Planet Hulk

In the recently released “Thor Ragnarok” movie trailer, the Hulk bursts into a galactic gladiator colosseum to face the Norse god of thunder.

The moment is a tip to the hat to the “Planet Hulk” storyline.

“Planet Hulk” is a fan-favorite storyline in the Hulk’s 50-plus-year comic book run.

In the comics, a cabal of superheroes – Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four, Iron Man, Dr. Strange and Black Bolt of the Inhumans – send the Hulk into space for the good of mankind and, they argue, him.

They set the course for a peaceful world where Hulk and his alter ego, Bruce Banner, can be left alone. But the ship yaws and Hulk ends up on a world where he is enslaved and thrown into a life of gladiatorial combat. 

He makes allies.

He overcomes the arena. He leads a rebellion against the planet’s mad emperor.

Along the way, Hulk encounters a savage Silver Surfer and appears to fulfill the planet’s messiah prophecy.

“Planet Hulk” is great comic book fun and can be found in a collected trade paperback and hardcover editions.

It’s worth finding.

The movie will touch upon the storyline but likely just barely touch upon it.

Besides, after “Planet Hulk” comes the “World War Hulk” arc.