by Lewis E. Ryan
Welcome to ‘Marvel NOW… NOW!’, an ongoing series in which we take a look at how the Marvel universe’s rebranding is progressing. The series will be aimed largely at trade collectors like myself rather than monthly readers. So, really the title is ironic, as ‘NOW’ actually happened months ago and anyone following the continuity monthly will be far ahead of this. Anyway, game on! This week, I’ll be looking at the not-so-jolly green giant’s contribution to this continued consolidation, Mark Waid’s The Indestructible Hulk. The first trade was released this month and it is titled Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Interesting.
Welcome to ‘Marvel NOW… NOW!’, an ongoing series in which we take a look at how the Marvel universe’s rebranding is progressing. The series will be aimed largely at trade collectors like myself rather than monthly readers. So, really the title is ironic, as ‘NOW’ actually happened months ago and anyone following the continuity monthly will be far ahead of this. Anyway, game on! This week, I’ll be looking at the not-so-jolly green giant’s contribution to this continued consolidation, Mark Waid’s The Indestructible Hulk. The first trade was released this month and it is titled Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Interesting.
I say interesting because, since Marvel decided to give Clark Gregg’s Agent Coulson a resurrection and his own TV spin-off, that phrase brings to mind some very strong words. “Insane” would be one of those words. “Steaming pile of shit” would be a few more. Why Marvel would want to unnecessarily associate a new work with something like this evades logic. So, it was with some trepidation that I picked the book up.
The other possibility I considered was that Bruce Banner’s alter ego was to be shoehorned into some painful buddy-cop storyline. Imagine the Hulk, coerced into becoming an agent and paired with some wisecracking racial stereotype. I could just picture a boardroom of executives patting each other on the back for missing the point of yet another great character.
Fortunately, I like the premise of this book. Waid has asked a question that I’ve asked myself on occasion. ‘What would Bruce Banner do if he realised that his condition was incurable and he had to come to terms with being the Hulk forever?’ I mean, truly come to terms with it. Can you imagine the guilt that someone with a mind like his would carry knowing that all his intellect, and all his years of research could not kill the raging monster that had ruined his life? Knowing that The Hulk was truly indestructible, surely he would have to conclude that if he wanted to make a difference, he’d have to do it with that beast watching over his shoulder.
This is where we begin, with a good logical basis for progression of the character. The reader is not asked to suspend her or his disbelief, but rather to join in a journey with a man they have always sympathised with as he takes steps toward becoming something better.
The other possibility I considered was that Bruce Banner’s alter ego was to be shoehorned into some painful buddy-cop storyline. Imagine the Hulk, coerced into becoming an agent and paired with some wisecracking racial stereotype. I could just picture a boardroom of executives patting each other on the back for missing the point of yet another great character.
Fortunately, I like the premise of this book. Waid has asked a question that I’ve asked myself on occasion. ‘What would Bruce Banner do if he realised that his condition was incurable and he had to come to terms with being the Hulk forever?’ I mean, truly come to terms with it. Can you imagine the guilt that someone with a mind like his would carry knowing that all his intellect, and all his years of research could not kill the raging monster that had ruined his life? Knowing that The Hulk was truly indestructible, surely he would have to conclude that if he wanted to make a difference, he’d have to do it with that beast watching over his shoulder.
This is where we begin, with a good logical basis for progression of the character. The reader is not asked to suspend her or his disbelief, but rather to join in a journey with a man they have always sympathised with as he takes steps toward becoming something better.
The writing is solid, with some insightful moments of comic relief, particularly some great interaction between Banner and Tony Stark as the latter comes to grips with no longer being the smartest kid on the playground. Waid has a knack for utilising “in jokes” without alienating the reader. He also acknowledges the fact that this is a new direction without apologizing for it. Each character approaches the new, happier Bruce Banner with their own reservations, whether it’s Tony, Maria Hill, or the new team of scientists hired to work around him.
Initially, this reads like a vehicle for Banner to be Bruce first and The Hulk second and I love that. The risk that Waid takes in cheering Banner up, however, is that he has also given him some swagger. Marvel already has an arrogant genius on the payroll and putting them side by side here just makes Banner a little less relatable. Maybe it’s this lack of empathy, or maybe he’s just done with exposition, but unfortunately, by the fifth issue, Waid seems to have already shifted the primary focus to be on the green man smashing things again. It’s hard to tell direction from only five issues but the first two of this trade are definitely the most entertaining and original.
Time will tell (or has already told for those monthly readers) whether Waid continues with the heavy action of issue 5 or delves back into some of the more Banner-focused writing. Either way, it’ll be an interesting one to watch and definitely one of the more promising titles out of Marvel NOW.
Initially, this reads like a vehicle for Banner to be Bruce first and The Hulk second and I love that. The risk that Waid takes in cheering Banner up, however, is that he has also given him some swagger. Marvel already has an arrogant genius on the payroll and putting them side by side here just makes Banner a little less relatable. Maybe it’s this lack of empathy, or maybe he’s just done with exposition, but unfortunately, by the fifth issue, Waid seems to have already shifted the primary focus to be on the green man smashing things again. It’s hard to tell direction from only five issues but the first two of this trade are definitely the most entertaining and original.
Time will tell (or has already told for those monthly readers) whether Waid continues with the heavy action of issue 5 or delves back into some of the more Banner-focused writing. Either way, it’ll be an interesting one to watch and definitely one of the more promising titles out of Marvel NOW.
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