The following was originally posted on Newsarama.com:

Marvel held the first major publisher panel of New York Comic Con Friday, focusing on their upcoming event World War Hulk.

Beginning with a slide showing a green-colored earth with a gigantic chunk taken out of it, Marvel’s World War Hulk panel opened with Marvel Editor in Chief Joe Quesada joking that it looked like rather than conquering earth, the Hulk would eat the earth, as the chunk taken out looked like a bite.

Panelists for the discussion included Quesada, Editor Bill Rosemann, Christos Gage, Frank Tieri, Greg Pak, Editor Mark Paniccia, and Jim McCann from Marketing and Sales.

Pak opened the discussion saying that the upcoming Hulk #104-#105 are the lead in issues to World War Hulk, and will blow readers’ minds as Planet Hulk concludes and the Hulk returns to earth.

The panel’s slideshow then began, with images that showed the various aspects of World War Hulk, starting with World War Hulk: Prologue coming in May. The one-shot, written by Peter David will serve as a primer to Planet Hulk as well as a preview for World War Hulk, it was said.

Moving to the five issue World War Hulk miniseries (written by Greg Pak, with art by John Romita Jr and Klaus Janson), Pak described the story as including “lots of hitting,” which brought applause from the audience. In describing the larger scope fo the story, Pak said that all new readers to the Hulk would need to know is that a group of “puny humans” took it upon themselves to judge the Hulk, deem him an uncontrollable monster, and exile him to space. Now, the Hulk has found his way back to earth, and upon his return, Pak explained, the Hulk has a very different idea of who the monster is – and is looking to do something about it.

The five covers of World War Hulk by Romita Jr. were shown, with each one showing the Hulk fighting various Marvel characters. The fifth cover, which was only a large question mark, will be revealed at a later date. All five covers together form one, connected image.

Pak said that the story is a giant smash fest, as well as one of the most emotional stories the Hulk has had in a long time.

Also describing the story, Quesada said that, in the larger view of the Marvel Universe, World War Hulk is a “sorbet” that is, a palate cleanser after Civil War.

Along with the World War Hulk miniseries, the storyline will extend into the regular Hulk series in issues #106-#109, with art by Gary Frank. The story running through those issues will parallel World War Hulk, focusing on characters who were at one time friends or allies of the Hulk, who now need to figure out where they stand. Two of Pak’s creations, Mastermind Excello (from Amazing Fantasy #15) and Amadeus Cho will appear in the arc, along with more familiar faces.

Moving to the tie-in projects, Christos Gage said “Let’s see him think through that,” when the slide for World War Hulk: X-Men #1 was shown. As Gage explained in detail with Newsarama here the story begins when the Hulk shows up at door of the Mansion, looking for Professor X, as he is a member of the Illuminati who exiled him in space. Gage noted that Xavier was not in the particular meeting that decided upon the exile, the Hulk isn’t exactly looking for a conversation. Likewise, the Hulk knows nothing about Decimation, or the reduced number of X-Men, which makes the battle much more desperate.

Frank Tieri and Carlos Ferreira will also tell a side story of World War Hulk in Gamma Corps, a “villain book,” “but who’s the real villain?” Tieri asked. The writer explained the team essentially as a gamma-powered black ops team, similar in feel, say, to the team seen in Predator.

General Ryker from Paul Jenkins “Dogs of War” story will be involved in the Gamma Corps story . Look for more on the project from Tieri shortly here on Newsarama.

The panel then moved to a discussion of World War Hulk: Front Line, which Paul Jenkins told Newsarama about here. Shawn Martinborough was named as the artist for the Costume Division storyline.

In talking about the various World War Hulk tie in issues of ongoing Marvel series, Gage spoke about Iron Man #19-#20 which he is writing, explaining that as a result of Civil War, the Hulk’s vendetta against Iron Man has taken an interesting twist. Rather than just a man vs. green monster fight, Iron Man now has the ability to throw an army against the Hulk with the agents of SHIELD that are now under his command. “Tony’s left with a difficult decision, being should he now put these brave young men and women in harm’s way in what has essentially has become a grudge match?”

With the Heroes For Hire crossover issues, Paniccia said one of the interesting aspects will be that Humbug, given his ability to communicate with insects, can talk to the Brood that come to earth with the Hulk.

In regards to the tie-in issues with Ghost Rider, it was pointed out that the Hulk and Ghost Rider to have a past, as both were members of the Champions.

Moving to the question and answer portion of the panel, the following topics were touched upon:

Who would stand the best chance of beating the Hulk in a head-to-head battle?

Quesada: Everyone’s going to try, and the fun will be seeing what these heroes will try to do to stop the Hulk.

Where did the idea of Planet Hulk and World War Hulk come from?

Quesada: Alan Fine, of Toy Biz and Quesada had similar ideas, that is, that it was time to get the Hulk back to big, savage action since the character had gone through various eras that moved him away from that type of story.

What about the scope of World War Hulk, and following one event (i.e., Civil War) with another?

Quesada: Understands the concern, but pointed out that World War Hulk is ¼ the size of Civil War in terms of connections and tie-ins.

Paniccia: The story of the Hulk’s return to earth was just too big not to be reflected in the lives of other characters and therefore, other titles.

Hulk #106 will show what She-Hulk has to say about her cousin being exiled.

Hulk #107 will show what Namor has to say about his friend being exiled.

Will there be a Planet Hulk 2

Pak: Likes the idea, but we’ll have to see coming out of World War Hulk, and who’s to say that earth won’t be the new “Planet Hulk” after his return?

Coming soon will be a conversation with Frank Tieri on World War Hulk: Gamma Corps, a four-issue LS with artist Carlos Ferreira, and sometime down the road we'll try to catch up with Jeph Loeb about his and David Finch's World War Hulk: Young Avengers one-shot.

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