Fall of the Hulks

LOOSECANNON wrote:Inc. Hulk #607

With Siege out taking most of the press, Fall of the Hulks has really been a quiet event. Maybe that's because fans know War of the Hulks or World War HulkS or whatever title they come up with will be following shortly thereafter. That, and lots of doubters have steered clear of Loeb's work. I've heard his take on Red Hulk and the rest of the mini-event has been better than usual; still, I'm not seeing the types of high marks that Pak has enjoyed, even now, throughout his run of Hulk. As for this issue, it's the type you really enjoy reading, but in hindsight you know does nothing extraordinary.

And that's okay. For a "set-up" issue there's a fairly cool battle between Red She-Hulk, Skaar and the Avengers. For some reason Red She-Hulk doesn't piss me off as much as her male counterpart does. Maybe that's because of how Pak is writing her, or that she's a genetically-mutated alpha she-freak that's doing exactly what she's supposed to: smash. Sometimes playing by the books works. Despite the deus ex machina, I also liked her backup in this issue more than the usual Savage She-Hulk extra.

Again, Paul Pelletier's highly-detailed artwork--despite all the flowing bits of testosterone--proves to be the winner here. It's over the top enough to fit the Hulk saga, but not as cartoony or blimpy as say that of McGuinness. I'm not actually laughing at the action this time. Other than Loeb's shifty writing, it's one of the reasons I continue to avoid the other sections of the Fall of the Hulks. And to be honest, I don't feel like I'm missing much.

3/5 Bags&Boards - The most enjoyable 3 star book you'll find all week. Just don't expect any revelations just yet in this event...if ever?

Yeah FoH has been a pretty good read overall, especially the Incredible Hulk side of the story. So far the Intelligentcia has taken down: Doom, Reed Richards, Hank Pym, Beast, and T'Challa...that's some intellectual heavyweights. Plus Red Hulk has become somewhat interesting. And the art has been stellar in both books.

am I truly missing anything skipping out on Hulk and the other minis?

YOu missed A. Cho being told by banner that he was the 10th smartest, and not the 8th smartest person in the world. Man that screws with things...or it was something to throw the Intelegencia off of Cho's trail. Quantum Brain for the win. Could be because Banner knows that the smartest is val Richards.

This happens after Siege, so Marvel has the timeline a little fucked up at the moment, like it was put in a blender. I dnd't appreciate Herc's Death being spoiled in #607 as well as thor being back. Of the spoilers I just hope it means Mighty Avengers is staying together some how, the whole team was there.

LOOSECANNON wrote:am I truly missing anything skipping out on Hulk and the other minis?

Hmm well Hulk #20 showed how Beast and T'Challa were captured like was mentioned in IH #607. And its been providing some decent characterization of Red Hulk. Its been a solid read but nothing great...so its up to you. The art has been awesome though.

Incredible Hulk #608

If you look above at some of my earlier posts or reviews, you'll notice that this is the only Hulk book I'm following. Despite being intrigued by this whole mini-event/crossover, I still couldn't fathom buying a current Loeb-penned title. He's one of my favorites of all time if you want to talk about his pre-Ultimates work. Without indulging too much about the joke of a title they call Hulk, it's better said that Greg Pak has done his best with the tie-in material/editorial mandates he's given. While last month saw a lot of set-up, this entire issue is one adrenaline rush. The pacing is one huge Hulkbuster. If you're looking for anything more, maybe you should turn to those early-15th century Renaissance periodicals dusting up your shelves.

In a week with a lot of disappointing-to-decent Marvel titles, this one's close to a shining star. Yes, it doesn't conclude properly because World War Hulks is on the way. We know that. Yes, both the epilogue and back-up are pretty pointless, as well. But is the issue a wild ride? Is Pak's take on Banner among the best in the industry? It's not easy to make a middle-aged man with thick glasses--who doesn't resemble Edward Norton, mind you--as interesting and fierce as Pak does in this second go-around. Also, a lot less was put upon middling guest spots, and more about the core, Hulk-centric characters in the finale.

Pak certainly does his job. Yet it's Paul Pelletier's artwork that drives this book to the brink. Oftentimes the detail in the panels is a little much, particular to explosions; otherwise, it's as intense and luminous a Hulk title as can be. One could claim that D'Armata's coloring's a bit much, perhaps too bold in its outlining, regardless the art's still impressive.

If it weren't for the backup and concluding nonconclusion, Incredible Hulk #608 could've been Marvel's Book of the Week. Still, it's a fun ride that goes to show you don't need Loeb's other story bits to enjoy the Hulk.

3.5/5 Savage She-Hulks - Still unsure how I feel about World War Hulks.

I liked Hulk #20 and 21.... as much I don't want to- I do.

Me reading the recent Hulk books:



My reaction to the whole thing after reading the Hulk books:



This was silliness. And it wasn't fun. The She-Rulk story was even worse. And while I didn't mind seeing Domino stripped, that story read like bad fan fiction. They might as well had made that story into some good porn and had Red She-Hulk service Doc Samson or one big orgy. At least I wouldn't have been left with the bad taste in my mouth (any swish and swallow jokes will earn a thwack on the head.....no, not that head, the one with hair on it....no not that one...nevermind).

