World War Hulk
Author: Greg Pak | Illustrator: John Romita Jr.
"[H]e is the green scar. The Worldbreaker. The Eye of Anger... The Hulk."
We read previously about how Hulk was exiled from Earth by his "friends" (Vols 45+46: Planet Hulk), about his landing on an alien planet and his struggles whilst there. And then, without warning, something tragic happened, tearing apart his chance at inner peace.
The green giant is now as mad as hell—madder than he's ever been, which means he's more powerful than he's ever been—and he's returning to Earth to make the people he holds responsible for his loss pay for their crimes. He's not alone, either, the friends he made on planet Sakaar, the Warbound, are by his side and ready to kill.
Events prior to and during the World War Hulk mini-series were explored across multiple titles. I've not read them, but I'm wondering now if they manged to do any better with the premise than WWH did, because, while the thing that put Hulk on his rampage of revenge was emotionally affecting, the result is little more than page after page of the titular (anti)hero smashing superheroes and levelling buildings.
Considering that WWH was written by the same author that gave us the enjoyable Planet Hulk, I'd hoped it would at least equal it. And while there are a couple of interesting scenes, most of which involve Doctor Strange, overall it's a SMASSSH! and BRAKKKOOOM! and THOOOM! bore-fest that isn't a worthy sequel of its predecessor.
The Hulk's story was continued in the subsequent Planet Skaar story arc, which was also written by Greg Pak, but I've not read it and it's not even included in the initial 60 volumes of The Ultimate Graphic Novels Collection, so I can't comment on whether or not it manages to scrape back some dignity for all involved.
The green giant is now as mad as hell—madder than he's ever been, which means he's more powerful than he's ever been—and he's returning to Earth to make the people he holds responsible for his loss pay for their crimes. He's not alone, either, the friends he made on planet Sakaar, the Warbound, are by his side and ready to kill.
Events prior to and during the World War Hulk mini-series were explored across multiple titles. I've not read them, but I'm wondering now if they manged to do any better with the premise than WWH did, because, while the thing that put Hulk on his rampage of revenge was emotionally affecting, the result is little more than page after page of the titular (anti)hero smashing superheroes and levelling buildings.
Considering that WWH was written by the same author that gave us the enjoyable Planet Hulk, I'd hoped it would at least equal it. And while there are a couple of interesting scenes, most of which involve Doctor Strange, overall it's a SMASSSH! and BRAKKKOOOM! and THOOOM! bore-fest that isn't a worthy sequel of its predecessor.
The Hulk's story was continued in the subsequent Planet Skaar story arc, which was also written by Greg Pak, but I've not read it and it's not even included in the initial 60 volumes of The Ultimate Graphic Novels Collection, so I can't comment on whether or not it manages to scrape back some dignity for all involved.
The Book collects together World War Hulk #1-5.
Verdict:
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