She-Hulk
#18
writer: Dan Slott
artists: Rick Burchett and Cliff Rathburn
This may be the single most important book to transition between Marvel's two huge events. After answering the iron booty call of Tony Stark, She-Hulk has learned what the Illuminati did to her cousin.
For several months, she has been a good soldier on the side of the Registration Act. Working with SHIELD, Jennifer Walters rounded up most of her cousin's gamma-powered enemies. Heck, even in the midst of battles, she's encouraged superhumans to register. She Hulk? More like She Patriot.
But she's been lied to, and all it took was a decapitated Nick Fury clone to tell her the truth. Okay, so it sounds a little convoluted, and certainly not the kind of book that usually makes the spotlight. Yet this title consistently rocks, and it really is key to a whole lot of crap coming down, that we wouldn't want you to miss it.
Thanks to She-Hulk, many fans' criticisms of Civil War will be answered. Forget The Initiative event. That's nothing. Jennifer Walters will launch one heck of an attack on the forces of Tony Stark. Even though he thinks he's ready for the return of the Hulk (and come on - he's NOT), he'll never actually see it coming.
Dan Slott continues as one of the most charming, quirky but logical writers working in comics. The twists and turns of this title have been alternately fun and pulse-pounding. He's also hitting a stride in working with Rick Burchett, an artist who really hasn't explored much of the Marvel Universe, but who gets his chance with Slott's plotting.
Then Marvel throws Greg Horn on the covers. So by now, you've got to be wondering, why do I even need to tout this book?
Because it's good. Because World War Hulk will completely level the Marvel Universe. And because here you can stop, get your bearings and, if you're not a fan of the Hulk, at least understand why the right people are outraged by his treatment.
Enough already. Read this book.
Also on the Stands:
Captain America #26: Delayed a little bit for maximum tie-in book hysteria, this issue surprised me. I went in feeling overhyped and abused, and came out feeling like I really had a stake in the heroes' grief. That's how good Ed Brubaker can be. Yet that's selling short Steve Epting, delivering some beautiful acting work here in a book dripping with somberness, yet possessing the faintest glow of hope.
Fantastic Four #546: Admittedly, it's kind of fun watching the Thing and Human Torch work alongside the Black Panther and Storm. If you're expecting something deep, however, look elsewhere. This is just old-fashioned comics, a little meaningless, a little diverting but ultimately yeoman-like work when we're looking for genius. Gravity (the hero) returns in an arc that has to make you wonder what any of the fuss was about. The most interesting thing he had going for him was he died too soon.
Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #1: Hey, just in case you liked the movie and wanted to wander into a comic shop and read about that Sandman guy, here's a great book! It tells his story really neatly while ignoring all the aspects of his continuity that might confuse you, because he's a bad guy. He's really a bad guy. Yep. He never spent time as a member of the Avengers. Nope. Nope. Nope.
Heroes For Hire #10: Zeb Wells has a bit of an uphill battle to make this book really appealing. About the best thing you could say for it is that it looks like Marvel's version of Birds of Prey. now the best thing you could say is that Zeb Wells is writing it. I'll hold out for another issue or two, but then…kkkkkkk.
Newuniversal #6: Only six issues in and this book feels like midway through a season of Lost or Heroes. Sure, I'm hooked, but I also can't shake the feeling I'm being played. The creative team is really stretching this narrative out, because after six issues, we don't really know much more than we did in the first issue. But Salvador Larocca does some really fine art.
X-Men #199: Continuing from last week's Cable
& Deadpool, things return to the status quo. Except
that now Rogue can kill with her touch, hence the cover
designed to fool unsuspecting Marvel Zombies into thinking
this is a Marvel Zombie book. But hey - next issue is an
anniversary!
Hey,
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