The Incredible Hulk, Vol. 7: Dead Like Me

The Incredible Hulk (1999) (Collected Editions) #10

by Bruce Jones, Garth Ennis, Mike Deodato (Illustrator)

"There's something big and nasty in the desert, and it's cutting a bloody swath toward Dr. Bruce Banner -- the man also known as the Incredible Hulk! As Banner marshals the monster within for his ultimate battle, he must be ready to confront a creature with intimate knowledge of his very soul. Collects INCREDIBLE HULK #66-69 -- plus the pulse-pounding, never-before-reprinted Marvel Knights miniseries HULK SMASH #1 and #2."

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Marvel, Superheroes, Science Fiction, Comic Book

144 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2004

Reviews

[Roman Zarichnyi · Rating 3 out of 5]

У сюжетній арці «Неймовірний Галк: Мертвий, як я» #65-69 Брюс Джонс зв’язує ще кілька ниток, які він розпочав із початку серії.

У пустелі є щось велике й огидне, і воно прямує до доктора Брюса Беннера. Йому важко буде протистояти цій істоті, яка глибоко знає його душу. Це клон Беннера, якого востаннє бачили «мертвим» наприкінці попередньої арки «Розділені рішення». Виявляється, клон був підданий процедурі Розділу H і тому має здатність регенерації. Додаткова особливість цього антагоніста полягає в тому, що він уміє мутувати, і врешті-решт стає чимось страшним, що може серйозно протистояти Галку.

Цього разу історія видалася не такою класною, як у попередніх арках. Але ось цей горор антураж багато в чому рятує історію. Та часом це затьмарюється нехарактерною поведінкою деяких персонажів. Особливо дружини Беннера, яку постійно кидає в емоційні крайнощі.

У підсумку, серія все ж є далі хорошою, навіть попри недоліки цієї арки.

[A.J. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Only read for the two issues of “Hulk Smash!” by the superstar creative team of Garth Ennis & John McCrea. The rest of it was pretty bad & boring though, and Hulk Smash is probably just easier to read in single issues. It’s a super fun Ennis story involving a superhero in an interesting way though, so still worth it. But anything by Bruce Jones wasn’t very fun to read.

[Malum · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another volume heavy on soap opera nonsense and light on Hulk smashing.

[Derek Moreland · Rating 2 out of 5]

Confusing. Terrible. The ending was rushed and unsatisfied. Bruce Jones cannot write a convincing woman, or a convincing relationship, to save his life, and every one of his “evil” characters sounds exactly alike. Even Doug Braithwaite couldn’t save this.

The only thing that gives this volume an extra star is Ennis and McCrea’s fun as hell Hulk Smash! story.

[Eligos Vespillo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another horror subplot develops, inspired this time by the body horror of Cronenburg! Betty and Nadia get to hash out the love triangle they've found themselves in with Bruce, with Doc Samson playing the middleman. Also included is Garth Ennis' Hulk SMASH mini series which focuses on the concept of bravery, self-sacrifice, and duty...not so much hulk smashing.

[Jdetrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of the same, although its amazing how soap operish this comic has become.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Art was okay, story was okay.

[Odo · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5.0

[Dean · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bruce banner doppelganger. I think that was this arc.

Nadia is back. she can be fun when she's not just an object.

[Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The penultimate volume of Bruce Jones' run on Incredible Hulk collects [1] the next four issues in the ongoing conspiracy storyline with art by Doug Braithwaite, and [2] a two-part mini-series titled Hulk Smash, written by Garth Ennis with art by John McCrea.

Hulk Smash is at most a 2-star filler story, and really isn't related (in plot, tone, or spirit) to Jones' run, and should not have been collected here. But people will not be reading this book for the Ennis story anyway, so let's get on with the review of "Dead Like Me".

In this arc, Jones ties up a few more of the threads he started since the beginning of his run, leaving just a couple for the next & final volume.

This time around the story - at least the "menace" our heroes are facing - while retaining some suspense, is marred by some of the characters behaving uncharacteristically, and the end result is that it feels forced... or even fake.

The "menace" in question is a Banner clone, last seen "dead" at the end of The Incredible Hulk, Vol. 6: Split Decisions. Turns out the clone had been subjected to the Section H procedure and so can revive itself. There's one particular way of dealing with these regenerating creatures: cutting off the head, cutting up the body in many many many parts, and burning the whole thing. The added twist to this Banner clone is that it has the ability to mutate, and eventually becomes something that can take on the Hulk (even though "the Operation" never got Hulk blood - a glaring plot hole, but never mind).

For over a year, I'd been looking forward to reading this book, and I must admit that I was a bit disppointed. But, looking back at The Incredible Hulk, Vol. 6: Split Decisions, I can see that it would've been hard to sustain that kind of tension and excitement.

Let's wrap it up with The Incredible Hulk, Vol. 8: Big Things...

[Timo · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a mixed-up collection this is. The Bruce Jones run continues its conspiracy theme but then there is a wee two parts long Garth Ennis story. Which has nothing to do with Joneses run.
Apparently Ennis did this because he needed money to do something, it really isn't even close to his standards. Maybe he was trying to say something but failed. But then again, there is McCrea art and he is one of the artists that ain't appreciated enough.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

A deceent read that paces up the suspense quite a bit. At this point, looking back at this and volume eight, it seems the writer kind of quit after this.

[Fugo Feedback · Rating 2 out of 5]

Me gustaba el dibujo, pero con el Hulk de este guionista siempre faltan 5 pal peso.