Have you ever read something and felt like you were missing a key thing? That’s what reading Generations: Banner Hulk & The Totally Awesome Hulk #1 is like. The comic, written by Greg Pak with art by Matteo Buffagni, brings together Bruce Banner and Amadeus Cho. Both individuals have carried the curse of the Hulk and now they’re face-to-face. But how and why?

Those last two questions are my frustration with this comic which feels like it’s supposed to be the follow-up to however Secret Empire ends, but with a few more issues to go that natural bridge isn’t there (an issue that has plagued the last few Marvel events). Maybe it’ supposed to be tied into something else? We don’t really know and the most connected I was with the comic was the point Amadeus Cho asks the questions. The issue is, we never get any answers making this comic feel more like a throwaway one-shot than anything special.

Pak does an admirable job with what’s on the table and in the one issue we’re provided a nice overview as to what it means to be “the Hulk” through a story that’s a throwback in many ways, battle with the military and giant monsters, but not enough is explained to make it at all interesting. No time frame is given, though long time Hulk fans can probably pin it. A giant monster appears then is just generally dealt with, again, no explanation. Cho gets transported in time (we assume) without any explanation. It feels like a story that’s missing a beginning and an end. The middle though, is decent.

The art by Matteo Buffagni is good as well mixing the two characters in a way that matches each style. Each Hulk has their own look and that look extends to the comics they’re within. Cho a more lighthearted style with Banner focusing on a more serious tone. This issue feells like it splits it all. The action is good and latter on when Banner is evacuating individuals the use of pannels and framing makes it feel like a disaster film. Some action though is a bit confusing and muddled and hard to make out what’s happening.

This is a weird one that probably will make more sense in a month or two but as is it feels like a one-shot that you’re left wondering why it was released other than for a few dollars.

Story: Greg Pak Art: Matteo Buffagni
Story: 6.0 Art: 6.85 Overall: 6.0 Recommendation: Pass

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review