Advance Review
Incredible Hulk Hercules #112
Writers: Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente
Artists: Khoi Pham and Stephanie Peru
So, World War Hulk is over and his supporters, the Renegades, were offered amnesty. Turns out Amnesty isn’t all it’s cracked up to be for Greek-god Hercules and Amadeus Cho, boy genius. This issue is spent taking us through their decision making process, a process which is naturally dramatized by SHEILD.
The characterization is the strength of the issue. Hercules is a brute with a good heart and a thing for lost causes. Cho is brilliant, but immature and untrusting. They make natural foils for each other and placing them together is both endearing and interesting. Their plot line needs to allow them to use their brain and brawn combination to take on something far bigger than they themselves are, and that is accomplished in spades. Cho seems able, with Herc’s help, to do anything he sets his mind to, so there is genuine interest in how he’ll go about his new plan.
The art is clear and easy to follow. Hercules looks as majestic as he should, while Cho looks frail but is shown to carry himself with a disarming confidence. There’s no real fight in the issue though a few fights are quickly shown, but everything is still moving well and comes across clearly. The single panel fight scenes are generally more dynamic than they have any right to be.
I’m quickly becoming a fan of Pak’s writing on these characters. He has their dynamic perfectly conveyed, making the characters interesting and likable despite some questionable decision making. Further, the plot allows these characters to be used to their potential and there seems to be a very well conceived plan for how to go about their adventures. This is what an adventure comic should be. Pick it up!
