Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
Incredible Hulk #609
Marvel Comics
Pak, Pelletier & Miki (backup by Reed & Huet)
Well, this issue surprised me. I hadn't any idea that this would be the issue to reveal the identity of the Red She-Hulk. So I am surprised that we learned it in this issue and I am surprised at her identity. However, the issue has more facets to it than just the reveal. Really, the issue is about Banner and his struggle with his captives. It's a good issue but the details make the story a little puzzling. I liked the issue but wasn't in love with it.
The issue is divided into two parts. The first part has Banner living in a strange utopia. He's married to Betty, they have a couple of nice kids, Thunderbolt Ross likes him, the Leader loves him and Banner killed the Hulk, making him a hero. It's an interesting little world and none of it is believable but Banner seems to be stuck. However, Banner gets a little coaching in this strange world from an interesting character. One that you might not expect to offer help to Banner. After some convincing and planning they figure out how to get out of their dilemma. But it just isn't that simple.
While Banner fights to get himself out of the mind control device that the Leader and company had him stuck in the action kicks in elsewhere. Skaar, Korg and A-Bomb are fighting off the army of Hulks making their way to Banner. Eventually the threads collide with interesting results.
The story confuses me to a degree because I can't fully understand the idea behind keeping all of these powerful prisoners, like Banner. I also don't quite get why the Red She-Hulk would be in league with the Leader now that the identity is revealed. It's just a difficult comic to fully understand all of the angles.
The backup story about Skaar's half brother is fine. It is a tough sell because the character is now just another offspring of the green Hulk and with only eight pages it has an impossible task of telling an interesting and complete story. I'm not a fan of the backups but this was well written and nicely presented. I only question the purpose of its, or any backup, existence.
Paul Pelletier is among my favorite artists. I have to say that when the action gets hot in this issue I had a difficult time following it. The battles that Skaar and company find themselves in are very tough to decipher what I am seeing. There is just too much going on with gigantic characters. On the other hand the scenes where Banner is in his alternate reality the dense panels add more to the atmosphere and story. It's a difficult balance in this comic book.
This issue will be remembered for the revelation of the identity of the Red She-Hulk. The story, the dialogue, the action and the characters in the story make this a good comic book. The plot details and some of the art bring it down a little bit. I am interested to see where this is going.
3.5 out of 5 Geek Goggles
