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Indestructible Hulk
Indestructible Hulk, Vol. 2: Gods and Monster
Superstar creator Walt Simonson returns to draw the Hulk and Thor! When Bruce Banner takes his lab team to Jotunheim, that means only one thing: Hulk vs. Frost Giants! Thor joins the fray, but what's wrong with the God of Thunder - and why doesn't he recognize Hulk? As the Frost Giants prepare to invade Earth, not even Hulk and Thor can stand in their way - so they'll have to call in some help! Plus, the secret of the Portal to Jotunheim is revealed, as Bruce Banner lands a bombshell surprise on his assistants!
Collecting: Indestructible Hulk 6-10
Collecting: Indestructible Hulk 6-10
136 pages, Hardcover
First published September 11, 2013
10 people are currently reading
397 people want to read
About the author
Mark Waid
3,241 books1,314 followersMark Waid is an American comic book writer widely known for shaping modern superhero storytelling through influential runs on major characters at both DC Comics and Marvel Comics. Raised in Alabama, he developed an early fascination with comic books, particularly classic stories featuring the Legion of Super-Heroes, whose imaginative scope and sense of legacy would later inform his own writing. He first entered the comics industry during the mid 1980s as an editor and writer for the fan magazine Amazing Heroes, before publishing his first professional comic story in Action Comics. Soon afterward he joined DC Comics as an editor, contributing to numerous titles and helping shape projects across the company. After leaving editorial work to focus on writing, Waid gained widespread recognition with his long run on The Flash, where he expanded the mythology of the character and co-created the youthful speedster Impulse. His reputation grew further with the celebrated graphic novel Kingdom Come, created with artist Alex Ross, which imagined a future DC Universe shaped by generational conflict among superheroes. Over the years he has written many prominent series, including Captain America, Fantastic Four, Daredevil, and Superman: Birthright, bringing a balance of optimism, character depth, and respect for comic book history to each project. Waid has also collaborated with notable artists and writers on major ensemble titles such as Justice League and Avengers, while contributing ideas that helped clarify complex continuity within shared superhero universes. Beyond mainstream superhero work, he has supported creator owned projects and experimental publishing models, including the acclaimed series Irredeemable and Incorruptible, which explored moral ambiguity within the superhero genre. He later took on editorial leadership roles at Boom Studios, guiding creative direction while continuing to write extensively. In subsequent years he expanded his involvement in publishing and digital storytelling, helping launch online comics initiatives and advocating for new distribution methods for creators. His work has earned numerous industry awards, including Eisner and Harvey honors, reflecting both critical acclaim and enduring popularity among readers. Throughout his career Waid has remained a passionate student of comic book history, drawing on decades of storytelling tradition while continually encouraging innovation within the medium. His influence extends across generations of readers and creators, and his stories continue to shape the evolving language of superhero comics around the world today through enduring characters imaginative narratives and thoughtful reinventions of familiar myths within popular culture and modern graphic storytelling traditions.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
May 7, 2014
If there was ever a poster boy for the Shallow Reader’s Club, it’s the Hulk. And I don’t care which variation of the Hulk we’re talking about – Smart, Dumb-as-a-doorknob, green, gray, purple-pantsed, crafty, cinematic, Bill Bixby – they will all do in a pinch.
Poor Bruce Banner is getting picked on by gang of drug fiends. Bruce gets a little green around the gills and it’s: BAM! “Enjoy your stay in the prison infirmary, boys.”
The Leader tries to monologue him:
“Big head talk too much. Make Hulk brain hurt. Hulk smash big head.” And it’s Good Night, Irene.
Let’s face it we/I read Hulk to see him smash stuff. It’s a visceral thrill.
This volume of Mark Waid’s Indestructible Hulk delivers the rock-‘em-sock-‘em goods, but it’s also thoughtful (just a little) and funny. If you haven’t checked out this series, I would highly recommend it. Walter Simonson even does the Thor storyline artwork.
You were right Sesana, the Daredevil/Hulk team-up works very well.
Poor Bruce Banner is getting picked on by gang of drug fiends. Bruce gets a little green around the gills and it’s: BAM! “Enjoy your stay in the prison infirmary, boys.”
The Leader tries to monologue him:
“Big head talk too much. Make Hulk brain hurt. Hulk smash big head.” And it’s Good Night, Irene.
Let’s face it we/I read Hulk to see him smash stuff. It’s a visceral thrill.
This volume of Mark Waid’s Indestructible Hulk delivers the rock-‘em-sock-‘em goods, but it’s also thoughtful (just a little) and funny. If you haven’t checked out this series, I would highly recommend it. Walter Simonson even does the Thor storyline artwork.
You were right Sesana, the Daredevil/Hulk team-up works very well.
May 5, 2015
3.5 stars
Not as blown away by this one as the first volume, but it's still good.
Aaaaaand...
Once again, I'm all alone in not loving the parts that everyone else did.
The Thor 'n Hulk team-up?
Not one bit of that was even sorta kinda interesting to me.
Partially, because I wasn't a fan of the art. And partially, because I'm not a fan of Asgard stories.
However, everyone else seemed to enjoy Banner's little trip to the land of Frost Giants, so feel free to pay no attention to my mad ravings.
Alrighty, now we get to the part I did like, which was the team-up with Daredevil!
Again, this was the part that most people seemed to dislike.
Butbecause I have excellent taste for some unexplained reason , this was what redeemed the volume for me.
Murdock is not only Hulk's lawyer, but one of the few people Banner actually trusts. When things go sideways on a S.H.I.E.L.D. raid, Daredevil steps up and backs Banner's play to head after the missing super-weapon.
It's a sonic weapon, which complicates things on DD's end.
Because keeping Hulk in line isn't hard enough...
Unlike S.H.I.E.D., Matt doesn't have the luxury of dropping him on Baron Zemo's head, and then watching the fallout through binoculars.
So, he's got to hope that Banner's trust and friendship will transfer when Hulk makes an appearance.
And then hope that the Hulk doesn't forget who his friends are...
Not Incredible, but still pretty darn good. Looking forward to the next volume!
Not as blown away by this one as the first volume, but it's still good.
