The
Fanboy Planet Preview Spotlight 06/02/05
brought to you by Brian's Books of Santa
Clara
Each
week we look through the upcoming releases to offer our two
cents as to what's hot and what's not. You can agree with
us or not, but spend your money wisely. The
Incredible Hulk #82
writer: Peter David
artists: Jae Lee and June Chung
After
a strange six issue arc heralding the return of Peter David
to the helm of Hulk, the writer stops and breathes
for a beautiful one-issue story that wisely steers clear
of all the oddity of previous issues.
Don't
misunderstand; with "Tempus Fugit," David did the best thing
he could after so long gone. He gave continuity-obsessed
readers a way to safely ignore the stories they haven't
liked, at least as far as the Hulk goes. Take it a step
further, and it quietly explains everything that seems to
be rebooting left and right in the Marvel Universe, without
the bombast of House of M.
But
you're sitting here thinking, yeah, but how does that help
me with this issue? "Dear
Tricia..." plays with some of the preconceptions people
have about the Hulk. Bruce Banner wanders the streets of
London - don't ask how or when - and sees a mysterious,
beautiful (of course) and sympathetic-looking woman. Their
eyes meet; she gets in a cab and it explodes.
Tragedy,
of course, lies at the heart of the Hulk's story, and so
something like this was bound to happen. For a guy that
sometimes barely comprehends a Dr. Seuss book, there's also
the irony of him getting involved in the unknowable realm
of magic.
The
girl appears moments later as an astral projection, anxious
to find her killer before her life force fades away from
this plane for good. Why should the Hulk help? Tricia recognized
in that one living look that she and Banner could have been
soul-mates; by extension, Hulk has now lost a third woman
who would have been able to accept him for who he is. (Betty's
fate has me confused, too, and I'm going to count
Jarella of the Sub-atomic World.)
Though
this issue has plenty of action and doesn't shy from the
inherent cruelty the Hulk can summon, David suffuses it
with the right note of melancholy. Actually, that comes
from the striking art team of Jae Lee and June Chung.
This
may be one of the most relaxed works Lee has done in a long
while. It's simpler than his higher-profile work, yet captures
emotional depths. Within the bulk of the angry Hulk's face
you can catch a glimpse of the hurt child. Like on the cover
image, which appears as a panel within, the connection between
the Hulk and Boris Karloff, always intended by Stan Lee,
becomes subtly explicit.
The
subtlety extends to Chung's coloring. Marvel credits her
as "color artist," and it seems only fair. Melancholy hues
wash over each page, as the fog of London and the fog of
Hulk's mental state find kinship. Everything has a slightly
faded look, as Tricia herself fades from Earthly existence.
This
is why fans rejoiced over David's return. Though he has
done great work for other series, The Incredible Hulk
holds a special place in fandom's heart. Sometimes you can
go home again. And if you haven't yet, pick this one up,
even if you're just visiting.
Runners-up:
Amazing
Fantasy #9: "Please don't say Scorpion. Please don't
say Scorpion." So begs a SHIELD agent to himself as our
heroine gets asked what her superhero name is. But you know
what? Now that Mac Gargan has become Venom, I say go ahead:
be the Scorpion, because this origin tale has been surprisingly
good.
Exiles
#65: Tony Bedard brings the Exiles to the end of their
raison d'etre. To do it, he also loads in more Hyperions
than you can shake a stick at, one from the Mark Gruenwald
Squadron Supreme series. Mysteriously, J. Michael
Straczynski's version does not appear. Ah, well; check in
for this transition issue, as the team has to figure out
next issue just what the heck they intend to do now that
they understand everything.
Son
of Vulcan #1: I'm not a big fan of new titles that try
to convince me that the superhero they're introducing has
been operating on the fringe for quite some time now. It
might not even fit in a DC Universe heading towards a Crisis.
But writer Scott Beatty plays it vaguely enough, and finds
a way to bring back the Floronic Man, Jason Woodrue, as
both a villain and a hero. As for the Son of Vulcan himself,
he's a young kid thrust into a role he never expected to
play - think Damage, but with a better name and hopefully
a longer run.
WE3:
If you did not buy the individual issues, do not miss this
trade paperback. Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely delivered
a powerful science fiction tale that seems only half a step
past plausible.
Zatanna
#2: Notice that the Seven Soldiers storylines
have changed a bit from what was originally advertised.
This issue, in fact, bears no resemblance to the plot summary
of it that had been appearing in all the other titles. So
Grant Morrison had to shift gears; what he accomplishes
on the fly here is still fun. Let's just hope the seams
don't start to show on this project.
Sight
Unseen:
House
of M #1: Bendis. A Marvel Crisis that promises to alter
reality. Really, how can we not give it a try?
Invincible
#23: Others have heaped praise upon this title. Kirkman's
work at Marvel has been pretty spotty, but once I went back
and read this book, I completely understood why everybody
raves about his superhero work. Between this and The
Walking Dead, he really proves himself as one of the
best writers in comics.
Villains
United #2: Though it ties into the overall DC Countdown,
this book stands pretty well on its own. Have you yet read
a title by Gail Simone that let you down? Compound that
with all the villains you love to hate - heck, all
the villains - and this one comes up a winner.
Hey,
write to us and let us know what you think, or talk about
it on the forums!
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