Writers: Ryan Ottley & Donny Cates
Artist: Ryan Ottley
Inker: Cliff Rathburn
Color Artist: Marte Gracia
Cover Artists: Ryan Ottley & Marte Gracia
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Reviewer: StoryBabbler
The Hulk is finally in paradise. Bruce has found a world of gamma radiation inhabited by powerful gamma mutates who’ve built their own civilization and even revere the Hulk like a god. But despite everything looking good, trouble isn’t too far behind as Bruce worries that the evil Titan persona will act soon and he doesn’t know what to do. See what Bruce and the Hulk do as Titan strikes in Hulk #12.
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Review:
So the comic starts off with Bruce basically enjoying the view, and not only the view but the simple fact that he’s finally on a world that’s perfect for him. The people are not afraid of him, they’re not weak and fragile and won’t be easily harmed by his slightest actions and are tough themselves. Plus, the people not only like him but they worship him as a god. He’s got it made here, and that’s why he knows it’s only going to blow up in his face soon enough.
That’s the thing I like about this comic is that Bruce realizes that things are going too well and knowing his luck it’s bound to blow up in his face unless he does something quick. Especially with the Titan entity within him still lurking about and biding its time. Of course, the evil Titan isn’t the only thing Bruce has to worry about as the planet’s leader Monolith is concerned for him, or rather the Hulk and desperately wants to help the Hulk not Bruce. And as expected it all goes sideways for Bruce and the Hulk but how they deal with these conflicts is both interesting and feels right for where the character is at now.
The action, conflict, and drama in this comic all comes back to the fact that Bruce has finally found a tangible paradise for him and he’s aware that he might break it somehow. Not knowingly, but that some part of him will find a way to bring all of this happiness crashing down around him. And seeing Bruce and the Hulk try to deal with that in their ways is fun too see. Ryan Ottley makes this good to see with his artwork and he clearly doesn’t miss a beat with the facial expressions, paneling, and dynamic energy in the comic’s action. Ottley and Donny Cates also do a good job when it comes to handling Bruce’s internal conflict both psychologically and literally as the Titan entity finally starts to make its move this issue.
One issue with this comic is the same one that this reviewer at least has felt since the series’ beginning and that it’s retreading old ground. Mainly in terms of the trauma of Bruce dealing with the inner demons of his abusive father Brian Banner. Especially after the Immortal Hulk series by Al Ewing and Joe Bennet covered this in greater detail and attention. Don’t worry, that’s not much of a spoiler since the series in the last few issues has been clearly alluding to Bruce dealing with that. I won’t say how it manifests here, but the more keen readers can probably figure out what this inner demon has to do with the Titan persona.
Final Thoughts:
Hulk #12 delivers the next issue of Hulk’s life on the gamma planet. Everything feels like paradise for Bruce but trouble stirs as he worries that the Titan entity will strike somehow and Monolith only adds more to his plate of worries. Ryan Ottley’s art continues to be a major selling point for the series and the writing is right on the money with Bruce, Monolith, and the rest of the story. Considering how this issue ends, there’s going to be a lot of trouble for the Hulk to deal with next issue.