General Information
Title: World War Hulk #1
Author: Greg Pak
Illustrator(s): John Romita, Jr. (pencils), Klaus Janson (inks) and Christina Strain (colours)
Original Publication Date: This issue cover dated August, 2007.
Cover Price: $3.99 US, $4.75 Can
Past comic reviews can be found
here.
Premise
The Hulk is back on Earth after the "Planet Hulk" epic, and he's not happy. In fact, he's angry. Really, REALLY angry. So angry, that he wants to smash things.
High Point
"Oh, hell."
Low Point
Trying to win through combat. The Hulk has NEVER been this mad, and they take him face to face? These people are supposed to be tactical experts! They need to restrain and calm him without the Hulk feeling like he's being restrained.
The Scores
This isn't original. This is old school, straight out, no apologies superhero combat. There's no angst or pathos. This is the kind of unrestrained, tried and true action fun we got from Stan Lee and Roy Thomas in Marvel's Silver Age. It's not new, but it's what the Marvel universe needs right now. I give it 2 out of 6.
The artwork is all in JR Junior's distinctive style. The storytelling instinct is there, with a slightly cartoony feel that fits the intellectually light content. The Hulk's imagination when recapping his history has a great shot of the Illuminati, shaded in red, that really sets Hulk's mindset. I give it 5 out of 6.
The story is about the Hulk, so there's little plot, and lots of smashing. That said, given that this is a Hulk story, there was more plot than I expected. The Warbound are applying tactical strategies of their own. I give it 4 out of 6.
The characterizations of Hulk, Iron Man, Sentry, Spider-Man, Dr. Strange, and She-Hulk are all very good. They are often brief, but they're well done. I give it 5 out of 6.
The emotional response is better than I expected. There's humour to be found here, particularly when Spider-Man sees Iron Man arriving, and lots of smashing. If you want a fun summer comic book ride, this is a very good bet. I give it 6 out of 6.
The flow is smooth, and very fast paced. If all five issues move this fast, it's going to make one heck of a trade paperback. I give it 5 out of 6.
Overall, this is a shining example of a raw action, fun comic. The Hulk describes it well himself: "Puny humans. I've come to smash." If that's what you're looking for, pick this up. I give it 5 out of 6.
In total, World War Hulk #1 receives 32 out of 42.
World War Hulk Review Checklist
- World War Hulk Prologue: World Breaker
- World War Hulk 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, complete
- Incredible Hulk #106-110
- World War Hulk: X-Men #1-3
- World War Hulk: Frontline #1-6
- Iron Man #19-20
- Avengers: The Initiative #4-5
- The Irredeemable Ant-Man #10
- Heroes For Hire #11-15
- World War Hulk: Gamma Corps #1-4
- Ghost Rider #12-13
- Punisher: War Journal #12
