We hope you all had a great time, and from all indication, I think everyone did. Twenty years as a goup and as a chapter of STARFLEET is a milestone event, and we were happy to observe it with so many of our friends. We know 2 years from now Avenger and Sovereign will be marking some special birthdays as well. Thanks again.

Please send any photos you took to Joe Dorfner and I for the R7 and Challenger websites and archives.

Adm. Bob Vosseller
CO USS Challenger
NCC 1676-D

Unlike the  Ang Lee version of a few years back that got us lost in split screens and a slow moving plot, The Incredible Hulk moved fast and featured a multiple homage to the TV series as well as being true to the comic book series.

While I still would have loved to see a gawky teenager named Rick Jones get rescued from a test Gamma Bomb blast at the start of the movie, we do see a more straightforward treatment of Banner and his Gamma irradiated predicament. This is a sharper cast then the Lee version. It was in fact, wonderful casting with Edward Norton as Banner, Liv Tyler as Betty Ross and William Hurt as Gen. "Thunderbolt'' Ross who in particular looks like he walked right out of the pages of the latest Hulk comic book.

Liberties of appearance were taken with his foe the awful Abomination but the characterization was dead on and you almost forget that you are watching two CGI characters slug it out. Okay, not entirely. There were so many nice touches to this movie like the name of the college reporter who witnessed the Army's battle with the Hulk on campus (Jack McKee) and a clip of Bill Bixby in a Courtship of Eddie's Father plus some strings of the closing music from the Hulk TV series better known as "The Lonely Man''.

There is even a hint of the villain to come in the next installment if you look closely at Mr. Blue. I'm sure he'll be a "leader'' of the bad guys in the next film.

Clearly the Marvel Comics fanboys are plotting out the latest round of films and we can look forward to crossovers and the buildup of The Avengers within the next few years. Seeing Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark in the closing scene was another treat.

Yes, this film got it right and despite some professional reviews that said it was better but lacked heart, I have to disagree. This Betty Ross and Banner were very likable and shared a few funny moments (like a cab ride in NYC which as we all know can be a pretty trying experience).

Was it as good as Iron Man? Not sure if you can compare apples to oranges like that or in this case green to gold and crimson but both films treated the material with respect, had lots of action and good acting and didn't dumb it down with ridiculous plot lines like the later Batman films did.

Speaking of DC/Warner Brothers line, we'll see how the second revised Batman installment goes.

I wanted to organize an unscheduled event on May 3. There is a Toy and TRAIN (hear that Brian Hager? <G>) in Pennsville NJ which is in South Jersey so I know that would be a hike for you Brian. I plan to hit that show with some fliers.  Afterward (the show starts at 10 am and runs to 2 or 3 pm I believe) I was hoping that those interested could go and see IRON MAN at my favorite movie theater at the Lions Head near Em and my apartment and then hit either Pizza Hut nearby or a different restaurant. Emily is performing on May 2 at the Oasis Restaurant I believe but if that should change to May 3 I will let you all know.

Have a great weekend everyone!
Bob