After far too many issues with Impulse Creations, I’ve returned to Heavy Ink for my comic book subscriptions. I’m hoping to not have the same problem that ruined the experience here last time:

My orders were being placed but not shipped, resulting in the accumulation of several orders into one monster heap I would not have been able to pay for in the first place

Looking back, I should have contacted customer service or something of that nature.

Assuming all works well here, I intend to stick with it. I’ve always been fond of the site layout and the existence of a comics-loving community. There’s not a lot happening over at Impulse.

And their shipping rates suck. I just wanted to get that off of my chest.

I love Loeb’s Hulk series. So. Much. And with it being one of Marvel’s top-sellers, I’m not the only one. Being the fair person that I am however, I thought it would be a good idea to explore some of the pro’s and con’s of the series.

First up – the pro’s:

- An obvious positive point is that the launch of the series provided a new #1 and a good place for new readers to jump on.

- There is a distinct lack of continuity in this series, which gives it the ability to tell a story without the restrictions of big events and other books.

- Hulk smash. Hulk think not as well. Think classic better.

- If ever there was a book that exemplifies the concept of Marvel’s shared universe, it’s this one (with appearances by Iron Man, Thor, Doc Samson, She-Hulk, Namor, and many others).

- The evolution of the “Hulking out” concept. We all know and love the original green Hulk, whose transformation provides incredible strength but also caveman intelligence. Joe Fixit recently made an appearance; he is known for possessing less strength than Green Hulk, but average intelligence. Red Hulk is the latest step of that evolution, possessing strength to equal Green Hulk’s and presumably the same level of intelligence as when not Hulked out.

- New Hulk-ish characters. For one, Rick Jones is the new Abomination (or A-Bomb), and there will apparently by a Wendigo capable of Hulking out in issue #9. Add Rulk, and you’ve got plenty of opportunities for epic monster-smashing battles.

- “Oh. The. Humanity.”

THE CON’S:

- After Greg Pak’s run on Incredible Hulk (soon to be a modern classic) and World War Hulk, this series is a poor follow-up even for those who like it. I can sympathize with long-time Hulk fans here.

- Going back to the series’ lack of continuity, there’s no way of telling when any of this takes place. Or HOW, for that matter. Post-Civil War, obviously, but the Silver Surfer (who should still by on Sakaar) will be in issue 10, as well as in SKAAR, SON OF HULK #8 or 9. Things like this make HULK confusing for continuity junkies.

- All the ‘smashing’ scenes may make for a book with more action than mystery, which could go either way.

- There have been a few delays. Not that they really hurt the book in the eyes of the folks to enjoy it, but the impatient people who were already forming negative opinions used this as yet another reason to do so.

- Thor’s beat-down. Rulk defeating the might Thor apparently pissed some people off…

So. These are just one person’s views of the book. I invite anyone reading this to let me know what you think of the series, and whether you agree/disagree with this blog. I guess another pro of HULK is that it gives a lot of people something to talk about, whether you like it or not! :)

JL

So its been a good while since I last put a new entry into this blog, and all I can think of to talk about is the good, the bad, and the ugly of Secret Invasion.

THE GOOD: The last pages of SECRET INVASION #8 left the Marvel U in a very interesting place, one that no one really expected. It is a bit annoying to know that DARK REIGN will be stamped on most of my Marvel books, but that’s really nothing new for me, considering that I got into comics just as THE INITIATIVE was being stamped on everything. So, in a way this all takes me back to my first year of reading and that sense of not knowing what’s going to happen next.

THE BAD: In spite of anything positive I can say about the INVASION/REIGN, I am still very much saddened by the fact that everything I’ve come to know and love about the Marvel Universe (the Initiative, the importance of the S.H.R.A., etc.) has all be swept away by the ideas of one of my least favorite Marvel creators.

THE UGLY: If SECRET INVASION had been a five-issue mini with only one or two tie-ins, I would be very very happy about the whole thing. However, after eight months and 3.99 an issue for the main mini alone, unjustified hype, a million tie-ins, and a growing hatred of the word ‘skrulls,’ I’m just glad to see that it’s finally (somewhat) over. Eight months ago I had no reason to dislike Bendis, but right now I just want him to write his Avengers books and Ultimate Spider-Man and STAY AWAY FROM THE MARVEL EVENTS. The new direction and landscape of the Marvel U is hardly worth the months of annoyance provided by Bendis and the over-done hype.

On the flip-side, I’m interested enough to be picking up New Avengers. Dammit. SCREW YOU FOR MAKING ME INTERESTED, BENDIS!

Well its that time again.. COMICS COMING IN TOMORROW!

As is tradition, I’ve got to comment on some older stuff.

Kick-Ass #1 simply blew me away! Action, comedy, irony, and plenty of fowl language. Top this off with Romita’s art and we’ve got me nomination for best new series of the year!

The “delays” in Hulk almost tempted me to drop the series before issue 2, but I waited and read issue two (as I’m sure I’ve already noted below) and was too impressed to drop the book. I’ll say it again: OH. THE. HUMANITY.

How about we go back in time? I’ve recently begun collecting Todd McFarlane’s SPIDER-MAN series. I don’t have all 15 issues (16 including #15, which was not done by McFarlane), but I have the first issue (silver cover), issues 2-3, 8-12, and 16. So I’m off to a good start, no?

‘Nuff said!

So, in spite of all the negative things said about the new Hulk series i must say that I’m in it for the long haul. Issue 2 simply blew me away (“OH. THE. HUMANITY.”). I’m loving it.

Punisher War Journal, however, is testing my fondness of Matt Fraction’s writing with its art. I simply don’t care much for the look of the Punisher as drawn by the current artists. But hey, the story sounds promising (the return of JIGSAW, baby!) and I may even get use to the art to the point of liking it (did the same with issue #13).

‘Nuff Said!

Two titles I am truly looking forward to. While I was somewhat disappointed that what was Iron Man vol 4 is now “Iron Man: Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” I am now absolutely excited to hear that the new Invincible Iron Man title will be written by none other than MATT FRACTION (the brilliant writer behind Punisher War Journal vol 2)!

As for Kick-Ass, all I need say is this: JOHN ROMITA, JR!

‘Nuff said!

Read Hulk #1 yesterday, and I can’t wait for more. Loeb is brilliant!

Am I the ONLY person enjoying the recent and current happenings of Amazing Spider-Man??? Honestly! One More Day and Brand New Day are what have made me a fan!

The “Hunter/Hunted” story arch (#13-15) of Punisher War Journal have been enjoyable, but to me there’s an element that isn’t prominent enough throughout: the Punisher! I mean, the RHINO is in more panels than Frank Castle. What saves the story arch, to me, is its humor. The Spider-Man scenes were brilliantly funny! I just hope to see more of the Punisher himself in future issues.