HULK #50

[ SPOOKY SALE ] 

Can the Hulk really be scared? And does e equal m c squared? Ross knows the score. Betty stamps her foot on the floor. And Machine man is visually impaired. Or then again why don't you read this mumbo-jumbo-sized issue Written by Jeff Parker; Drawn by Carlo Pagalayan and Dan Brereton; and Published by Marvel Comics in May 2012.

So what’s the STORY morning glory?

This bumper sized issue of the Hulk has two spooky stories in it. The initial one is the first part of a present day tale called 'Haunted Hulk'. Whereas the subsequent one is a tale of times past called 'The Objective'.

HAUNTED HULK:

Now who do you think can help Rulk find out more about these mysterious apparitions that plague him at his every move?

Machine Man? No. He suddenly goes on the blink.

What about the Avengers then? Maybe - if Rulk bothers to ask them.

OK, so it must be Doctor Strange, right? He's the master of all things mysterious. Well, 'yes' and 'no' really. No - because at first he seems more interested in Rulk's daughter, Betty, due to the fact that she is part of his own 'Defenders' team. And yes - when Rulk gets attacked by two dead being brought back to life some time later - Major Glenn Talbot and the Abomination - whom he zaps away. 

Or does he?

To be continued...

THE OBJECTIVE:

All Colonel Ross and his men have to do, is break into a deserted Castle located somewhere in the Pyrenees, and then retrieve a locket of alternate origins. Simple, right?

No.

This locket is of mystical origin possesses Ross' men one at a time, turning them into monsters. And he only manages to overcome these strange turn of events when he finally decides to take matters into him own hands, BANG! Or is that gun?

Afterwards, sh*t happens. As well as a promotion.

What is the most memorable SENTENCE OR CONVERSATION spoken in this issue?

In the scene with Ross and his Daughter, Betty, hiking through the mountains, I very much enjoyed their short tête-à-tête together.  

BETTY: You know what is the most incredible for me? We have been here three days and we haven't argued once.

ROSS: Yeah. I think that... a Hulk is where the rage goes, right? Seems to make it easier when I am normal. Not that I ever get to stay that long.

Sounds almost therapeutic, just in the way that Father and Daughter can speak so freely to each other.

What was the BEST thing about this issue?

There were quite a few things to like about this book all in all. For example: (1) The Avengers cameo - although it didn't really go anywhere. (2) The scene with Ross and Betty together - because it added a nice personal touch. And (3) I have always liked Doctor Strange as a character - especially when you get to see a more diverse side to him.

What was the WORST thing about this issue?

Hmmm. I suppose my only miniscule gripe with this issue, was that the back-up feature needed to have some added girth to the characters who were killed, because otherwise who cares if they die or not. Correct?

Also, where the main feature was concerned, it did feel like a very blatant set-up type-tale conceptually. With the Abomination and Talbot added for dramatic effect and no real relevance. But then again, that is what it was supposed to be, huh?

What was the most CREATIVE thing about this issue?

STORY: I like the way that Jeff Parker took the concepts of the supernatural, and then spun two very diverse tales within this title. Granted, I did prefer 'Haunted' much more than 'Objective'. But that is just because this initial story shows the promise of things to come.

ART: The two artists on this book really did float my boat I can tell you. Carlo Pagalayan draws a very bold and dynamic tale which is steeped in both adventure and personality. Whereas Dan Brereton is just a supremely fine artist, whose painted style suits a mystical journey down to the ground.

If you had to CAST TWO CHARACTERS in this comic book, who would they be and why?

YOUNG ROSS: Just slap a tash on Aaron Eckhart, and he would be a nice fit for the younger Ross. OK, I know that he was 'Two-Face' in 'The Dark Knight'. But this just gives him some practice to play dual characters.

OLD ROSS: Just look at that picture God damn it! And tell me that Brian Dennehy isn't the spit for senior Ross. Granted, he is a bit older now. But that is why they created special effects! To make old things new again.

If this issue had a MOVIE TAG LINE, what would it be?

If A Monster Is Scared Of A Ghost, What Chance Does A Regular Joe Have? If Not Regular Joe, Red Ross.

If this issue were a MOVIE, an OBJECT, or a piece of MUSIC, what would that be and why? 

OK, so there was supernatural theme running though this issue. Therefore, with this in mind, I would surmise that the theme tune for 'The Exorcist' would be a very nice match. It's dynamic, scary, and gives off the impression that a journey is taking place.

Tubular Bells be damned.

FINAL thoughts...

I know that I have not mentioned it as of yet, but I felt that the complementary inserts at the back of this book were a real treasure trove of Rulk related facts. Basically, this section tells you all you need to know about Rulks origins, Rulks foes, plus a tease to Rulks future with a nifty interview with Jeff Parker. Not too detailed though, just a taster.   

MARKS out of 10? 8.5