Hulk #19 – Review

By: Jeph Loeb (writer), Ed McGuinness (penciller), Mark Farmer (inker), Dave Stewart (colorist)

The Story: The Intelligencia, having split with their ally the Red Hulk, send the Fearsome Four to invade the Baxter Building under the leadership of one of their own, the Wizard. Red Hulk sneaks in too, acting on a larger plan. And in a secret lair, MODOK and Doc Samson trade barbs over what to do next about the Red Hulk.

What’s Good: The Fall of the Hulks one-shots set up this arc, and now Fall of the Hulks is upon us! Loeb opens with a bang, as he launches plotting and counter-plotting forces, each sneaking around the other, feinting and moving for position. It’s a caper plot with more than two sides and it’s a lot of fun to watch! I’m fascinated (and have been for about a year) with the new, plotting, scrawny Banner that has influence over so many people stronger than him. What also intrigued me were the references to the top eight smartest people in the world. Reed Richards was obviously a target and I love that McCoy was mentioned as well. And, if memory serves, that means that Amadeus Cho will also become involved in this, thereby pulling in Hercules? Interesting….

The art was a treat. I’ve always been a fan of Farmer’s inks. He adds a soft humanity to the faces. McGuinness is obviously very talented as well and I loved the level of detail and texture he brought to the Thing, the Wizard and Klaw. Muscles move the way they’re supposed to under McGuinness’s pencil and the dynamism of the action makes me slow down the reading.

Fall of Hulks Gamma #1 – Review

By Jeph Loeb (writer), John Romita Jr. (penciller), Klaus Janson (inker)

The Story: Apparently, General “Thunderbolt” Ross has been killed by the Red Hulk. Unanswered questions keep Doc Samson, Captain America and the Intelligencia guessing. In the meantime, Ross’s funeral must be held.

What’s Good: On the writing, Loeb did some nice character work with the personalities in and around the Hulk stories. Doc Samson’s feelings about Ross come out differently in three different places, which is pretty cool (read: in two of them he’s being insincere). Ben Grimm talks behind Samson’s back. Rick Jones goes out on a limb for a surprise guest, who is received very coolly by the ceremony. The Intelligencia have their own arguments as well. So all in all, some good character work and building of tension.

Incredible Hulk #600 Review

By Jeph Loeb (writer), Ed McGuinness (artist), Mark Farmer (inker), Dan Brown & Chris Sotomayor (colorists)

“WHO IS THE RED HULK?! THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN IS GOING TO TRY AND FIND OUT! GREEN HULK! RED HULK! SPIDEY! SECRETS REVEALED! A STORY SO BIG IT CAN BARELY BE CONTAINED IN THE INCREDIBLE 600TH ISSUE OF HULK! ALL THIS AND A STARTLING SURPRISE ENDING TO TOP ALL THE OTHER SHOCKING SURPRISES THIS HULK BOOK IS KNOWN FOR!”

I wanted to include Marvel’s original solicitation for this issue to illustrate how marketing gimmicks like this are more evil and alluring than the Dark Side of the Force and never to be trusted under any circumstance.  I also wanted to show you exactly what it was that sold me on the issue in the first place, a measly fifty-eight words that I will gladly kick my own ass for buying into when we’re done, here.  The point I’m trying to make is that it’s all too easy to believe the hype surrounding special event comics like this, but when companies are raising cover prices to all time highs it’s these kinds of comics that need to be scrutinized most carefully; especially if you’re going to show how something like this fails to deliver the goods.

The heart of this massive tome is the story by Loeb and McGuiness, told from the perspective of Ben Urich, the only reporter alive in the 21st Century who refuses to use a typewriter. In a scene that would make Woodward and Bernstein fall to their knees and cry, Urich is called to a meeting by a thoroughly paranoid She-Hulk and charged with the task of discovering Who Is The Red Hulk? Remember this point, because it’ll be important later on. Urich and Peter Parker (did I mention that She-Hulk specifically asked Urich to bring along a photographer? Wow, how convenient.) join She-Hulk and Doc Samson to infiltrate a government facility called Gamma Base. There, the group discovers that Marvel’s favorite angry head M.O.D.O.K. has reactivated the terrorist cell A.I.M., and that he may be receiving help from General Ross.  The revelation is interrupted though when Samson suddenly reverts to a Hyde-like version of himself and attacks She-Hulk. From there, things get complicated as Red Hulk suddenly appears from nowhere to beat on Spider-Man, while Banner suddenly awakens from his induced coma to turn into Hulk and throw down with his evil counterpart.

