Tag Archives: hulk vs. thor: banner of war

Review: Hulk vs. Thor: Banner War Alpha

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Hulk vs. Thor: Banner War Alpha

I worked in a comic shop for many years and a discussion that would constantly come up is who would win in a fight between two characters. Many comics would attempt to play out those battles, some better than others. Hulk and Thor have collided many times in the past building up a nice rivalry as to who is the toughest. Hulk vs. Thor: Banner War Alpha kicks off the latest clash in a comic that’s a bit of a letdown.

Hulk and Thor have each been having their own intriguing journeys. Donny Cates has been guiding each as the writer and is the writer for Hulk vs. Thor: Banner War Alpha. Celebrating 60 years, these two are back at it again in a comic that is a lot of fighting but not much else.

To Cates’ credit, Hulk vs. Thor: Banner War Alpha does a solid job of rehashing where each of these characters are in their lives at the moment. It makes an easy way for new readers to jump in. And then the fight begins because… Thor needs to let out aggression!? Yes, Cates just says “fuck it” and makes the battle about male ego and the inability to work out one’s own problems. There’s absolutely no depth to it at all and the comic feels a bit lesser for it. It really is just Thor wanting to work out some aggression and his “daddy issues”.

That simplicity also makes the readers realize that this is a theme in Cates’ run for both. They’re both individuals wracked by toxic masculinity that can’t work out their own shit so they break stuff instead. It kind of makes each lesser for it in some ways. It makes each comes off as assholes.

Still, the battle is entertaining and there’s moments of levity. We’re really all just reading this for the fight anyways, right?

Martin Coccolo’s art delivers that brutality. Mixed with Matt Wilson’s colors and Joe Sabino’s lettering, the comic visually pops and entertaining to look at. There’s a brutality about the punches but they’re delivered in a way that makes it all a little over the top comedic. It’s Looney Tunes in a way with two individuals beating the snot out of each other but neither doing much damage. All that’s missing is the tools from Acme. Overall, the visual effect is one of comedy and that’s somehow enhanced by the silliness of the simplicity for the reason the two are fighting.

Hulk vs. Thor: Banner War Alpha kicks things off as promised. It’s a comic, so far, about these two fighting, not much more. If you’re looking for a decent reason or depth, this isn’t delivering that. If you just want to see these two punch each other, then this is your pinnacle of entertainment.

Story: Donny Cates Art: Martin Coccolo
Color: Matt Wilson Letterer: Joe Sabino
Story: 7.0 Art: 8.5 Overall: 7.0 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: comiXology/Kindle – Zeus Comics

It’s the Brawl to End Them All in the Hulk vs. Thor: Banner of War Trailer

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Donny Cates is currently taking two of Marvel’s most iconic characters on transformative journeys in the pages of Hulk and Thor. And next month, the acclaimed writer will smash both sagas together in an all-new epic: Hulk vs. Thor: Banner of War! Hitting just in time for the two heroes’ 60th anniversaries, this five-part crossover will kick off in Hulk vs. Thor: Banner of War Alpha #1 before exploding in the pages of both Hulk and Thor’s hit solo titles throughout May and June. Tackling ongoing mysteries from both series and featuring artwork by rising star Martin Coccolo and covers by legendary artist Gary Frank, the story promises to deliver Thor and Hulk’s most glorious battle yet and the showdown will have a shocking impact on both characters’ futures.

In the aftermath of the opening arc of Hulk which saw the debut of Titan and the “God of Hammers” arc that ended with the death of Odin, both Bruce Banner and Thor Odinson have both undergone massive changes, but one thing remains constant — their heated rivalry! When mysterious circumstances bring them into conflict once more, will the God of Thunder be able to triumph against a Bruce Banner who can now control his rage? Get your first look at the fight that will go down in Marvel Comics history in the Hulk vs. Thor: Banner of War trailer, featuring never-before-seen artwork!

