INCREDIBLE HULK #38
"Last Chance Cafe"
Highly Recommended (9/10)
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Marvel Comics
Writer: Bruce Jones
Pencils: John Romita Jr.
Inks: Tom Palmer
Colors: Studio F
Letters: Comicraft
Editor: Axel Alonso
Price: $2.25 US/$3.75 CAN |
This issue is right smack dab in the middle of a story arc, the first story arc in the Bruce Jones run that's really starting to explore what the new status quo is for Bruce Banner and the title character. One might expect it would be more transitional in nature, or maybe even a little inaccessible to new readers. It's not. What it is is mysterious, and it's drawn me even further into this new conspiracy-theory themed take on the Green Goliath.
Assassins Sandra Verdugo and Jink Slater have tracked down Bruce Banner to a quiet diner -- the Last Chance Cafe -- in the middle of nowhere, and he has no idea he's in their crosshairs. Fortunately, an old friend (or enemy, depending on one's point of view) turns up to warn him. Meanwhile, dead people in the area are getting up and converging on Banner's location as well.
Romita's simple but sketchy style, along with the gritty inks of Tom Palmer, capture the dark tone of this story perfectly. There's a real sense of gravity and drama to the visuals, and when the script calls for it (namely, the appearance of the title character), there's an abundance of power as well. Studio F's colors flesh out the linework and add texture that makes it easy to believe in these unbelievable events. They also reinforce the sombre mood.
Look at that cover... just look at it. It jumps off the comic-store shelf. Kaare Andrews hasn't just developed rapidly as an artist in recent years; he's exploded. Here, Norman Rockwell collides with Kyle Baker for a delightfully playful cover that nevertheless captures a key moment in the darker story within. Marvel had better hold onto this cover artist like a Titanic survivor to a life preserver. His work stands out as rich and original, and before long, it will be his name, not Alex Ross's, that comics fans think of when considering the industry's strongest cover artist.
I have no idea what's going on in this story right now, and I'm loving it. Though Jones has returned this book to its (television-inspired) roots somewhat, he's also reinvigorated the title. It comes off as fresh and new and fascinating. Jones has transformed Incredible Hulk into something of a mystery book, and into a must read every month.
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