Writer: Phillip Kennedy Johnson
Artist: Nic Klein
Color Artist: Matthew Wilson
Cover Artist: Nic Klein
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Reviewer: StoryBabbler
Bruce Banner and Charlie have, expectedly, run into trouble. They first meet up with a family who offer to help them out, but of course danger is nearby as monsters approach the family and the drifting duo. However, the Hulk senses that danger, and so does the new Ghost Rider who protects this family from danger. Sadly for them, this Spirit of Vengeance sees the Hulk as the enemy. Read Incredible Hulk #7 to see the Green Goliath clash with a new Ghost Rider while trying to protect innocents from the Eldest’s monsters.
Review:
Okay, we get right to it: the Incredible Hulk vs. the new Ghost Rider! Fair warning, there will be SPOILERS throughout the review. If there’s one thing I have to say about this comic, if not most of this series so far, is that Nic Klein’s art is the best thing here. Whatever flaws or shortcomings there might be with the writing, story, or characters, Nic Klein’s art will always be great and the work he does with the Hulk and the new Ghost Rider here is nothing but sheer epic. Right out of the get-go readers are treated to two awesome double splash page spreads of the mighty duo’s initial fight before the story picks right up. Heck, even Charlie helps out a little.
See, this is a classic case of the heroic misunderstanding trope in superhero comic books but thankfully the comic doesn’t waste too much time on this and after a few big blows the two immediately recognize the true threat and get right to the real fight. Admittedly, the main monster isn’t much impressive, but once again it’s how the two anti-heroes take down the monster that impresses. Once again, this is thanks to Nic Klein’s art and Matthew Wilson’s colors.
Now, the story doesn’t really advance that much, it shows that after beating one monster several arrive to take its place. That said, it is horrific how the Eldest’s monster possesses old military veterans to turn them into new monsters. The comic also shows that its attack can have other side-effects on others including Hulk, which we see here. Speaking of the Hulk, we get to see him interact with Charlie and the others and it’s a little wholesome but it isn’t long before the comic reminds us that he’s not exactly heroic this time around considering what he does to Bruce when they transform.
The thing that keeps this comic from being excellent is that despite the initial epic action, the rest is just okay. The Hulk hanging with other people (it doesn’t last long), seeing the Eldest’s Monster possess other people, it’s all okay. Then there’s the point that these monsters haven’t really proven themselves to be real threats to either the Hulk or the new Ghost Rider. And speaking of him, we don’t really learn anything new about the new Spirit of Vengeance other than he’s been protecting the new side character little Leo, which most readers could figure out on their own. Heck, we don’t even have a name for this guy yet.
Final Thoughts:
Incredible Hulk #7 has the Green Goliath clash with the new Ghost Rider. Thanks to Nic Klein’s amazing art we get some great action with both of these anti-heroes for the first half of the comic. Admittedly, the story is a little slow on advancing the plot, nor do you learn anything substantial about this new Ghost Rider. However, the comic uses that time to build up some of the characters and the threat heading their way in the next issue.