Hulk #4

Hulk #4 is written by Donny Cates, penciled by Ryan Ottley, inked by Cliff Rathburn colored by Frank Martin, and lettered by VC’s Cory Petit. It’s printed by Marvel Comics. Half 4 of “Smashtronaut” continues Starship Hulk’s exploration of Earth-112, which grew to become an irradiated wasteland on account of its Bruce Banner perfecting his atom bomb. This allowed Common Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross to rise to the ranks of President and switch the U.S. into the world’s greatest superpower — and when he learns there’s one other gamma-powered creature on his world, Ross pulls out all of the stops to deliver him down.

Alternate universes have developed into all the craze at Marvel currently; even for those who haven’t seen What If…? or the newest trailer for Physician Unusual within the Multiverse of Insanity, comics like Heroes Reborn have painted a distinct model of the Home of Concepts than we’re used to. Cates continues that custom, as Earth-112 has misplaced the vast majority of its heroes. Tony Stark by no means grew to become Iron Man and wound up ingesting himself to demise after he misplaced his firm, and the X-Males have been systematically eradicated by Ross’ forces. Even a fan-favorite Marvel hero was reworked right into a horrendous Kaiju-Esque beast on this universe. Anybody who’s learned Cates’ run on Venom is aware that he excels at injecting horror into any style of comics and that custom continues right here.

It additionally helps that he has Ottley and Rathburn offering artwork. Although this e-book is nowhere close to as gory as Invincible, it’s nonetheless not for the faint of coronary heart. Cyclops has his head blown clear off. Starship Hulk is pierced by lasers from huge Iron Man-style mechs and tanks, leaving darkish inexperienced blood splattering all over the place. And again within the “Engine Room”, the Hulk is confronted with “Stage 4” of numerous enemies – and Marvel followers will love who exhibits up. Readers can even be handled to a different magnificent splash web page that includes alternating panels of Bruce Banner piloting Starship Hulk and smashing by Ross’s forces, whereas the Hulk lays waste to anybody who opposes him within the Engine Room.

The duality of Banner and Hulk’s battles is mirrored in Martin’s colors. Not solely is the omnipresent pink hue of the Engine Room nonetheless current, however, the battle between Starship Hulk and Ross’ forces takes place in the midst of the desert, the shining solar and sandblasted cliffs offering a serene backdrop to the carnage that happens. Petit’s lettering performs into the larger-than-life elements that include the Hulk. Laser blasts give off a deafening “CHOOM” sound that fills whole panels, and when the Hulk will get enraged, he offers off a primal yell that grows into huge pink letters. It is an e-book that isn’t afraid to go large in all of its elements, and I recognize that.

Hulk #4 pits Bruce Banner in opposition to the horrors of a gamma-irradiated Earth whereas persevering with the inventive group’s penchant for eye-popping carnage. The ultimate web page teases one other horrifying foe for the Hulk to battle, and it appears just like the maiden journey of Starship Hulk could also be over earlier than it begins.

Hulk #4 is on the market wherever comics are bought.