Glenn Talbot

{{expand section|date=April 2014}}

Glenn Talbot was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko in 1964 and first appeared in Tales to Astonish #61. He was a key character in the series' long-running story arc in which Bruce Banner/Hulk is suspected of being a communist traitor, and remained a part of the Hulk's supporting cast long after Tales to Astonish had been renamed The Incredible Hulk.

Glenn Talbot was a career military man. When General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross contacts the Pentagon to investigate Bruce Banner, Talbot is put in charge of reviewing whether or not such an investigation is merited. After two weeks studying records of Banner's career, Talbot concludes that Ross' suspicions that Banner is a traitor are well-founded, and reports this to the Pentagon. The Pentagon responds by appointing Talbot security chief for Gamma Base, where Ross is the commanding officer. While reporting for duty to General Ross, Talbot meets the General's daughter Betty Ross, who is in love with Banner. He is immediately attracted to her and tries to court her without losing focus on his investigation of Banner. General Ross encourages this, as he objects to Betty's love for Banner all together, whether he was a traitor or not, because he feels that Banner is too timid emotionally and physically. Ross believes that Talbot, a military man like himself, would be a much better suitor for his daughter.Tales to Astonish #61 (November 1964). Marvel Comics.

Talbot's suspicions of Banner are heightened when, upon Talbot's arrival at the base, the scientist mysteriously goes missing in the hills nearby.Tales to Astonish #62 (December 1964). Marvel Comics. Further suspicious circumstances follow, including Banner disappearing behind the Iron Curtain for a time, but proof that Banner is a traitor continues to elude Talbot.Tales to Astonish #63-68. Marvel Comics. However, when Banner disappears with the vital Absorbatron, orders are given to shoot him on sight, and the scientist is killed by a soldier.Tales to Astonish #69 (July 1965). Marvel Comics. Talbot is retained as the base's security chief, and he and Ross continue to pursue the Hulk until he, too, is seemingly killed by a barrage of nuclear weapons.Tales to Astonish #70-72. Marvel Comics. At Talbot's suggestion, the Hulk's frequent companion Rick Jones is taken into custody to pressure him into revealing the connection between Banner and the Hulk. When Jones still refuses to talk, he is set free, and Talbot confronts him privately. Persuaded in part by the fact that the Hulk is seemingly dead, Jones confesses to Talbot that Banner and the Hulk were one and the same. Talbot realizes that Banner being the Hulk explains all his past suspicious behavior, and subsequently informs his superiors.Tales to Astonish #75-77. Marvel Comics.

Subsequently, the Hulk is found still alive, and is captured using a plan devised and orchestrated by Talbot. The creature is subsequently freed by the traitor Dr. Konrad Zaxon,Tales to Astonish #78 (April 1966). Marvel Comics. and Talbot twice fails to prevent Betty from being abducted by supervillains.Tales to Astonish #79-82. Marvel Comics. However, he redeems himself by facing down Boomerang, preventing the villain from stealing the army's new Orion Missile despite a shrapnel wound. He is awarded one of the nation's highest honors for his heroism on this occasion.Tales to Astonish #83-84. Marvel Comics. Despite this, he is unable to convince Betty to relinquish her feelings for Banner, and he continually hopes that the army will be forced to kill the Hulk, so that Betty will eventually forget him.Tales to Astonish #85-92. Marvel Comics. He finally succeeded and married Betty all the while attempting to keep her away from Banner and the Hulk.Hulk #158 (December 1972). Marvel Comics.

Talbot is taken hostage by the Gremlin,Hulk #188 (June 1975). Marvel Comics. rescued some months later it was discovered that his captivity had left him catatonic. To unblock his mind, Doctor Leonard Samson had the Hulk (who was Banner under control by a special helmet) unblock what was keeping him in a mindless state. The process was a success.Hulk #200, 202. Marvel Comics. However, Talbot's marriage to Betty later became strained.Hulk #213. Marvel Comics.

