Marvel's Hulk is an inspiring character whose influence has now stretched to the MLB via Cincinnati Reds' pitcher, Wade Miley. The MLB All-Star pitched a no-hitter back in May, which Marvel is now celebrating with a poster featuring Miley and the Incredible Hulk, set to be given out to fans at an upcoming game.
Comics and sports have intersected many times, from Babe Ruth Sports Comics in 1949 to athletes turned superheroes like Walter Langowski (Sasquatch), Northstar, and the Thing. Marvel has also had collaborations with sports teams, such as the New York Islanders, for themed superhero nights. Marvel even partnered with ESPN for NBA game broadcasts and athletic awards. Athletes have favorite comic heroes and for Wade Miley, it seems safe to assume the Hulk will now always hold some symbolic importance.
On May 7, 2021, Wade Miley pitched a no-hitter against the Cleveland Indians. This is the seventeenth no-hitter in the Cincinnati Reds' history. It was the fourth no-hitter of the 2021 season, making it the second time in league history that four have happened before May since 1917. Miley gives credit for the accomplishment to his son, Jeb, and the temporary Hulk tattoo Jeb put on his right forearm before the game, prompting Marvel to announce it will commemorate the major achievement with a poster featuring the Hulk and Miley, created by artist Brian Crosby.
Brian Crosby is the Creative Director of Marvel Themed Entertainment and the son of Ed Crosby, a former MLB player for the Cincinnati Reds. The poster he drew is going to be given out to fans attending the Reds' game against the Milwaukee Brewers on July 17, 2021. There will also be a meet and greet with the Hulk. Brian Crosby stated the following about the new commemorative partnership:
From the moment I saw Wade Miley's historic no-hitter and noticed the Hulk tattoo on his arm and then heard the story about his son, I knew we needed to find a way to honor this moment here at Marvel. To me, the Hulk is a Super Hero that learns to control his inner rage and channels it to serve the greater good not unlike the focus and control it takes to find success in Major League Baseball let alone throw a no-hitter. As a lifelong baseball fan and son of a former Cincinnati Red, it was an honor to illustrate this poster and hopefully capture a moment that celebrates Wade's incredible achievement in the mighty Marvel manner!
The poster, featured above, includes the Hulk and Wade Miley, but it also includes the reason for this partnership even occurring - the all-important Hulk tattoo. While baseball is far from the first thing Hulk fans think of, Marvel heroes play a pretty good game of it. It's the favorite pastime of the X-Men, who often play within the grounds of Xavier's school, and in Marvel Adventures Avengers #26, Captain America even suggests playing baseball against Galactus. So, baseball and Marvel do find themselves coinciding in rather peculiar and fun ways even within comics. This partnership is also just one instance of the far-reaching influence and inspiration that Marvel and other comic book characters have on the real-world. The magic of comics, and the attributes these heroes embody, extend beyond the page. That was certainly the case for Wade Miley, who will surely appreciate this amazing commemoration of his accomplishment, and the part Hulk played in inspiring it.
Source: Marvel
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July 14, 2021 at 12:41AM
