In this second issue of Incredible Hulk, Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Nic Klein’s portrayal of the Hulk’s rage redefines my favorite hero from a destructive force of nature to a terrifying supernatural entity with questionable means.
Ewing and Bennet’s Immortal Hulk showed me a side of Hulk that completely changed how I read the hero by incorporating one of my favorite genres: horror. The Lovecraftian themes and gore, Hulk’s scary attitude, and the complicated but wholesome relationship between Bruce and his Hulk personalities kept me glued from the first panel to the last.
Although I was soured by Donny Cate and Ryan Ottley’s run, I was ecstatic to hear that Johnson and Klein would be revisiting the horror aspect of Hulk and after reading the first issue, I knew I was in for another ride.
Like many other Hulk stories, I’ve read throughout the times, no longer was this about a misunderstood monster trying to seek redemption, sometimes peace, and sometimes to be the strongest there is, it was about a monster that embraced the fears and showed the world just how monstrous he can be. Once again Bruce Banner is a victim of the Hulk’s rage and finds himself on the run from his internal demons as the malevolent forces around the mysterious “ Green Door” hunt after him–leaving a trail of bodies and destruction behind.
Because this was the second issue I did not expect my questions answered but I did end up with more questions. Johnson’s horror was on full display with eerie songs, creepy foreshadowing, an undead cult, and more mysteries surrounding the green door and the creatures that hunt the Hulk. Who are these creatures? Are they part of the One Below All? Or are they the consequences of closing the green door shut? Judging from issue #1’s ending, does the “Mother of Horror”’s presence implies that supernatural-themed characters like Man-Thing, Ghost Rider, and the mole men will be after the Hulk? If so, when? I also hope to see more of Hulk’s interaction with Banner. Why are Hulk and Banner angry with each other again? What is Hulk’s reason for taking over Banner this time, other than just to be?
I am very eager to see where this story goes with the hopes that my questions will be answered sooner, rather than later, but if Johnson and Klein can continue keeping the story consistently creepy, bizarre, and just downright terrifying, then I am in for the ride no matter how long it takes.
Newsdesk