Reviewer: James Hatton
Story Title: Trial of The Incredible Hulk
Written by: Mark Millar
Penciled by: Bryan Hitch
Inked by: Paul Neary
Colored by: Laura Martin
Lettered by: Chris Eliopoulos
Editor: Ralph Macchio
Publisher: Marvel Comics
I’ve heard the water cooler talk about Mark Millar. I’ve heard people say really nasty little things about him – and this review just isn’t going to change their opinion. It’s not, but if there is someone out there who has never in their life picked up an issue of the Ultimates, I can’t stress more to you as to why this issue is the single best issue of the book yet – and a complete title from top to bottom… do you already see where this is going?
STORY!
A while back, a man by the name of Bruce Banner was irradiated and turned into a big massive green monster by the name of The Incredible Hulk. I think you are familiar with the idea. Well, the Ultimates were formed and their first mission was to take down that Mister The Hulk. Their unprecedented success did not leave the world without it’s casualties though. Hundreds died, and many more injured in his rampage… that was the first story arc.
Here we are, a couple of years later because of some late art and a relaunch – here we are. The trial of the Hulk. Banner has been put under SHIELD watch – and the world has come to find out that Mister Banner is indeed Mister The Hulk – and they want payback.
This issue encompasses the trial and the reactions of those that Bruce knows. From Tony’s financial worries, Betsy Ross’ tearful want to be near him, and Thor’s disgust in the team that he was once a part of. It’s all here, and done in the strongest voices these characters have had yet.
I’m not going to tell you how it ends… that would be mean. The ending though is so Sexcellent that I read it twice in my first sitting. Just remember, Nick Fury is a bad mutha’ – and that’s that.
Art!
For a while, I felt that Hitch drew too slow. The time delay of the last few issues of Ultimates Volume #1 was just so annoyingly distant that it was hard to even read the damnable thing without having to go read everything again. So I gave up and bought the trades – which, honestly, it reads much better as anyway.
Between saving a cache of books up before releasing the first issue of the second volume, it has allowed for us to enjoy this book as it was originally meant – monthly. The art isn’t as detailed, where you can see the reflection of the scene behind you in the characters’ eyes. Hitch seems to have stepped down a bit on that, but it doesn’t suffer. The entire book is fine without those miniscule details. Just as smart. Just as pretty. Just as perfect.
Overall!
So that’s that. The best book of the year so far, as far as I’m concerned. It is so damned good that it’s recieving my second ever perfect score. That’s one ’10’ for every six months or so I write for IP/CN, but what I can promise is that if you have no care about the idiotic politicking and don’t know a reason why someone should dislike Millar… good. That knowledge means that you will be able to read this book with no pretenses. That ’10’ means that I can almost guarantee your enjoyment of the book. Nice trade off eh?
