Writer: Declan Shalvey

Artist: Declan Shalvey

Cover Artist: Declan Shalvey

Reviewer: StoryBabbler

Well before the events of Immortal Hulk, we find Bruce Banner alone with his thoughts…and the Hulk. Every day he finds himself at a new place but with no explanation why. In The Immortal Hulk: Flatline #1, Bruce and the Hulk find themselves at a very tense moment in their lives but a new threat forces them to come together and find what makes them the strongest there is.

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Review:

This book starts off well enough with Bruce beginning his day like any other with the Hulk: waking up in tattered clothes in the middle of nowhere. Wondering why he’s here and what the Hulk did the night before. The beginning serves as an excellent jumping on point for all Hulk and Marvel fans, letting everyone – even Banner – ease right into the main story. Speaking of which.

The main story of the book is centered on a more emotional note that might take a while before it really works readers into ti. Shalvey seeks to tell a story where Bruce and the Hulk are at their most distant until a new face walks right into their lives and reminds them of what really keeps them together. What it is that connects them between Life and Death. Shalvey is able to work in a standalone plot yet also finds a way to connect it with the rest of the main Immortal Hulk series. The comic doesn’t spoil anything or use elements no one unfamiliar with the series won’t understand. It only alludes to what is explored without alienating either new and old readers while telling its own story.

Shalvey uses a strong eerie green as the de facto primary color throughout this entire comic book. You’ll see it almost everywhere in the comic. The lighting in the locations, in the characters’ bodies, and definitely in the fights. Green is everywhere in this comic, which is perfect for a Hulk book, let alone an Immortal Hulk book. This book is Green for Gamma!

The Immoral Hulk: Flatline Spoilers:

Now, there were a few times when I was confused about the plot’s main message, to be honest. But once I reached the end, it all made sense. Though I’ll admit, the big fight with Professor Noreen was a little weird for me. Don’t get me wrong, seeing a gamma mutate with telekinetic powers is cool, especially with Shalvey’s green colors worked into it. The problem is the Hulk is still fighting an old lady who literally ends up on her death bed by the end of the comic. Not the most epic fight but it’s cool for what it is.

Now, anyone expecting any kind of epic body horror or dark revelations as expected with the rest of the Immortal Hulk series will be disappointed. There’s a little bit here and there, but that’s about it. This comic is more standard fare on the Hulk action, but it is still good action.

Final Thoughts

Immortal Hulk: Flatline #1 is a comic for every Hulk fan out there. Whether you’re a regular reader of the main Immortal Hulk series, a casual Hulk fan or a fan of older Hulk stories, this comic is for you.

9/10