The Immortal Hulk #44 // Review
Henry Peter Gyrich gets the spotlight (kinda) in this week's The Immortal Hulk #44, written by Al Ewing, with pencils by Joe Bennett, inks by Ruy Jose Belardino Brabo, and colors by Paul Mounts, but he is far from the star of the book. Previously, Hulk's old archnemesis, the Leader, came back from the dead and infiltrated the great green one's mind, abducting Banner and seemingly killing the Devil Hulk. With the two alpha personalities gone, Joe Fixit (the former Gray Hulk) was left in charge of Banner's body, and the "Big Guy" (the classic Savage Hulk) was left a withered shell of his former self. Still, on the run, and with the Hulk-hunting Alpha Flight under the new management of Henry Peter Gyrich (Marvel's go-to government a-hole), Joe tried to lay low until they could figure out how to find Banner. Unfortunately, Gyrich hired some of Hulk's old enemies "gone straight", the U-Foes, to hunt him down and kill him, if necessary. Now, a weakened Hulk must fight off a group of government-paid psychopaths who he's barely beaten at full power before. Can ol' Jade Jaws survive? The answers may shock you!
As mentioned before, everything about this book tells you it's a spotlight for Henry Peter Gyrich. He's on the cover, and he starts off narrating the story, as well. That narration continues throughout the book, but it becomes more sporadic as the story goes and only offers a little insight into his gruff exterior, rather than being a full-on character study. That insight is helpful in understanding his motivations, but it could have been something special if it were the main focus.
The issue's actual brunt is dedicated to an entertaining and brutal fight between the "big guy" and the U-Foes. Much like any of Hulk's enemies that Ewing has brought back, this team seems much more frightening and deadly than they've ever felt before. Originally created as a "what if the Fantastic Four were jerks" concept, Ewing has turned them into gleeful maniacs that take much joy in their torture and attempted murder of Banner...and they're much better at it than they used to be.
The art team of Bennett, Jose, Brabo, and Mounts are among the best in the business. Their visionary take on the Hulk will be remembered for years to come, and they're all clearly enjoying doing the best work of their careers. Every once in a while, an art team comes along that finds the book it was meant to bring to life, and this is the case with everyone involved here.
This book wasn't exactly what the cover promised, and it may have only inched the plot forward a little bit, but it's still tons of fun and leaves you wanting the next issue immediately. In the end, isn't that what any reader expects out of a comic book?
