Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
Incredible Hulk #3
Marvel Comics
Aaron, Silvestri & Gho
Yikes, this relaunch is shaping to be a real misfire. The third issue continues to tell a very slow story but it adds a lot of fighting to make it appear like something is happening. This series is beginning to remind me a lot of Jeph Loeb's Hulk series except the Hulk is fighting monsters this time around instead of Marvel super-hero guest stars. I understand Aaron is trying to build up Hulk as his own entity (without Banner) and give him some purpose for getting involved with Banner again, but this story is just not dense enough. This is another disappointing issue.
The issue teases just who and why Banner and Hulk were separated. To be honest, I don't even care that this was teased because I actually don't need to know why or how this was done because we've seen this before. It doesn't even bother me that there is a mystery to the identity of the person who appears to do the separating. All of this isn't the story. The story would be more than enough getting Hulk and Banner to let out their grievances.
But the comic book doesn't let the audience know what Banner thinks of the Hulk or what he thinks of the separation. Instead it is too focuses on Banner trying to get back to gamma power. The Hulk is too focused on avoiding Banner without much of an explanation. This is the book where it would make a lot of sense to get into the Hulk's mind to understand his flip-flop from the previous issue. Instead it just plows into the action.
This issue has Banner's monsters tracking down the Hulk by attacking his underground friends. Obviously the assault on the underground pals drives the Hulk into action against Banner but we never understand what the Hulk actually cares about. He even sends his little buddies away, seemingly to protect them further harm, but with no understanding or feeling behind it. He's just barking out commands.
The issue is basically one big battle and it's pretty to look at, even if it does drag on for a few pages too many. Silvestri's style leaves a lot to be desired in the expression department and with no credit to an inker I have to assume it wasn't inked which leaves the book with a ton of loose ends in the pencils. Generally the story flows okay but is far from the best visual book I've seen from Silvestri.
Hulk is one of my favorite characters and Aaron is on the short list of my favorite writers but this book just isn't doing it for me. Obviously there is still room for the story to take shape but this book is simply dragging on too much at this point. Loeb's book's flaw was the mystery being teased again and again, but this book's flaw, so far, is that its taking issue after issue just to get Banner and Hulk to meet up with little reason or argument as to why they should or should not. This is a frustrating book unless you like pure action.
2 out of 5 Geek Goggles
