The Indestructible Hulk #12 Review
Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Matteo Scalera
Colorist: Val Staples
Letterer: Chris Eliopoulos
Cover: Mukesh Singh
Review by Tom Barnett
The Hulk. Dinosaurs. Two-Gun Kid, Rawhide Kid, Kid Colt. Dinosaurs. Dr. Banner’s consciousness in a floating robot. Oh, did I say dinosaurs? What the hell is not to like? Seriously, if you can’t have some fun with your comics, then why read them. Mark Waid is really having some fun here as he takes the Hulk and Dr. Bruce Banner back in time to try and repair some of the damage done by the Age of Ultron. In this issue they land in the wild west of Arizona, 1873.
I didn’t know if I would enjoy the Bruce Banner floating consciousness aspect of these time travel stories, but so far I think it works well. It acts as a narrator and a participant in the story. I do hope that Banner doesn’t have to continually insult the Hulk throughout this run though. I know, he needs to keep him angry, but that could grow tedious. I love the fact that Waid brought in Marvel’s old western characters for this story. He did a nice job of giving those characters enough personality that they almost stole the show. I easily could’ve read these characters for another couple of issues.
Matteo Scalera’s art style really lends itself to this fast paced issue, especially in the gunfight scenes which were delivered with as much action as any summer blockbuster movie. His artwork could easily be overly inked and it’s not. It’s sketchy but still very clear as to what is happening. Of special note is the two page spread of Hulk battling a T-Rex.
Val Staples colors are subtle and not overpowering, but still bright.
Waid’s first 12 issues on the Indestructible Hulk are the most fun I’ve ever had reading the Hulk. This book is well done and should be in everyone’s pull pile.
Story: 4.5
Art: 4.5
Overall: 4.5
Tom is a contributing writer for Drunk On Comics. You can follow him on Twitter at @tphoto10.