Yet he did take a leave from Gamma Base and soon divorced Betty, who later admitted to Rick Jones that she had never stopped loving Bruce Banner. Talbot continued battling the Hulk and tried to have Banner court-martialed. When General Ross had a breakdown, Talbot was promoted to Colonel. His life remained relatively uneventful until the Hulk stormed into Gamma Base, looking for his deceased love Jarella, who was still cryogenically frozen. It was revealed Talbot had fired a ray gun that sent the Hulk to the Sub-Atomic universe. This incident was the final straw in his already deteriorated relationship with Betty. Soon Congress cut funds from Gamma Base and Talbot decided once and for all to stop the Hulk by using the War Wagon.Hulk #256-260. Marvel Comics.

Talbot is later killed fighting the Hulk in Japan and replaced by a Life Model Decoy, who himself is later killed by Thunderbolt Ross as the Red Hulk.The Incredible Hulk #260. Marvel Comics.Fall of the Hulks: Gamma (December 2009). Marvel Comics.Hulk (vol. 2) #23. Marvel Comics.

During the Chaos War storyline, Talbot is temporarily resurrected after Death leaves the underworld.Incredible Hulk #619. Marvel Comics.Incredible Hulk #620. Marvel Comics.

Since his "death", two of Talbot's relatives have also appeared. He has a younger brother named Brian Talbot who was a member of the Gamma Corps as Grey (who sports the DNA of Hulk and Leader). Trained in martial arts. The Leader DNA does not make Grey as smart as Prodigy but he has a brilliant military strategist and it seems to have been meant as a way to prevent him from losing control. Brian was often bullied and beaten by his older brother and had actually been delighted to hear of his death. He claimed he joined the Gamma Corps because the Hulk was dangerous but really it was to do what Glenn could not - destroy the Hulk.World War Hulk: Gamma Corps #1. Marvel Comics.

Talbot also has a nephew named Matt Talbot, who is also a member of the military.Incredible Hulk #436. Marvel Comics.

In the alternate reality depicted in the 2005 House of M storyline, Glenn Talbot is married to Betty Ross.Hulk: Broken Worlds #1. Marvel Comics.

In Ultimate Marvel universe, a version of Talbot appeared in Ultimate Fantastic Four as General Talbot. Talbot is portrayed as a colleague and friend to General Ross, and operates in the Baxter Building's think tank.Ultimate Fantastic Four #1. Marvel Comics.

In the 2012 miniseries Avengers: X-Sanction, Cable initially mistakes Red Hulk for a foe of his from the future named 'Talbot', suggesting that one of Talbot's relatives will become another Red Hulk in the future.Avengers: X-Sanction #3. Marvel Comics. Future versions of Wolverine and Hulk (resembling Old Man Logan and Maestro respectively) speak to the President of the United States, who resembles a Red Hulk with Talbot's mustache.A+X #1. Marvel Comics.

