I was fascinated by the conspiracy-theory riff that served as the foundation for this title when Bruce Jones signed on as the regular writer back with issue #34, but things have been dragging along for a long while now. Too few answers have arisen over the course of those 32 issues, and it makes for something of a frustrating and confusing read. Still, I was taken aback with this issue and its strong emotional focus. The players in this drama take some time out to lament what they've lost and to desperately grasp at some sense of normalcy in their lives. That mature, reflective tone is enhanced through the downtrodden atmosphere fostered by the thoroughly effective artwork of those who brought the world of Paradise X to life.
After the nuclear explosion that destroyed Home Base and apparently claimed the lives of Sandra Bedruga and young Billy Myers, Bruce Banner is ready to hit the road again on his lonely quest to protect the world from his powerful alter ego. Nadia Blonsky seems quite unwilling to let him go, though, as she pleads with him to stay or to let her accompany him. Meanwhile, Betty Ross fills Doc Samson in on the details of her resurrection and her mission for the Secret Conspiracy, but the subject soon turns to something between them that's gone unspoken for years... until now.
Dougie Braithwaite and Bill Reinhold's collaboration here brings the same level of maturity and tension to the storytelling here as it did in Paradise X. Actually, their work here is even more effective because it's more focused. This book isn't attempting to bring as many Marvel characters together in one title, so the art isn't nearly as busy what we what saw with the artist's previous efforts. They do an excellent job of presenting the characters' sadness and sense of isolation. I also enjoyed their depiction of this new, worn-dorn and spent vision of Betty Ross.
Even with the background information provided on the first page and exposition in the script, it's rather difficult to piece together what's going on here in terms of the broader plot. Accessibility is certainly far from the No. 1 priority here. I was also more than a little disappointed with the stereotypical fight scene in the middle of the book. It served little purpose but to demonstrate that Betty is far more than she used to be, but it doesn't add to the story at all.
Where the book hits its mark is with its immersion in quietly sad moments for four main members of the cast of characters. Samson and Betty both dwell on what they've lost as a result of the Hulk's role in their lives, and the closeness that threatens to arise between them makes plenty of sense. Jones also offers up an excellent reason why Bruce Banner just doesn't kill himself and end the threat of the Hulk forever, and Nadia's loneliness shines through here as well. Despite the extreme and fantastic circumstances of their lives, these characters behave in a plausible manner, allowing their hearts to run the show when the critical nature of their lives calls for a more cold, distant approach to the scenario.