Aaaaaand...
Once again, I'm all alone in not loving the parts that everyone else did.
The Thor 'n Hulk team-up?
Not one bit of that was even sorta kinda interesting to me.
Partially, because I wasn't a fan of the art. And partially, because I'm not a fan of Asgard stories.
However, everyone else seemed to enjoy Banner's little trip to the land of Frost Giants, so feel free to pay no attention to my mad ravings.
Alrighty, now we get to the part I did like, which was the team-up with Daredevil!
Again, this was the part that most people seemed to dislike.
But
Murdock is not only Hulk's lawyer, but one of the few people Banner actually trusts. When things go sideways on a S.H.I.E.L.D. raid, Daredevil steps up and backs Banner's play to head after the missing super-weapon.
It's a sonic weapon, which complicates things on DD's end.
Because keeping Hulk in line isn't hard enough...
Unlike S.H.I.E.D., Matt doesn't have the luxury of dropping him on Baron Zemo's head, and then watching the fallout through binoculars.
So, he's got to hope that Banner's trust and friendship will transfer when Hulk makes an appearance.
And then hope that the Hulk doesn't forget who his friends are...
Not Incredible, but still pretty darn good. Looking forward to the next volume!
March 26, 2018
Walt Simonson returns to draw a classic Thor / Hulk team-up. The story felt a bit clunky to make this happen, but I did like Banner's scientific approach to uru and how Thor's hammer works. And Simonson drawing Thar can never be a bad thing. The team-up with Daredevil worked better in story and art. Matteo Scalera's art is great. I loved the interaction between Bruce / Hulk and Daredevil. One of my favorite stories of the whole run.
December 11, 2015
I laughed my balls off when Hulk became WORTHY. I've never been much of a Thor groupie, but he was pretty fun in this volume, too. What's do dislike about inter-dimensional AND time travel hi-jinx? Nothing! There's a bit of sidekick development, but not too much. This is pretty much a popcorn title. The art is fine, the story average, but because it's HULK, it has my full attention. :)
July 15, 2016
6 - Banner and his team go to Jotunheim to look for a legendary metal that might be a super conductor.
This was more like it. It felt almost like a Fantastic Four issue. Simonson drawing Thor is always welcome. After the last panel, I'm jonesing for the next issue.
7 - Hulk and Thor tackle a horde of Frost Giants! Can SHIELD reestablish the portal and bring the Banner team home?
This issue was a lot of carnage but it was Simonson-drawn carnage. Now that the Frost Giants are interested in earth, things got a lot more interesting.
8 - SHIELD, Hulk, and Thor must repel the Frost Giant invasion so team Banner can get back to earth.
More carnage and some good Hulk/Thor moments. I'm still not feeling this series and now I'm just sticking around for the Daredevil issues.
9 - Bruce Banner and his lawyer, Daredevil, track down a stolen super weapon!
Daredevil and the Hulk seem mismatched at first but Hornhead knows how to handle the Hulk. Let's see how they handle Baron Zemo with an ultrasound cannon.
10 - Baron Zemo and HYDRA vs. The Hulk and Daredevil!
This was actually kind of a yawn, despite the carnage, until the Hulk went berserk and Daredevil had to control him. A Hulk in a China Shop indeed.
Closing Thoughts: Since getting on Marvel Unlimited, I've been looking for the definitive Hulk story. Indestructible Hulk, despite the novelty of Banner working for SHIELD, wasn't it. 2.5 out of 5 stars.
This was more like it. It felt almost like a Fantastic Four issue. Simonson drawing Thor is always welcome. After the last panel, I'm jonesing for the next issue.
7 - Hulk and Thor tackle a horde of Frost Giants! Can SHIELD reestablish the portal and bring the Banner team home?
This issue was a lot of carnage but it was Simonson-drawn carnage. Now that the Frost Giants are interested in earth, things got a lot more interesting.
8 - SHIELD, Hulk, and Thor must repel the Frost Giant invasion so team Banner can get back to earth.
More carnage and some good Hulk/Thor moments. I'm still not feeling this series and now I'm just sticking around for the Daredevil issues.
9 - Bruce Banner and his lawyer, Daredevil, track down a stolen super weapon!
Daredevil and the Hulk seem mismatched at first but Hornhead knows how to handle the Hulk. Let's see how they handle Baron Zemo with an ultrasound cannon.
10 - Baron Zemo and HYDRA vs. The Hulk and Daredevil!
This was actually kind of a yawn, despite the carnage, until the Hulk went berserk and Daredevil had to control him. A Hulk in a China Shop indeed.
Closing Thoughts: Since getting on Marvel Unlimited, I've been looking for the definitive Hulk story. Indestructible Hulk, despite the novelty of Banner working for SHIELD, wasn't it. 2.5 out of 5 stars.
April 15, 2014
I almost can't believe how much I enjoyed this book. Sure, I liked the first volume, but I would say that this one was even better. I loved the Thor team-up in the first few issues, especially since it was a younger Thor who hadn't met Banner yet. Props to Waid for avoiding the "heroes fight as soon as they meet because nobody can have a conversation" trope. This is a young Thor, and he's enjoying himself and his new friends immensely.
I actually liked the Daredevil storyline even better, though. Another big surprise to me, because I've never read much Daredevil. But he and Hulk work together wonderfully, and it's nice to see.
In my review for the last volume, I had said that the threat level for Hulk was kind of underwhelming. Between frost giants and a weapon that could do more than slightly irritate Hulk, that threat level gets dialed up just enough to make things interesting. Quite an improvement.
I actually liked the Daredevil storyline even better, though. Another big surprise to me, because I've never read much Daredevil. But he and Hulk work together wonderfully, and it's nice to see.
In my review for the last volume, I had said that the threat level for Hulk was kind of underwhelming. Between frost giants and a weapon that could do more than slightly irritate Hulk, that threat level gets dialed up just enough to make things interesting. Quite an improvement.
