Nerdopolis

The cover pretty much says it all: Red Hulk! You read it right, a Red Hulk! At first I was taken aback by the gimmick and it all smacked of shades of Superman Red & Blue. I’m not really a DC fan, so it’s safe to say I avoided these issues like the bubonic plague. It was Ed McGuinness’s credit on the cover that finally tempted me to pick up Hulk #1, despite my apprehensions. I can safely say I do not regret the decision.

The series seems to revolve around the mystery of the Red Hulk- is this another form of Banner’s monstrous alter ego, another manifestation of his split personality disorder? Or is it something more sinister? Who is the Hulk? The first issue starts out with Doc Samson and She-Hulk investigating the scene of a murder of superhuman proportions that has decimated a small village in rural Russia. They are joined by Iron Man and Thunderbolt Ross. The issue also features an appearance by (and subsequent skirmish with) The Winter Guard- Crimson Dynamo, Ursa Major, The Red Guardian and Darkstar.

From the outset, Jeph Loeb has weaved an enthralling premiere issue to this series, never giving the reader all of the pieces of the puzzle and making promises of exciting answers to come. Mark my words, the cliffhanger ending will ensure that you go out and buy the next installment. McGuinness, as expected, does an amazing job of presenting the visuals in his trademark muscle bound style, a perfect fit for the ever-aggro giant that is the Incredible Hulk; now made doubly fearsome with burning embers for eyes and scarlet skin. It remains to be seen what the end result will be, but I will be following this one just to find out who this Red Behemoth is.