The Incredible Hulk 86-98
I’ve finally caught up on this title. Issues 86 and 87 concluded Peter David’s short return to the book. David didn’t really do much with the character this time round and I’m not too disappointed that he moved on to X Factor.
Daniel Way took over with 88 and his first story “Peace in Our Time” marked a change in direction. Told over four issues, it sees the Hulk enlisted by Nick Fury to deal with a rogue S.H.I.E.L.D. experimental satellite. It’s a good story with some great art from Keu Cha but it’s the way the story ends that really grabs the attention. A group of major heroes (including Tony Stark, Reed Richards, and Stephen Strange) decide that the only way for the planet to be truly safe from the Hulk is if he’s sent to a distant uninhabited planet.
This leads into the current “Planet Hulk” storyline with the spacecraft going off course due to the understandably unhappy Hulk’s thrashing about and it crashes on a world that’s anything but uninhabited. From there it’s Spartacus with aliens and the Hulk gets to be Kirk Douglas. Seven issues in and there’s no sign of a return to earth. With a story this entertaining, I’m in no hurry for one. Grade: B+
Giant Size Hulk 1
Three stories of ol’ greenskin are presented here, two from Peter David and one from current Hulk scribe Greg Pak. The first of David’s tales features a clash with the Champions. It feels like something that’s been sitting in someone’s drawer for a few years (the Champions don’t even exist anymore) and hardly ranks as one of Peter David’s finest moments. It passes the time pleasantly enough though.
Much better is Greg Pak’s “Banner War.” It’s a “Planet Hulk” story with a difference – it all takes place inside the Hulk’s subconscious as Banner fights for control. It’s a nice if unessential, addition to the regular titles ongoing storyline.
The best is saved for last – a reprint of the Peter David and Dale Keown classic “Hulk: The End. Imagine I Am Legend with The Hulk/Bruce Banner as the last living “man” on earth and mutated cockroaches instead of vampires. Told from Banner’s perspective, the writer takes you inside the mind of one of Marvel’s most complex characters. It ranks as one of the best Hulk stories ever and a career highpoint for both the creators.Grade: B+
Article comments
1 - Rohan Venkat
Some good calls there. And yes, although Civil War #4 was really really good, I'm still worried that Miller is only showing us the pro's bad side, I mean look at all that happens in this issue, and though we are getting some points in for the pro's, it is coming from the tie-in's rather than from the main back. Yes there are 3m ore issues to go, but right about this now, I'd have expected to be rethinking my decision about "Whose Side I'm On."
Still, can't criticise an unfinished event.
Thanks for bringing up Elephantmen, I'm definitely going to have a look at it.
I realize you have a rather extensive pull list there, but have you checked out any of Virgin's offerings yet? My best bet there so far, has to be John Woo's Seven Brothers.
2 - Ian Woolstencroft
Rohan, I can see your point about Civil War, it may be a little unbalanced in its perspective but for me that's a plus. I'd rather read a comic by a writer like Millar who's making a point as well as telling a damn good yarn, so long as it's true to the characters and I think this has been. As for rethinking your position, you may not be but some of the heroes are and I was pleased to see Spidey swap sides. I still don't see how it's going to end although I suspect both sides may have to come together to combat a larger threat, possibly from Dr Doom and the Red Skull. We shall see...
Hope you enjoy Elephantmen as much as I did. There's an issue 0 due out soon that reprints the original first story to feature the characters - "Unnatural Selection."
As for Virgin Comics, I've read issue 1 of Devi and thought it was OK but nothing special and I have the premier of Snake Woman in my "to read" pile. I was tempted by Seven Brothers but what puts me off is the line's reliance on name directors like Woo and Shekhar Kapur to sell the comics even though they're not writing the books, only coming up with the initial concept. I may give them another try at some point though.
3 - Rohan Venkat
Yeah, Civil War's a good book, for sure, it's just not, so far, all that Marvel said it would be.
And honestly, I had little doubt that Spidey would swap sides, it'll who else will do it. And yes, unless the ending is going to be interesting, and if it's anything other than what you said, then Marvel have done a good job in keeping wraps on it, that is, assuming it's any good.
I realise that John Woo's name is only useful for the marketing, but 7 brothers is written by Garth Ennis, and is quite good, IMO.
4 - manfred
I am looking forward to reading X-23, one of the few new interesting characters in the Marvel Universe and Spiderman Reign. Wonder how they ever killed Mary Jane.
X-23, how old is she anyway?
5 - Ian Woolstencroft
I think X-23 is about 13 or 14 but don’t quote me on that.
As for killing off Mary Jane, this goes against a recent Peter David scripted issue of Friendly Neighbourhood Spider-Man which had a future Mary Jane outlive Peter Parker. I’m not sure if this means that Reign takes place outside established continuity or not.
6 - manfred
13 or 14? And she was a prostitute ? She was in Nyx.
I believe I read somewhere that Reign takes place in an alternative timeline, not part of the Established one.