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INCREDIBLE HULK #36
"The Gang's All Here!"
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/$3.50 CAN |
After two
great single-issue stories, Jones has started his first story arc, and while
it's not quite as incredible as those first two issues, it still has all the
hallmarks of a great story. This issue is the introduction of the bad guys, as
well as casting further doubt on whether or not Bruce Banner killed a kid as the
Hulk, and it's the same great mix of atmosphere and plot that the first two
issues had. Romita Jr., Tom Palmer and Studio F match Jones's script with
top-notch artwork, and it's becoming clear that this new creative team is taking
the Hulk in very interesting directions.
The central event that has
motivated Jones's run so far has been the death of young Ricky Myers, supposedly
at the hands of the Hulk. With every visual, however, Romita Jr. is casting
doubt on whether that's what actually happened, and it's an example of subtle
storytelling. I can't nail down exactly why it feels like the art is telling us
that there's more than meets the eye here, but it definitely is doing exactly
that. Another example of that kind of storytelling subtlety comes in Studio F's
use of green eyes to show the Hulk inside Banner at key moments.
I do feel like we should have
learned a bit more about Verdugo, as I spent much of the issue wondering why she
was sentenced to die, but I suspect that's either being kept mysterious on
purpose (as with the identity of Bruce's ally on the computer) or that we're
meant to assume it doesn't matter who she was. In either case, the writing makes
it plainly clear that she and Slater are very dangerous and capable individuals.
Jones's writing is actually capable of a lot of subtlety, which is why this new direction works so well, rather than feeling like a ripoff of the X-Files or the Hulk TV show, which it shares more than a few
elements with. The turmoil in the minds of Banner and Samson is quite clear from
their few words, and the deadliness and attitude of the two assassins hired to
hunt the Hulk comes through with few words as well.
Of course, a large part of
that comes down to the artistic performance by Romita Jr., Palmer and Studio F.
Their work on the destructive rampage of the Hulk, or the battle between Slater
and Verdugo, really shows off the power and danger that these superhumans
possess. In addition, this is paced and visually styled like a suspense story,
with the smallest movements given their own panel to develop. There's a whole
lot of quiet visual storytelling going on here, a contrast to the heavy action
style that characterized this title upon its relaunch, and a much more effective
choice.
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