Immortal Hulk #14
Nicolas Duncan
Recap
Throughout the years, there has been many interpretations of Banner and his alter ego; Hulk. During, the “No Surrender” event, Avengers #684 issue by writers; Jim Zub, Mark Waid and Al Ewing explored the Hulk’s background of multiple deaths and the roadmap to The Immortal Hulk! – Now, Ewing articulates the best fan favorite features by taking a fierce lead to an outstanding new dark, horrific, and psychodynamic arc that keeps the reader on the edge at all times!
Over the last thirteen issues, we learned that Hulk/Banner can “presumably” be killed; however, the night is for the monster. Hulk has some sort of regenerative and absorbing abilities, but to what extent? Bruce Banner is taunted by the original trauma and his father’s strong grip. Although, Banner continues to have self-inflictions by his inner monster, Hulk executes the work that his other half is incapable to accomplish.
Last issue, “Fathers and teachers, I ponder, “What is Hell?” I maintain that it is the suffering of being unable to love.” – Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Immortal Hulk #13 is a stunning conclusion to our time in Gamma Hell. Judging from the revelations of the last issue, we’re just getting started. While the Hulk’s creation was an act of science, Ewing plays with the idea that the gamma energy comes from a place beyond understanding. It has helped shape this new persona of the Hulk’s into something more monstrous and with more purpose than any version of the Hulk we’ve seen before.
So, you have not been collecting the Immortal Hulk? GO GET IT NOW!
Review
Bruce Banner and Betty Ross have a long history and that is not good news. Immortal Hulk #14 focuses on Betty and she is dealing with a lot. She recounts various aspects of her father and how he was buried multiple times, but it seems that General Ross has been laid to rest the final time at West Point; where he has been dedicated to the military. There’s a single page of Thaddeus Thunderbolt Ross’ grave stone. Instead of having someone, like Captain America to talk about Ross’ achievements, we see Tony Stark. Who is not necessarily the one to speak highly of General Ross, who has been on the receiving end of the Red Hulk. However, Stark does his best.
Another many we see at the funeral is Reginald Fortean, who we have seen previously in the Immortal Hulk. Fortean seems to be funding the Shadow Base and alluding to the fact that he’s on the hunt for Bruce Banner. Fortean has some specific thoughts on what is needed to the status quo. Meanwhile, we jump to Shadow Base, where we see some sort of matter being pulled out of a container. This part of the story is far from over.
Back to General Ross’ funeral, where the rain pours down and we see Tony trying to make conversation with Betty. In his own way, Tony offers comfort to the grieving daughter, but Betty is outraged and just not having any of it. She realizes that both Stark and Fortean knew about the phone call from Bruce that we saw in the last issue.
Betty leaves the funeral and flies to the destination to meet Bruce. When she arrives and sees Bruce, she hates him. Bruce has been dead for months, why didn’t he call as she was grieving? Betty grieved more for Bruce than for her own father. Was that because she thought he was dead, or knew he was alive? Bruce deserves every bit of rage that Betty can muster; however, it ends in a passionate kiss. Their connection has been long overdue in this series. As the Red She-Hulk, Betty had an understanding with the Bruce/Hulk relationship. But, that was a different time.
As Bruce and Betty begin to reconnect, we learn that Fortean has an assassin sitting outside trying to figure out who he’s going to shoot. As Bruce unloads everything, that he’s kind of split, that his other half is not quite there for him and Jones is no longer with him. Betty is like, yeah, you teamed up with the people that killed him. Betty continues to rationalize everything, the good, the bad, and the ugly…
The assassin of Betty Ross causes Bruce to unleash his other self. Needless to say, you just have to get this issue to really appreciate the whole story! This phenomenal story ends with two cliff hangers that leave more questions and the excitement will make you eager for the next issue.
Al Ewing continues to recount Hulk’s history, the inspirations that have been taken from Bruce, and the influence of gamma onto various people. Ewing brings out a tortured tale of what kind of impact the Banner/Hulk has had. The art by Kyle Holz is superb in this issue, but not at the same caliber as Joe Bennet.
Final Thoughts
A must have to comic book collection!
Immortal Hulk #14: Undying Love
- Writing - 10/1010/10
- Storyline - 10/1010/10
- Art - 9/109/10
- Color - 9.5/109.5/10
- Cover Art - 10/1010/10