Incredible Hulk #608 & Hulk #21

Okay I think Fall of Hulks has been pretty darn good...and that's no joke lol. I went in expecting a huge turd, but this story has been damn entertaining. It's like an old school type of story. We've got great action and some really great character work on Banner by Greg Pak. Not to mention some solid stuff by Loeb on Red Hulk. We're slowly but surely getting some answers on all these ridiculously drawn-out "mysteries". And it looks like the Intelligencia have won this round and now have an army of Hulks for World War Hulks...

Oh and if you didn't read Hulk #21, you missed out on...

Spoiler:

Also, I think its pretty clear this story is happening after Siege in the new Heroic Age era. I dunno if anyone else caught the part in Incredible Hulk where Banner said War Machine was bringing his team of Avengers, which later seemed to at least include him and Beast...two guesses most of us made for the Secret Avengers.

Hulk #23 we finally find out who he is.

prescribeddrone wrote:Hulk #23 we finally find out who he is.

Sure they will. I have no faith in Marvel and what they say when it comes to Rulk. Anything beyond "Rulk teabags everyone" gets an eyeroll from me.

Dr. Wade Fucking McNasty wrote:

prescribeddrone wrote:Hulk #23 we finally find out who he is.

Sure they will. I have no faith in Marvel and what they say when it comes to Rulk. Anything beyond "Rulk teabags everyone" gets an eyeroll from me.

Yeah I'll believe that when I see it too. At this point I hardly care who Rulk ends up being. I dunno why Loeb loves dragging out "mystery identity" stories. He did it with Batman: Hush, Ultimates 3 with Black Panther's identity and Scarlett Witch's killer's identity, and now Rulk. I breathed a huge sigh of relief that he didn't do it with the new Ultimate X book...and not surprisingly its some of his best recent work.

Well they usually lie in clever ways. Not blunt lies such as-

HULK #23
Written by JEPH LOEB
Pencils & Cover by ED MCGUINNESS
Variant by ADAM KUBERT
WORLD WAR HULKS RAGES ON! Not a dream. Not a hoax. The Origin of the Red Hulk. 'Nuff Said.
32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$3.99

prescribeddrone wrote:Well they usually lie in clever ways. Not blunt lies such as-

HULK #23
Written by JEPH LOEB
Pencils & Cover by ED MCGUINNESS
Variant by ADAM KUBERT
WORLD WAR HULKS RAGES ON! Not a dream. Not a hoax. The Origin of the Red Hulk. 'Nuff Said.
32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$3.99

Well there is really no wiggle room around that.

Unless of course they show the origin, but the character's face is cleverly concealed in various ways, like the Octopus in the Spirit.

Dr. Wade Fucking McNasty wrote:

prescribeddrone wrote:Hulk #23 we finally find out who he is.

Sure they will. I have no faith in Marvel and what they say when it comes to Rulk. Anything beyond "Rulk teabags everyone" gets an eyeroll from me.

Bigtymin504 wrote:

prescribeddrone wrote:Well they usually lie in clever ways. Not blunt lies such as-

HULK #23
Written by JEPH LOEB
Pencils & Cover by ED MCGUINNESS
Variant by ADAM KUBERT
WORLD WAR HULKS RAGES ON! Not a dream. Not a hoax. The Origin of the Red Hulk. 'Nuff Said.
32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$3.99

Well there is really no wiggle room around that.

Seriously. I don't think Marvel knows who Red Hulk is yet. There still trying to decide.

Dr. Wade Fucking McNasty wrote:Me reading the recent Hulk books:



My reaction to the whole thing after reading the Hulk books:

Seriously though, I am enjoying both Hulk and Incredible Hulk. Probably more so because I am a fan of IH (the character).

In the least, we can say that we are getting more dialouge from Loeb in Hulk than the first dozen or so issues of the book.

I was thinking since World War Hulks is hitting this week, maybe this thread could be turned into the "Fall of Hulks/World War Hulks" thread. Good idea?

Bigtymin504 wrote:I was thinking since World War Hulks is hitting this week, maybe this thread could be turned into the "Fall of Hulks/World War Hulks" thread. Good idea?

No?

Not surprisingly, Pak's Incredible Hulk #609 was better than Loeb's Hulk #22. Pak uses the "Hulked-out heroes" but he doesn't take it way over the top like his distinguished colleague does. And he's done a great job with Banner and Skaar throughout this run...plus it was cool to see Doom armor-less in that simulated reality lol.

Incredible Hulk #609 was such a fantastic book until they slapped on a pointless Son of Hulk back-up on the end and charged us an extra buck. I would've approved the She-Hulk backups over this one. Much like Captain America's Nomad, I completely skipped over it...hence...

3.5/5 Bags&Boards - Would have given this issue a 4 if not for that. Pak and Pelleteir have been steady since the run's reincarnation.