• Glenn Talbot appears in The Marvel Super Heroes, voiced by John Vernon.
• Glenn Talbot, renamed Ned Talbot, appears in The Incredible Hulk (1982), voiced by Pat Fraley.
• Glenn Talbot appears in The Incredible Hulk (1996), voiced by Kevin Schon.{{cite web |title=Glenn Talbot Voices (Hulk) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Hulk/Glenn-Talbot/ |access-date=August 18, 2024 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information. This version serves as Thunderbolt Ross' right-hand man and displays a romantic interest in his daughter Betty Ross, though she always rejects him in part because of his inability to hide his disdain for Bruce Banner and the Hulk. After an encounter with the Ghost Rider, Talbot reflects on his negative personality traits and becomes more serious and selfless.
• Glenn Talbot appears in The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes episode "Nightmare in Red", voiced by Troy Baker. This version is a colonel and member of General Thunderbolt Ross' Hulkbusters unit.
• Glenn Talbot makes a non-speaking appearance in the Iron Man: Armored Adventures episode "Rage of the Hulk" as a member of S.H.I.E.L.D. under Thunderbolt Ross' command.
• Glenn Talbot appears in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., portrayed by Adrian Pasdar.{{Cite web |last= |date=March 13, 2014 |title=Heroes Adrian Pasdar Joins Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. as Glenn Talbot |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/tv/news/115921-heroes-adrian-pasdar-joins-marvels-agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-as-glenn-talbot |access-date=August 18, 2024 |website=ComingSoon.net |language=en-US}} This version is initially a colonel before being promoted to brigadier general for his efforts in bringing down S.H.I.E.L.D.'s remnants after the organization was compromised by Hydra.{{efn|As depicted in the film Captain America: The Winter Soldier.}}{{Cite episode |title=Nothing Personal |series=Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=ABC |season=1 |number=20 |credits=Gierhart, Billy (director); Paul Zbyszewski and DJ Doyle (writer) |airdate=April 29, 2014}} In the second and third seasons, he gradually forms a begrudging relationship with a rebuilt, underground S.H.I.E.L.D. led by Director Phil Coulson before becoming the head of the Advanced Threat Containment Unit (ATCU), the President's front organization for the organization.{{Cite episode |title=Heavy Is the Head |series=Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=ABC |season=2 |number=2 |credits=Bochco, Jesse (director); Paul Zbyszewski (writer) |airdate=September 30, 2014}}{{Cite episode |title=Bouncing Back |series=Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=ABC |season=3 |number=11 |credits=Underwood, Ron (director); Monica Owusu-Breen (writer) |airdate=March 8, 2016}} In the fourth season episode "World's End", Talbot is rendered comatose after being shot by a LMD of Daisy Johnson.{{Cite episode |title=World's End |series=Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=ABC |season=4 |number=22 |credits=Gierhart, Billy (director); Jeffrey Bell (writer) |airdate=May 16, 2017}} He awakens in the fifth season, but suffers from sporadic emotional outbursts, and was taken into the custody of General Hale, a Hydra sleeper agent in the Air Force who subjects him to post-hypnotic brainwashing.{{cite web | url=https://screenrant.com/agents-shield-brainwashing-talbot-hydra/ | title=Agents of SHIELD: Where We've Seen [Spoiler]'s Brainwashing Before | website=Screen Rant | date=14 April 2018 | access-date=7 July 2023 | archive-date=7 July 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707162534/https://screenrant.com/agents-shield-brainwashing-talbot-hydra/ | url-status=live }}{{Cite episode |title=The Honeymoon |series=Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=ABC |season=5 |number=17 |credits=Brown, Garry A. (director); James C. Oliver & Sharla Oliver (writer) |airdate=April 13, 2018}} After S.H.I.E.L.D. rescues him, his brainwashing is briefly activated and he betrays their location to Hydra.{{Cite episode |title=All Roads Lead... |series=Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=ABC |season=5 |number=18 |credits=Lynch, Jennifer (director); George Kitson (writer) |airdate=April 20, 2018}} A guilt-ridden Talbot subsequently infuses himself with the gravity-manipulating substance gravitonium and kills alien warriors attacking S.H.I.E.L.D.'s headquarters,{{Cite episode |title=Option Two |series=Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=ABC |season=5 |number=19 |credits=Tancharoen, Kevin (director); Nora Zuckerman & Lila Zuckerman (writer) |airdate=April 27, 2018}} becoming Graviton' in the process.{{Cite magazine |last=Abrams |first=Natalie |date=April 27, 2018 |title=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. reveals Graviton in new promo |url=http://ew.com/tv/2018/04/27/agents-of-shield-graviton/ |access-date=April 27, 2018 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |publisher=Time |archive-date=April 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180429092344/http://ew.com/tv/2018/04/27/agents-of-shield-graviton/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Damore |first=Meaghan |date=May 17, 2018 |title=Agents of SHIELD EPs Reveal Why Graviton Had to be Season 5's Villain |url=https://www.cbr.com/agents-shield-season-5-finale-preview-whedon-tancharoen-bell/ |access-date=May 20, 2018 |website=Comic Book Resources |archive-date=November 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109022159/https://www.cbr.com/agents-shield-season-5-finale-preview-whedon-tancharoen-bell/ |url-status=live }} However, the gravitonium's power exacerbates his preexisting mental instability, causing Talbot to develop extreme megalomania and a messiah complex. As a result, he forces his way into the alien Confederacy that S.H.I.E.L.D. was protecting the Earth from and uses them to find subterranean gravitonium deposits to enhance his power further and unilaterally protect the Earth from Thanos. To this end, he kills Hale{{Cite episode |title=The One Who Will Save Us All |series=Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=ABC |season=5 |number=20 |credits=Gierhart, Cherie (director); Nora Zuckerman & Lila Zuckerman (writer) |airdate=May 4, 2018}} and coerces the prophetic Inhuman Robin Hinton to reveal the location of a gravitonium deposit.{{Cite episode |title=The Force of Gravity |series=Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=ABC |season=5 |number=21 |credits=Tancharoen, Kevin (director); Drew Z. Greenberg & Craig Titley (writer) |airdate=May 11, 2018}} Eventually, Talbot is killed by Johnson, who pushes him into outer space.{{Cite episode |title=The End |series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=ABC |season=5 |number=22 |credits=Whedon, Jed (director); Jed Whedon & Maurissa Tancharoen (writer) |airdate=May 18, 2018}} In an alternate timeline where he was not defeated, Talbot destroyed Thanos along with most of Earth, leaving the surviving humans to be enslaved by the Kree. Due to poor retention of historical records, his name was lost to history, leading to Johnson being blamed for the apocalypse he caused.{{Cite episode |title=Orientation Part Two |series=Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |network=ABC |season=5 |number=2 |credits=Whedon, Jed (director); Jed Whedon & Maurissa Tancharoen (writer) |airdate=December 1, 2017}}

