Hulk #31 – Review

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

She-Hulks/A-Bomb back-up by: Parker (writer), Tim Seeley (art), Matt Milla (colors), Dukeshire (letters), Thomas & Paniccia (editors)

The Story: A new story line kicks off for Red Hulk as a former ally is coming to kill him.

What’s Good: This issue is a great continuation from Hulk #30.1.  That issue was a great jumping on point (the whole idea behind the .1 project) that recapped the Red Hulk story thus far while also laying out some new material.  You’re going to see some cynics who think Marvel should have just stuck with consecutive numbering, but I really don’t mind them doing something to entice readers that a new story arc is coming and that it will be pretty accessible.  It is far preferable to starting with a new #1 issue.

Lot’s of cool little elements to this story and in typical Parker fashion, he has more than one thing going on at the same time.  The main story flows from #30.1 and shows that Red Hulk is now pursued by Gen. Thunderbolt Ross’ former protégé, Col. (?) Fortean.  Fortean basically wants revenge for Red Hulk seemingly killing Ross, so there is a lot of irony here AND Fortean has access to years and years of Ross’ Hulk-busting arsenal.  The attacks that Fortean has leveled at Red Hulk are such that it’s going to be very difficult for Red Hulk to get any back-up or rest.  This whole story is great because it plays up Ross as the world-weary, grizzled old warrior.  That’s really a perspective that we don’t get enough of in superhero comics.  The main characters kinda stop aging in the 35-45 age range, so we miss having the cynical, but wise older dude who knows how things are going to turn out before the action starts.  Seriously, what would be wrong with letting a few more characters get older?

The B-Story ties back into Parker and Hardman’s first arc story dealing with the Omnisapient Corporation and we meet Zero/One who seems to be a new villainess derived from the weird metallurgical technology at Omnisapient.  Ordinarily, you’d think that Parker is just setting up his next story, but he has show himself so adept at juggling that he could conceivably wrap up both the Fortean and Zero/One stories in the very next issue.  You have to pay attention to this series or you’ll miss something.

Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

Dean’s Top Picks

Best From the Past Week: Unwritten #23 – This series has now strung together 4 very powerful issues in a row and that puts it squarely back on my A-list of titles.  The art in this issue was wonderful.  Some pages made your hand cramp just seeing the detailed inking.  The revelations about Tom Taylor’s nature are coming fast now and that probably means that this series is building towards a climax.  Grab the last few issues and get caught up!  Runner-up: Bomb Queen vs. Hack/Slash One-Shot

Most Anticipated: Creepy #5 – Bless Dark Horse for bringing back this horror anthology!  I have no idea what kinds of stories we’re going to get this time, but they are always just the ticket if your’re seeking some good, old-fashioned B&W horror stories (often with wonderful ‘Oh, Henry!’ moments).  The only problem with this series thus far is the release schedule.  Why can’t this be a monthly series?

Other picks: Haunt #14, Lorna Relic Wrangler #1, Marineman #4, FF #1, Hulk #31, Neonomicon #4

Ray’s Top Picks

Best From the Past Week: Amazing Spider-Man #656 – Shame on you if you aren’t reading this book. ASM has consistently stayed on the top of my “read first” list. Nine issues in, and Dan Slott has yet to disappoint.

Most Anticipated: Batman Incorporated #4 – After stops in Japan and Argentina, it’s good to finally have the Dark Knight back home. But what I’m mostly looking forward to with this book is his team-up with Batwoman. After word got out this month that Batwoman’s return to the shelves have been delayed once again, it’s nice to know that there will be a Kate Kane sighting tomorrow.

Other Picks: Hulk #31, Batman: The Dark Knight #2, Green Lantern #64, Captain America: Man Out of Time #5, Captain American #615.1, Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #156, Uncanny X-Force #6