Writer: Al Ewing
Art: Joe Bennett, Ruy José, Belardino Brabo, Paul Mounts, VC’s Cory Petit, and Alex Ross
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price:$3.99
Release Date: May 5th, 2021
Al Ewing’s IMMORTAL HULK has reached its climax! Reader’s won’t leave this issue with all the answers about the Green Door or the One Below All. Moreover, HULK fans won’t discover how the Leader manipulated and controlled the Green doors, as well as body swapped. However, comic fans will get the HULK finally back in rare form. Joe Fixit has returned! And not puny human Joe either. Nevertheless, this Joe Fixit seems stronger than ever and ready to take down an army if need be. This could finally be the break he needed! So, let’s smash into IMMORTAL HULK #46 to see just how this story takes shape.
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YOU AND ME AGAINST THE WORLD
What’s truly spectacular about this issue of IMMORTAL HULK is that Ewing has finally appeared to give our hero his fair shake. He’s been misunderstood, killed, blown to pieces, tortured, and all while the world has deemed him a killer and a threat. But by now, everyone should know you can’t keep a good HULK down. It’s only a matter of time before he gets the upper hand. It’s just a question of “when”. Well, Ewing appears to have finally given the HULK the prominence and strength of a true immortal and its rather epic readers.
My only real concern in this installment is that elements and aspects of the narrative seemed forced and simply didn’t jive. Without spoiling too much, a certain group “assembles” to try to take down the HULK that hasn’t been a part of the story for quite some time. This team, with whom the HULK has a ton of history with, just charges in without asking questions. Why not talk with him? Why not figure out what’s going on? Why not give him the benefit of the doubt considering their history? It would have made more sense and fit the characteristics of the individuals involved. Instead, this “assembled” team flies in, half-cocked, and starts something with a walking Gamma Bomb accused of blowing up Iowa in densely populated Manhattan. Really?!
My point: Ewing’s using characters he appears to know very little about in their current context among the Marvel Comic Universe at this time merely to pump up his book for a big showdown. Jason Aaron and Donny Cates’ versions of these characters wouldn’t have done this. It actually would have been more realistic for this Joe Fixit HULK to start something with them first. Readers, the fight Ewing wants still could have happened. It just shouldn’t have transpired this way. Furthermore, one of the characters waiting outside the bar (who should of went in to talk to him first ANYWAY), happens to be a close relative with some insight. Why didn’t she go in first to talk? The premise was just ridiculous to provoke a fight between two Goliaths that should never have happened.
ART
Joe Bennett was lights out as usual. His horrifying graphics continued to portray the powerfully unrivaled beast that the IMMORTAL HULK truly is while making him a terror to those around him. Readers can see the fear within the U-Foes eyes as he lays each and everyone asunder. Plus, Bennett’s become more creative with the layout of his splash pages and spreads that lent themselves to an easier read. The double-page features were timed to give each specific fight scene even more impact to the story, as well as the showdown to conclude the issue. Bennett’s going to have a field day next issue and I can’t wait to see what it looks like!
FINAL THOUGHTS
This installment was packed with high octane aggression and vivid fight scenes almost relentlessly. Plus, the guest stars and characters are literally overflowing out of this week’s installment of IMMORTAL HULK. However, I think the action and cameos mask some of the narrative elements and deficiencies that are pushed to the back, if not lost, simply to make these epic fights happen.
Don’t get me wrong; the issue is entertaining and fun. Nevertheless, the story is absent this week and to those fans that read multiple titles, they’ll notice the uncharacteristic portrayal of a few of the “assembled” cast of characters. If you’re solely an IMMORTAL HULK fan, you’ll probably have very little to complain about. However, to readers fully invested in multiple Marvel titles, this issue may be a bit disappointing. Let me know what you think, have a great week, and God bless!