Review: Indestructible Hulk Vol 2: Gods and Monster
Quick Summary
Pros: There is some potential in minor plotlines that are introduced. The team up with Daredevil is fun. Walter Simonson’s artwork is nice to see.
Cons: The storyline with Thor is mediocre. The volume, as a whole, does very little to advance the series forward.
Overall: While this volume does not necessarily capitalize on everything the first volume set up, it does provide two stories about the Hulk teaming up with an ally. The first is a rather average adventure with Thor; however the second is a far more entertaining and involves an encounter with Daredevil. Together, they form a collection that is certainly passable but does not do anything worthwhile. Fans looking for fun crossovers are who this collection will mostly appeal to.
Story
Indestructible Hulk Vol. 2: Gods and Monster by Mark Waid is mostly a focus on Bruce Banner teaming up with two different heroes in the Marvel Universe. The first leads him on a cosmic journey through magical lands with Thor. The second puts him in a buddy-cop piece with Daredevil. The first adventure is incredibly mediocre, while the second manages to have some significant positives. The end result is a collection of average quality that will appeal to fans looking for a couple of random adventures but won’t do much for fans looking for something more.
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The first half of the book details Banner’s trip to Jotunheim and his subsequent encounter with Thor. This is a fairly standard superhero offering that maintains a modern storyline while also having the feel of a more classic comic. It involves a meetup between Hulk and Thor, something that always leads to some fun, but fails to accomplish much more. Besides having a nice connection to Walter Simonson’s run on Thor, there really isn’t much here, and the story feels overwhelmingly mediocre.
Alongside this story, Waid begins to develop aspects of a greater storyline that he teased in the previous volume. We learn that one member of Banner’s team is suffering from a terminal illness and only joined the team so she could commit suicide via Hulk. While this plotline has some potential, it is not expanded upon nearly enough to garner anything more than passing interest. It doesn’t help that this is relegated to a very minor portion of the book’s subplot either, making it easier to ignore.
The second half of the book is much better. Focusing on a team-up between Hulk and Daredevil, this portion of the collection turns into a buddy-cop story with a unique dynamic. The two go back and fourth with their banter and compliment each other well with their crimefighting knowledge. It also answers the question as to who Hulk’s emergency contact is and who Daredevil’s secret client has been, both questions that have been asked in the characters’ solo series. Add a moderately interesting storyline in the mix, and you end up with an effective crossover.
In addition to all of this, Daredevil is one of the first characters in this series, so far, who the Hulk considers a friend. This immediately allows the story to differentiate itself and allow audiences to see a different side of the Hulk. Here the Hulk is more of a misunderstood giant than a potential menace, something that is nice to see every now and then. The relationship between the duo is also incredibly wholesome and allows for some sweet and genuine moments, especially when Hulk saves Daredevil at the collection’s end.
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Art
The first half of this book features art by famed Thor writer and artist, Walter Simonson. Since these issues feature a focus on Thor and the cosmic world of Jotunheim, Simonson’s artwork works perfectly here. He brings the classic feel of the Marvel cosmic universe to this book, which is a treat for both new and longtime fans. The only places where the art doesn’t work as well is within the S.H.I.E.L.D. facilities, though these moments are rather short.
The other half of this collection is drawn by Matteo Scalera, with colors by Val Staples. Though not as beautiful as Simonson’s work, Scalera’s pencils match the gritty tone of this story a bit better. Both Hulk and Daredevil look great on the streets of New York and fit the environment surprisingly well. These aren’t the best looking issues in the world, but they are also not the worst.
Continuity
Indestructible Hulk Vol. 2: Gods and Monster takes place right after the events of Indestructible Hulk Vol. 1: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Review).
The story started here continues in Indestructible Hulk Vol. 3: S.M.A.S.H. Time.
This volume also references another comic book, detailed below:
- Daredevil’s appearance in this volume could be considered a crossover between this collection and Daredevil Vol. 6 (Review).
Collection Notes
Every issue in found in this collection can also be found in:
- Indestructible Hulk by Mark Waid: The Complete Collection, which collects:
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