Expectations are weird, aren’t they? They inevitably shape your opinions before you’ve even had a chance to take everything in, and they’re relentless about it. At least mine are when it comes to comic books. Expectations push and pull me in different directions, and usually do my monthly reading stack more harm than good. So when I say that I expected Jason Aaron’s relaunched Hulk book to be a whole lot better, what I guess I’m really saying is “damn you, expectations. It’s all your fault!”
But now, after a shockingly lackluster opener, I’m happy to say the two words that best describe “Incredible Hulk” #7.1 are MUCH BETTER.
Written by Jason Aaron
Illustrated by Jefte Palo– Whatever happened to Bruce Banner…?
– RED SHE-HULK knows, and is NONE TOO PLEASED.
If I described the events of ‘Hulk Vs. Banner’, the first arc of “Incredible Hulk”, as a story that featured a bearded Hulk, adamantium chainsaw surgery, Hulk sharks, mad scientist hunters called the Mad Squad, Hulk sharks, Gamma Island, Banner pulling Kirby weapons from tree-shaped gun safes, and Hulk sharks, well, you’d probably be inclined to go ahead and read that. Afterall, these are exactly the kind of mad ideas we’ve come to appreciate from Jason Aaron on books like “Astonishing Spider-man & Wolverine” and “Ghost Rider.” There’s absolutely no reason a story like ‘Hulk Vs. Banner” shouldn’t work, and yet somehow it kind of struggles to do just that.
It’d be easy to blame the art. An almost immediate shift in pencilers, inkers, and finishers made things feel like they were built on shaky ground right from the start, and whatever consistency was there felt accidental. But artist musical chairs doesn’t explain why Aaron’s script felt unfocused and uneven. I’m not sure what happened there, but thankfully, with this week’s “Incredible Hulk” #7.1, the ship seems to have corrected itself nicely.
Without giving too much away (I know, I know, I’ve already spoiled the Hulk sharks), the post-“Hulk Vs. Banner” status quo finds the Hulk more alone than he’s been in a while, and for him, that’s not such a bad thing. And while he spends a portion of the issue seemingly enjoying his newfound solidarity — presented across two of the funniest pages I’ve seen in months — we’re not entirely shocked to discover that thing’s aren’t as neat and tidy as ol’ Jade Jaws would have us believe when Red She Hulk shows up and forces him to wake up. Um, on multiple levels.
Finally, we’re getting the Hulk book you want Jason Aaron to write. This issue was funny, and brutal, and finally felt like it was going somewhere. Aaron uses the issue to spend some quality time inside the Hulk’s head, and you suddenly realize that this is a story about him. Not Banner, or Banner’s attempt to contain or cure himself, but about the Hulk learning how to finally be alone, and that’s a story I can’t wait to read
Aaron is joined by artist Jefte Palo, who probably should’ve been drawing this book from the get-go. Palo is a wonderful storyteller, and does an amazing job of making the issue both emotional and funny, sometimes at the same time. His page layouts are pretty simple, but he keeps your eyes moving and focused on all the right stuff. His take on the Hulk’s face is sometimes a little too human, maybe, but I think it’s more a stylistic choice than a “getting it wrong” thing.
Next month, Aaron reunites with his “Punisher: MAX” co-creator Steve Dillon to kick off a brand new arc called ‘Stay Angry’, wherein the Hulk must, presumably, stay angry. That’s a solid sounding premise, sure, but before this issue, I don’t know if I could have told you I’d be sticking around for it. But “Incredible Hulk” got really good this month, and if it’s any indication of things to come, Jason Aaron’s set to bring the SMASH!
Final Verdict: 8.75 – Definitely a buy. Don’t give up on this book yet.
