The Age of Monsters dawns as the Hulk breaks free from Banner’s control! A new evil looms in The Incredible Hulk #1 by Marvel Comics. Brace yourself for the thrilling chaos!

THE INCREDIBLE HULK #1

Writer: Phillip Kennedy Johnson
Artist: Nic Klein
Colorist: Mathew Wilson
Letterer: Cory Petit
Editor: Wil Moss
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: June 21st, 2023 

Previously in The Incredible Hulk: In a world where scientist Bruce Banner’s transformation into the Gamma monster known as the Hulk has been an ongoing struggle, recent events have pushed the boundaries of his control. Together, Bruce and the Hulk managed to seal the Green Door, which brought back Bruce’s estranged wife, Betty Ross, from the dead. However, the Hulk now fights to dominate Bruce’s body, and it appears Bruce is losing himself once again.

The Incredible Hulk #1 kicks off with a group of grave robbers in Iraq, unwittingly releasing a new menace upon the world. The monster believes it must free their siblings because the Green Door has been closed. Meanwhile, Bruce Banner finds himself on the run and seeks refuge at a diner. Unfortunately, he loses control, wreaking havoc and destroying the entire place. Once again, on the run, he becomes the target of both the FBI and a peculiar group. This group includes the resurrected Betty Ross and a woman claiming to be the Mother of Monsters’ eldest daughter.

Meanwhile, a young woman named Charlene attempts to flee her abusive father by stealing the family car. In a twist of fate, her father wakes up and gives chase. Intent on killing her, he tries to run her down but crashes into a tree. Seizing the opportunity, Charlene overpowers her father and escapes into the nearby forest, where she unexpectedly crosses paths with the Hulk.

The Incredible Hulk #1 took me by surprise. Visually, it evoked the atmosphere of a horror story, with its dark corners and bursts of vivid colors. Thematically, it tackles themes of abuse and death head-on. As someone who hasn’t kept up with recent Hulk titles, I didn’t anticipate this departure from the usual struggle of a man trying to control his inner monster. Instead, it felt like a dystopian future filled with violence. After some contemplation, I realized I needed to approach this comic with a horror genre mindset, allowing me to appreciate its thematic depth. The comic effectively delves into the concept of managing our darkest instincts, which has always been central to the Hulk’s narrative. In that regard, the creative team deserves praise for their execution.

The complexity of the Hulk/Banner relationship has always fascinated me. Exploring the implications of anger and frustration as a tangible (and green) embodiment is a profoundly intricate endeavor. When we examine characters like Maestro or Worldbreaker Hulk, we encounter the depth and complexity of these ideas. However, The Incredible Hulk #1 ventures into a genre that typically doesn’t captivate me. Nevertheless, it manages to handle its subject matter skillfully. Considering everything, I give this comic issue a rating of 4 out of 5.

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The Incredible Hulk #1

80%

80%

Well Done

The Incredible Hulk #1 provides a captivating premise for what could be a thrilling series, although it's important to understand that it incorporates significant horror elements.

• Writing

  8
• Art

  8
• Coloring

  8
• User Ratings (1 Votes)
  7.6