The Good
Mark Waid and Leinil Francis Yu are smashing this title (please, find it in your heart to forgive me for that one). It's business as usual in INDESTRUCTIBLE HULK as Bruce Banner builds the plot and we're treated to the Green Goliath demolishing the conclusion with his enormous and powerful fists. More of the same isn't necessarily a bad thing, though. In this case, Attuma's plot is fleshed out and while plenty of exposition is thrown in our faces, it's still provided with some sharp writing from Waid (love the poker remark about Pym).
Once again, this book looks topnotch. Yu's pencils are insanely detailed and we're provided with some truly impressive pages. Everything from the rebels' elaborate armor to the vast underwater world is overflowing with detail and packed with plenty of work for your eyes to soak in. Yu's illustrations fills the world with detail, but it's Sunny Gho's coloring that brings it to life. It's a bright and gorgeous environment Hulk is venturing into and almost every panel is a vibrant paradise.
Things wrap up pretty quickly -- too quickly for my taste, honestly -- but it's still massively entertaining. There's a hugely creative and awesome moment thrown in the Hulk and Attuma fight. Major credit to Waid for coming up with that amazingly absurd idea because it totally works and brought so much more energy to the moment.
The Bad
I get Banner's armor is allowing him to breathe, but how is he walking around and talking while underwater? Isn't the water flowing into his mouth as he does this? I'm sure there's technically some tiny device in his mouth which is beyond my comprehension, but I don't recall that ever being mentioned.
While the conclusion was definitely fun, I felt it was over before it really began. We're hear Attuma's insanely dangerous plan, then one quick action scene later and bam, it's foiled. This was a story where I actually wouldn't mind seeing it fleshed out into a three-parter.
The Verdict
Waid's formula is certainly working. It gives both characters adequate time to shine, bringing a nice balance of intellect and pure popcorn entertainment to the title. That said, it is a redundant and predictable approach, so hopefully Waid will begin to spice things up and throw a curve ball or two our way. After all, we all know he certainly has the talent to do so.
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