Hulk #29 – Review

By: Jeff Parker (writer), Gabriel Hardman (art), Elizabeth Breitweiser & Jim Charalapidis (colors), Ed Dukeshire (letters) & Mark Paniccia (editor)

Watcher back-up: Jeff Parker (writer), Ben Oliver (art), Frank Martin (colors), Dukeshire (colors) & Paniccia (editor)

The Story: Just as the Hulks finish off the Scorched Earth plan, a new evil arises.

What’s Good: There are a ton of things good in this comic.  Jeff Parker really knows how to pack a LOT of stuff into a single issue.  Part of his trick is that he never wastes a panel.  Even when the Hulks are walking around or fighting there is some kind of exposition going on and that’s great because it beats the hell out of the alternative (Hulks standing around and talking).  How about that: Story and action!

And, that’s right, you read correctly: Hulks!  This issue has both green and red Hulk as they smash up MODOK’s island of dinomonsters.  This is not only a lot of fun, but leads to some very interesting character development for Ross/Red Hulk.  Turns out that Banner didn’t depower him, but merely told him he did so that Red Hulk would accept some guidance. The relationship between Banner and Ross is very unique in comics right now: antagonistic, yet grudgingly respectful.  You can see how much Ross hates Banner, but has no choice but to respect him (a little bit).

Parker and Hardman must have a lot of fun with these issues.  I wonder how Parker springs these things on Hardman.  Does he call him in advance and say, “This month you’re going to get to draw a huge fishbowl full of floating MODOK brains!” or does Hardman just find out when he reads the script?  Well, the MODOK brains are cool and the dinomonsters are very cool (and dinomonsters EATING the MODOK brains are cooler still).  Hardman is such a gifted artist.  He draws a good Hulk, but it seems like he draws a pretty good anything.

Let’s also give some kudos to Bettie Breitweiser for her colors.  This is how to color Hulks!  They don’t need to gleam like a recently waxed sports car.  Her colors combine with Hardman’s lines to give this title a very realistic air.

Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

Dean’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Detective Comics #873 – In a week where I felt like I deserved a medal for valor for merely finishing my comics (thanks for that Marvel) that contained a notable death in Fantastic Four, three excellent Avengers comics, the shocking end to Uncanny X-Force, another stellar issue of American Vampire and a great start to New York Five, the best was Scott Snyder’s trippy end to his first story arc that combined gas masks, amputations, Scarecrow gas and Man-Bat juice to create a story where you didn’t know what was real and what was in Dick Grayson’s head.  This is far and away the best Bat book and that is saying something because all the Bat books are quite good right now.  Runner-up: New Avengers #8

Most Anticipated: She-Hulks #4 – The bad news is that its the end of the mini and the next time we see the She-Hulks it probably won’t be with Harrison Wilcox writing such clever dialog and Ryan Stegman drawing beautifully fun characters.  The good news is that I fully expect this series to close on a very high note.  The series has been fun as hell and you shouldn’t miss this final issue.

Other picks: I, Zombie #10, Doc Macabre #3, Amazing Spider-Man #653, Hulk #29

Alex’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Fantastic Four #587 – RIP Johnny.  A fantastic issue that succeeded on so many levels.  It wasn’ t just an emotional, heroic, and proper send-off for a character, as there were also thrills and, surprisingly, laughs to be had.  Truly, the sky is the limit for Jonathan Hickman’s Fantastic Four and I can’t wait to see where he takes us over the next year.

Most Anticipated: Invincible #77 – It’s a shame, but delays have taken some of the steam out of the Viltrumite War these days as it seems that Invincible comes out whenever it feels like it these days.  That said, it was a pleasant surprise to see this making it to the stands this month.  The Viltrumites are heading to Earth as the War comes to it’s conclusion.  That alone is enough to grab my most anticipated spot.

Other Picks: Invincible Iron Man #500.1, Superboy #4, Secret Six #30, Sweet Tooth #18, Brightest Day #19, SHIELD #6

DS’ Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Kato Origins #6 – I am really digging Kato Origins and issue #6 this week was cool ninja action, layered into WWII America, with the crime and racism that makes Kato one of the most outsider heroes I’ve ever seen. Next issue is the start of a new arc, so you should get ready.

Most Anticipated: Brightest Day #19 – Johns, Tomasi and the massive art crew have delivered some great issues recently and we’re gearing up for all the pieces to come together. That alone would have put Brightest Day near the top of my list, but Ivan Reis on Aquaman has been one of the real pulls for this series and this issue promises to be Aquaman heavy.

Other Picks: Captain America – Hail Hydra #2, Batman Confidential #53, Batman: Odyssey #6, Legion of Super-Heroes Annual #1, Marvel Vault: Doctor Strange #1