Indestructible Hulk #19 – Review

by Mark Waid (Writer) Jheremy Raapack, Joe Bennett, Ruy Jose, Tom Grummett, Karl Kesel, Andrew Hennessy (Artists), Val Staples (Colorist)

The Story: Bruce tries to find out just what happened to Jessup as an evil organisation plans for nefarious deeds related to inhumans.

The Review: Some writers are known to surprise readers. It can be an especially nice thing to know that someone is able to circumvent expectations, allowing for twists and turns to be shown at random. To not be able to see where the title could be headed is a blessing for fans, with a untold possibilities being presented in each issues.

However, not all such writers can achieve good results with said approach at all times. For all the praise Mark Waid has received for work such as Kingdom Come, Daredevil and Superman: Birthright, there are some things he did that don’t exactly warrant the same kind of commendation. Unfortunately, his Indestructible Hulk run, for the most part, simply hasn’t been the best of showcase when it comes to the man and his talent, with this issue being a good example.

It’s not that it’s bad, far from it. There are multiple qualities that are quite visible, making the book not a terrible read, but a bit of an unfulfilling one. For one, the characterization of Bruce Banner is not only sound, but also interesting. The use of narration to provide an outlet for his inner thoughts and his more analytical tendencies prove to be a rather apt method to present characterization and contextualization without slowing things down. His rage, his attempts at calming down and his interactions with others prove to be rather amusing, with Waid pushing forth his version of the character in ways that feel natural to the story he’s telling here.

Indestructible Hulk #18 – Review

by Mark Waid (Writer), Jheremy Raapack, Miguel Sepulveda, Tom Grummett (Artists), Val Staples (Colorist)

The Story: With the effect of the bomb Banner had built now understood, it would be a shame of something horrible were to happen to someone…

The Review: There are always some creators that we care more about than others. It’s a sad fact, but one that is especially true for everyone. Some prefer Jonathan Hickman over Matt Fraction, some prefer Grant Morrison over Alan Moore and other have preferences over some unpopular creators. Subjectivity and personal tastes being the key here, there are simply some creators in which we have quite a lot of faith in.

Mark Waid is one of those for me. Even though not all of his work is especially amazing, the man did produce a superb run on Fantastic Four, wrote some terrific JLA stories, made Kingdom Come and a good lot of other really great things even nowadays. With such a notable amount of work of quality under his name, I have a lot of faith in him as a writer, which can act as a curse sometimes when reading some of the materials of lesser quality even he can produce.

His tenure on Hulk and his stories, while backed by a genuinely good concept and with a really great first batch of issues, hasn’t been nearly as good as some of the previous stuff he did, to be overtly frank. While filled with some very nice ideas, the execution isn’t as good as the very concepts behind them most of the time, which doesn’t make the book the best thing he is writing right now.

This issue, however, does provide some rather interesting ideas and some potent character work from the writer. The way he present Hank Pym and how other scientists and their reaction to the discovery of just what Banner was planning with his bomb makes for some rather good moments, playing quite a bit with super-science as well as the bond between man delving into the subjects all the time. The relationship between those people as well as the quest of Bruce Banner for their respect makes for a rather enjoyable aspect of this issue.

Indestructible Hulk #17 – Review

by Mark Waid (Writer), Clay Mann, Seth Mann, Miguel Sepulveda (Artists), Val Staples (Colorist)

The Story: The top scientists of the world are trying to solve the terrigenesis problem. It’s a pity that Bruce Banner does not want to play ball…

The Review: I have a lot of respect for Mark Waid. As a writer, he has done and participated in many books I have enjoyed, some that I even love. Kingdom Come, Superman: Birthright, 52 and many other of his work are stuff I re-read even to this day and his modern stuff, like his Daredevil run, are definitely very enjoyable. However, his run on Indestructible Hulk has been somewhat inconsistent. Very enjoyable at times and merely decent at times, it seems that this title fits the titular character quite well in term of mood swings. However, with the new arc dealing with Inhumanity properly starting, does Mark Waid provide readers with an issue more associated with quality than missed opportunities?

It’s a mixed result, for the most part, as some of the very best elements of the book are showcased, while some of the weaker one are present as well. Mark Waid has a particular style that can adapt itself to many heroes and concepts, but it does seem like he is struggling a bit on this particular title.

Indestructible Hulk #16 – Review

by Mark Waid (Writer), Mahmud Asrar (Artist), Val Staples (Colorist)

The Story: While trying to bring up the next greatest invention in the world for S.H.I.E.L.D., Bruce Banner gets to know and bond a bit with one of his assistants.

The Review: The concept behind this whole series by Mark Waid is one that was rather sound when it had been first been told to readers. Bruce Banner as an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., getting funds and a team of assistant to finally be the genius he knew he was meant to be, letting them use Hulk a few times in exchange. The series began in a really strong manner, being both playful and allowing for big action and fun to merge together to create something that worked with the character. Ever-changing, the book had no problem experimenting in order to provide entertainment, something that is commendable.

However, with the numerous changes came a certain problem that is unfortunately apparent with this book: the lack of a stable cast of characters alongside a status quo. Sure, Maria Hill is a constant here, but most of the lab assistants haven’t received much of anything in terms of development or actual focus, with a small number of them being active in the Thor time-travelling story.

Indestructible Hulk #15 – Review

by Mark Waid (Writer), Kim Jacinto (Artist), Val Staples, Lee Loughridge (Colorists)

The Story: With the birth of the Uberhulk, Bruce Banner begins to understand the machination of the chronarchists as he makes a big decision in hope to vanquish them.

The Review: Mark Waid is someone who understand the potential that super hero comics possess. While some of his stories may have ludicrous premises, he is a writer that is able to bring out the very basic concepts that could make them work in the first place. The fact that Daredevil can have a crossover with Hulk or Silver Surfer in his award-winning Daredevil series in a way that works is a testament to that.

This arc focusing on Hulk and Bruce Banner as they try to fix the broken timeline has been a perfect example of this, with Hulk fighting dinosaurs in the old west, or helping the knights of the round table while trying to find the chronarchists. It was something very enjoyable, yet does Waid provide for a satisfying conclusion to this over-the-top super hero adventure?

Unfortunately, he does not really close in the same way that he opened up his tale, as the story lets go of a lot of elements that made it fun to begin with. Letting go of the more unbelievable elements in order to explain a great many things, Waid does not provide the bang needed, offering instead a whimper.