The X-Files feel that Jones has brought to this book continues with this newest arc, which is built largely around false perceptions and lies, and even the reader doesn't know entirely what's going on. Part of me is wondering if maybe Jones is drawing out the mysteries a bit too long, but since I'm still interested, I guess he hasn't hit that point yet. The shift in artwork, another thing that worried me, also seems to be working out so far, with Immonen's work looking almost lush and painted with the rough inking style of Scott Koblish and the expert colors of Studio F. The Hulk is missing in action in this arc so far, which may not make all the fans happy, but I'm finding Jones's take on Bruce Banner and his interaction with a mysterious agency to be very gripping.
Although Jones has given us a take on the Hulk that is reminiscent of the TV show in some ways, the style is completely different. Banner does seem like an endless drifter, unable to successfully settle down and encountering a variety of interesting people on the road, but the focus is less on "when is the Hulk going to come out?" and more on "how will Banner deal with these problems?" The introduction of Laurie is a nice bit of coincidence, and I like her character almost immediately. Jones's ability to quickly establish characters has served him well, given the transitional style of the book.
Of course, while there are transitional characters and settings, there are some continuing characters as well. Jones teeters on the edge of being too mysterious in these issues, with Agent Pratt and Sandra Verdugo not being explained very well for a new reader who may have just come on board, but those who have been reading will definitely get some moments of surprise and some more questions about how the organization backing these agents works. The mysteries are beginning to stack up, as we still don't know who the organization is, what they want, who Banner is talking to and what happened to Ricky Myers, but Jones is telling a story interesting enough that I'm still willing to wait a while longer for some more answers.
The feeling of this book has an edge of suspense and horror to it, mostly in the psychological realm. It's clear that someone is playing with Banner, and it's easy to relate to his confusion as he's sick, accused of being a murderer (and someone else) and confronted with enemies he knows to be dead. Immonen, Koblish and Studio F capture that "in and out of consciousness" feel very well, and the sickly look of Banner's fever dreams or the relatively bloodless, efficient methods of Agent Pratt are all the more horrific for their understated style. I usually am not a fan of Koblish's inks, since he tends to lose a lot of the detail that the penciller brings to the work, but the somewhat muddy and indistinct work really helps to bring the mood across in these two issues.
Incredible Hulk is a book that is currently reaching a completely different audience, and it seems to be perfectly poised to take advantage of the movie. "Hulk Smash" and super-hero action has been replaced with a sense of impending danger and an intense feeling of pressure and darkness that I associate with David Fincher films. Though the book may not be to everyone's taste, especially those who would like to see a lot more of the Hulk in action, it is one of my favorite Marvel books of the moment.
