Iann Robinson: Review Of The Incredible Hulk #606

This is it folks, the kick off of Fall Of The Hulks a story Marvel says will redefine how the world sees the green skinned monster. Whether or not that happens remains to be seen but with The Incredible Hulk #606 Marvel certainly ramps up the action. The Hulk has been going through some growing pains since the end of World War Hulk in the form of bad stories, awful dialog and hamfisted story arcs. However between Fall Of The Hulks Alpha and Gamma it’s beginning to feel as if the strongest there is has gotten back on track.

For those not up-to-speed with the world of the Hulk let me fill you in. Banner is in league with the Red Hulk whose identity is still unknown to try and stop the Intelligencia a group of hyper-intelligent villains including M.O.D.O.K and The Leader. Meanwhile Banner, who can no longer turn into the Hulk, is training Hulk’s son Skaar in how to kill The Hulk once he reemerges.

There’s also the little fact of General Ross having been killed by The Red Hulk, which has somehow thrown a monkey wrench in the Intelligencia’s plans. See what I mean, it’s really getting good now. Incredible Hulk #606 opens with a parade down the streets of New York to celebrate Skaar’s assisting the Fantastic Four in stopping Mole Man’s monsters (see TIH #605). From there things start to unravel quickly as the pieces for Fall Of The Hulks get put into play.

Writer Greg Pak shatters this issue into several smaller dramas that all seem to be leading to a huge climax. From the appearance of The Beyonder, to Banner seeing Betty Brant the wife he believes dead to an unabashed full on action battle between The Hulk and Dr. Doom. So much is going on in Incredible Hulk #605 that in the hands of a lesser writer this would be a mess. Pak manages to weave all these various parts into one issue without losing the fact that they are individual pieces to the bigger Fall Of The Hulks puzzle. As for action it doesn’t get much bigger than a fifteen-page battle between Hulk and Dr. Doom that ends with Doom screwed, Banner triumphant and Skaar being sent to help the Avengers. By the end of Incredible Hulk #606 I actually felt out of breath.

The art by Paul Pelletier is really top notch, though it’s obvious that he’s a big John Romita fan (Romita actually does the cover for the issue). Pelletier isn’t afraid to let this remain a comic book; he doesn’t get bogged down in trying to make the art hyper-realistic. Don’t get me wrong it’s not a cartoon either but rather art that pays more of a tribute to Jack Kirby than Alex Ross.

Pelletier also has a tremendous eye for drawing action and for creating movement in a two dimensional medium. The panels don’t stand individually but rather blend together in what feels more like a movie than a comic book. There is intensity to the violence that grabs you right away and doesn’t let go. I have no idea if Fall Of The Hulks will end well or if Marvel will blow it as they’ve done before e.g. House Of M, Civil War or Secret Invasion but between Incredible Hulk #606 and Hulk #19 it’s been a great ride.