Incredible Hulk #611 Review

Incredible Hulk #611

The battle of the titans, Round 1, has begun. Hulk vs Skaar. Rage vs. Vengeance. Father vs. Son. Today I will be reviewing Incredible Hulk #611. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think.

So let’s talk about the book. The big green smashing machine has returned, and not the savage one. It’s the one from the World War Hulk storyline. The smart, vicious, VERY ANGRY one. The one that decimated pretty much everyone in the Marvel Universe by himself. Only one person has even a glimmer of hope of stopping him: his son, Skaar, whose only purpose is to kill this Hulk. Let the battle begin. And the battle is awesome. Powerhouse punches are thrown that are devastating. Hulks get smashed across states, into orbit, and down into the ocean. Earthquakes, tidal waves, and sandstorms are created as the two behemoths battle it out. In the end, Skaar is not strong enough to stop the Hulk, and turns back into his human form. The Hulk, instead of finishing off Skaar, has a flashback of how his father would abuse him and the people in his life when he was a boy, and in a moment of pity, turns into his human form as well and father and son finally embrace.

In addition to this story, there is the back-up story of Hiro-Kala, the Hulk’s second son from the planet Skaar. Using his new Worldmind powers, Hiro-Kala heals the planet and becomes their savior. Axeman bone is captured and turned into a slave. He declares himself the Dark Son and leader of the people he saved. Next stop, Earth, and a confrontation with his daddy. And that’s the book.

So let’s talk opinions. Like I said about last issue, I’m so glad that Greg Pak has been brought back to write this book. Ever since World War Hulk and the birth of the Red Hulk, I have been so disappointed with the entire Hulk storyline. Hulked out Heroes was a waste of time and money. This book here represents the Hulk at his finest. He is a walking volcano of rage, needing to erupt, but not wanting to because he knows the resulting chaos and destruction would be devastating. What this issue revealed, and what we Hulk fans have always known, is that the Hulk is really just a child dealing with abusive father issues. The battle itself was massive and everything you would expect from the two powerhouses involved. It was drawn beautifully as well. What I found particularly touching was the ending where Bruce breaks down and shows compassion towards his son and refused to be like his own father. A fitting ending to round one of the Hulk’s two round mega throwdown. Next up, Red Hulk and the ass kicking he so richly deserves.

Once again, my only complaint is the Hiro-Kala story. Waste of pages. They should have just done a 48 page one shot of all the back-up stories and given us more Hulk. It would be a better set up for the next story arc than these bi-monthly eight page interludes. That’s my opinion folks. Take it or leave it.

Tags: Hulk Incredible Hulk