July 9, 2014
I've heard of a lot of newer/younger readers being turned off by Walt Simonsons art, and it's a real shame that they can't appreciate quality artwork when they see it. His stuff still looks amazing, and I like how Waid catered the story to include the Thor from the 80s (instead of modern day Thor) so Simonson could draw the Thor he's best known for. The second part of the volume features Daredevil, essentially making this volume a straight up team-up book. We knew a team up with Daredevil would come along eventually, and here he's Bruce's backup plan in case SHIELD try to double cross him on their deal. It also allows for some really cool scenes between the pair, like one were Daredevil walks into bar and the Hulk follows him behind but goes straight through the wall.
Waids Hulk isn't as character defining as his Daredevil, but it's still a fun and enjoyable read.
Waids Hulk isn't as character defining as his Daredevil, but it's still a fun and enjoyable read.
November 4, 2015
Hulk smashes, Banner builds. It's the nature of the agreement with Bruce Banner and S.H.I.E.L.D.. Banner along with his lab assistants using a shard of uruu, the metal Thor's hammer is made of, have created a portal to the frost giants home. Unfortunately the frost giants are at their home too.
Gods and Monster was much more akin to the regular Hulk smashes comic tone. Although it was interesting what Banner and his assistants were able to accomplish. While visiting one of the other nine realms, Thor comes to visit, but things are more complicated than they initially seem.
All in all Gods and Monster was more of an average volume.
Gods and Monster was much more akin to the regular Hulk smashes comic tone. Although it was interesting what Banner and his assistants were able to accomplish. While visiting one of the other nine realms, Thor comes to visit, but things are more complicated than they initially seem.
All in all Gods and Monster was more of an average volume.
October 8, 2014
Not quite as knock-it-out-of-the-park as Vol. 1, but a very cool solid collection.
First off, No more Francis Leinil Yu...
However, he's been replaced by the legendary Walt Simonson!!!
Oh...and he's drawing THOR! with HULK!
The story has Banner and his team use a portal to the realm of the Frost Giants to gather elements for Earth, and of course, the Frost Giants show up to attack...luckily Thor arrives and he and Hulk make short work of them.
However, Thor doesn't remember Banner...or Hulk...so Banner discovers that they must also have gone back in time to before Thor ever crossed paths with the Hulk.
It's very cool to see Banner and Thor before they met, and Hulk having the knowledge that Thor is a friend. So it's not in depth story-telling but it's very cool for geeks like us.
The second story has a different artist, and reveals who the secret contact Banner had from the first volume; the one who was to release sensitive info if Banner ever failed to report in. That person is not a spoiler...but it's...Daredevil/Matt Murdock!!!
It makes perfect sense for Murdock to be Banner's lawyer, and the relationship between the 2 men is done very well, there's mutual respect you don't always see. What's even cooler is that Daredevil and Hulk work so very well together as well.
This probably works best for me because Waid also has been writing Daredevil, so he's got a great grasp of MM, and his Banner/Hulk work is strong too. The only mis-step is an unnecessary super-villain (B-list) appearing.
I really loved the interactions between the 2, and how Daredevil could calm Hulk better than most people, purely due to tone of voice, and the recognition that DD was a friend.
There's one scene in the midst of battle/explosion between the 2, and the grown man me had tears in my eyes because it was so...sweet? perfect? loyal? friendship at it's best? Pure instinct, and I loved it.
More solid work from Waid, and I love the work he's putting out for Marvel the last few years. Long may he run!
Get this review and more at:
First off, No more Francis Leinil Yu...
However, he's been replaced by the legendary Walt Simonson!!!
Oh...and he's drawing THOR! with HULK!
The story has Banner and his team use a portal to the realm of the Frost Giants to gather elements for Earth, and of course, the Frost Giants show up to attack...luckily Thor arrives and he and Hulk make short work of them.
However, Thor doesn't remember Banner...or Hulk...so Banner discovers that they must also have gone back in time to before Thor ever crossed paths with the Hulk.
It's very cool to see Banner and Thor before they met, and Hulk having the knowledge that Thor is a friend. So it's not in depth story-telling but it's very cool for geeks like us.
The second story has a different artist, and reveals who the secret contact Banner had from the first volume; the one who was to release sensitive info if Banner ever failed to report in. That person is not a spoiler...but it's...Daredevil/Matt Murdock!!!
It makes perfect sense for Murdock to be Banner's lawyer, and the relationship between the 2 men is done very well, there's mutual respect you don't always see. What's even cooler is that Daredevil and Hulk work so very well together as well.
This probably works best for me because Waid also has been writing Daredevil, so he's got a great grasp of MM, and his Banner/Hulk work is strong too. The only mis-step is an unnecessary super-villain (B-list) appearing.
I really loved the interactions between the 2, and how Daredevil could calm Hulk better than most people, purely due to tone of voice, and the recognition that DD was a friend.
There's one scene in the midst of battle/explosion between the 2, and the grown man me had tears in my eyes because it was so...sweet? perfect? loyal? friendship at it's best? Pure instinct, and I loved it.
More solid work from Waid, and I love the work he's putting out for Marvel the last few years. Long may he run!
Get this review and more at:
July 12, 2013
Mark Waid’s second volume of Indestructible Hulk is a book of team-ups as Thor and Daredevil join Hulk for some action-filled stories. Fans of Silver Age Thor have to pick up this book immediately (assuming you haven’t already rushed out to buy the single issues) as Walt Simonson is the artist for these 3 Thor issues - yes, THE Walt Simonson! The guy who defined Thor is back to draw the character once more and his art is as gorgeous as you would expect.
Giant kneepads, smiling, big-winged helmet Thor looks fantastic as Banner and his research team head into Jotunheim to collect samples of a liquid ore called eiderdurm for their experiments. It seems their portal also took them back in time as Thor doesn’t recognise Banner or Hulk.
As good as the art is, it’s clear Waid worked the story around what Simonson wanted to draw as the story feels a bit disjointed and thrown together. It’s basically just an excuse to have Walt Simonson Thor in this Hulk book, which is fine I suppose though the story feels insubstantial. There are some nice moments like when Hulk seemingly lifts Mjolnir (Thor’s hammer) and when the two fight the frost giants, their combined Hulk smash/hammer smash looks really cool and causes immense damage (of course).
