the house after his astral experience.

More eeriness ensues: the nasty pig creatures crawl out of the abyss forming near the house and attempt to invade the premises. Closely following this horror is an inexplicable episode, which makes up most of the book, where the owner of the house experiences a breakdown of the very fabric of space and time. Hodgson writes about these events in minute detail, outlining every aspect of this fabulous trip beyond the limits of sensory perception. 'The House on the Borderland' ends with no fixed answers about the creepy manuscript. Moreover, the author makes sure to have the manuscript trail off in the middle of a horrible event, leaving the reader guessing as to the conclusions of this strange tale.

It is not difficult to see how this story influenced several big names in the horror business. Lovecraft definitely borrowed some of the themes here to create his Cthulhu mythos. The detached method of having the horrors told to us through a strange manuscript also finds expression in several other supernatural tales written well after Hodgson's book. In this respect, 'House on the Borderland' is a groundbreaking work worthy of continued reprinting. Any fan of Lovecraft, Blackwood, or any of the other godfathers of horror needs to read this book if for no other reason than to get a glimpse into where their favorite authors cribbed ideas from. This tale is not as scary as certain better known horror stories, but it does occasionally deliver some effective shocks to even the most jaded horror aficionado.

One of the book's failings was the author's attempts to depict the breakdown of time. This section reminded me of H.G. Wells. Moreover, this part of the story seemed to run on forever. I wanted the story to get back to the scariness of otherworldly beings and supernatural horrors.

Hodgson's book is a necessary read. Do not go in expecting straight horror, but acknowledge that you are about to read a great mix of several genres. Without William Hope Hodgson, who knows where the horror novel would be today.

The fantastic visionary horror about a human fear and despair. A creatures from an other dimensions attacking the narrator's house, which stands lonely in desolate gardens, the witness of the end of our solar system, the way into a strange assembly of old and forgotten heathen Gods in a arena in the midst a great mountains, horrible steps of something invisible heard by nights, a dark basements and endless abyss below the house (perhaps opening to another worlds - the all is written out with the most amazing imaginary. Especially the journey of the main figure through the billions of the centuries into the future by an accelerating of the time is something absolutely original and inimitable. I have read a lot of the books but I never have met so the wonderful one as "The house on the borderland" is. I dare to say, that Mr. Hodgson is (despite of his rather worse and jerky style) more better and more creatvive than for example Lovercraft, Blackwood or C.A. Smith, but it's only my subjective opinion. What a shame that he was killed in the World War I. He could have proved much more.

The Avengers debuted at the same time as the original X-Men and until the New X-men came along, they were Marvel's Superteam Supreme. The earliest stories feature powerhouses Thor, Iron Man and Hulk, along with Giant/ant Man and the Wasp. After a few issues the Hulk left and was replaced by Captain America in a classic must read story. The early team fought time spanning menaces like Kang and Immortus, villainous conglomerates like the Masters of Evil, and Wonder Man. (Although Zemo never seemed very menacing, an ex-Nazi with a hood permanently glued to his head by accident?) After a dozen or so issues, this team was replaced by Cap, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, and Hawkeye. Can you say "power shortage"? And we're treated to a team that had a hard time defeating a fat robot and the Swordsman. SO they find themselves thoroughly outmatched when they meet Kang in the last 2 stories in this collection. But that was the charm of the Avengers. Their roster changed every dozen or so issues. While the Justice League would add a member here and there, you never saw anybody leave the roster. Imagine a JLA where Superman or Batman decided to call it quits for a few years. This is where we see the genius of Stan Lee. After forming a superteam of awesome strength, he allowed a change to bring in a team of also rans. Watch as Cap molds his group into a team that has to use wits instead of brute strength to stop their foes. At the time, it was a major change in team books. And as always, watch for the dated female characterizations, especially of the Wasp, who spends most of her time mooning over Thor and fantasizing what Iron Man looks like under the armor.

The Avengers were initially an obvious recipe for success - take a number of characters already supporting their own comics and bring them together as a group, an idea as old as the Justice Society of America. So, in the debut issue, we have Thor, Iron Man, the Hulk, Ant-man and the Wasp joining forces as an unexpected consequence of a plot by Loki against his half-brother, Thor.

However, the ideas changed quickly as the Hulk left and teamed-up with the Sub-mariner to fight his former allies and was replaced by Captain America, a World War 2 hero frozen between then and the 60s. And then again, to suddenly have all the original members depart, leaving Cap with Hawkeye, Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch, three super-villains seeking to reform, as his teammates.

The stories in this volume represent a fairly diverse bunch, showing both the best and worst aspects of Stan Lee's writing at the time. Interesting team dynamics, where the characters are not always each others' friends, villains with motives beyond the banal, references to events in other titles, secrets and subplots that aren't resolved in a single story all show the hallmarks of a writer seeking to develop a loyal following. At the same time, we have blatant sexism and racism, villains with banal motives and some very hokey dialogue.

The art is OK, the early Jack Kirby issues not his best work, and I've never been fond of Don Heck's art. It seems a little odd to be reading these stories in black and white, although this obviously keeps the price down.

If you want to see how one of the best super-hero team series started out, get this.

As good as the early Fantastic Four issues were, the Avengers took the superteam concept to a whole new level. Here was a team formed for the noblest of goals, thrown together by the machinations of an evil immortal only to turn the tables and begin the legendary association which would have teenagers all over the world shouting "Avengers Assemble!" in their backyards.

"Essential Avengers vol. 1" captures the first 24 issues of the classic series, scripted by Stan Lee and illustrated by Jack Kirby and Don Heck. If the first appearances of Kang the Conqueror, Immortus, and the Masters of Evil aren't enough for you, pick this collection up for Avengers # 4, the return of Captain America. This alone is enough to mark a substantial return on your investment for this book.

Highly recommended to all comics fans and X-Men fanatics who need a primer in how team books used to be written.