Hulk #26 – Review

By: Jeff Parker (writer), Gabriel Hardman (artist)

A-Bomb back-up by: Jeff Parker (writer), Mark Robinson (pencils), Terry Pallot (inks), Antonio Fabela (colors) & Ed Dukeshire (letters)

The Story: The redemption of Red Hulk continues, Thor shows up, mayhem ensues….

What’s Good: I can enjoy decompressed storytelling when it is done well, but when you have Bendis and Fraction writing a significant portion of the Marvel U, you have a lot of stories that are crawling along.  They are well written, but they are nonetheless not fast.  Jeff Parker is the other side of that coin.  His stories just rip along at a breakneck speed.  Last issue (Hulk #25) introduced us to this concept that Red Hulk was going to be redeemed somehow and tossed him into a team-up with Iron Man against some weirdly altered humans.

Well, that very cool story wraps up by about page 10.  Even though it is fast, you don’t feel shortchanged.  Parker writes a lot of script for these issues, but it is all serving the story instead of humorous, pitter-patter dialog.  In some ways, it is almost a throwback to comics of yore when the story was explained via dialog between two heroes.  But, even though it is a quick scene, Parker still works in a nice moment between Red Hulk and Iron Man as Tony tells him a thing or two about redemption (and Tony is one of the more qualified heroes to discuss the subject).  It is an achievement to get as much character development into this story considering the pacing.

Some comics would have stretched this Iron Man story across many issues, but not Parker.  From there we blast right into the next threat as Thor shows up leading to a great scene between Red Hulk and Thor and a team-up in space.  It is just really a whole bundle of awesome.

Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

DS’ Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Warlord of Mars #1 – The first issue of an adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ classic series (and first book) launched with an impressive start, capturing the tone and visuals of a hero for all times. DC offered some strong books this week, but Warlord of Mars stuck in my head and has me waiting for the next issue impatiently.

Most Anticipated: Batman: Batman and Robin #15 – The end of the Batman Must Die arc! Dr. Hurt and Pyg! And we’re steps away from Bruce Wayne’s return! And, you’ve got Morrison on writing and Frazer on art! You can’t lose!

Other Top Picks: Brightest Day #12, Power Girl #17 (guest starring Batman), Green Lantern Corps #53

Least Anticipated: Chaos War #2 – I called issue #1 a conceptual train wreck, but it looks like ridiculing regular Marvel icons for cheap (and futile) laughs wasn’t enough. It looks like they’re set to drag Galactus and Hellstorm, two of the most carefully nuanced bad-ass characters in the Marvel Universe, into the live audience laugh track that we saw in issue one. I feel the frustrating impotence of Sideshow Bob in jail, watching Vanessa Redgrave on Fox. I need one of those Charlie Brown storm cloud icons to finish off this paragraph right. No way Marvel is getting my money for this one.

Dean’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Irredeemable #18 – In a week that had many very solid offerings, this was the only book that flirted with “great”.  This comic is almost a throwback to the old days when stuff actually happened in a comic over a 2-3 issue span instead of this “decompressed storytelling” we get now days.  In this issue, Mark Waid again jiggles things around to keep this comic a LOT more than just “superman gone bad”.

Most Anticipated: The Walking Dead #78 – Kirkman has begun to build this series towards some very big events around issue #80 (if online teasers from Image are to be believed).  Still, I hardly expect him to play it safe, so we’re going to again get some splendid storytelling and characterization along with building tension.  I can’t wait….

Other Top Picks: Haunt #10, Morning Glories #3, Hulk #26, Kick Ass 2 #1, Soldier Zero #1

Alex’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Invincible Iron Man #33 -This week really was all about Matt Fraction.  Between this and Thor, it’s a tough call, but I’ll go with Iron Man based on its great storytelling, strong character dynamic, and sudden introduction of an unknown team traitor.  This was polished, refined work and a clear showing of why this is one of the best superhero books on the stands.

Most Anticipated: Morning Glories #3 -After two issues, I love Morning Glories.  Every time I see it’s on my stack for the week, I get excited.  The characters are great and the story always leaves me wanting more.  This one’s a sure thing.

Other Picks: The Walking Dead #78, Batman & Robin #15, Fables #99, DMZ #58, Brightest Day #12, Daredevil #511