Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
Incredible Hulks #614
Marvel Comics
Pak, Kitson & Hanna
As Earth, as a whole, becomes aware of the sudden appearance of a planet in our solar system a couple of different factions begin to mobilize and plan for a defensive. Hulk's newly discovered son, Hiro-Kala, is riding in a fleet of ships towing a planet towards Earth to destroy it. It's not entirely clear how everyone on Earth understands this is an attack, but the gravitational pull resulting from the new planet is creating some weather issues. Banner knows better as one of his other kids, Skaar, lets him know that there is this other son out there and he is presumably out to kill him, if not everyone. This issue significantly picks the story up and the action. This was a solid read.
Hulk and his gang decide to take action against the United States' forces that are getting ready to head off into space. This may seem odd for a couple of reasons. First of all, the assumption that only the United States would respond to this is very convenient and slightly lazy. I would have liked to see more of a multi-national effort that would have had some of the Hulk gang heading to the far reaching corners of the globe to dismantle these efforts. Secondly, why would the Hulk cripple defenses when he knows an attack is imminent? Well, the second one has an answer.
Hulk seems to want to deal with his son, Hiro-Kala alone. This is a risky proposition as the entire planet is at stake. It sure makes for some good drama because the Secret Avengers step in to stop Hulk's smashing. The battle between the Hulk gang and the Secret Avengers is good clean fun and makes this issue highly entertaining. Sure there are some oddities, like Beast using a weapon, but for the most part the fight has some good match ups.
There is a backup by Williamson & Pierfederici that actually ties into the main story. This is a side story where Banner tries to explain to Skaar why he can't help him fight Hiro-Kala. It's a good story with solid character work and good art. Finally, a backup story that makes sense in the issue it's included in.
The art team tackles the fighting perfectly. It's loud, colorful and well designed. The issue is helped but a couple of splash pages but doesn't that make sense when you have a dozen or so characters fighting? Even the panels with the Hulk just smashing airplanes helps keep this story fun and exciting.
I didn't care too much for the first two issues in this story but things are starting to pick up now. I liked the inclusion of the Secret Avengers and I liked that Banner is trying to make this about him and him alone against his newly discovered son. This issue makes good use of the characters in the issue and helps to build up some tension for the next one. This was a good, all around read.
4 out of 5 Geek Goggles
