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.

Inhumanity #2 – Review

by Matt Fraction (Writer), Nick Bradshaw, Todd Nauck (Artists), Antonio Fabella, Andres Mossa (Colorists)

The Story: The world begins to react to the massive terrigenesis as Medusa begins to act as the queen she needs to be.

The Review: However you approach it, there are some comics that are made for specific purposes. While entertainment will always be a factor in the production of serialized stories, there is always the matter of building up events, scenes and many other things in order to entice readers to check out what might come next. Some comics, of course, do it better than others.

This comic, sadly, has the task of setting up many elements for an eventual ongoing starring the inhumans, a whole franchise that might set itself more clearly in the Marvel universe. While the characters and concepts are sound, events from Infinity and the need to set up many elements in other places makes this issue kind of a chore in many aspects.

One of the main problem of this issue is the constant reminding of what just transpired, with some events that are unfortunately already known to the readers who were actually aware of much of what happens in the Marvel universe. While the way Medusa informs Captain America of what is happening and how she reacts to the disappearance of her husband and son does inform new readers, there is a certain lack of surprising reactions or actions from her part. There aren’t many twists and turns to what is shown here, which does make for some dull reading.

That’s not saying that there aren’t any, however. Matt Fraction does try, in some ways, to add some characters and potential problems to the ongoing narratives that is the emergence of inhumans. Factions, cults, new characters and hidden agendas are in this comic, providing some potential to the future stories that should be told from all of this. Where it fails a little, however, is that there isn’t that much context nor is there any explanation given to most of these things. While the arrival of a liberator of inhuman cocoons and the general research done on those newly affected beings does makes for some rather interesting story ideas, here it is used merely as a pretext for actions scenes and a few ominous lines at best.

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.

Inhumanity Superior Spider-Man #1 – Review

by Christos Gage (Writer), Stephanie Hans (Artist)

The Story: Otto helps some firemen in helping victims of the terrigen bomb by letting them receive medical care and other such necessities.

The Review: General events are always rather weird when it comes to their storytelling. Much like Dark Reign, Inhumanity seems to be the name of a transition event more than anything, with a few issues being released to say that it exists. With not exactly the same kind of scope as the Norman Osborn dictatorship from a few years back, there are a lesser amount of issues here to tell the story until the actual Inhuman title get launched.

With an issue focused on what Otto Octavius is doing right after the fall of Attilan and the release of the terrigen mist, it doesn’t seem like there is much to tell, unfortunately. Christos Gage, who is generally a good writer, does tell a story set in the aftermath of Infinity, yet many of the problems found in the setting and in the story could have easily been a result of something else entirely, leaving this story with a bare connection to the buildup toward the eventual title following the rise of the inhumans.

That is not to say that the story is completely pointless, of course. There is a certain message brought across in this story, even if it is delivered in a way that feels a bit obvious in some moments. The way Gage makes Otto participate in the search and rescue of people that suffered in the fallout of this tragedy does make for some rather nice moments, which are enhanced a bit by the action brought in the second half of the 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.

Uncanny X-Men #15 – Review

By: Brian Michael Bendis (writer), Kris Anka (art), Rain Beredo (colors)

The Story: Mutants are hated, feared, victimized. Those with the courage to stand up to bigotry are forced into hiding, reduced to outlaws and terrorists. It is a hard time to be an X-Man. But that is no excuse to have nothing pretty to wear.

The Review: While the post-Schism world is an interesting one for the X-Men, I doubt I’m the only one who’s getting tired of Cyclops hogging the limelight. Bendis has filled the New Xavier School with fascinating young mutants, but, after fourteen issues, many of them remain strangers to us. Last issue proved a game changer for Benjamin Deeds and Emma Frost and I’m happy to say that Bendis has followed up with another great character issue.

Bendis takes his time setting up the adventure in this issue. It’s one that we don’t often see, but admittedly, it could have gone wrong rather quickly. Thankfully, Bendis does not disappoint. This issue does an impressive job of providing eight distinct, fully realized women. Well…maybe seven and a half – the cuckoos, you know. The initial scenes in the New Xavier School are especially charming, as the girls dance around the issue and Emma takes charge.

Of course, Bendis acknowledges something that really should have been apparent long ago: living in Scott Summers’ school in the middle of the Canadian wilderness must be boring as all get out! What do they do there? How are they living? So, when the increasingly extroverted Irma mentions that she wants to go shopping like the girls on TV and in books, Jean gleefully responds “We have books?” It’s subtle, but the enthusiasm for books tells us something about Jean. How I’ve missed knowing the X-Men.

Inhumanity #1 – Review

Matt Fraction (Writer), Olivier Coipel, Mark Morales, Leinil Francis Yu, Gerry Alanguilan, Dustin Weaver (Artists), Israel Silva, Laura Martin (Colorists)

The Story: Karnak tells the Avengers and other guests the story behind the inhumans and what could be the possible future for this blooming species.

The Review: Launching franchises must not be particularly easy stuff. To get people invested in something that needs to be huge must be pretty challenging. Sure, most indie creators do that each time they launch a new series, but right now there must be a lot of weight on Matt Fraction’s shoulders.

Tasked with bringing forth the inhumans as a viable franchise, as a new race that can thrive in the Marvel universe as a whole is something rather big. With a track record which indicates that he might just be better at more ground-level and independent stuff, can he actually pull off a way to make these concepts and characters feel new again?

Unfortunately, it’s a mixed bag filled with elements that are executed really well, while others really aren’t. While it does leave a certain impression and does its job at bringing excitement about the new titles and some of the changes to the Marvel universe at large, there are multiple flaws in this story that makes it weaker than it needs to be.

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.