The Immortal Hulk #16 // Review
Hulk! Bruce! Betty! Doc Samson! Rick Jones! You’ve got questions about these characters, and The Immortal Hulk #16 has answers. Though, they might not be the ones you want...Written by Al Ewing, with pencils by Joe Bennett, inks by Ruy Jose, and colors by Paul Mounts, if this issue doesn’t knock your socks off, you should question whether you were ever wearing socks in the first place. Previously, after a harrowing trip to Hell (yes, THAT Hell), Bruce was reunited with his longtime love, Betty. Unfortunately, the reunion was short-lived, because a government assassin named Bushwacker shot her in the head. Doc Samson showed up just in time for Bushwacker to escape, and for Betty to seemingly rise from the dead and disappear. Then, Hulk and Samson discovered that Bruce’s dead pal, Rick Jones, was missing from his grave. Deciding, for unknown reasons, that Jones’ body was the priority, Bruce and Samson set off on a mission to find it.
Ewing can do no wrong when it comes to this book, and every issue he writes further cements his instant-legend status as a Hulk scribe. This issue was no different. Narrated entirely by Rick Jones, this chapter of Hulk’s story is all about how Rick feels about Bruce and his monstrous alter ego. Perhaps, knowing both sides of Banner better than anyone, Jones’ perspective is unique, and a bit terrifying. He has both seen the good and the potential evil in his friend, and he knows enough to be afraid. The relationship between Rick and Banner/Hulk has always been an interesting one, forever changing, and yet forever the same, due to Jones’ involvement in the Jade Giant’s physical origins. Ewing seems to fully grasp all of that at once and presents it as a compelling study in the psychology of his title character.
Also, re-emerging this issue is reporter Jackie McGee, who has been chasing the Hulk all over America, trying to get an exclusive scoop on his return to life. Starting as a take-off of the old “Jack McGee” reporter character from the Incredible Hulk television show, Ewing has spun Jackie into a genuine, multifaceted character of her own that can stand toe-to-toe with any of Hulk’s classic supporting cast. Her surprising ties to the monster led her to become intertwined in his life, and now she’s no longer sure she wants that. It’s unclear what Ewing’s overarching plans are for this character, but she’s been on a hell of a journey, and it’s always a joy to see her take center stage.
No amount of praise can be given to this art team that hasn’t already been heaped upon them, but Bennett, Jose, and Mounts are some of the best in the business, and they were indeed destined to breathe life into the visuals of this book. May they never grow bored with the Hulk, or even think about leaving this title. It would be a dark day for the Great Green One, indeed, if they did.
In the end, this review was just the tip of the iceberg in discussing the exciting things taking place inside the issue. There are significant reveals for several characters, plus the insane swerve ending that will leave readers’ heads spinning, so there are plenty of reasons to pick up this book. Ewing is defining this title for years to come, in the same way, that Peter David defined it for a generation in the ’90s. If you’re a Hulk fan, and you’re not currently picking up this comic, you’re missing one of the best possible versions of one of your favorite characters. Run out and pick up the Ewing trades immediately!
