The Incredible Hulk #-1

The Incredible Hulk #-1 was published by Marvel Comics in July 1997 as part of a company-wide 'Flashback' event. During this month, Marvel assigned negative numbering to many of its ongoing series to explore untold stories set before the characters' original first appearances. This specific issue, titled 'Past Imperfect,' was scripted by John Byrne and illustrated by Lee Weeks, serving to bridge the gap between Bruce Banner's pre-gamma persona and his transformation into the Hulk.

The creative team intended to add emotional weight to the origin story by focusing on the strained relationship between Bruce and his father, Brian Banner. By retroactively inserting this narrative into the established canon, the issue sought to provide a psychological basis for Bruce's repressed anger. It was generally well-received by readers of the era, who appreciated the darker, more character-driven approach that defined much of the late-90s comic landscape.