Writer: Al Ewing
Penciller: Joe Bennett
Inker: Ruy José
Color Artist: Paul Mounts
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Smashing good times abounds in The Immortal Hulk #5! Immortal Hulk has struggled a bit with only being good, not great, compared to the other Marvel runs coming out. This issue changes that and takes a huge leap in quality, even going so far as to retroactively make earlier issues better.
Ewing brings his great pacing and storytelling into this action packed issue, while also managing to incorporate some backstory, character building, and twists. Not only does Banner/Hulk lean into that Jekyll and Hyde aesthetic, but other characters mirror it back to him. The themes of earlier issues now come back and double on themselves. The extensive set up is now starting to pay off, and pay off big. Hulk now has some more nuance to him beyond sadistic smash monster.
Readers see a lot of Hulk in this issue and he just looks awesome. As always the inking and painterly colors add another dimension of mood and eerie beauty to the book. Panel layouts are fantastic in showcasing the excitement and tension of the situation.
Anyone who has been tentatively following the series but are unsure if they should continue will most likely get fully onboard with #5. Those that loved the series from the beginning will love it more. This is the issue that makes it safe to assume Hulk fans and monster fans should pick up the trade when it comes out, if they haven’t been reading it already.