Ironically, I liked the Daredevil team-up story more though I wasn’t a big fan of Matteo Scalera’s art. The evil Agence Byzantine have stolen some Thor-level ordnance and are headed to make the trade to Baron Zemo in Manhattan - Daredevil’s territory. Banner and Murdock join forces to hunt down the stolen weaponry as it emits a high-pitched shriek which Daredevil can track with his senses.
Banner’s relationship with Murdock is great not just because Matt is Bruce’s insurance against SHIELD (which Hill still doesn’t know about) but I also liked that Daredevil can control Hulk’s rage using a certain tone of voice because Hulk recognises him as a friend. Banner’s also got some nice back-and-forths with Maria Hill who keeps him in check from being too cocky with his secret inventions.
The series is still a lot of fun but I felt that the second volume wasn’t as strong as the first one was. The storylines were a bit lacking though Simonson’s art makes the book a standout, especially for classic superhero art fans.
Giant kneepads, smiling, big-winged helmet Thor looks fantastic as Banner and his research team head into Jotunheim to collect samples of a liquid ore called eiderdurm for their experiments. It seems their portal also took them back in time as Thor doesn’t recognise Banner or Hulk.
As good as the art is, it’s clear Waid worked the story around what Simonson wanted to draw as the story feels a bit disjointed and thrown together. It’s basically just an excuse to have Walt Simonson Thor in this Hulk book, which is fine I suppose though the story feels insubstantial. There are some nice moments like when Hulk seemingly lifts Mjolnir (Thor’s hammer) and when the two fight the frost giants, their combined Hulk smash/hammer smash looks really cool and causes immense damage (of course).
Ironically, I liked the Daredevil team-up story more though I wasn’t a big fan of Matteo Scalera’s art. The evil Agence Byzantine have stolen some Thor-level ordnance and are headed to make the trade to Baron Zemo in Manhattan - Daredevil’s territory. Banner and Murdock join forces to hunt down the stolen weaponry as it emits a high-pitched shriek which Daredevil can track with his senses.
Banner’s relationship with Murdock is great not just because Matt is Bruce’s insurance against SHIELD (which Hill still doesn’t know about) but I also liked that Daredevil can control Hulk’s rage using a certain tone of voice because Hulk recognises him as a friend. Banner’s also got some nice back-and-forths with Maria Hill who keeps him in check from being too cocky with his secret inventions.
The series is still a lot of fun but I felt that the second volume wasn’t as strong as the first one was. The storylines were a bit lacking though Simonson’s art makes the book a standout, especially for classic superhero art fans.
March 13, 2015
**Green Theme Buddy Read! Again, the silly green Hulk!**
So my thoughts on this volume go back and forth, but as whole, it was really good and some killer strong points.
The first three chapters involved a story arc with Thor, which I LOVED because Thor is my man. I haven't actually read him in comic form before, just did research into his background and whatnot after The Avengers made their comeback on the big screen. So seeing him all drawn up, with his big winged helmet and his silly way of thinking everything is humorous, that was awesome. However, the artwork in the first three of this volume weren't on par with volume one. I guess I got spoiled with the consistency of artwork in Astonishing X-Men volumes 1-4. But that's not to say that the artwork was BAD, because it absolutely wasn't. Anywho, I really liked the story line with Thor and traveling to Jotunheim. The frost giants were done really well, and they tried their damnedest to get to our world and time. Patty's story was heartbreaking, and the involvement of S.H.I.E.L.D. was pretty rad. But the best part was Hulk and Thor teaming up to kick total ass. And Mjolnir is still one of my favorite weapons. Ugh. It was a great story.
The second arc, however... It seemed bland. Daredevil was pretty cool despite the story line. His influence over Hulk was BAD ASS. Even Hill was like "Daredevil, how are you so INCREDIBLE?! Where can we sex it up later while I belittle you for every other aspect of your life???" Not really, but maybe. Baron Zemo was pretty lame, at least in this short appearance. And the weapon of choice was so-so. The artwork in this arc was better in my opinion. I was told the first arc was more retro stylized, and maybe that just isn't my number one favorite. So yeah, this was better to look at for me. But the story FLOPPED.
Not a bad installment at all. There were still some really funny lines. There was still a lot of Hulking out. And Thor nicknamed Hulk "Hulksmash" and it was pretty adorable. I just love Thor. But I also am growing to love Hulk, so that is awesome. Onto more!
July 7, 2016
Would've been 4 stars if not for boring-ass Daredevil.
September 15, 2021
The Thor/DD team-ups in this book are really well done. Seeing the Hulk as part of a team is presented from a fresh perspective. Great to see Thor by Walter Simonson again!
November 8, 2014
OMG, when I saw that they resurrected Walt Simonson for a guest spot on this book, I was a little worried - that we'd have to endure some seriously retro art that sucked the (copious) fun out of this book.
Not so. Dunno whether it's because Waid brought young Thor into the mix alongside Hulk, giving Walt a jolt of his best works to draw out his talents, or that Ol' Walt is still just as vital and creative as anyone in comics, but the Simonson issues were pretty damned gorgeous. Actually makes me really bummed how confusing and murky Lenil Yu's issues were just previous.
I'm also still very happy with Waid's sense of humour - hard to see it sometimes, what with the tendency to beat Matt Murdock down (that's Matt's problem not Waid's), or write about a superhero that turns genocidal - but I will stand my ground on this. (He's prolly got the Spidey-wit down pat too, but it's been months since I blazed through the last 150 or so of ASM).
What surprised me (despite no evidence to the contrary) was the burst of sheer humanity Banner brings to his missions. There was no reason the ending to issue 8 had to exist, and it didn't change the overall plot, but boy did it give us a richer, more informative angle on the characters. Makes me proud to call myself a Waid fan.
Then we get to the Hulk /DD issues, included here and in the DD vol 6 trade, which could be called "double-dipping" of the all-too-often DC variety.
The relationship Waid shows us between Hulk and DD is...nuanced, and shows a level of trust and dependence I wouldn't have expected. There's very nearly a tenderness from Hulk towards Murdock, which makes me wish there were tons of such relationships in comics. Reed Richards and Ben Grimm, Supergirl and Huntress from New 52 (Earth 2 varieties), Wolverine and Jubilee...and now I'm positively straining to remember more.
