Incredible Force Meets Fiery Vengeance: Reviewing ‘Incredible Hulk’ #6

Since the saga of the Incredible Hulk twisted into a horror epic, the Jade Giant has often found himself a weapon of vengeance. For the first time since, the Hulk finds himself face to face against the actual spirit of vengeance, but with a twist.

Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Nic Klein, Matthew Wilson and Cory Petit continues the Hulk on his highway to Hell.

Deep in Texas, a violent creature is haunting the poor immigrant families along the border. Their only protection is a Ghost Rider linked to an ancient motorcycle, but that Spirit of Vengeance may not be enough. Luckily for them, they will soon have a Hulk.

This issue is a great example of a slow burn, pardon the pun. After an explosive opening scene that sets up the monster and teases the Rider, Johnson takes the time to build up the horror and the tension. Bruce and Charlie are slowly growing closer, while he also develops the people who need the Hulk just enough to make us care. It sets up a satisfying payoff that’s exactly what the book needs, and continues to bring me back month after month.

Klein and Wilson continue to do great things with the art. The two different reveals of the Rider- the first a tease with only a boot and the fiery tires, the second with a full-bodied, double-page splash- are equally exciting, when though they’re paced very differently, with very different layouts. Even if those exciting moments weren’t as strong, this issue would still have the incredible body horror of the Hulk’s transformation, a moment so gross I made a face as I read it.

Wilson’s colors set the scene incredibly well. He makes the sky above Texas red rather than blue, which doesn’t just give the entire issue a dusky feeling, but also prepares us for the flames to come. His Hulk continues to be a sickly green, not the bright superhero Hulk that so many would think of.

Petit’s letters also look great. He gives the monsters a voice, especially the unusual balloons for the Hulk. I don’t normally like an all black speech balloon, but he chose the right font and size to make what’s normally an annoyance look very cool.

Incredible Hulk #6 is available now from Marvel Comics.