Hulk #1 (2021)

Writer: Donny Cates
Pencils: Ryan Ottley

Smashtronaut (Part One)

If there’s one thing I like more than FIRST ISSUE comics, it’s FREE comics. I’m seriously a stooge for free stuff, in general. Just look at my closet, which is filled with (worthless) FREE t-shirts from sporting events, trade shows, publishing companies, general contractors, and even cheap whiskey. No way am I giving those to Goodwill! So when I got a marketing email from Marvel telling me to open it for my FREE birthday comic, that definitely saved the message from going into my “Trash”.

I’ll admit that I was a little surprised that Marvel “gifted” me a HULK comic. He’s definitely down there with Thor as one of my least favorite Marvel “franchise heroes” (the big heroes that they consistently write comics about, license out for toys, movies, Happy Meals, etc.). I’m not sure if their selection process was completely random, or if there was some reasoning behind it (besides “Sales”). I only ask, because since 2012 about 90% of the comics I’ve redeemed for digital versions have been Avengers-related. Sure, Hulk is an Avenger, but I’m going to go with “completely random comic giveaway” as opposed to “personalized selection based on your preferences”. And by “preferences”, I really mean: “marketing, tracking, and cookies”.

Anyways, I clicked, redeemed, and read the thing. So I’m easily influenced and just a small piece of brainless plankton sucked through the baleen of the great digital marketing whale that is Marvel/Disney/Skynet. I’ll find some other way to Stick It To The Man. Someday. Maybe.

Thinking back, it seems to me that “Hulk” seems to get a new FIRST ISSUE, every other year, since 1999. Like Spider-Man, for decades there was only one “Hulk First Issue”, but that’s all been blown to pooey in modern times. Also, the status quo of who Hulk is, and what version he is, also seems to change dramatically and frequently in modern comics. For example, as a wee lad I knew all about the infantile HULK SMASH model. When I got into actually collecting comics in 1982 or so, he was then the “Hulk with Bruce Banner’s Brain” model. That changed around 1984 and he was just HULK SMASH again. Then there was a return to the Gray Hulk, the Mr. Fixit model, Smart-assery “Professor” model, Gladiator Hulk, and all sorts of other variations. I suppose “Red Hulk” qualifies, too.

So when I open this book and see yet another “new” spin or variation of the Hulk, I kinda’ think “here we go again”. This time, the tagline is “What if…the Hulk exists to protect us from Banner?’ Bruce Banner has never really come off as scary or EVIL, to me, so I’m skeptical on this selling point. I shouldn’t be such a curmudgeon for a FREE FIRST ISSUE, so I should, y’know, actually READ this thing…

We open with a vast mental landscape, where Hulk and Banner are having issues, to say the least. Complete with literal/physical/mental manifestations of barriers and locks.

Now in forceful control of the Hulk, Banner is in a command center of sorts, where he even receives ethereal or delusional visits from longtime love interest Betty Ross.

We also hear several references to an incident in El Paso, where Hulk apparently did something BAD. Possibly even costing a few folks their lives. I could really use a handy editorial asterisk box to tell where I could read about this…. but for now, I’m going to think it happened “off-screen” and will eventually be explained. Regardless, Hulk’s rampage has drawn the attention of pretty much every other Marvel hero. Well, those heroes not-named-X-Men, cuz’ mutants are apparently all a buncha’ self-absorbed weenies nowadays.

Now, before we think it’s World War Hulk all over again, we get the oddest aspect of this new Hulk model. Dr. Strange mentions: “I believe (Banner) has turned him into a starship”.

Say what now? I dunno’… but if I’m describing the latest version of the Hulk, I don’t think I’d use the word “Starship”. Just seems odd and bit too intentionally sci-fi, for me. But hey… as a “Starship”, maybe Banner and the Hulk can build this dream together. Standing strong forever. Nothing’s Gonna’ Stop Them Now!

Oh, and notice that Hulk appears to have a new jet-pack, plus an intense Spaceman Spiff helmet. You’ll also notice that we get another Hulk vs. Hulkbuster Iron Man duel, cuz’ that seems to have become a thing since 1994 or so.

That’s pretty much the meat of this issue. Hulk and banner have a new relationship, Banner seems like a jerk, and all the other heroes (not-named-X) are aware. Needless to say, I’ll need more than one issue of this to get the full effect of the story and what they’re trying to do, here. Like a lot of modern books, this will read better as “the collected edition”. AKA: “Trade Paperback” (or “graphic novel” if you think that’s the same thing).

Good job by the writer to set up the new dynamic of the Hulk, without spelling out everything and baiting a hook to get the reader to come back. There’s enough action to keep things going, and having the quick interlude with all the heroes makes this seems like a big dead. Like I said, Banner does seems a little cranky just for the sake of the book’s tagline, but I’m not sure if that’s how he’s been in recent years. There’s a reference to the Hulk (not Banner) being immortal…another detail that I’ve missed in the last few years. Hey, cut me a break… I think the last Hulk comic I bought, or even read, was another FIRST ISSUE from 2007 or so, with Red Hulk.

Art-wise, I like what Ryan Ottley is doing. Good layouts, perspectives, and a great job of conveying emotion and action. The picture, above, of Hulk smashing Iron Man just screams “action” and is something I’d consider in the tradition of “Marvel Style”. I kinda’ geek out at seeing the enhanced perspective of Huk’s fist appearing almost as big as his entire body! You don’t need the “CHOOM” to emphasize what’s happening, there. Let’s not leave out the colors by Frank Martin, who really helps to convey the mood on the scenes in Banner’s head.

My only REAL point of skepticism is my thought that this model of the Hulk won’t last very long. Maybe 15 issues, or until the next FIRST ISSUE when a different writer decides to do their own take on the Hulk. I’m sure, along the way, there will be yet-another obligatory reversion to HULK SMASH model. So maybe Marvel can give me another FREE FIRST ISSUE of the next Hulk volume for my birthday, next year?

Summary: Hulk and Banner have a new dynamic. If this world runs out of lovers, they’ll still have each other. Also, Iron Man gets punched.

Cover price: 3.99 (I think…it was FREE)
Rating: 1.50