Why is that? In a world full of antagonism and brute force, why don't more of the heroes latch on to one another for moral support and maybe a trusted compadre to put your back up against? It would sure make a lot more readers feel a strong bond to their fave characters - sure makes me want to pledge allegiance to these particular personalities, warped as they are.
This particular story doesn't just trot out guns and villainous terrorists - it stands solid on relationships (both firm and arch) and a subtle moral foundation. Waid is a softie under his encyclopedic knowledge of many universes if comics, and a guy whose worldview (even filtered through superhero punching matches) I absolutely respect.
Matteo Scalera does a good job on the art, and I respect the hell out of him following on after Simonson the demi-god. Better than the later contributions of Yu to the last volume of Hulk even - cleaner, less confusing, very kinetic.
Not so. Dunno whether it's because Waid brought young Thor into the mix alongside Hulk, giving Walt a jolt of his best works to draw out his talents, or that Ol' Walt is still just as vital and creative as anyone in comics, but the Simonson issues were pretty damned gorgeous. Actually makes me really bummed how confusing and murky Lenil Yu's issues were just previous.
I'm also still very happy with Waid's sense of humour - hard to see it sometimes, what with the tendency to beat Matt Murdock down (that's Matt's problem not Waid's), or write about a superhero that turns genocidal - but I will stand my ground on this. (He's prolly got the Spidey-wit down pat too, but it's been months since I blazed through the last 150 or so of ASM).
What surprised me (despite no evidence to the contrary) was the burst of sheer humanity Banner brings to his missions. There was no reason the ending to issue 8 had to exist, and it didn't change the overall plot, but boy did it give us a richer, more informative angle on the characters. Makes me proud to call myself a Waid fan.
Then we get to the Hulk /DD issues, included here and in the DD vol 6 trade, which could be called "double-dipping" of the all-too-often DC variety.
The relationship Waid shows us between Hulk and DD is...nuanced, and shows a level of trust and dependence I wouldn't have expected. There's very nearly a tenderness from Hulk towards Murdock, which makes me wish there were tons of such relationships in comics. Reed Richards and Ben Grimm, Supergirl and Huntress from New 52 (Earth 2 varieties), Wolverine and Jubilee...and now I'm positively straining to remember more.
Why is that? In a world full of antagonism and brute force, why don't more of the heroes latch on to one another for moral support and maybe a trusted compadre to put your back up against? It would sure make a lot more readers feel a strong bond to their fave characters - sure makes me want to pledge allegiance to these particular personalities, warped as they are.
This particular story doesn't just trot out guns and villainous terrorists - it stands solid on relationships (both firm and arch) and a subtle moral foundation. Waid is a softie under his encyclopedic knowledge of many universes if comics, and a guy whose worldview (even filtered through superhero punching matches) I absolutely respect.
Matteo Scalera does a good job on the art, and I respect the hell out of him following on after Simonson the demi-god. Better than the later contributions of Yu to the last volume of Hulk even - cleaner, less confusing, very kinetic.
October 3, 2013
This is probably the thinnest Hulk hardcover on the market. I didn't do a page count, but the paper itself is so thin, that you almost think it's held together by the ink.
Really nice "classic" Simonson art on the first part of the book. Great team-up with Thor, and surprise, surprise, they don't start off by fighting each other, they go directly to the collaboration and smahing Frost-Giants. Surprising as this is "supposedly" Thor's first meeting with the Hulk, and lets face it, the Hulk does look like a giant Troll; still; cool!
The second part is more of an urban New York story teaming up with Daredevil. I was a little confused as the last time I'd read a Hulk + Daredevil team-up/clash was the calssic Daredevil issue written by Frank Miller, and they were not on such nice terms. Still, interesting twist as Banner is using Murddock as his attorney and his "insurance" against SHIELD.
Both stories are "OK", but this is more a nostalgic Simonson art book for me than anything else. Still, looking forward to book 3 to see where this is going.
Really nice "classic" Simonson art on the first part of the book. Great team-up with Thor, and surprise, surprise, they don't start off by fighting each other, they go directly to the collaboration and smahing Frost-Giants. Surprising as this is "supposedly" Thor's first meeting with the Hulk, and lets face it, the Hulk does look like a giant Troll; still; cool!
The second part is more of an urban New York story teaming up with Daredevil. I was a little confused as the last time I'd read a Hulk + Daredevil team-up/clash was the calssic Daredevil issue written by Frank Miller, and they were not on such nice terms. Still, interesting twist as Banner is using Murddock as his attorney and his "insurance" against SHIELD.
Both stories are "OK", but this is more a nostalgic Simonson art book for me than anything else. Still, looking forward to book 3 to see where this is going.
March 29, 2016
Wow. Walt Simonson draws an awesome Thor!
This is a really good Hulk series to jump on with if you're looking for something that doesn't require a lot of knowledge of comics or the Marvel Universe. It seems especially geared to fans of the movies. Or everybody, as it were.
I'll give the bad guys credit: No matter how many crazy whatever guns fail to stop the Hulk, they still keep blasting him in the goddamn face. Seriously, when is a baddie just going to say, "Listen, fuck off. I'm not shooting the Hulk in the face with something. It doesn't work. I've tried it like 70 times and not once has it really worked. Give it a rest"?
This is a really good Hulk series to jump on with if you're looking for something that doesn't require a lot of knowledge of comics or the Marvel Universe. It seems especially geared to fans of the movies. Or everybody, as it were.
I'll give the bad guys credit: No matter how many crazy whatever guns fail to stop the Hulk, they still keep blasting him in the goddamn face. Seriously, when is a baddie just going to say, "Listen, fuck off. I'm not shooting the Hulk in the face with something. It doesn't work. I've tried it like 70 times and not once has it really worked. Give it a rest"?
December 3, 2021
This was quite fun!
Hulk teams up with Thor and his crew in Jotunheim as they fight Frost Giants after some time travel shenanigans and well smashing stuff and some revelations with Pat which was nice and then the usual smashing the enemy and returning home but good moments for Banner and hammer if you have read it, you know it.
