It wasn't David Bruce Banner, was it? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

The Flying Dutchmans · 12-06-2012, 07:30 PM

I guess because I only saw the Hulk in the TV series first, I always assumed the Doctors original 1st name was David, but I guess in the original comic book writing, it was Bruce Banner. We did see David Bruce Banner on the headstone of the TV series. I wonder why they changed his 1st name for the series?

MRPITT · 12-06-2012, 08:49 PM

I was thinking his Comic Book name was Robert Bruce Banner, but its been awhile since I read them.

Regulus · 12-06-2012, 09:17 PM

In the original Comic Book, it was Dr. Bruce Banner, and he got his overdose of Gamma Radiation from an Atomic Bomb Blast shielding a Kid who had wandered onto the Test Site. (Remember that in the 1950s the US used to test Atomic Bombs in the atmosphere in Nevada.

These test ended after the US signed the Test Ban Treaty with the Soviet Union and Great Britain in 1963). In the TV series his name was changed to David Bruce Banner, and the Radiation Source was changed to a Medical Experiment.

MRPITT · 12-06-2012, 10:10 PM

I dont think his first name was ever legally Bruce I think thats always been his middle name.

MacLeaper · 02-13-2013, 11:43 AM

In the Marvel comic books, The Incredible Hulk's real full name has always been Dr. Robert Bruce Banner. (Though it wasn't revealed until two years after the Hulk's introduction in the comics.) He's called "Bruce" more than "Robert" though- so usually you just see Bruce Banner. (The alliterative names was a thing Stan Lee had- he liked to give characters names like that to make them easy to remember- for example, Peter Parker. Matt Murdock. J. Jonah Jameson. Reed Richards. Otto Octavius. Betty Brant. Stephen Strange. Pepper Potts. And I'm sure there are other examples.)
Here's Marvel Comic's official page for The Incredible Hulk to read more about the character. (http://marvel.com/characters/bio/1009351/hulk?nav=1)
However, the 1970s live action TV show version of The Incredible Hulk was quite different from the comic books. There were some basic similarities of course, but it was definitely a different take. The show fell into the mold of "The Fugitive" in many ways- except it was "The Fugitive" with superpowers.
I'm a fan of both Marvel and DC Comics and I love most all the TV show and movie, etc. productions based on them. And "The Incredible Hulk" is definitely one of the best superhero shows ever! I love it!
On the TV show, the main character is called Dr. David Bruce Banner- so Bruce is still his middle name, just like in the comics. But he's definitely called David on the show and I don't think Bruce is ever mentioned. But you can clearly see his full name on his tombstone in the opening theme song of the series.
Here's a great site for more information on the 1970s classic show, "The Incredible Hulk". (http://www.incrediblehulktvseries.com/index.html)

The Flying Dutchmans · 05-07-2013, 01:46 PM

Thanks guys. I appreciate your answers. Since I watched the Incredible Hulk on TV Lou Ferrigno as the Hulk, I always wondered about that after I had seen the Hulk movie with Eric Bana as the Hulk.

Tubehead · 02-15-2014, 03:45 PM

I watched this special on history channel about different super hero's they said only reason they used David banner was caused they Bruce banner name was gay. that's what I watch on history channel long time ago.

12-06-2012, 07:30 PM	#1
The Flying Dutchmans Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 30, 2006 Location: New York Posts: 1,017	It wasn't David Bruce Banner, was it? I guess because I only saw the Hulk in the TV series first, I always assumed the Doctors original 1st name was David, but I guess in the original comic book writing, it was Bruce Banner. We did see David Bruce Banner on the headstone of the TV series. I wonder why they changed his 1st name for the series?
	__________________ A strange red light as of a phantom ship all aglow, in the midst of which light the mast, spars and sails of a brig 200 yards distant stood out in strong relief." The Flying Dutchman

12-06-2012, 09:17 PM	#3
Regulus Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 07, 2011 Location: Port Orange, Florida Avatar - Poiuyt Posts: 3,374	In the original Comic Book, it was Dr. Bruce Banner, and he got his overdose of Gamma Radiation from an Atomic Bomb Blast shielding a Kid who had wandered onto the Test Site. (Remember that in the 1950s the US used to test Atomic Bombs in the atmosphere in Nevada. These test ended after the US signed the Test Ban Treaty with the Soviet Union and Great Britain in 1963). In the TV series his name was changed to David Bruce Banner, and the Radiation Source was changed to a Medical Experiment.
	__________________ Grail Shows: *Doc Elliot, Owen Marshall-Counselor of Law, Here's Boomer, Three for the Road, Holmes and YoYo* Bucket List Shows: *Hot Wheels, Skyhawks, Run Joe Run, Westwood*

02-13-2013, 11:43 AM	#5
MacLeaper Child of the 80s Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 20, 2001 Posts: 3,359	In the Marvel comic books, The Incredible Hulk's real full name has always been Dr. Robert Bruce Banner. (Though it wasn't revealed until two years after the Hulk's introduction in the comics.) He's called "Bruce" more than "Robert" though- so usually you just see Bruce Banner. (The alliterative names was a thing Stan Lee had- he liked to give characters names like that to make them easy to remember- for example, Peter Parker. Matt Murdock. J. Jonah Jameson. Reed Richards. Otto Octavius. Betty Brant. Stephen Strange. Pepper Potts. And I'm sure there are other examples.) Here's Marvel Comic's official page for The Incredible Hulk to read more about the character. (http://marvel.com/characters/bio/1009351/hulk?nav=1) However, the 1970s live action TV show version of The Incredible Hulk was quite different from the comic books. There were some basic similarities of course, but it was definitely a different take. The show fell into the mold of "The Fugitive" in many ways- except it was "The Fugitive" with superpowers. I'm a fan of both Marvel and DC Comics and I love most all the TV show and movie, etc. productions based on them. And "The Incredible Hulk" is definitely one of the best superhero shows ever! I love it! On the TV show, the main character is called Dr. David Bruce Banner- so Bruce is still his middle name, just like in the comics. But he's definitely called David on the show and I don't think Bruce is ever mentioned. But you can clearly see his full name on his tombstone in the opening theme song of the series. Here's a great site for more information on the 1970s classic show, "The Incredible Hulk". (http://www.incrediblehulktvseries.com/index.html)
	__________________ "Oh boy!" - Dr. Sam Beckett "You can do anything you wanna do if you put your mind to it." - MacGyver "Have mercy!" - Uncle Jesse "Ha, I kill me!" - ALF "I am The Way, The Truth and The Life. No man comes to The Father but by Me."- Jesus Christ (John 14:6)

02-15-2014, 03:45 PM	#7
Tubehead Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 12, 2007 Location: chattanooga.tn Posts: 5,139	david & bruce banner I watched this special on history channel about different super hero's they said only reason they used David banner was caused they Bruce banner name was gay. that's what I watch on history channel long time ago.

12-06-2012, 08:49 PM	#2
MRPITT Member Senior Member Join Date: May 14, 2011 Posts: 1,678	I was thinking his Comic Book name was Robert Bruce Banner, but its been awhile since I read them.

12-06-2012, 10:10 PM	#4
MRPITT Member Senior Member Join Date: May 14, 2011 Posts: 1,678	I dont think his first name was ever legally Bruce I think thats always been his middle name.

05-07-2013, 01:46 PM	#6
The Flying Dutchmans Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 30, 2006 Location: New York Posts: 1,017	Thanks guys. I appreciate your answers. Since I watched the Incredible Hulk on TV Lou Ferrigno as the Hulk, I always wondered about that after I had seen the Hulk movie with Eric Bana as the Hulk.