Review – The Incredible Hulk #1 (Marvel Comics)

Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: Phillip Kennedy Johnson
Artist: Nic Klein
Colours: Matthew Wilson
Letters: VC’s Cory Petit
Release Date: 21st June 2023

I’ve always been a huge fan of darker, body horror-esque Hulk stories over the years, and that’s exactly what writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson and artist Nic Klein deliver in the first issue of this brand new ongoing series.

In this new storyline, marketed as the beginning of the “Age of Monsters”, Banner’s ongoing struggle with a now-enraged Hulk to retain control of his body takes a worrying turn when the followers of the primordial ‘Mother of Monsters’ use their powers to turn every single monster in the Marvel Universe against the Incredible one. And this first issue feature some fantastic scene-setting and subtle exposition-dumping which works extremely well for bringing readers like myself who aren’t exactly up to date with the Hulk’s latest exploits.

I’ve been a fan of Johnson’s writing for quite some time now, and he throws out some admirably big ideas here. That said, it’s not all world-ending prophecies and immortal demons though, as – in addition to Banner’s own plight – he throws in an interesting sub-plot with teen runaway Charlene who finds herself fleeing from her abusive father and crossing paths with the big green monster.

On the visual side of things, there’s absolutely no denying Klein’s body horror chops, and the double-page ‘transition’ spread midway through the book where Banner is finally overpowered from within by the Hulk is absolutely stunning. The character design is also fantastic throughout, from the Mother of Horrors’ menacing “children” to the gaunt and utterly broken-looking Bruce Banner. I’m a big fan of the overall aesthetic here, and while it’s not perhaps as “realistic” as some previous titles (or as realistic as a Hulk book can get, anyway) it fits the tone of the story being told perfectly.

There are some truly stunning visual flourishes on display here in additional to the aforementioned transformation. My personal favourite may very well be Charlene’s moment of “redemption”, which is beautifully illustrated, with colourist extraordinaire Matthew Wilson doing a fantastic job of underscoring the raw emotion pouring out of the poor girl as she finally reaches her breaking point. Stirring stuff.

After a blistering setup, the overall premise we’re left with – where the monsters of the world of are directed towards the Hulk and urged to destroy him by the Mother of Horrors – is pure gold, and I absolutely cannot wait to see where this story goes next. Johnson and Klein have SMASHED it out of the park with this dark, horror-filled tale, and this is one hell of an opening salvo in what promises to be a gruesome, terrifying series. Highly recommended.

Rating: 4.5/5.

[PREVIEW ARTWORK – CLICK TO ENLARGE]