Layered.
It feels like forever since I've written a Hulk review, and let me tell you, it's good to be back. I was initially planning on reviewing the HULK issues I've missed during the time I was away, but since the arc isn't over and has multiple concepts that need to be addressed, so I think reviewing something a bit more focused is better at least for now. Anyways, before I get to the good and juicy parts, I'd really like to talk about why I think these side titles with rotating creative teams can generally be both great terrible. With titles like the Savage Wolverine or Savage Hulk, writers have free reign to basically choose any setting, story, tone, and character they desire. They are given creative freedom to whatever it is they want, because such titles have no general consistency; at least, not in the traditional sense anyways. Bearing this in mind, someone can either explore interesting concepts or go completely off the rails and do something that is utterly against the characters personality. (A good example of this is Adventures of Superman, where one story was either completely better or worse than the other). At this point you may be asking yourself "Okay, but what does this have to do with Savage Hulk?" To which I'd replay "Everything." These individual stories should not damage beloved characters, but instead they should enrich them and add more layers, which is exactly what this issue succeeds in. Sure, it's plot it very simple and relies on some dumb conveniences, but overall it's thought-provoking and interesting.
I'd like to begin by saying that Bill Mantlo's Mindless Hulk era is a very dangerous territory. The story Mantlo constructed is very delicate and specific, so even a slight deviation may result in a catastrophe, and to be quite honest, when I saw the ending of the previous issue, I was afraid my prediction and worries were correct. Fortunately, Mr. Bechko did not disappoint and used this time period to introduce, or better yet reintroduce, a certain idea that is frequently forgotten about the Jade Giant. Many people tend to forget that Hulk is a hero, first and foremost. Most of his rampages were either caused by provocation or mind control, and while he has caused a lot of damage, when the time came, Hulk always came through and proved that he was a hero first, monster second. What makes this instance somewhat unique is the fact that this incarnation is mindless, meaning that Banner is basically "dead". Usually, when hulk does something heroic people like to say that it's because banner brought out the good in him, but what they fail to realize that HULK Is already an aspect of Banner, and even when Bruce is silenced Hulk will never regress to a pure monster. This adds some extra depth to Hulks character, which to me, is what these rotating writers should strive to do. Don't get me wrong, fun stories are great, but they can't compare to meaningful ones.
Moreover, aside from Hulk, I believe that Doctor strange was well written as well. Bechko did a good job of finding the right amount balance between Stephens elegance and weirdness. What I didn't enjoy about the story, however, is the main villain. Yes, I am aware that the story was cut short, which may have limited the writer, but it nonetheless bothered me that some random alien managed to easily match the power of the Sorcerer Supreme. I won't go any further than this, since I'd have to spoil a lot of details, but lets just say that the lack of context and exposition really hurt the story.
Furthermore, the pacing throughout this issue is just simply horrible. Everything moves so ridiculously fast, and at times it may take you out of the great story. Again, this isn't a jab at the writer, it's just my frustration towards marvel for not letting a guy finish the arc properly. Bechko clearly knew what he was doing, which is exactly why it's a damn shame that they didn't give the guy more freedom.
In conclusion, aside from the lame villain and the ridiculous pacing, it's a genuinely interesting story with a lot of interesting concept and ideas about the title character. Any hulk fan should pick this up in my honest opinion.