REVIEW: ‘Immortal Hulk,’ Issue #43

Immortal Hulk #43 is published by Marvel Comics, written by Al Ewing, with pencils by Joe Bennett, inks by Ruy José and Belardino Brabo, colors by Paul Mounts, and letters by VC’s Cory Petit.

Previously, in an issue that felt quite out of balance, the members of gamma flight were ousted in place of the U-Foes, Jackie McGee left her job as a journalist, and Bruce was tortured by the Leader in the below. The Leader came to a grizzly end as the One Below All possessed the villains’ body.

Now in Immortal Hulk  #43, we return back to Joe Fixit and Savage Hulk, the only two alters left in Bruce Banner’s physical body. Joe displays his cunning in funding his life on the run from the Government, while Savage Hulk remains dormant.

The new Alpha Flight team (previously the U-Foes) practice their team skills on a Hulk simulation, and find little to no resistance, striking with deadly force. Whereas the now out ejected members of Gamma Flight search for Dr. Samson’s body at the site of Shadow Base site G, but encounter a gamma monster previously thought to have been locked down.

Ewing has definitely found a better balance in this week’s issue versus the prior issue, where there were just too many stories competing for pole position. Within issue #43 however, it’s clear that Joe and Savage Hulk are the focus as they seek to survive life on the run. The plot highlight the ingenuity of Joe leveraging his cunning to avoid being mistaken as Bruce Banner.

It was encouraging to see the overall pace restored when compared to the prior issue, but it did feel at moments to be somewhat of a filler story. More related to Joe and Savage Hulks experience as they seek to drive the ship without Devil Hulk and Bruce anywhere in sight. The ending will certainly set up some tension for the coming issue.

The art from trio Bennett, Rosé, and Brabo, was entertaining especially when highlight the specific power sets of the U-Foes. Ironclad, Vector, X-Ray, and Vapor absolutely pulverize the Hulk simulator while they hide their time waiting for their gamma detector to signal the return of the Hulk. The artistic team then delivered a truly masterful return of the Gamma monster, not seen for several issues, as it’s mutated form spills onto a two page spread.

Mounts had their work cut out for them delivering on the unique colors for the U-Foes, but also getting back to elevating the visuals during the Joe Fixit and Savage Hulk sequence.

Petit’s letters were well placed and maintain the flow of the story given its low and action and heavy on dialogue. It’s not to detract from the story, but you can see the issue has taken a step to get its affairs in order.

Overall, it was a good issue, that feels like the calm before a storm. For a few issues now, Hulk has been ripped apart and beaten to his possibly lowest point we’ve ever seen. Ewing appears to be building toward a moment here, and I’m looking forward to see where he continues to take this series.

Immortal Hulk #43 is available now wherever comics are sold.