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Bruce Banner and the Hulk are still on the run with Charlie make their way through New Orleans. The city is as lively as ever, but something dark is taking root under it all. It’s bad enough that ghosts are walking the streets and monsters are lurking in the shadows, but a chance encounter with a loved one will coax out the dark power within Banner in hopes of separating the two forever!
- Written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson
- Art by Danny Earls
- Colors by Matthew Wilson
- Letters by VC’s Cory Petit
Phillip Kennedy Johnson has crafted a fantastic “Eldritch Horror” story so far. For a quick recap, “Eldest” is a primordial being that seeks the power of the Hulk, referring to him as one of them, to awaken the Mother of Horrors. The Hulk is being chased across the South, evading cult members and monsters summoned to retrieve his power. A long the way he picked up a teenage girl named Charlie, whose abusive step-father was murdered by one of evil forces hunting The Hulk. To make matters worse, Betty Ross has agreed to help Eldest find Banner, with the promise that she and Bruce will be freed of their “cursed” powers, leaving them a chance at living a normal life.
Incredible Story, Incredible Art, Incredible Hulk
I’m just gonna put it out there, I love this entire run thus far. I have always considered The Hulk to be a fantastic creature of Horror. He’s the modern day Jekyll and Hyde. He’s a force of nature. Anything is possible, and nothing/no one is truly safe in his presence. This arc has provided that so far, and in this issue, it gets even better thanks to some horrifyingly beautiful artwork by guest artist Danny Earls.
Each scene in this issue builds suspense in a way that makes me eager for the next panel or page, but not in a way where I want to peak ahead for fear that something fantastic may get spoiled for me.
The Evolution of This Hulk
The opening scene is straight from a big horror movie opening. Everything seems normal, with one small thing keeping you off balance. When the big bad strikes, it’s eye opening. It sets the tone from the rest of the book.
I enjoy the subtle moments where we see the relationship between Bruce and Charlie has become something that’s just travel partners. They’ve been through hell already and it’s only getting started. To see him care for her now instead of just looking for a place to leave her is great. Not only has Bruce come to care for her, Hulk does too. When he’s transforming the back and forth between the two of them really shows that they are both anchored by a sense of responsibility for her. To see her make through this safely. It’s a great character development moment.
The highlight of this issues for me was Banners Hulk transformation. It was done with such painful body distortions in a long drawn out way that it reminds me of the infamous American Werewolf in London transformation scene. Danny Earls brings a minimalist approach to the issue that gives the feel of an indie horror comic, or even a indie horror movie. His attention to body deformities during kill scenes and transformation scenes are a thing of beauty.
Everything Points to 9/10
I’ve already said it, but I’ll say it again, I love everything about this book. Johnson is crafting an intriguing horror story with Marvels biggest, scariest character right in the middle of it. The creatures he’s come up with are larger than life, elemental horrors that can do more than physical or mental damage. They can attack the psyche. Not only that, Hulk has someone he actually wants to protect. These factors bring stakes to a character that is otherwise invulnerable. All that said, this issue has the two most important things in comics going for it: It’s fun to read and it’s fun to look at it.
