Marvel Comics 2018
Written by Greg Pak
Illustrated by Cory Smith
Coloured by Morry Hollowell & Rachelle Rosenberg
Lettered by VC’s Joe Caramagna
Weapon H is still on the lam, but that won't stop Roxxon from finding our Hulkverine. So who do you send in to root him out? Get ready for Weapon H vs.…the Brood!!!
I have been trying so hard not to like this book. I am not kidding, the character however is interesting and his story while not unique by any stretch of the imagination in the Marvel universe is kind of the first of his kind. He shouldn’t have been because merging the Hulk and the Wolverine in one person feels like a cheap way to lessen the impact of both characters. Let’s face it as it is Wolverine keeps having children and alternate timeline versions running around so that adamantium claws can or of a hulk, and whatever those silly shoulder cones are, it doesn’t feel right to me.
So the fact that Greg is doing what he’s doing here and that I am so into it is a huge thing for me. Clay is a great and interesting man with a backstory that we are slowly getting to know better. The whole arc that happened in Weapon X and Amadeus’ Hulk explained a chunk of what’s needed to know but there is still plenty to explore still. The way the book is structured is exceptionally well done and Greg manages to weave past, present and future into the storyline that is easy to follow and gives a great sense of who the characters are and more importantly how we feel about them.
Yes characterisation is an essential part of the book as if the character isn’t likeable no amount of power or capability they possess is going to make the book successful. After basically being raped in more ways than a person can count Clay could’ve just been a mindless beast who is easily controlled but because he has an inner strength to him, which I think we can sense as much as see here, that’s not the case but that isn’t going to stop him from wanting to be alone while he figures it all out. His journey is one of self-discovery that some folks find themselves taking when life throws at them things that are beyond the ability to comprehend right away.
I am a huge fan of the interior artwork and for me it’s almost as important if not more so then the words themselves. I am wholeheartedly one who will look at the interiors before deciding if I want to read the story so the fact that Cory is adept at manipulating the linework through varying of weights to achieve this level of detail is stunning. Huge supporter of those who use backgrounds and use them well like we see here that have that same attention to detail and serve to enhance the moment. The imagination and creativity we see in these “Brood” is interesting and one look at them says genetic engineering and that our guy from Roxxon I don’t see him dealing with something he cannot control.
I like how many different angles are at play here. While Clay remembers Sophia at this time he’s afraid to see here and probably with good reason and she’s out there looking for him. Roxxon is trying track him as best they can and not for altruistic reasons either. Of course Clay’s own journey and mix in some old friends and relatives to the mix and suddenly this has new scope to it that really expands the universe he’s a part of. Not to mention that the last page reveal of next issues guest star sent shivers down my spine.
Regardless of what and how he got his powers there is still an excitement surrounding the book and it gives me hope that there are Marvel books out there where it’s all about quality.