A year and a half. A year and a half, and we're no closer to knowing the secrets of what's going on in Incredible Hulk, and I'm reminded of X-Files, which captivated me in the beginning and dissolved into so many unrevealed secrets and poorly planned revelations that I couldn't even watch it at the end. Right now, Incredible Hulk is in that midseason funk for me, where I'm still interested in the storytelling but my interest in the overall story is weakening. This issue gives a temporary boost to my interest with the reintroduction of classic Hulk foe the Abomination and some absolutely stunning art by Deodato and Studio F.
On a standalone basis, each issue of the Hulk is very enjoyable. Jones has done a great job of establishing a sort of desolate, desperate mood, and the various artists who have joined him have aided him in creating that mood. Deodato in particular does a terrific job of showing just how isolated the characters are, each on the run from their own personal demons. Banner is of course avoiding the mysterious organization as well as the fear of his inner monster, Nadia is running from her past and her uncertain future and the Abomination is retreating into himself and his memories of when he wasn't a monster.
Deodato brings these various situations to life, whether it's the middle of nowhere feel of Abomination's prison or the empty and unused look of Nadia's store and diner. He also really conveys the human element of the story, with a photo-realistic style that reminds me of Bryan Hitch's work on The Ultimates, melded with the softness and ambiguity that Stuart Immonen has brought to this book recently. The detail on everything is simply amazing.
The plot relies on a fair amount of coincidence, and Jones is rapidly using up his stock of them with this over-arcing story. Even if there hadn't already been plenty of coincidental meetings and introduction of supporting characters, the notion that Nadia, former ballerina in the Soviet Union, has set up a shop in the middle of the desert, is a bit of a stretch. The notion that Bruce Banner would simply wander into that shop and have a fling with Nadia ventures into patently ridiculous territory, even if he was somehow manipulated on that path by the mysterious organization. And have I mentioned that it's been 16 issues and it's time for a little more information on this organization and its goals, already?
While the plots are beginning to tug at my suspension of disbelief, the character interaction is solid enough. The opening sequence between the two security guards (or custodians) reads like a knock-off of Bendis, and the whole "needful decision" thing reminds me more than anything of the clumsy use of the Rime of the Ancient Mariner in previous issues. It's not bad dialogue, but it does seem inconsistent and sometimes more than a little pretentious. But honestly, I'm willing to forgive a lot of sins when the book looks this pretty. I'd just like a little indication that all of this is going somewhere at this point, especially when the book is double-sized (and higher priced) and still doesn't have much in the way of answers.
