RED HULK #3 – The Battle of the Think Tank

Creative Team – Benjamin Percy(writer). Geoff Shaw(artist). Bryan Valenza(color artist). VC’s Cory Petit(letterer). Geoff Shaw & Marte Gracia(cover artists).

Published by Marvel Comics

Catch up with Red Hulk #2 here!

This review was written by Nerd Initiative’s Matt and yours truly, Megan!

The Story

After finally escaping Doctor Doom’s think take he created, General Thunderbolt Ross, is on the run to get as far away from Latveria as possible. However, Ross is completely drained of any Gamma radiation, which means he can’t depend on the power of the Red Hulk in escaping Doom’s plans and his Doombots.

In the Carpathian Mountains, Ross, along with Machine Man, Deathlok, and Dr. Simon Ryker, have come face to face with an army of Doombots, who have given them the choice to return to the prison, or face execution. Neither of these choices are ones that Ross has any plan of agreeing to. Instead, he needs to find radiation to absorb if he has a chance to take down Doom’s army. Ross makes a plan to head to a nearby nuclear power plant in order to juice up his monstrous other half, but they must get past the Doombots first.

Meanwhile, Sorcerer Supreme, Victor Von Doom, is busy in New York City hosting a general assembly to discuss the public’s concerns. This is cut short by one of his Doombots bringing forth the news about his Think Thank escaping in Latveria, causing Doom to delay the public meeting. It appears that if your Doombots can’t handle a problem correctly, then you have to do it yourself.

The Writing

Matt – Percy is working almost as though he can write for WWE as there is a build up to an epic confrontation between Ross and Doom looming. As a veteran I enjoy how Ross keeps very keen of his surroundings and how he has built his mind to keep looking towards various places so that he can stay strong despite his capture. Ross’s wits are on full display on this issue.

it’s a blink and you miss it moment when the team are told they’re on their own. Percy’s writing and inflections within the script showcase how Ross must remain strong as a leader but deep down he feels left on his own which as a soldier is something they teach you never to do.

Megan – I really enjoy the buildup of the tension between General Ross and Doctor Doom himself, especially when Ross is drained of his Gamma radiation. You can feel how desperate he is to finish the Doom problem himself, with or without his Hulk smashing powers. Additionally, the almost hopelessness that comes from Ross when he realizes that no one in the entire world is willing to step up and help him and his team due to the treaty they have with Doom certainly was felt in each panel.

I love what Benjamin Percy is doing with General Ross, as it shows a completely different perspective of the One World Under Doom Event. It’s a perspective of someone who has absolutely no idea what’s gone on in the outside world, and learning it all at once.

The Art

Matt – The opening pages of this issue showcase some terrific artwork. The issue starts by giving the reader a slow transformation of Ross into Red Hulk. Three panels in various stages as his body morphs, breaks, and twists which are incredible work by the art team in this issue. When it comes to capturing the determination and expressions from Ross they nail it down to the wrinkles on his face even.

There are some fun battle moments in this issue such as Deathlok using another robot as a shield, and seeing the Doombots form a giant Doom is menacing as the team scales it perfectly.

Megan – I found the artwork to be just as powerful as the story, as the artists did a fantastic job bringing this story to life. You could see the many conflicting emotions Ross was feeling by his facial expressions, thanks to the artist, Geoff Shaw. With the amount of action in Red Hulk #3, juxtaposing the many different emotions, it’s hard not to find yourself hooked into the storyline.

I have to say, my favorite part was the giant-sized Doctor Doom made out of Doombots. Seeing each Doombot break free to attack the former think tank prisoners was intimidating and spine-chilling.

Overall Grade: 8.9/10

Matt’s Grade – 9.0/10

Megan’s Grade – 8.8/10

Let us know in the comments below what you thought of Red Hulk #3!