"...Keep the Chainsaw."
Recommendation: Yes! (Yeah, really, wow, I am surprised too!)
So, needless to say, I am pleasantly surprised by the turn of events in this series. Sure, it will be ending soon, but I am glad to see that it will not be ending on a "sour" note.
As you know (if you read my reviews), I was not impressed with the "Stay Angry" arc. It had so much potential and a wonderful idea, yet fell flat on execution (and the art looked a bit weird for my liking).
This arc, "Hulk: United", has smashed all my expectations for the series (as they have been on a roller coaster ride for a while now, hitting the lowest point with issue 11). Again, don't get me wrong, the first several issues of the series were phenomenal - but "Stay Angry" almost made me drop the book!
Enough lingering in the past. Let's talk about this issue, Part 1 of 3, the start of this new and final arc...
First, the art. Meh. It is not my favorite, but I have gotten used to this "style" over the last several issues. The one thing I am having trouble adjusting to is the lack of hair for the guys... I understand that it was blown off by the Gamma Bomb, but still, it still hasn't grown back? Stubble at least? Healing Factor? Meh. It is okay, it doesn't distract from the story for me any more anyway...
Now, for the story. Okay, now we are talking. Jason Aaron has my attention now. THIS is what I wanted to see in the last issue... I wanted to see the "Tyler Durden" POV. And that is what we get here... It was very well done - it didn't go into great detail of each and every turn Banner made, but it was enough to jog the memory and make for a much more cohesive story.
My favorite part of the issue was Banner in Latveria. I do not want to spoil what happens, but it was perfectly written. I love Doom, and this was a perfect reflection on his character in this circumstance.
Finally, I have to say that I quite enjoyed the "twist" at the end. I was not expecting it. I was also not expecting the mental state of Banner throughout this entire part of the story - really surprising, given how this entire series started out.
I am very much looking forward to the two remaining parts of this arc, and the series. It promises to go out with an Incredible SMASH!
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