Plus a team up between Hulk and Daredevil as they take on weapons trading and fight Baron Zemo which was an okay story showing that Hulk without control can still destroy and seems like Hill vs Banner might happen soon but good regardless.
Its a volume with predictable stories but its just fun stories and Waid is fun telling it and the art is decent here.
Hulk teams up with Thor and his crew in Jotunheim as they fight Frost Giants after some time travel shenanigans and well smashing stuff and some revelations with Pat which was nice and then the usual smashing the enemy and returning home but good moments for Banner and hammer if you have read it, you know it.
Plus a team up between Hulk and Daredevil as they take on weapons trading and fight Baron Zemo which was an okay story showing that Hulk without control can still destroy and seems like Hill vs Banner might happen soon but good regardless.
Its a volume with predictable stories but its just fun stories and Waid is fun telling it and the art is decent here.
November 29, 2013
I really enjoyed this graphic novel. Mark Waid does an excellent job here in fleshing out the dueling personalities of the Hulk and Bruce Banner. There are times you believe that the Hulk is the bigger threat than the ones he, SHIELD or Daredevil are facing. That is what makes a great Hulk book. The truth is that Hulk is if not strong or stronger than Superman but he is his own worse enemy. The reader knows there is know physical thing that could stop the Hulk but it is often the inner battle Banner is facing that could kill. Mark Waid clearly uses Banner's humanity as the Hulk's weak point. Hulk can crush any foe but can he except the accidental death of a friend or the innocent being caught in the crossfire. I can not wait to read the next volume.
June 27, 2021
Hulk team-up stories. Hulk with Thor, then Hulk with Daredevil. Both entertaining, neither mind blowing. I had higher expectations after the first volume, and considering the caliber of artists collaborating here.
The relationship between Banner and Daredevil/Murdock is interesting. Other than this revealed attorney/client interaction, the pairing of heroes seems unnecessary to me. Not only in this volume, but in many stories, the interjection of guest stars takes away from the main character.
The relationship between Banner and Daredevil/Murdock is interesting. Other than this revealed attorney/client interaction, the pairing of heroes seems unnecessary to me. Not only in this volume, but in many stories, the interjection of guest stars takes away from the main character.
March 11, 2024
Full of epic world building right from the beginning, plots within plots from the start, great eye catching art that leaps off the page, full of of daring do and edge of the seat mysteries from the start that will keep you guessing! :D
July 10, 2014
I really like Mark Waid's way of handling Bruce Banner and the Hulk. It's almost all inner monologue for Banner, and when Hulk turns up, all that stops in favour of SMASH. And it works really well. The swapping between the two works too, and the different settings for these two stories are a great idea. The first story pits Hulk against Frost Giants, and whilst it probably could have been handled in two issues instead of three, it plays out quite well and fleshes out the new supporting cast. The second story is the stronger of the two, involving Mark Waid's other character at the moment, Daredevil, as he and Hulk battle HYDRA and shed some light on how Banner's new deal with SHIELD works.
I'm not a huge fan of Walt Simonson's modern artwork (his classic stuff is amazing), mostly because of the colouring not gelling properly anymore, but his work in the Thor storyline is excellent stuff - looking at the black and whites in the back of the trade just help to cement my view on this. Matteo Scalera draws the Daredevil story, and his work is, as always, superb to look at too.
I'm not a huge fan of Walt Simonson's modern artwork (his classic stuff is amazing), mostly because of the colouring not gelling properly anymore, but his work in the Thor storyline is excellent stuff - looking at the black and whites in the back of the trade just help to cement my view on this. Matteo Scalera draws the Daredevil story, and his work is, as always, superb to look at too.
April 25, 2015
The hulk made a deal with shield, Banner gets his lab so he can further his career and sheild gets cannon they can aim. Banner now has a team working on science projects while shield is still using the hulk like a gun. This time Banners team opens a worm hole to the frost giant world but there is a surprise waiting there.... I wasnt a fan of this story or the art, retro Thor I could do without. The Daredevil story with the sonic rifle was much better and the art from Scalera was top notch compared to Simonson's art. Overall I hope book 3 gets more juicy.
October 27, 2014
Hm, I liked the Daredevil bit, but the Frost Giants and retro-Thor wasn't as gripping, and I'm not quite sure why. Drawing style was nice and I'm glad that Hulk grew out his hair. Not sure if I'd read more just since it wasn't that gripping, but maybe I will.
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February 22, 2015Crossover time, as Banner teams up with Thor and Daredevil. The former is from an earlier period in his own time, seemingly for no reason beyond that being the version Walt Simonson likes to draw. Which by my reckoning is a perfectly legitimate artistic decision. SKRAKOOM!
March 20, 2015
More time traveling awesomeness as Banner and his team travel the broken timestream after the age of ultron!
September 15, 2019
not as good as the first vol but still OK
it features 2 team-ups first with thor and was not that good then with daredevil and that i liked better.
the art was okay at best.
it features 2 team-ups first with thor and was not that good then with daredevil and that i liked better.
the art was okay at best.
March 27, 2025
Crossover! E sem precisar pegar outras revistas!! Yessss! Esse volume traz duas participações quase que inusitadas e muito bem-vindas de outros dois heróis em arcos curtos fechados da revista. Ou seria melhor dizer, a participação do Hulk em arcos desses outros heróis? Jogando Bruce Banner em contextos e situações mais familiares ao Thor e ao Demolidor, temos suas interações com o Hulk passando de Jotunheim até o submundo de Nova Iorque, separado em dois arcos respectivos a cada herói “convidado”.
Inicialmente, temos uma expedição com objetivos científicos de Banner e parte de sua equipe de assistentes selecionados anteriormente para a terra dos gigantes de gelo, na qual são confrontados pelos próprios e auxiliados por um Thor ainda novo, conforme viajam entre reinos e também para outra época. Aprofundando-se na história de uma das assistentes, Patty, conhecemos a motivação dramática para que a mesma tenha se candidatado para o cargo, assim como as suspeitas que Banner já possuía quanto a isso.
