Today I read this one-shot addition to the Immortal Hulk universe, that was written and drawn by the esteemed Declan Shalvey! Take a tour with me through the other side of anger, as explored by this one-man creative powerhouse!

When Is This Exactly?

I will start off with a complaint, because, frankly, I love complaining. And commas. This is listed as an Immortal Hulk story, which on its face, it certainly well could be. It follows the rules that Ewing has laid down, and it definitely follows the body horror art style, so checkmark on both of those. But WHEN THE HELL IS THIS SUPPOSED TO BE TAKING PLACE? Banner and Hulk both know about the “other place”, so it’s obviously fairly recent in the timeline, but Bruce is just wandering around, working for a restaurant? I think based on what’s happening in the main book, absolutely everyone in America knows what Banner looks like, and that the Hulk is a huge problem right now. So it seems to be a pre-Immortal run story that’s still set now-ish. Anyway, no biggie really, just a continuity gripe.

Gripery Aside

I really enjoyed this story! Like all good Hulk stories, this is an exploration of anger, grief, sadness and isolation. And like a lot of good modern stories, it’s about trauma, and our reactions to it. I will say that this is a bit formulaic, following a pretty standard Hulk pace:

1. Banner is alone and sad, in a small town.
2. Someone from his past approacheth.
3. They tell him why being all mopey is bad.
4. Fighting, general green-ness, Banner wakes up in a crater.
5. The reader learns a lesson, Banner looks pensive.

But you know what? It’s a good formula, and comics are all about retelling these fables in different formats, which different focuses. That’s what mythology is all about! Shalvey flows along this narrative river like a veteran ferry captain, guiding us around the bends and safely to shore at the end. He also does just dope, dope art, and that really helps. I love the artistic style guide that Bennett set down with his work on this series, and that gives Shalvey a reference point to do his own style within that framework. Well worth it to pick up this one-shot if you’re invested in the Hulk at all!