She-Hulk #18
Planet without a Hulk
Part Four: Illuminated
Dan Slott – Writer
Rick Burchett – Artist
Cliff Rathburn – Inker
Synopsis:
At the conclusion of Marvel’s Civil War, She-Hulk became a member of S.H.I.E.L.D. and was assigned to the Hulk-buster team along side Clay Quartermain, Agent Crimson, and Agent Cheesecake. They’ve been told they’re searching for the Hulk, but all they’ve accomplished is collecting up the Hulk’s past villains: Wendigo, Abomination, U-Foes and ZZZAX. Such is the “Planet without a Hulk” storyline.
In part three, She-Hulk also fought a batch of rouge Nick Fury L.M.D.s – one of which started spouting off random information about Nick’s recent adventures, including his involvement in the Hulk’s disappearance. She-Hulk steals the Fury head.
She-Hulk skips out on the latest Hulk-buster mission and takes the Fury head to her old friends back at Goodman, Lieber, Kurtzberg & Holliway, hoping Mr. Zix can help decipher the information the head holds.
While the Hulk-busters defeat the Leader, Mr. Zix, with some behind-the-scenes help from Amadeus Cho, uncovers the secrets of the Fury head – she learns that Iron-man, Reed Richards, Dr. Strange and Black Bolt exiled the Hulk to outer space. She-Hulk is outraged and heads to confront Tony Stark, Iron-man! The two fight and, as She-Hulk appears to gain the advantage, Iron-man injects She-Hulk with nanites called “Project: Achilles.”
She-Hulk awakens to find herself changed back to Jennifer Walters – perhaps permanently. Tony reveals his master plan to defend himself against the Hulk’s inevitable return.
Review:
This book is rich in story line, Marvel history and character. It accomplishes more in a single issue than Bendis can squeeze into two 6-issue Avenger arcs. Slott is a gifted writer whose knowledge of the Marvel Universe and keen understanding of its characters is key to this book’s success. All sorts of supporting characters from throughout the Marverl Universe are able to make an appearance from Quartermain to Two-Gun Kid to Iron-man and the Illuminated, all building up to this summer’s big blockbuster event: World War Hulk.
Even so, it’s the She-Hulk who shines. Her inner conflict of abiding the law (she is a lawyer) and her love for her cousin Bruce Banner and her final betrayal from Tony Stark all lead up to a satisfying conclusion to the Planet without a Hulk story arc. Even without her gamma powers, Jennifer Walters still has fight in her and swears to continue to oppose Tony – if not with brawn, then with brain.
Brilliant.
The art by Rich Burchett was fitting but lacked the powerhouse punch this storyline really needed. When She-Hulk finally hears what happened to the Hulk, her reaction, which should have been the focal point of the story, falls flat and lacks impact. Thankfully the story still manages to translate her passion. Rich is more successful with the battle between She-Hulk and Iron-man. The fight displays a nice kinetic energy and laid out in a clear manner.
All-in-all, this is a must-read book. I haven’t been following She-Hulk closely in the past few years, but this storyline is a welcomed treat. And, it leads directly into World War Hulk.
Rating:4.5 out of 5
Planet without a Hulk
Part Four: Illuminated
Dan Slott – Writer
Rick Burchett – Artist
Cliff Rathburn – Inker
Synopsis:
At the conclusion of Marvel’s Civil War, She-Hulk became a member of S.H.I.E.L.D. and was assigned to the Hulk-buster team along side Clay Quartermain, Agent Crimson, and Agent Cheesecake. They’ve been told they’re searching for the Hulk, but all they’ve accomplished is collecting up the Hulk’s past villains: Wendigo, Abomination, U-Foes and ZZZAX. Such is the “Planet without a Hulk” storyline.
In part three, She-Hulk also fought a batch of rouge Nick Fury L.M.D.s – one of which started spouting off random information about Nick’s recent adventures, including his involvement in the Hulk’s disappearance. She-Hulk steals the Fury head.
She-Hulk skips out on the latest Hulk-buster mission and takes the Fury head to her old friends back at Goodman, Lieber, Kurtzberg & Holliway, hoping Mr. Zix can help decipher the information the head holds.
While the Hulk-busters defeat the Leader, Mr. Zix, with some behind-the-scenes help from Amadeus Cho, uncovers the secrets of the Fury head – she learns that Iron-man, Reed Richards, Dr. Strange and Black Bolt exiled the Hulk to outer space. She-Hulk is outraged and heads to confront Tony Stark, Iron-man! The two fight and, as She-Hulk appears to gain the advantage, Iron-man injects She-Hulk with nanites called “Project: Achilles.”
She-Hulk awakens to find herself changed back to Jennifer Walters – perhaps permanently. Tony reveals his master plan to defend himself against the Hulk’s inevitable return.
Review:
This book is rich in story line, Marvel history and character. It accomplishes more in a single issue than Bendis can squeeze into two 6-issue Avenger arcs. Slott is a gifted writer whose knowledge of the Marvel Universe and keen understanding of its characters is key to this book’s success. All sorts of supporting characters from throughout the Marverl Universe are able to make an appearance from Quartermain to Two-Gun Kid to Iron-man and the Illuminated, all building up to this summer’s big blockbuster event: World War Hulk.
Even so, it’s the She-Hulk who shines. Her inner conflict of abiding the law (she is a lawyer) and her love for her cousin Bruce Banner and her final betrayal from Tony Stark all lead up to a satisfying conclusion to the Planet without a Hulk story arc. Even without her gamma powers, Jennifer Walters still has fight in her and swears to continue to oppose Tony – if not with brawn, then with brain.
Brilliant.
The art by Rich Burchett was fitting but lacked the powerhouse punch this storyline really needed. When She-Hulk finally hears what happened to the Hulk, her reaction, which should have been the focal point of the story, falls flat and lacks impact. Thankfully the story still manages to translate her passion. Rich is more successful with the battle between She-Hulk and Iron-man. The fight displays a nice kinetic energy and laid out in a clear manner.
All-in-all, this is a must-read book. I haven’t been following She-Hulk closely in the past few years, but this storyline is a welcomed treat. And, it leads directly into World War Hulk.
Rating:4.5 out of 5