A arte mais do que justifica o divertido team-up entre o Hulk e o Thor, trazendo uma boa aventura científica no traço muito dinâmico de Walter Simonson, consagrado autor de umas das fases mais icônicas da paquita loira.
Já o segundo arco, foca mais em Banner enquanto agente da SHIELD ao mesmo tempo que introduz o descontraído e atrevido Demolidor que o Mark Waid já vinha desenvolvendo na mensal principal deste. Por mais que a apresentação do Murdock como contato de garantia e segurança do Banner não tenha muito respaldo, nem seja uma escolha coerente contra a SHIELD (considerando o tanto que Murdock tenta vender sua imagem de cidadão normal), a parceira se justifica. Usando da especificidade dos poderes do Matt, como a super audição para identificação e configuração de uma arma molecular com ruído sônico; e sua cegueira, como uma vantagem desconhecida pelos vilões, temos o Hulk e Demolidor perseguindo um contrabandista de super armas em Nova Iorque a noite.
Gosto bastante da arte do Matteo Scalera, embora ache que ele não trouxe nenhum aspecto visual interessante quanto a forma do Demolidor ver o mundo, como vinha sendo feito na mensal do personagem por outros ótimos artistas. O desenrolar da ação durante a noite também não favoreceu a presença de cores mais vivas e que destacariam a arte, que foi bastante soturna. Mais um volume consistente dessa fase, que se traz algo mais próximo do Hulk leal, ainda que destrutivo, a seus aliados.
Inicialmente, temos uma expedição com objetivos científicos de Banner e parte de sua equipe de assistentes selecionados anteriormente para a terra dos gigantes de gelo, na qual são confrontados pelos próprios e auxiliados por um Thor ainda novo, conforme viajam entre reinos e também para outra época. Aprofundando-se na história de uma das assistentes, Patty, conhecemos a motivação dramática para que a mesma tenha se candidatado para o cargo, assim como as suspeitas que Banner já possuía quanto a isso.
A arte mais do que justifica o divertido team-up entre o Hulk e o Thor, trazendo uma boa aventura científica no traço muito dinâmico de Walter Simonson, consagrado autor de umas das fases mais icônicas da paquita loira.
Já o segundo arco, foca mais em Banner enquanto agente da SHIELD ao mesmo tempo que introduz o descontraído e atrevido Demolidor que o Mark Waid já vinha desenvolvendo na mensal principal deste. Por mais que a apresentação do Murdock como contato de garantia e segurança do Banner não tenha muito respaldo, nem seja uma escolha coerente contra a SHIELD (considerando o tanto que Murdock tenta vender sua imagem de cidadão normal), a parceira se justifica. Usando da especificidade dos poderes do Matt, como a super audição para identificação e configuração de uma arma molecular com ruído sônico; e sua cegueira, como uma vantagem desconhecida pelos vilões, temos o Hulk e Demolidor perseguindo um contrabandista de super armas em Nova Iorque a noite.
Gosto bastante da arte do Matteo Scalera, embora ache que ele não trouxe nenhum aspecto visual interessante quanto a forma do Demolidor ver o mundo, como vinha sendo feito na mensal do personagem por outros ótimos artistas. O desenrolar da ação durante a noite também não favoreceu a presença de cores mais vivas e que destacariam a arte, que foi bastante soturna. Mais um volume consistente dessa fase, que se traz algo mais próximo do Hulk leal, ainda que destrutivo, a seus aliados.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2020
Hulk smash... Tak, w sumie to robił.
Pomysł na to aby wcielić Bannera w szeregi SHIELD wydał mi się ciekawy, choć nie nowy, aczkolwiek przebranie Hulka w zbroję i puszczenie go w teren, aby ten realizował zadania agencji... No, chciałem to zobaczyć. I zobaczyłem, choć też nieco się rozczarowałem, aczkolwiek były tu "momenty", dające czysty zaciesz na twarzy.
Banner prowadząc badania nad metalem Uru, z którego zbudowano m. in. młot Thora doprowadził do stworzenia i otworzenia portalu prowadzącego do... Jotunheimu. To tam, gdzie są Lodowe Giganty. No i oczywiście prowadzi do kłopotów. A jak ludki z Midgardu, to i sam Thor się pojawi. Gorzej, że nie tak głupi Giganci chcą wykorzystać portal po to, aby narobić zamieszania na Ziemi. Z drugiej strony jedyną barierę stanowią jednostki SHIELD. Dochodzi do bitki.
Fajnej, zwłaszcza team up Hulka z Thorem, który de facto nie kojarzy zielonego olbrzyma, bo portal nie tylko przeniósł z miejsca naukowców, ale i przemieścił ich w czasie. To podwójne uderzenie w lód. Mniam. Troszkę żal mi było wątku tej Pani naukowiec, która choruje na chorobę CJD. Wydaje mi się, że taki wątek powinien mieć wagę. Tu jej nie czułem.
Druga część tomu podobała mi się bardziej, bo mamy inny team-up. Tym razem z Daredevilem. I to o niebo lepszy zespół, zwłaszcza że Murdock potrafi wpłynąć na "spokojnego" Hulka tak, że ten może wrócić znów do formy Bannera. Czekałem na to, bo przecież Waid zajmuje się też losami Diabła z Hell's Kitchen. Nie zawiodłem się. Spadek z samolotu, gdzie Hill zrobiła swoje. Wizyta obu herosów w barze. To absolutnie genialne sceny. No i dołóżmy do tego Hydrę, niebezpieczną broń, która jest w stanie narobić kuku Hulkowi i na dokładkę Barona Zemo. Tylko dwa zeszyty, ale one "robią" ten cały tom.
Tym bardziej dziwi mnie wybór rysowników. Taka nieco "ociemiała" kreska niezbyt przypadła mi do gustu. W momentach, gdy Hulka skakał i niszczył to jeszcze jeszcze, ale już rozmowy. Postacie miejscami wyglądały dość brzydko... Takie mocne 3, może 3.5, ale nie naciągne na wyżej mimo wspomnianych "momentów".
