Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Retro Foreign

Brazilian O Incrivel Hulk #26

Brazilian publisher Editora Abril acquired the license to publish the title O Incrivel Hulk in 1983.  O Incrivel Hulk is a digest-sized anthology title which focuses on the Incredible Hulk for its 165 issue run.  Marvel's Empire Strikes Back adaptation starts in O Incrivel Hulk #25 in August 1985 and concludes in O Incrivel Hulk #27.  Other issues of this anthology title contain other Marvel Star Wars content, but not every issue.

O Incrivel Hulk #26 has a different cover than any U.S. cover.  The cover resembles the cover to Star Wars #40, but it is actually a combination of art found inside issue #41 with some unique elements added.

O Incrivel Hulk #26a - Editora Abril, Brazil (August 1985)
contains Star Wars #41 and 42
The AT-ATs are taken from the first panel in Star Wars #41 page 2.

Star Wars #41 - Marvel Comics, U.S. (November 1980)
page 2
Luke Skywalker's body is taken from the last panel in Star Wars #41 page 4.

Star Wars #41 - Marvel Comics, U.S. (November 1980)
page 4
Luke's head is taken from the last panel in Star Wars #41 page 8.

Star Wars #41 - Marvel Comics, U.S. (November 1980)
page 8
Finally, the image for Darth Vader in the inset is take from the second panel in Star Wars #41 page 9.

Star Wars #41 - Marvel Comics, U.S. (November 1980)
page 9
While many of the images were borrowed from the interior pages, there are some unique elements on the cover.  The AT-AT exploding from the inside is new.  So are the many Snowspeeder silhouettes in the background.  Finally, the lightsaber in Luke's hand appears to be a new addition as well.  Obviously, the Hulk image at the bottom of the cover is taken from another title entirely.  The orange sky is the same color used on the cover to Star Wars #40.  It is fascinating whenever a foreign publisher chooses not to use cover art from U.S. issues.

Interesting, Star Wars #40 page 10 has a drawing almost identical to that found in Star Wars #41 page 2.

Star Wars #40 - Marvel Comics, U.S. (October 1980)
page 10
One of the nice things about both the Marvel Star Wars and Empire Strikes Back adaptations is they are spread over 6 issues.  This gave plenty of room for the story to be told and not feel rushed.  The AT-AT assault on Echo Base spans 11 pages which would not be possible if the Empire Strikes Back story was told in 4 issues.

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