Writer: Al Ewing

Art: Mike Hawthorne, Mark Morales, Paul Mounts, VC’s Cory Petit, and Alex Ross

Release Date: July 15th, 2020

Price: $3.99

The battle with the Minotaur and Roxxon is finally over. The world ultimately knows who saved them. And, after years of being persecuted and detested, the Hulk is finally seen as the hero he deserves to be. But, is this all too good to be true? Can Hulk’s Shadow Base finally come out of the shadows? Can the world believe in Bruce Banner or even the Hulk? Does the Hulk really get a happy ending? Let’s smash into this week’s IMMORTAL HULK #35 by Al Ewing and see if we can answer any of these questions before it’s too late.

Hulk fans, do you remember IMMORTAL HULK #25 which took place in the far future? Gosh, that issue was overly confusing wasn’t it? Furthermore, do you remember how it ended? Well, it climaxed with the Leader intercepting a message from the future as the Hulk basically destroyed the universe. Furthermore, do you remember last month’s issue? It was basically a rundown/ backstory of the Leader and what he’s been up too. Plus, it also had a few minor elements of confusion sprinkled throughout that needed a bit more clarity. So, why do I bring this all up? I give rise to these ideas because this is the issue where Al Ewing FINALLY takes the time to explain a few of those confusing aspects of the series all within the first page of this issue. Readers, it’s a fantastic and well-needed recap and recovery!

This is THEE issue for readers to jump into this series before it ends at issue 50. After reading the opening page, you’ll be totally caught up with all the happenings within IMMORTAL HULK and can move forward with the rest of the fans easily. Heck, I even recommend a reread of past issues now knowing some of these hidden gems you didn’t know before. This was so needed for clarity, perspective, and purpose moving onward, even for the fans that have been following along since day one. I’ve had my speculations as to the Leaders involvement, as well as the Devil Hulk and the Universe-Ending force that the One-Below-All will unleash. However, now Ewing’s mission is clear and transparent, which was so needed simply to tidy up the run and cancel out unwanted inferences about the title.

Furthermore, this issue was extremely refreshing. For 34 issues, it’s had an overly dark and monstrous tone filled with violence and cerebral terror. However, this week pumps the breaks on that style and gives fans a warming tale of acceptance with the big jade jaws that’s been missing for a long time. Sure, most readers buy this series for everything I mentioned above and aren’t interested in the more uplifting side of the Hulk. Nonetheless, it’s good to take a break, especially from those more grotesquely violent tones for an issue or two. And IMMORTAL HULK fans, rest assured that by the end of this week’s tale, you’ll see the writing on the wall that things will probably be back to normal by issue 36. Heck, it may even be more horrific down the final stretch.

Additionally, this week’s tone fits perfectly with Mike Hawthorne, Mark Morales, Paul Mounts, and the rest of the crew. Joe Bennett’s style simply suits a more horror comic tone than Hawthorne and Morales. That’s not a knock on the art team, however, it’s simply playing to their strengths. If there was an issue to give Bennett a breather, this is the perfect issue to fit within the artistic styles and confines of the talent at hand. Additionally, a change in scenery is always rejuvenating and rebuilding, which I feel Ewing is using this week as an opportunity to refocus his narrative. In my opinion, there is a shift or change on the horizon within the story. So, Ewing’s using this issue to grab his readers and bring them all along for the ride. Sure, there may not be any huge cliffhangers or plot twists this issue BUT the warming tale mixed with the explanations and simplicity makes up for it in spades.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Overall, this issue was merely a change of pace to catch readers up and provide a jumping-on point for anyone interested in riding the IMMORTAL HULK wave through to the end. As usual, Ewing nails the multiple personalities within the Hulk and provides a vividly entertaining tale that leaves me wanting more each week. New questions will be drummed up before the issue is through while Ewing takes a slight pause to beef up the plot for the last 15 issues. This is a must-read to make sense of what’s transpired as of late as well as to discover possible directions moving forward. Readers need to grab this issue and put the series on their pull list while they still can. You’ll be glad you did!

8.8/10

If you’re interested in IMMORTAL HULK #35, click HERE to get a copy! If you’ve been really digging Ewing’s IMMORTAL HULK, click HERE to get your hands on related trades, volumes, and issues. Lastly, if HULK is your all-time favorite hero, click HERE to snag some of the very best issues and trades from the jolly jade giant. And finally, if you’re looking for something else to read, check out my Amazon Online Comic Shop by clicking HERE. Thank you all for the read and continued support. Stay safe and stay healthy.