Check out the complete list of issues below and be there for the fight that will smash the Marvel Universe at its core when Hulk vs. Thor: Banner of War Alpha #1 arrives on April 27.

Who Will be the Victor in the Brutal Brawl that is Banner of War?

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Beginning next month, Marvel’s biggest hitters will duke it out for their 60th anniversaries in Hulk vs. Thor: Banner of War! Donny Cates, the writer behind both Hulk and Thor, will team up with artist Martin Coccolo in a story that will smash both character’s current sagas together in a glorious showdown! Kicking off in April’s Hulk vs. Thor: Banner of War Alpha #1, the five-part crossover will explode in the pages of both Hulk and Thor’s hit solo titles and come to a shocking end in June. Learn what’s to come in the final chapters now!

In Thor #26, Odin forces Thor to realize the gravity of Banner’s situation — and its connection to that mysterious, violent incident in El Paso. But when Iron Man’s interference causes more harm than good, our two rivals face shocking changes that change the stakes of the battle…for good.

Then the time for victory comes at last in Hulk #8. Marvel’s two heaviest hitters expend their rage on one final, brutal brawl that will answer once and for all which of these heroes is the strongest. But in a fight between gods, monsters and men, what becomes of the victor? The loser? And who really has the authority to decide?

Be there when revelations about Hulk’s past and choices Thor makes about the future shake the Marvel Universe to its very core!

Hulk vs. Thor: Banner of War Rages on in May

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Launching in April, Marvel’s biggest hitters will duke it out for their 60th anniversaries in Hulk vs. Thor: Banner of War! Donny Cates, the acclaimed writer behind both Hulk and Thor, will team up with rising star artist Martin Coccolo in a story that will smash both character’s current sagas together in a glorious showdown! The five-part crossover will kick off in April’s Hulk vs. Thor: Banner of War Alpha #1 before exploding in the pages of both Hulk and Thor’s hit solo titles throughout May and June.

In May’s Thor #25, part two of “Banner of War,” Banner’s newfound control of his rage is prolonging the fight more than Thor expected, and with Banner holding his own, Thor must get creative. Odin’s breakthrough look into Banner’s psyche seems to slow the violence, but will it be enough?

Later that month in Hulk #7, part three of “Banner of War,” Iron Man interrupts a pivotal moment of Hulk and Thor’s battle to settle a score. Equipped with new “Celestial Hulkbuster” armor of his own design, Tony is convinced that he can ensure Thor’s victory and Hulk’s capture. But sometimes what you don’t know really can hurt you…

Check out some of May’s covers now, including a stunning connecting pair by artist Chrissie Zullo, and witness the fight that will smash the Marvel Universe at its core beginning April 27!

The Hulk’s Rage Meets Thor’s Thunder in an Epic Crossover in April

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Donny Cates is currently taking two of Marvel’s most iconic characters on transformative journeys in the pages of Hulk and Thor. And this April, the acclaimed writer will smash both sagas together in an all-new epic: Hulk vs. Thor: Banner of War!

Celebrating the two heroes’ 60th anniversaries, this five-part crossover will kick off in Hulk vs. Thor: Banner of War Alpha #1 before exploding in the pages of both Hulk and Thor’s hit solo titles throughout May and June. Tackling ongoing mysteries from both series and featuring artwork by rising star Martin Coccolo and covers by legendary artist Gary Frank, the story promises to deliver Thor and Hulk’s most glorious battle yet and the showdown will have a shocking impact on both characters’ futures.

In the aftermath of the opening arc of Hulk and the “God of Hammers” arc currently unfolding in Thor, both Bruce Banner and Thor Odinson have both undergone massive changes, but one thing remains constant — their heated rivalry! When mysterious circumstances bring them into conflict once more, will the God of Thunder be able to triumph against a Bruce Banner who can now control his rage?

Be there for the fight that will smash the Marvel Universe at its core when Hulk vs. Thor: Banner of War #1 arrives on April 27.