Welcome to the first issue of the Gamma Review. The Gamma Review will feature a new review every month of our favorite green-skinned goliath, The Incredible Hulk. The reviews will be written by Joseph B Canganelli who is just one of many who wil be joining Rob's Comics to bring you the latest and greatest reviews of many different comic books each month. Since Hulk #6 has yet to be released, Joe is providing us with a review of the previous 5 issues, so sit back and enjoy!
Hulk Issues # 1 to 5
Written by: John Byrne
Penciled by: Ron Garney (#’s 1-4)
Various artists on # 5
Summary/Review written by: Joseph B Canganelli
Summary:
As Dr. Bruce Banner tries to start over in a new town, the Hulk demolishes the town. Banner has no memories of the Hulk's rampage, but attempts to make up for the Hulk's actions by helping the disaster relief workers. It is very noble if totally pointless, since the next day, the Hulk smashes even more than the day before. The rampage ends with the Hulk nearly killing the daughter of the town’s sheriff, who let Banner use his room the night before. Emma is saved only by the will power of Banner, who keeps the Hulk from pummeling the little girl, and forces the Hulk to revert to Banner's form. In appreciation, the sheriff jails Banner. Next we learn that Tyrannus, has been using some alien artifacts to control Banner, and thus the Hulk. Tyrannus frees Banner, and brings him to his underground lair. Tyrannus then causes the Hulk to crash an airplane, killing over 300 people. Tyrannus then loses control of the Hulk, and the Hulk escapes, possibly killing Tyrannus in the process. We are left with the Avengers interviewing the townspeople, as to the Hulks whereabouts.
Review:
I hate the writing. I hate the slow pace of the story, the way that it drags, and the way that it repeatedly repeats itself. I love the art.
In the second and third pages of the first issue, a truck hits the sheriff’s house, and we actually see the Hulk throw the house nine pages into the second issue, and again five pages into the third issue. By 11 pages into the third issue, the story has progressed to exactly the same point it was at the end of the second issue, which was only about one minute after the end of the first issue.
Even with all of this, there is NO suspense. When the Hulk destroys the airplane killing over 300 people, we do not think for even a second, that the Hulk is responsible. By that point we know that Tyrannus is in control of the Hulk. The fifth issue is nothing but townspeople being interviewed by the Avengers, so the "plot" advances no further than it had at the end of the previous issue.
At the end of the first issue there is a back-up story written and penciled by Byrne, where he tells us that Nick Fury ordered him to do these issues in order to explain to the public what happened to the Hulk. So does that mean that Fury fired his sorry ass for taking five issues to tell a story that should have taken one??? Luckily there is hope. Erik Larsen has been asked to write issue eight, since Byrne was fired. That issue is defiantly one to be on the lookout for, not only because it will be the first one that Byrne didn’t write, but also it will feature a battle between the Hulk and Wolverine, which Larsen currently writes on a monthly basis. It could also be the beginning of Larsen writing stint on the Hulk, since he has showed and interest in doing the Hulk on a monthly basis.
No matter who assumes the writing duties, let’s pray that Ron Garney stays with the Hulk, as he is the only current reason to buy the book. His art has been incredible, especially when one considers the fact that there are barely any typical comic book characters pictured in the book. For the most part Garney has drawn regular people, barren landscapes, house, and cars; and has done a wonderful job keeping such normal things interesting. Though I am not trying to say that he cannot draw actions, just take a look 12 pages into the first issue and you’ll see what I mean. We are treated to five beautiful pages, uncorrupted by words, of the Hulk in top form, doing what he does best, destroying everything in sight, while mad as hell. Garney is the only reason to buy the book, and it would be a shame to lose his talents on this book.
