Whereas the previous chapters of this story were steeped in sexuality and mystery, this month, the story takes a much more dangerous and dynamic turn. The atmosphere in this issue is one of paranoia, and it's rich and surreal and riveting. This issue also offers up the longest glimpse of the Hulk of Jones's stint on the book yet, and his take on the title character is unsettling and novel. Deodato continues to shine as well, delivering dark, unnervingly still images that stand out as his best work in comics to date.
The Hulk has emerged at Nadia's home, and she's forced to face down the savage beast all on her own. Her feelings for the kind soul that lies underneath that gamma-irradiated exterior, though, force her to face the men for whom she is working and manipulating Banner. Meanwhile, S-3, the woman who convinced the Abomination to do some dirty work for the Secret Conspiracy, realizes that her line of work is far from the most secure profession, and another agent -- whose allegiances are not clear -- uncovers evidence regarding the lengths to which the conspiracy has gone to pull Bruce Banner's strings.
While Deodato's vision of the Hulk is reminiscent of that of Dale Keown, the way the Hulk moves is something altogether different. Jones has scripted the green goliath as something of an animal, acting on pure instinct rather than rage. Deodato conveys that primal quality incredibly well. I also love the soft, realistic tone to the other characters, and the deep shadows in which they exist, and the recurring circle motif is oddly disquieting. Studio F reinforces that darkness and the accompanying tension with muted colors and tones.
It's a satisfying moment when Bruce Banner catches up with the reader and realizes that all is not as it seems in Nadia's comforting arms. I like how Jones has made the Hulk transformation as something that throws Banner further off-kilter and back in the dark as to what's going on around him. But at the same time, that transformation provides clues that promise to save his skin.
It occurs to me that this series -- and especially this particular story arc -- would read much better in one sitting. Fortunately, given Marvel's bustling line of trade paperbacks, it's a safe bet that this story will be collected in a single edition. Good news. Jones's story is steeped in mystery and misdirection. The reader is meant to be off-balance, led in one direction while the plot travels in another. It's part of the title's charm at the moment. Of course, the four weeks between chapters add an unwelcome element of confusion and haziness to the reading experience. In other words, as good as Incredible Hulk is right now, it'll be even better as a trade paperback.
