George R.R. Martin Critiques Classic Marvel Projects: “I Didn’t Watch Them Again”

George R.R. Martin, the author best known for A Song of Ice and Fire, recently shared his thoughts on some classic Marvel projects from the 1970s and 1990s, and he was not impressed.

In an interview with Independent, Martin admitted that he tried watching The Incredible Hulk TV series starring Bill Bixby and the 1990 Captain America movie but didn’t return to either. “I tried them once and I didn’t watch them again because I didn’t like them very much,” he said.

Martin didn’t go into detail about why he disliked the shows, but fans of the writer know that he appreciates layered storytelling and complex characters.

His own works often feature morally complicated figures, and it’s possible that these older Marvel adaptations didn’t meet his high standards for characterization.

The Incredible Hulk followed Dr. David Banner, a scientist who transforms into the Hulk after an accident with gamma radiation. The show aired on CBS, with Lou Ferrigno playing the Hulk and Bill Bixby as Banner. While it earned some praise, critics and fans appreciated Ferrigno’s portrayal, it has a mixed critical reception.

The pilot holds a 57% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, while the first season scored 75%. Episodes like the pilot, Married, and The Snare remain fan favorites, but the show’s style and production values reflect its era.

The 1990 Captain America film had a rougher ride. Starring Matt Salinger as Steve Rogers, the film was released internationally in theaters but went direct-to-video in the U.S. It received largely negative reviews, with Rotten Tomatoes giving it just 16%. Critics panned the movie for its weak script, low budget, and uneven direction.

Entertainment Weekly called it a “shapeless blob of a plot” and gave it an F, while Variety described it as a “strictly routine superhero outing.” Later, a Director’s Cut found a small cult following, with fans praising its darker tone and improved ending, but it still hasn’t gained mainstream acclaim.

Martin’s comments show that even a devoted Marvel fan can be critical of older adaptations. While the shows and movie have historical value, they clearly didn’t match the storytelling depth and character work that Martin values in his own work.

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