Glenn Talbot appears in Hulk (2003), portrayed by Josh Lucas. This version is a former military officer-turned-bio-science executive at a Defense Department contractor called Atheon. He seeks to obtain a tissue sample from the Hulk for military supersoldier-based applications, only to be injured at Banner's house. During the Hulk's escape from Desert Base, Talbot fires a missile at the Hulk, which ricochets off of his skin, killing Talbot in the ensuing explosion.

Glenn Talbot appears as a boss in The Incredible Hulk (2008), voiced by Michael Gannon. This version views both Banner and the Hulk as threats to mankind. Later in the game, his actions against them escalate to the point where Talbot himself becomes a danger to civilian safety, with his strategies varying from attempting to launch missiles in a civilian area to destroy the Hulk to kidnapping Betty Ross and donning a nuclear-powered Hulkbuster suit to fight the Hulk directly; intending to pass off civilian casualties as the Hulk's fault once his foe has been dealt with. When he is defeated, Talbot activates his suit's self-destruct mechanism to kill the Hulk along with himself and an entire city. However, the Hulk throws Talbot's suit into the upper atmosphere, where it explodes safely, killing Talbot.

Glenn Talbot appears in the novel The Incredible Hulk: What Savage Beast, written by Peter David.{{Cite web |last=Lyons, Dean |date=November 15, 2015 |title=If No Solo Film For THE INCREDIBLE HULK – When Can We See His Buddies? |url=https://www.screengeek.net/2015/11/15/if-no-solo-film-for-the-incredible-hulk-when-can-we-see-his-buddies/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180505021613/https://www.screengeek.net/2015/11/15/if-no-solo-film-for-the-incredible-hulk-when-can-we-see-his-buddies/ |archive-date=May 5, 2018 |access-date=May 4, 2018 |publisher=ScreenGeek.net}} This version is the leader of the Hulkbusters.

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.marveldirectory.com/individuals/t/talbotcolonelglenn.htm "Colonel Talbot"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060903125204/http://www.marveldirectory.com/individuals/t/talbotcolonelglenn.htm |date=2006-09-03 }}. Marvel Directory
• [http://www.comicvine.com/glenn-talbot/4005-3459 Glenn Talbot] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140805020721/http://www.comicvine.com/glenn-talbot/4005-3459/ |date=2014-08-05 }}. Comic Vine.

{{Hulk}}

{{Stan Lee}}

{{Steve Ditko}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Talbot, Glenn}}

Category:Fictional soldiers

Category:Marvel Comics supervillains

Category:Comics characters introduced in 1964

Category:Fictional colonels

Category:Fictional majors

Category:Fictional military strategists

Category:Hulk (comics)

Category:Characters created by Stan Lee

Category:Characters created by Steve Ditko

Category:Marvel Comics television characters

Category:Fictional United States Air Force personnel

Category:Marvel Comics military personnel