By: Jeff Parker (writer), Gabriel Hardman (art), Elizabeth Breitweiser & Jim Charalapidis (colors), Ed Dukeshire (letters) & Mark Paniccia (editor)
Watcher back-up: Jeff Parker (writer), Ben Oliver (art), Frank Martin (colors), Dukeshire (colors) & Paniccia (editor)
The Story: Just as the Hulks finish off the Scorched Earth plan, a new evil arises.
What’s Good: There are a ton of things good in this comic. Jeff Parker really knows how to pack a LOT of stuff into a single issue. Part of his trick is that he never wastes a panel. Even when the Hulks are walking around or fighting there is some kind of exposition going on and that’s great because it beats the hell out of the alternative (Hulks standing around and talking). How about that: Story and action!
And, that’s right, you read correctly: Hulks! This issue has both green and red Hulk as they smash up MODOK’s island of dinomonsters. This is not only a lot of fun, but leads to some very interesting character development for Ross/Red Hulk. Turns out that Banner didn’t depower him, but merely told him he did so that Red Hulk would accept some guidance. The relationship between Banner and Ross is very unique in comics right now: antagonistic, yet grudgingly respectful. You can see how much Ross hates Banner, but has no choice but to respect him (a little bit).
Parker and Hardman must have a lot of fun with these issues. I wonder how Parker springs these things on Hardman. Does he call him in advance and say, “This month you’re going to get to draw a huge fishbowl full of floating MODOK brains!” or does Hardman just find out when he reads the script? Well, the MODOK brains are cool and the dinomonsters are very cool (and dinomonsters EATING the MODOK brains are cooler still). Hardman is such a gifted artist. He draws a good Hulk, but it seems like he draws a pretty good anything.
Let’s also give some kudos to Bettie Breitweiser for her colors. This is how to color Hulks! They don’t need to gleam like a recently waxed sports car. Her colors combine with Hardman’s lines to give this title a very realistic air.
What’s Not So Good: Minor things only, such as: When did A-Bomb get his shell back after getting it ripped off in Incredible Hulks during Chaos War? Those little things bug me and we’ve got the same editor on this issue that helmed Chaos War. I’m sure Parker could easily wedge in some dialog that explains this if he was prompted to do so.
I’m also not loving the Watcher(s) back-up story. Part of it is that I’m so enjoying the main Red Hulk tale that I don’t want to break away, but I think some of it is that I’ve lost interest in the Watcher since Marvel started over-using him. It used to be a BIG deal when the Watcher would show up because you knew that something BIG was about to happen. Now the Watcher shows up for minor events that are never referenced in other titles. Not Parker’s fault, but many Marvel editors have worked very hard for years to ruin the Watcher.
Conclusion: Fun story (again) from Parker combined with draws-everything-well art from Hardman. These guys still have the right to gesture at their fellow-collaborators that they have the “championship belt” of best ongoing Marvel/DC superhero book right now. Love the writing and art on this issue and the creepy new Spider-MODOK.
Grade: B+
-Dean Stell
Grade
Conclusion