REVIEW: Horror Galore in ‘The Immortal Hulk: Time of Monsters #1’
Here’s the thing about Dr. Bruce Banner… you might think you’re just dealing with the one guy, but you’re actually dealing with two. This is also true for The Immortal Hulk: Time of Monsters #1, which includes two different Hulk stories! They are each very different, and both totally horrific… so if that’s your idea of a good time, Marvel Blog True Believers, get ready for gory green occurrences galore!
The Immortal Hulk: Time of Monsters #1. Photo: Marvel Comics
One quick note before we begin: while this title is technically a spin-off of the ongoing The Immortal Hulk series, you don’t need to have read any of that in order to enjoy this issue!
Time of Monsters
The first story is “Time of Monsters” by Alex Paknadel, Al Ewing, Juan Ferreyra, and Cory Petit.
The Epic of Gilgamesh. Photo: Marvel Comics
“Time of Monsters” is set in Jordan in 9,500 B.C., and this story explores humanity’s early, primal fears – so it’s no coincidence that this story opens with a quotation from The Epic of Gilgamesh!
While you may be wondering why a story set so long in the past is included in a Hulk collection, suffice to say that by the comic’s conclusion, you will have no more questions! This story combines everything you’d expect from a Hulk story in a new setting, rendering the tale fresh once again.
Photo: Marvel Comics
And Ferreyra’s art is just killer, especially in the body horror segments, which see Hulk-flesh melting off bones and slowly reforming… Wow! Great gory action galore! Plus, the credits give special thanks to Professor Natalie Munro and Dr. Stephen Curtis, so I have to assume some of the historical aspects in this story were well-researched.
The Immortal Hulk: Time of Monsters #1. Photo: Marvel Comics
As a HUGE fan of the golem elements of Hulk’s original backstory, I think this addition is very cool!
A Little Fire
The second story is “A Little Fire” by David Vaughan and Kevin Nowlan. This is another horror story, but this time, our familiar version of the Hulk, Dr. Banner, is the monster!
“I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas any more!” – Dr. Banner/Mr. Hulk Photo: Marvel
My favorite part of this story is the fact that it is an extended riff on The Wizard of Oz, featuring allusions through dialogue, through the villain (the Scarecrow, naturally).
Photo: Marvel Comics
Plus, best of all OZ allusions, through color: the comic, which is set at the Emerald Theater in Verdigris, Kansas, is in black and white until the Hulk arrives and splashes the pages with green!
Did the Wicked Witch of Westview do that? Photo: Marvel
Talk about a use of color that will send you straight over the rainbow. The wicked witch of Westview (not to mention the OG Hulk) would be proud!
Photo: Marvel Comics
No Place Like Home (AKA Your Local Comic Shop)
Will you be catching a ride to your local comic shop and checking out The Immortal Hulk: Time of Monsters #1? Let us know in the comment section, Marvel Blog True Believers!
