Incredible Hulk #112

Incredible Herc/Hulk/Whatever 112 is only mildly annoying in the sense that it comes out of absolutely nowhere because its true nature–an Amadeus Cho/Hercules road trip buddy book–was disguised until the last minute to protect the “secrets” of World War Hulk. That’s a dumb conceit, because honestly, wouldn’t this have sold better as a #1 anyway? And would knowing that Hercules and Amadeus Cho will survive World War Hulk and spend their days avoiding and attempting to destroy SHIELD at the same time, would that really have spoiled the ending of World War Hulk? Did anyone sit down to their copy of WWH #5, take in a sharp breath, and whisper, “Dear LORD, I cannot wait to find out what happens to HERCULES!”

Anyway, that’s just mild fanboy bthing, because the contents of the issue are excellent, regardless of the title or numbering. Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente are a great pairing of co-writers that instantly “get” what this book’s about, and what its potential can be–the “ancient, slightly dim lummox with a taste for partying paired with the immature young genius lends itself to endless story possibilities, and I like the way they’re stirring in some of the mythological background story for Hercules and Ares, which also plays right into the Registration versus non-registration nature of the sides being set up here. Basically, I think it’s two great tastes that taste great together, and I can’t wait to see where it goes.