Hulk #22 – Review

by Jeph Loeb (writer), Ed McGuinness (artist), Mark Farmer (inker), Morry Hollowell & Chris Sotomayor (colorists)

The Story: World War Hulks kicks into high gear as the Intelligencia’s plan to hulkify the world’s super-heroes causes some serious (and painful) problems for the good guys.  Meanwhile, Red Hulk has a showdown with Red She-Hulk, in which both of their identities are finally revealed.

What’s Good: Right after delivery, some parents give their newborn sons a sports t-shirt or a teddy bear or rattle.  Ed McGuinness’ parents must have given baby McG an issue of the Incredible Hulk on that momentous day because the artist was obviously meant to draw this title.  McGuinness’ larger-than-life pencils fit not only the Hulk title itself, but the World War Hulks story in particular.  In a blockbuster tale where the likes of the Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, Thor and Wolverine all turn into Hulks, you must be able to bring a certain amount of weight to the proceedings, and McG does this in spades.  I’d even make the safe assumption that if any other artist was given the task of bringing this issue to life, they would fail.  (Well, okay, maybe not Arthur Adams!)  The rest of the art team also deserves some kudos, from inker Farmer to the colorists Hollowell and Sotomayor.  Hulk is basically a silly cartoon, complete with (unfortunately) silly cartoon logic but also silly cartoon visuals.  And taken for what they are, silly cartoon visuals can be a blast to see (Blackest Night, anyone?).  The entire art team makes sure that you get some crazy fun eye candy and they do it well.

Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

DS’ Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Uncanny X-Men #524 – I had expected Brightest Day to take the crown, but in fact, DC delivered a pretty middling offering this week. That left Uncanny X-Men #524, despite some flaws, to reach the summit of my pull list.

Most Anticipated: Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne #1 – I love Dick Grayson as Batman, and I hope he stays Batman, but….who isn’t dying to know where Bruce Wayne has been for the last year….or last 30,000 years?

Other Top Picks: Adventure Comics #11, Batgirl #10, Superman: War of the Supermen #2, Birds of Prey #1, Justice League: Generation Lost #1

Alex’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Hellboy in Mexico -Just a ton of fun, but despite its absurdity, it just manages to still feel intelligent.  A real blast of a read and a nice reprieve for Hellboy fans.  Now bring on “the Storm!”

Most Anticipated: Siege #4 -I can’t help it: I’m intensely curious to see how Siege finishes and where it leaves the Marvel Universe.  I’m almost as curious to see whether or not the Sentry will bite the dust.  Either way, this issue should be gigantic.

Other Picks:Dark Avengers #16, New Avengers Finale, B.P.R.D.: King of Fear #5, The Unwritten #13, Batman: the Return of Bruce Wayne #1, Birds of Prey #1, DMZ #53, The Flash #2, Fables #95, Punishermax #7, The Sword #24

Dean’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Astonishing Spider-Man & Wolverine #1 – I was expecting a Marvel Team Up type story and got something very different with a novel story concept and really good art.  It should be a lot of fun to watch this one develop over the summer.

Most Anticipated: Siege #4 – Sheesh is this a crowded week for new releases, but I’m 99% sure that the first book out of the stack will be this finale to Marvel’s excellent (so far) event.  Fingers crossed for an ending as good as the story so far!

Other picks: Batman: Return of Bruce Wayne #1, Amazing Spider-Man #631, New Mutants #13, Unwritten #13, Daytripper #6

Joe’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: iZombie #1 – I was really in the mood for something new and cool, and this comic fit the bill nicely.  Not to mention that it’s a new ongoing series with artwork by Mike Allred.  I mean, really, ’nuff said.

Most Anticipated: The Sword #24 – The latest Luna Bros. collaboration has been wonderfully entertaining and after two years, I can’t wait to get some answers and closure to the great ride they’ve taken me on, especially after last month’s shocking cliffhanger!  A highly anticipated final issue.

Other picks: New Mutants #13, Dark Avengers #16, New Avengers Finale, Siege #4, Avengers the Initiative #35, Birds of Prey #1, Flash #2, Siege Epilogue: The Fallen, Incredible Hulk #609, Hulk #22, Ultimate Spider-Man #10, Punisher MAX #7