Pomysł na to aby wcielić Bannera w szeregi SHIELD wydał mi się ciekawy, choć nie nowy, aczkolwiek przebranie Hulka w zbroję i puszczenie go w teren, aby ten realizował zadania agencji... No, chciałem to zobaczyć. I zobaczyłem, choć też nieco się rozczarowałem, aczkolwiek były tu "momenty", dające czysty zaciesz na twarzy.
Banner prowadząc badania nad metalem Uru, z którego zbudowano m. in. młot Thora doprowadził do stworzenia i otworzenia portalu prowadzącego do... Jotunheimu. To tam, gdzie są Lodowe Giganty. No i oczywiście prowadzi do kłopotów. A jak ludki z Midgardu, to i sam Thor się pojawi. Gorzej, że nie tak głupi Giganci chcą wykorzystać portal po to, aby narobić zamieszania na Ziemi. Z drugiej strony jedyną barierę stanowią jednostki SHIELD. Dochodzi do bitki.
Fajnej, zwłaszcza team up Hulka z Thorem, który de facto nie kojarzy zielonego olbrzyma, bo portal nie tylko przeniósł z miejsca naukowców, ale i przemieścił ich w czasie. To podwójne uderzenie w lód. Mniam. Troszkę żal mi było wątku tej Pani naukowiec, która choruje na chorobę CJD. Wydaje mi się, że taki wątek powinien mieć wagę. Tu jej nie czułem.
Druga część tomu podobała mi się bardziej, bo mamy inny team-up. Tym razem z Daredevilem. I to o niebo lepszy zespół, zwłaszcza że Murdock potrafi wpłynąć na "spokojnego" Hulka tak, że ten może wrócić znów do formy Bannera. Czekałem na to, bo przecież Waid zajmuje się też losami Diabła z Hell's Kitchen. Nie zawiodłem się. Spadek z samolotu, gdzie Hill zrobiła swoje. Wizyta obu herosów w barze. To absolutnie genialne sceny. No i dołóżmy do tego Hydrę, niebezpieczną broń, która jest w stanie narobić kuku Hulkowi i na dokładkę Barona Zemo. Tylko dwa zeszyty, ale one "robią" ten cały tom.
Tym bardziej dziwi mnie wybór rysowników. Taka nieco "ociemiała" kreska niezbyt przypadła mi do gustu. W momentach, gdy Hulka skakał i niszczył to jeszcze jeszcze, ale już rozmowy. Postacie miejscami wyglądały dość brzydko... Takie mocne 3, może 3.5, ale nie naciągne na wyżej mimo wspomnianych "momentów".
July 9, 2020
So this was an awesome way to get Simonson to draw old school Thor again, and it was pretty awesome. Kudos to Waid on setting that up.
I think that there is a level of nostalgia needed for this to work the way it did. If you have read Simonson's Thor run, then when you see him for the first time in his original costume with the giant helmet wings and the ridiculously giant knee pads, it is a moment of pure awesomeness. There are a lot of cool moments in this book, just because Simonson is drawing them. However, I don't know how much it would work from a non nostalgic perspective, in that I don't know if it would have that same effect on a new reader. I personally found it to be very cool visually and enjoyed it a lot.
There are two stories in the book, one has Banner and his team time travelling and dimension hopping to the land of the Frost Giants to retrieve some element to research and study. They get stuck and Thor comes in to help them get back home. As mentioned, this was just pure old timey fun and I enjoyed it a lot. The second story is drawn by the great Matteo Scalera, and has to do with Hulk teaming up with Daredevil to get back a sonic disruptor type mega weapon. Both stories are ok, not the deepest stories ever, but I think fun is the main word I would use to describe this volume.
A solid and action packed book, if you're a fan of the Hulk, definitely check this one out.
I think that there is a level of nostalgia needed for this to work the way it did. If you have read Simonson's Thor run, then when you see him for the first time in his original costume with the giant helmet wings and the ridiculously giant knee pads, it is a moment of pure awesomeness. There are a lot of cool moments in this book, just because Simonson is drawing them. However, I don't know how much it would work from a non nostalgic perspective, in that I don't know if it would have that same effect on a new reader. I personally found it to be very cool visually and enjoyed it a lot.
There are two stories in the book, one has Banner and his team time travelling and dimension hopping to the land of the Frost Giants to retrieve some element to research and study. They get stuck and Thor comes in to help them get back home. As mentioned, this was just pure old timey fun and I enjoyed it a lot. The second story is drawn by the great Matteo Scalera, and has to do with Hulk teaming up with Daredevil to get back a sonic disruptor type mega weapon. Both stories are ok, not the deepest stories ever, but I think fun is the main word I would use to describe this volume.
A solid and action packed book, if you're a fan of the Hulk, definitely check this one out.
March 4, 2025
This collects two team-up stories of Hulk and another major Marvel headlining heroes in Thor and Daredevil.
The first short arc of three chapters has Walt Simonson drawing a classic Thor again that hits all the nostalgic notes. His Thor is still my preferred and definitive take on the thunder god.
The second short arc of two chapters is Mark Waid teaming up his Hulk with his modern and acclaimed take on Daredevil. It's a nice entertaining story of Bruce Banner lawyering up, but not his other attorney who was also his cousin (Shulkie) but the OG superhero lawyer, Matt Murdock. The art coloring is too muted and dark for my tastes. I wish editorial could have gotten Paolo Rivera, Marcos Martin, or Chris Samnee to do the art. At least someone with a clearer line to match it with the art on the Daredevil ongoing Waid was writing at the time.
The first short arc of three chapters has Walt Simonson drawing a classic Thor again that hits all the nostalgic notes. His Thor is still my preferred and definitive take on the thunder god.
The second short arc of two chapters is Mark Waid teaming up his Hulk with his modern and acclaimed take on Daredevil. It's a nice entertaining story of Bruce Banner lawyering up, but not his other attorney who was also his cousin (Shulkie) but the OG superhero lawyer, Matt Murdock. The art coloring is too muted and dark for my tastes. I wish editorial could have gotten Paolo Rivera, Marcos Martin, or Chris Samnee to do the art. At least someone with a clearer line to match it with the art on the Daredevil ongoing Waid was writing at the time.
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