Hulk #9 (2008) – The Review

Hulk #9 - Art Adams Cover

I was going to make you wait for this – but since they brought it out before the holiday the least I could do is post it by the end of the week.

Let me start off by saying – this issue? – Not so bad.  At least not AS bad.  So, get comfortable, here we go…

The Hulk jumps into the fight with the Wendigos.  They attack and begin to bite the Hulk while Ms. Marvel and Sentry fix the Mile High Tower.  Back at the Wendigo fight, Moon Knight says “When you all revert back to being people — assuming you are going to revert back–” (that’s supposed to be a premonition of sorts).  Then one of the worst things happen – Hulk turns into a Wendigo himself – calling himself a WendiHulk (yeah – that’s bad but the idea is kind of cool) Sentry comes flying in to save the day and fight the WediHulk, too bad that it’s not interested in fighting, but eating the Sentry instead.  Ms. Marvel calls Brother VooDoo in to help.  Brother VooDoo basically stabs Moon Knight and does a little spell and BAM everyone is fixed.  The naked people stand around confused, barfing, naked, and remembering everything they did.  So, this story, as hacky and terrible as it is in explaining anything – like what happened that the Wedigo curse changed?  Why did Hulk change from grey to green?  But you know what?  It wasn’t as terrible as the first arc.  I’ll be generous here and give it a C-

Now, since the book is still broken into two seperate stories we still have a Red story to deal with.  We join the Lady Liberators as they take on Red.  At first Red is swatting them like flies but then She-Hulk gets an advantage and the ladies start to get the better of him.  The Invisible Woman creates a force feild around Red’s head so that he can’t breathe.  Storm throws a lightning bolt into the bubble and knocks Red out.  Instead of taking him bach or putting him into a cell they say let’s wait till he reverts back.  Well, bad idea because most of the ladies start to leave and Red gets up without transforming and grabs Thundra and takes off.  Red tells Thundra that he wants to recruit her – because she’s the only one with a killer instinct.  Thundra contacts She-Hulk to let her know she’s alright but doesn’t tell her about the deal she made with Red.  So, this… wasn’t THAT bad either I give it a C- as well.

The whole book really needs to be turned back into a one-story book.  Give the Red his own book!  The whole book still reads pretty shoddy – pick it up if you’re loyal, like me, but it’s time to put Loeb out to pasture.  How much more can he screw up these stories?  He’s telling about things but never telling us why or how or who.  It’s just frustrating is all.

Hulk #9 - Frank Cho Cover