The heroes have lost their last chance to stop Infernal Hulk…except for Bruce Banner himself. As Hulk closes in on New York, Banner and Doctor Voodoo risk their lives and souls against a terrifying enemy. Failure will mean eternal enslavement and torment…but success could give them the only weapon that might bring victory against Infernal Hulk. Meanwhile, another secret weapon joins the fray…Charlie Tidwell herself, the skinwalker Lycana! The Infernal Hulk #10 is another amazing entry in the current Hulk epic, one that’s packed with important moments.

I’ve never been a big Hulk person. I’ve read some story arcs here and there but it’s never been a comic I regularly read or character I cared about. Writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson has shifted that with an epic story (much like his vision for his time writing Superman) that takes the character and readers through a journey where you never know exactly what to expect. Johnson has taken the Hulk back to his horror roots, with an ancient being now controlling the Green Giant and raising an army of monsters to create a new Age of Monsters. The heroes have failed at every moment to stop this Infernal Hulk leaving the situation looking desperate with an unclear path to victory.

But through that destruction, Johnson keeps things focused not on the Infernal Hulk’s terror, but more importantly on the heroes who want to be anything but. At first it was Bruce Banner, hiding out with Betsy Ross, having lost his ability to become the Hulk and attempting to live a normal life. Johnson has now added Charlie Tidwell to the mix of heroes and weapons, a character who might really shift the battle. Together, we get a story of two individuals dragged into the situation and seeing a duty they have to do, not want to do.

But, even with two glimmer of hopes, Johnson also ramps things up giving us moments that echo the best zombie stories with overwhelming forces and those standing up against them with the odds not in their favor. It continues the feeling of desperation that has been a driver of this series, a pervasive feeling held by so many.

That feeling is helped by Adam Gorham‘s art who along with Matthew Wilson‘s colors and Cory Petit‘s lettering, creates a comic that’s steeped in emotion and horror. There’s a sense of overwhelming dread in multiple ways in the issue. Even the bright spots, Banner fighting a demon and the Lycana revelation, still are muted in same way, as if these might go away at any moment (and one might). Add in the ending, and you have an issue whose visuals add to the unknown as to who is gaining ground in the battle. The issue, and series as a whole, also continues to do an amazing job with the color, delivering a darker look but one that’s not all shadows. There’s a glow that has permeated the comic from early on, an almost fluorescent choice, that gives the comic a sickly feel. The lettering too continues to pack in the emotion and add to each moment.

The Infernal Hulk #10 is another fantastic issue of a fantastic series of a fantastic run. There’s till a whole other chapter still to come, and it’s building to be a doozy. Johnson continues to show he’s a master at long form comic storytelling, one that doesn’t feel decompressed, but one where each issue is packed with key moments. Mixed with some fantastic art, The Infernal Hulk continues to be the best comic Marvel is releasing right now.

Story: Phillip Kennedy Johnson Art: Adam Gorham
Color: Matthew Wilson Letterer: Cory Petit
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Earth’s Mightiest Heroes reunite to stop Infernal Hulk, leading them deep within the Earth where they find an ancient weapon that could save humanity from another Age of Monsters. But is even a god-slaying weapon enough to stop Infernal Hulk? Featuring the return of SKAAR! The Infernal Hulk #8 continues the build up to “Hulk War” as each side makes moves in their attempt to bolster their forces.

The Infernal Hulk has been a great marriage of horror and traditional superhero comics as its built its narrative into what’s going to be an epic confrontation in its next phase. Written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, The Infernal Hulk #8 has each side making moves to either build their forces or attempting to find a solution to stop the Infernal Hulk. Johnson does a great job for each side, creating a sense of desperation for the heroes as they struggle to find a solution to stop this version of the Hulk. The Infernal Hulk comes off as a grand villain as he plants the seeds to build up his forces after the last issue’s attack on the mutant population. The comic does a great job of teasing the big picture but at the same time not laying all the cards on the table, leaving readers to guess about the horrors to come.

Johnson has delivered with each issue of the series, a mix of action, teasing the bigger picture, and new concepts and ideas that enhance the monster mash-up the comic is going for. It feels like the series that should be what Marvel is building out a new horror line around. It not only fits well into the current superhero dynamics, but opens up ideas and concepts that would fit well to create a new and interesting dynamic for classic horror characters currently sitting on the shelf.

The art by Adam Gorham continues to impress. With color by Matthew Wilson and lettering by Cory Petit, the comic is packed with details that have you lingering on the page to experience the fear and unknown from the heroes or the twisted machinations of the Infernal Hulk. Its an issue that teases what might be unleashed next and with its colors, a sickly feel about it all. It’s a comic that embraces its horror roots in every aspect, perfectly combining story, art, color, and lettering for an experience that’s as much feeling from the visuals as it is the intriguing story within.

The Infernal Hulk #8 is another fantastic issue of the series. I’ve rarely cared about the Hulk as a character but this series has me hooked. It does a great job of elevating the character and superheroes blending in a genre you don’t see often. It fits as much with classic Marvel horror as it does with today’s spandex. It’s a series that shouldn’t be missed.

Story: Phillip Kennedy Johnson Art: Adam Gorham
Color: Matthew Wilson Letterer: Cory Petit
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle