Immortal Hulk #17
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 sixteen 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, we learn that Rick Jones’s body was snatched and delivered to Shadow Base A. Hulk and Doc Samson sets onto a path that leads them to the military base. They are attacked by gamified monsters and HULK gruesomely tares them apart. All of a sudden, a high dose of UV light turns on and guts the gamma powers from the Hulk & Doc Samson. The artificial sunlight is strong enough to change Hulk back to his puny counterpart, but things are not quite that simple. Samson gets shot dead centered in his forehead and Joe arrives to “fix” what Bruce cannot.
Review
There is nothing that I can say to make you turn your back away from Immortal Hulk #17. If I told you that this book sucked gamma balls? You would still pick it up. If I told you they ruined the Hulk in this issue, you would still read it. You know why? If you have been reading this series, you tell me that I am full of crap, because you now trust Al Ewing and his awesome team. And, I am ok with that because none of those things are true, lol.
Immortal Hulk #17 begins with Agent “Bushwaker” Burbank playing cat and mouse as General Fortean and Dr. McGowan briefly discussing events that connect last issue to now. We do not see the Hulk in this issue, nor do we see Bruce Banner. It may be Bruce’s body, but it’s one of his multiple personalities, Joe mother-effin’ Fixit, as the leading character with a slight modification for what the fans may recall. Joe has to adapt to being Bruce level weak, but it’s his devious thought process and mobster-like skills are needed to keep ensure his counter parts survive.
Al Ewing orchestrates his story perfectly. As we have seen throughout the past sixteen issues, he weaves in Hulk’s history in a way that makes any Hulk geek moist. The intellect is screaming as the story continues to explore Dissociative Identity Disorder. Ewing intrigue his readers through a mental fun ride with enough mystery, action, and horror that will keep the shortest attention span person focused and eager to turn each page. Make sure you pay attention to the clues that lead to the cliffhanger. I have a feeling it will help explain details in the next issue.
Joe Bennett & Ruy Jose~match the skills of Ewing with a horrific eye candy display that consistently captures details of evil on a character’s face. The coloring by Paul Mounts takes enhances the fear and twisting your emotions from one panel to the next as each page is turned.
OMGOSH, Immortal Hulk #17 is so freaking awesome! It’s difficult to put into words the amount of praise this comic book deserves. As a true fan, you just need to pick up this issue and enjoy it for yourself.
Final Thoughts
Immortal Hulk #17 kicks ass, but I anticipate that the next issue will be nothing less than an ABOMINATION!
Immortal Hulk #17: Don’t @#$% with Mr. Fixit!
- Writing - 10/1010/10
- Storyline - 10/1010/10
- Art - 10/1010/10
- Color - 10/1010/10
- Cover Art - 9/109/10