2018
http://blacknerdproblems.com/the-immortal-hulk-the-best-defense-1-review/
Writer: Al Ewing / Artist: Simone Di Meo / Marvel
With Bruce Banner wrapped up in a murder mystery, Al Ewing pens an excellent first issue as Simone Di Meo breathes Earthy life into each panel. If the opening words of this issue fail to sent shivers down your spine, the cathartic walk stumble through the desert and bone chilling thoughts that Bruce must navigate on a daily basis might spook the most indomitable of wills.
There is so much to like about this Hulk alone, lost in New Mexico tale. The first panel is an ode to OG Hulk, and a much simpler time in comics. What’s interesting, is the old school comic inclusion doesn’t end with that opening shot, oh no. We’re treated to a handful of scenes that splice in throwback panels to compliment the storytelling unimaginably well. If there was a letter at the end of this one, I’m 99% sure it would be a love letter to the original six-issue Incredible Hulk run from 1962 and how it changed Ewing or Di Meo, and sparked the inspiration for this Defenders tie in. Luckily, it’s only a peppering of images because the actual book is so well done that you don’t want it to be overshadowed or cluttered.
There is a fitting balance of tenacity and caution in Bruce Banner’s search for the killer of his friend…or friend of a friend, if you will. When he manages to come across someone who might be of some use, the inevitable happens. No, no not the big green guy. The unusual for a genius scientist, yet typical for Bruce Banner, fistticuffs. While the fight was vicious and bloody, there are some outstanding stylized moments of green eyes bulging out of Bruce’s head, and a horrifying set of teeth jutting out from his jaw. It’s those faint reminders of how devastating any encounter with Bruce could be. This almost feels like superheroes set in the world of The Walking Dead, and I’m here for it.
The end of this issue provides an intriguing twist in the formation of The Defenders. Hulk lies dormant for a majority of this issue, but once he’s unleashed from his cerebellum prison, it’s payback time. I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy a couple jokes as Bruce and Hulk play sheriff in this ghost town, but the constant feeling of dread is what did it for me. I’ve heard plenty of great things about Al Ewing, but I’m glad I finally get to witness the greatness first-hand. His issue-long theme of revealing man’s hidden true self was a welcome angle. This Defenders journey to unite the forces of Namor, Hulk, Dr. Strange, and Silver Surfer has been fun so far. We’ve only gotten looks at 2 of our heroes and while Namor was a grand exploration of Atlantean lore, The Immortal Hulk hits all the right notes and is leading the pack by shining in tone and writing.
8.5 Faces Underneath out of 10
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The post The Immortal Hulk: The Best Defense #1 Review appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.
Writer: Al Ewing / Artist: Simone Di Meo / Marvel
With Bruce Banner wrapped up in a murder mystery, Al Ewing pens an excellent first issue as Simone Di Meo breathes Earthy life into each panel. If the opening words of this issue fail to sent shivers down your spine, the cathartic walk stumble through the desert and bone chilling thoughts that Bruce must navigate on a daily basis might spook the most indomitable of wills.
There is so much to like about this Hulk alone, lost in New Mexico tale. The first panel is an ode to OG Hulk, and a much simpler time in comics. What’s interesting, is the old school comic inclusion doesn’t end with that opening shot, oh no. We’re treated to a handful of scenes that splice in throwback panels to compliment the storytelling unimaginably well. If there was a letter at the end of this one, I’m 99% sure it would be a love letter to the original six-issue Incredible Hulk run from 1962 and how it changed Ewing or Di Meo, and sparked the inspiration for this Defenders tie in. Luckily, it’s only a peppering of images because the actual book is so well done that you don’t want it to be overshadowed or cluttered.
There is a fitting balance of tenacity and caution in Bruce Banner’s search for the killer of his friend…or friend of a friend, if you will. When he manages to come across someone who might be of some use, the inevitable happens. No, no not the big green guy. The unusual for a genius scientist, yet typical for Bruce Banner, fistticuffs. While the fight was vicious and bloody, there are some outstanding stylized moments of green eyes bulging out of Bruce’s head, and a horrifying set of teeth jutting out from his jaw. It’s those faint reminders of how devastating any encounter with Bruce could be. This almost feels like superheroes set in the world of The Walking Dead, and I’m here for it.
The end of this issue provides an intriguing twist in the formation of The Defenders. Hulk lies dormant for a majority of this issue, but once he’s unleashed from his cerebellum prison, it’s payback time. I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy a couple jokes as Bruce and Hulk play sheriff in this ghost town, but the constant feeling of dread is what did it for me. I’ve heard plenty of great things about Al Ewing, but I’m glad I finally get to witness the greatness first-hand. His issue-long theme of revealing man’s hidden true self was a welcome angle. This Defenders journey to unite the forces of Namor, Hulk, Dr. Strange, and Silver Surfer has been fun so far. We’ve only gotten looks at 2 of our heroes and while Namor was a grand exploration of Atlantean lore, The Immortal Hulk hits all the right notes and is leading the pack by shining in tone and writing.
8.5 Faces Underneath out of 10
Reading The Immortal Hulk? Check out BNP’s other reviews here.
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The post The Immortal Hulk: The Best Defense #1 Review appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.
Right before Christmas, Earth will have a close encounter with a comet that’s set to be the brightest comet of the year. Dubbed the “Christmas comet,” Comet 46P/Wirtanen will be making a close […]
The post ‘Christmas Comet’ Will Be Brightest Comet of the Year appeared first on Geek.com.
Writer: Donny Cates / Artist: Ryan Stegman / Marvel
The latest arc of Venom is off to an intriguing start. The last couple of issues brought many revelations in the wake of Eddie’s battle with Knull, the Symbiote god. First, we learned that the Venom symbiote has changed drastically as it is no longer able to talk and has been taking Eddie’s body for joyrides. It also doesn’t help that it’s been erasing the man’s memories of various incidents.
Another bombshell dropped is the death of Flash Thompson aka Agent Venom, which is news for those of us who haven’t kept up with the various other books in the Spider-Verse. And with this new status quo established, Danny Cates ushers us into a new, more personal arc of Venom that is Moreno, like the kind of story that I’m looking forward to seeing.
There was a lot about Donny Cates first arc that I didn’t like. The whole Symbiote god story wasn’t exactly the kind of story that really fits within the Venom mythos. However, the aftermath of Knull has left us off with a great starting off point for this new arc and a wrinkle in the Eddie/Symbiote relationship.
One of the things that Cates did very well was his portrayal of the dysfunctional Venom relationship. With the symbiotic sort of losing its voice, it sends Eddie in a bit of a depressive state and on a journey of self-discovery. While the internet may make fun, or stan in some cases, for the loving relationship that Eddie and the symbiote have, Cates proves that it works really well for story development.
You can see just how much Eddie is affected by the symbiote’s new simplistic state and just how much trouble he has communicating with it. It’s like he has to rebuild his relationship with the thing all over again and deal with the new persona his partner has become.
There is a lot of other great character moments as well. I like the confrontation Eddie has with his father and the dive we take into his past. We’re reminded that Eddie’s life was troubled way before he became Venom. If you think about it, his past might even be the reason Venom was birthed to begin with. Towards the end of the issue, Eddie deals with some unexpected revelations. I’m looking forward to seeing how the Abyss arc dives into the family drama down the line.
8.5 Symbiote Pups out of 10
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