Bruce Banner has never gotten respect. I would go so far as to say that Hulk has never gotten his due respect. But Indestructible Hulk #1 is not about the Hulk. It’s about Banner. Banner is back from his self-exile and he’s a man with something to prove.
Bruce has realized that he needs to concentrate his efforts into making the world a better place in his spare time. By spare time I mean when he isn’t a “green rage monster.” So who better to associate yourself with, than S.H.I.E.L.D.? And who better to interview than Maria Hill. Banner wants to do good. He’s tired of letting Tony Stark and Reed Richards take all of the philanthropic limelight.
I love where I think Waid is going to take his character. What if Banner wasn’t despised by every other Avenger? What if Banner used his genius for other things rather than fighting the beast inside him? What if Banner stopped being so freaking selfish?! All he wants is some R-E-S-P-E-C-T. First stop: being hired by S.H.I.E.L.D.
Mark Waid has been gaining some great momentum in writing, what with his great Daredevil run, and he continues to gain more with MarvelNOW! Stoked to see what he’s going to do with Banner’s new righteous intensity and this title’s first villain who has crazy potential.
Leinil Yu’s art was strong. That’s all I can really say. Haven’t really seen any of his work until now, but I do like what I see.
I’ve always loved Hulk. I’ve always loved the idea of infinite power. Though we don’t see much of him in this issue, what we do see is impressive.
So much opportunity for this title and Waids kills it. He does such a great job introducing an original take onto the Hulk mythos. It does not disappoint.