The less familiar character pulls a considerable sting, although his participation is well foreshadowed. A gladiatorial sequence is bleak, but unconvincing, the revelation behind assumptions setting most of World War Hulk in motion is weak, and in the Marvel continuity of the time Thor is absent, so the Sentry is substituted. Warbound most frequently just stand around and comment, although Hiroim has a good scene with Doctor Strange. To begin with, this is the best Hulk event there’s ever been, but it doesn’t reach the finishing line in peak condition. Doctor Strange is central, and his manner of coping with the Hulk a credible departure, while the obedience implants introduced in Planet Hulk have a significant part to play.

It’s reprised in even more spectacular fashion near the end, and equal consideration applies to similar scenes.Īs magnificent as it is, the sheer amount of pages require more than action, and while Pak’s plot is relatively straightforward, he delivers an emotional core by focussing on those who know they’re about to meet the Hulk. The traditional accompanying sound effect is absent, but we have the full vista via hundreds of impact lines, the glass shattering in surrounding buildings and helicopters wavering in the sonic reverberations. Settling on a single example, early in the book Iron Man accepts responsibility, dons his chunkiest, most protective armour ever, and flies headlong into the Hulk. We’ve all seen the Hulk battering someone through a building before, but the imagination at play here is far greater, and the compositions for the battle scenes are stunning, both up close and at a distance. The scene is set for the most spectacular scenes of Hulk mayhem ever committed to the printed page, and thanks to Romita Jr they’re provided. Both deliver.Īn evacuated New York serves as the primary battleground, and, as Spider-Woman comment s early on: “The Hulk’s stronger than he’s ever been and each of his buddies is almost as strong as he used to be”. Greg Pak continu es his impressive Hulk run with John Romita Jr on art. The Hulk and hiw new crew plan to deal with all the people responsible for his exil e.

Now bonded with the surviving aliens he first met in gladiatorial combat as Warbound, he’s returning to Earth with revenge on his agenda. This continues directly from Planet Hulk, in which the Hulk was sent into space, landed on Sakaar and became the figurehead for a revolution.

World War Hulk by Greg Pak