Writer: Phillip Kennedy Johnson
Artists: Nic Klein & Danny Earls
Color Artist: Matthew Wilson
Cover Artist: Nic Klein
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $4.99
Reviewer: StoryBabbler
Hulk has arrived at Las Vegas and battled with Eldest, the orchestrator of the recent attacks from monsters old and new. However, the fight with Eldest did not go in Hulk’s favor as he was defeated and then later enchained via supernatural pact that Bruce made in the mindscape with “Betty” to save Charlie. Now, in The Incredible Hulk #18, Bruce and Hulk find themselves trapped with only Charlie left to help them.
Review:
Okay, things are really moving forward in the plot. Hulk reached Las Vegas and fought with Eldest, and lost. While Eldest had a brainwashed Betty manipulate Bruce in the mindscape to sign an “unbreakable pact” to give her the Hulk in exchange for reviving Charlie.
In this issue, we pick up with Hulk in chains, the Eldest prepping a dark ritual, and Charlie back in the world of the living. Not too much happens, but things get set in motion as Charlie, revived and even healed of her facial scar, tries to break out of her confinement and gets some help from an unlikely source. Meanwhile Eldest is trying to start her ritual but there’s some kind of force protecting the Hulk and keeping her from manipulating his body. All while Hulk and Bruce have a falling out with each other.
Like I said, not too much happens but things are moving forward with the three main characters. Charlie’s back in her own body but after meeting her captors realizes that she needs to get out pronto and wants to help Hulk. Of course, she’s just a preteen girl with no superpowers. But she does get some genuine help from a new member of Eldest’s monster cult who wants the Hulk to save her.
And thanks to Nic Klein’s art, the body horror and brutality in the comic gets to be on full display when it shows up. It all helps emphasize the tense and horrific atmosphere that this series has been going with. It also helps that Hulk is actively and indirectly resisting Eldest’s attempts to control his flesh, while Phillip Kennedy Johnson sets up a quick mystery as to what’s protecting him from Eldest’s touch.
Final Thoughts:
The Incredible Hulk #18 shows the next phase of the story as Eldest tries to control the Hulk, but she finds it harder than she expects. Meanwhile, Charlie finally returns the land of the living and is already trying to find a way to help him out. There’s not much action in the comic, but things are still moving forward in the plot. And we still get some good body horror with Hulk, Eldest, and a few other monsters thanks to the art team.