HULK #37

[ OK, I KNOW 'THE REAL'
HULKS GREEN!!! ] 

I find that observations are always a prudent form of ‘assessment device’, to ascertain what is happening, how it is happening, and why it is happening in the first place. However, there are times in which actions make for a more insightful endeavor, as seen in this installment of old purple pants, Written by Jeff Parker; Drawn by Elena Casagrande; and Published by Marvel Comics in August 2011.

THE STORY:

Fear has its cruel clutches firmly grasped upon the marrow of the Marvel Universe, so what are the inhabitants of this lo-cal going to do about it?

For MODOK – he reminisces about his previous incarnation – he observes the actions of others from afar – and he waits until the time is right to take action.

For the Avengers however – they are divided in there actions concerning this fear – as Captain America and some of the gang are fighting these rogue elements in Washington DC – Hawkeye and Mockingbird are contemplating what to do next – and the Red Hulk commences battle against a possessed and supercharged Thing.

Prudently, Hawkeye and MODOK – plus the enclaved Zero / One and Black Fog – observe Red Hulks battle with the Thing from a shroud vantage point. And then, once the time is right – and the Avengers Tower falls down – the Red Hulk’s enemies use this time to jump to the fore.

To be continued.   

THE REVIEW:

Ooops! This is the first things that I thought to myself once I read this issue of the Hulk. As in essence, what this issue is trying to do, is amalgamate an existing Hulk storyline into the pretext of the crossover event, ‘Fear Itself’. OK, so why ‘Ooops’? Well, the answer is simple really – as both of these components are confusing at best, and this tale only manages to distil the essence of both stories into exposition heavy narrative.

Granted, you would have though that more words mean more subtext, right? Wrong – as the exposition ‘used’ – mainly coming from the mouth of MODOK – reads like an examination textbook, with no gravitas, no meaning, and no dramatic flair. Fair enough, MODOK is a logical character – so this seems to be in tone with who he is. However, this does not make it ‘good reading’ where a comic book is concerned – especially an action based comic book relating to a crossover event, an existing storyline, and f*ck knows what else. And in addition to all of this, the artwork by Elena Casagrande is somewhat inconsistent in places too – feeling like a mixture of styles ranging from Kirby, Niven, and Pope – and making the though line of this story strangely mumbled as a whole.

Now please do not think that the entire of this issue is all doom and gloom – as the inclusion of the Avengers and there interaction with Rulk was really nice to see – and I also enjoyed the way that the Rulk and the supercharged Thing kicked each others butts too. But apart from that... err... this is a pretty so-so issue, with exposition on heavy, action on light, and consistency doing a Salsa whilst balancing upon a Pogo Stick. Better luck next time Parker and Casagrande – as I am sure that you have it in you – just like the Thing.

THE RATING: C+