Golden Adventures of Brett Hull Comics Explained
Writer Walt Jaschek breaks down the backstory behind the unique, 1994 comic book mini-series starring NHL Hall-of-Famer Brett Hull.
Part 1: Golden Adventures of Brett Hull video explainer
Part 2: Golden Adventures of Brett Hull text explainer
The Golden Adventures of Brett Hull is a 3-issue comic book mini-series created in 1994 by the Patrick Company, a sales promotion agency, in St. Louis, Missouri, as a a joint promotion for clients McDonald's, the St. Louis Blues, and Coca-Cola, benefitting the Ronald McDonald House.
Each issue of The Golden Adventures of Brett Hull, shrinkwrapped in plastic bags, sold for 99 cents with purchases of Value Meals at Midwest McDonald's restaurants. Here's a quick overview of the three covers by St. Louis artist Bill Vann.
Star of the 3-part, science-fiction storyline is former St. Louis Blues star Brett Hull, now retired and a National Hockey League Hall-of-Famer. According to KSDK.com, Brett Hull was named by the Jack Buck Awards in 2020 as "The Top St. Louis Sports Personality in 50 years."
St. Louis copywriter and comics writer Walt Jaschek was hired to craft the science-fiction-meets-hockey-action story arc and snappy dialogue for the series. Artists on the books included St. Louis comic book pros Don Secrease, Rick Burchett (as Jim Riley,) Bill Lux and Terry Hinkle. The individual stories were titled "Slap Shot to Destiny," "Power Play: 2094" and "Sudden Death Overtime."
Says Walt: "They didn't call it 'branded entertainment' when I got the assignment to write 'The Golden Adventures of Brett Hull.' But oh-so-branded entertainment it was. I wrote the 3-part story, which sets then Blues star Brett Hull into a far-out future in search of his character and destiny. The in-story scenes of Brett eating McDonalds and enjoying a Coke were agency-inspired product placements."
St. Lous writer and hockey fan Brock Hanke was brought in by Walt to help craft the intricate hockey/combat scenes, vividly depicted by the comic book artists, and everybody on the creative team was obviously having a grand time.
Golden Adventures of Brett Hull covers and plot synopsis
Here's how comics.org sums up the plot of issue #1:
"St. Louis Blues right wing and team captain Brett Hull makes a game-winning goal just seconds before the final horn. After a post-game interview he goes home and wonders what it will take to fill the empty space in his trophy case with hockey's Stanley Cup. Later he is electronically observed preparing for the next game. During the game Hull takes a hit, falls to the ice out cold. He awakens to a menacing image of the Dragoon, which turns out to be a hologram. Wondering where he is, an unknown man tells him he is in the future - in the year 2094."
Here is how the site sums up the plot of issue #2:
“Coach Crenshaw shows Hull the floating rink of the St. Louis Blues of 2094. He explains they've recruited Hull to replace an injured player, for game 7 of the 2094 Stanley Cup finals. After a press conference, Crenshaw talks to Miles Von Draxx, agreeing that whichever team loses forfeits their franchise to the other team. Hull meets his teammates for practice, then goes to McDoanld's for lunch. The Slashers score 2 early goals, and on the final page it appears Hull has been knocked out by a Slasher player.”
And finally the plot of issue #3:
"The Slashers take a 3-1 lead while Hull is checked out by the team doctor. Hull returns as the 3rd period starts. As regulation times ends, the score is tied. In the overtime period, the Blues use tricks taught to them during practice by Hull that are more instinctive and less by-the-book. Hull is pinned against the wall behind the goal, but sees an opening. Stone sends him the puck, Hull hits it into Dragoon's chest, and it bounces back into the goal, and the Blues win the Stanley Cup. Before sending Hull back to 1994, Crenshaw gives Hull his 2002 trading card.”
{Thanks, comics.org for those summaries.}
Golden Adventures of Brett Hull credits
Agency: The Patrick Company
Clients: McDonalds, Coca-Cola, St. Louis Blues, Ronald McDonald House
Creative Directors: Bob Hawthorne, Bill Kamper, The Patrick Company
Writers: Walt Jaschek (issues 1-3) and Brock Hanke (issue 2)
Art Director: Terry Hinkle, Hinkle & Company
Artists: Don Secrease, Rick Burchett (as Jim Riley,) Bill Lux, Bill Vann, Johnny's Flying Mouse, Terry Hinkle
Covers: Bill Vann