Sensing a trend here? Practically everything happens out of the blue for no apparent reason, other than Loeb wanting it to at that particular moment. He constantly fails to set up these moments in ways that justify their existence, and as a result they come off feeling shallow and self-serving. Remember how I said Urich’s goal was to find out who the Red Hulk was? Yeah, well, he suddenly decided not to. “If all you do is focus on the Red Hulk you’re going to miss the big picture”, Urich observes. Really? Looking at the solicitation, I thought the Red Hulk was the whole point! This discrepancy suggests that either Loeb deliberately misled his readers into shelling out five bucks for a cocktease, or he is losing the ability to tell cohesive stories that don’t rely on shameful misdirections and obnoxious slights of hand. Either way, your buying dollars would be better spent elsewhere.

Grade: D

-Tony Rakittke

Thunderbolts #121 – Review

Warren Ellis,(Writer) Mike Deodato Jr.,(Art) and Rain Beredo (Colorist)

I read this issue with both delight and a bit of sadness knowing that the Thunderbolts are turned over to a new creative team next month. The Warren Ellis and Mike Deodato run has been one hell of a ride, so I expected some big things from their final issue. Unfortunately, I couldn’t help but feel let down as everything had a bit of a rushed feel to it. That said, this is still one of the best books to come out during what has been an extremely solid month.

The conclusion of the Caged Angels arc is, as expected, centered around the chaos that has gripped Thunderbolts Mountain for the last few months. The bulk of the issue is all about action. Moonstone confronts Doc Samson and Robbie “Penance” Baldwin while Norman Osborne, still running around as the Green Goblin, goes toe to toe with Songbird. Oddly enough, Swordsman, Radioactive Man, and Venom are nowhere to be found during all of this. Also, a certain team member is back on his feet and ready for some target practice. This all would have been excellent if there was one more issue to deal with the aftermath, but instead it leads to a tidy conclusion that comes about a bit too easily.

I really enjoyed what was here, but there is no escaping the feeling that things were rushed to a conclusion so the book could get on with its (almost) obligatory Secret Invasion tie-in. Also, while I understand why some of the team was missing from this final issue due to injuries and whatnot, it would have been welcome to have at least seen them at some point.

As expected, Warren Ellis is in fine form. The banter and taunting throughout the book is incredibly entertaining and hilariously dark. Ellis makes sure to give each character (the ones that are used anyway), a chance to shine. Also, while I am disappointed the book feels so rushed, the way Ellis reigns in the chaos is clever, amusing, and a great example of how to use a character. High marks all around, I just wish Ellis had another issue to work with.

I have loved Mike Deodato’s work on this series, but the rushed feel of the story carries over into the artwork. The action scenes are suitably brutal and the powers on display look impressive, but it seems as though some aspects of the art are missing a layer of polish. The level of detail I’ve come to expect isn’t there at times and, while it doesn’t hurt my overall enjoyment of his work, is noticeable. Also, I can’t help but mention that for some reason Robbie Baldwin looks exactly like a bald Ed Norton this issue – which is odd considering he hasn’t looked that way until now.

Thunderbolts #121 is a good read that is a disappointment only when considering the great things that have come before it. The story and artwork feels rushed and the absence of half the roster is a bit annoying. Don’t let that deter you though – this is still one of the best books on the shelf this week. Warren Ellis’ run has been a must read for those who’re into the darker side of the Marvel Universe. If you missed out, be sure to pick up the trades. So long Warren Ellis and Mike Deodato Jr., the Thunderbolts won’t be the same without you. (Grade B+)

-Kyle Posluszny

Hulk #2 – Review

By Jeph Loeb (writer), Ed McGuinness (art), Dexter Vines (inks), Jason Keith (colors)

Okay, despite Tony Stark acting like a complete idiot, Hulk #2 delivers a lot of fun. Maybe I just expected too much from Jeph Loeb. I mean, the guy’s responsible for writing some of the most best and cerebral superhero stories out there. Of course, it doesn’t help make things better after the amazing things Greg Pak has done on The Incredible Hulk book. But, I finally get what Loeb’s trying to do now: This is his monster book.

It’s definitely not the regular Hulk we’re used to – this one’s cold, murderous, and devious. The obvious answer as to who he is takes a twist, and to be honest, I have no idea who he could possibly be now. Maybe Doc Savage? This is the only plot thread worth caring about and after it runs its course, I wonder what’ll be left, substance wise.

But going back to what I originally said, this is a monster book. Even the forth coming title we’re given for the next issue (“Creatures on the Loose”) clearly hints that we’re about to see some Silver Age inspired action. And that’s not a bad thing.

Loeb has clearly written this book with Ed McGuinness’ talent in mind. While the story still isn’t very good, the art will completely blow you away. There are no less than three double-page splashes – each one completely worthy and grand in scale. Art collectors will be drooling over the page where Hulk slams a fighter jet down on old Shell Head.

As much as I’m not caring for the story, I am looking forward to the big slugfest coming next issue. Ed McGuinness and Dexter Vines just make it so much fun. I completely give them all the credit for making this series somewhat bearable. (Grade: C+)

– J. Montes