Comics writer enjoys hulking success
Comics writer, former Oklahoman, enjoys hulking success

By Matthew Price

Published: June 11, 2008

A former Oklahoman has an incredible job.

Putnam City North graduate Paul Benjamin, 38, now directs the actions of the Incredible Hulk in two media. As "The Incredible Hulk” movie hits theaters, Benjamin is the writer of "Marvel Adventures Hulk” for Marvel Comics and the producer of "The Incredible Hulk” for Nintendo DS. On Saturday, Benjamin will be at Barnes & Noble, 6100 N May Ave.

He said he was inspired by the TV series.

"Bruce Banner is a guy who is on the run because he has this curse. He turns into the Hulk when he gets angry. That's really a metaphor for having that internal pain that you keep bottled up and then it explodes out of you,” Benjamin said. "But for me, one of the core things is that ... ultimately the Hulk is a hero, because he has Bruce Banner deep down inside of him.”

Benjamin moved to Los Angeles to find work in the comic book field after graduating from the University of Arizona in 1993. After working in magazines, film development, comic book editorial and brand assurance, Benjamin moved back to this part of the country. He now lives in Austin, Texas, and freelances as a writer for comic books and produces video games. His graphic novel "Pantheon High” Vol. 2 recently was released by TokyoPop.

He describes his career route as a "long and circuitous one.” He moved to Los Angeles originally hoping to find work during a boom period for comics.

But as comics sold better and better, their mass-manufactured nature kept them from rising in value. This led to a comic book bust in the late 1990s.

The industry has recovered since, on a base built more on readers. Benjamin's book, "Marvel Adventures Hulk,” is part of the "Marvel Adventures” line, which is aimed at again drawing young readers to comics. He wrote issues 1-12 of the title. Issue No. 12 is out today in comic book shops.

Benjamin also works in video games as a writer and producer. When he interviewed for a production job, he didn't realize the project would be the Nintendo DS game adaptation of the Edward Norton film.

In addition to working with the game publisher and coordinating creative development of the game, Benjamin wrote the story for "The Incredible Hulk” game, based on the film content.

Benjamin said the Incredible Hulk has taken care of him well.

"I had a very green year,” he said.

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