Drifting Towards Apocalypse: Immortal Hulk #22 Reviewed
by Josh Davison
[*Mild Spoilers Ahead]
Gamma Flight has struggled to recover from General Fortean’s attack. Doc Samson once again woke up from death itself, but Walter Langkowski, aka the Sasquatch, wasn’t so lucky. He’s still dead, though Puck still doesn’t believe this will be permanent despite a week having passed. General Fortean has bonded with the Abomination shell, and Dr. McGowan isn’t happy about it. Bruce Banner, Betty Ross, Rick Jones, and Jackie McGee are still on the run, but tensions are high between the four of them. Plus, Rick still hasn’t woken up.
Immortal Hulk #22 follows up on the past few shocking issues with a promise that what’s to come will likely be more intense and disquieting.
The three dramas destined to collide each have many engaging aspects to them. Puck is in denial about the mortality of Sasquatch, Doc Samson wants to know why he can’t stay dead, Bruce Banner is having a titanic identity crisis, Betty Ross is frightened of her ex-husband, and General Fortean is going down exponentially darker paths in his quest to bring in the Hulk. And all that’s before we talk about Rick Jones, former Avengers mascot and charming teenage friend to everyone from Captain America to Captain Marvel, lying naked and emaciated in a bathtub.
It’s all building to another crescendo as each group gets a bead on where the others are hiding. This can only end in blood and chaos, and the history of this comic really drives home that guarantee.
Joe Bennett continues to solidify his claim to being an all-time great Hulk artist. From the chilling scenes of the comatose Rick Jones to the unnerving portraits of Fortean in the Abomination shell, there many unforgettable panels in this issue. Ruy Josés inks and Paul Mounts’ color art add to it with striking outlines and bombastic tapestries.
Immortal Hulk #22 is another impeccable issue of a comic that never ceases to surprise and amaze me. The Jade Giant has had countless talents take the reigns and do incredible things with the character, and Al Ewing and Joe Bennett have certainly solidified their place among those greats. This comic gets another recommendation. Feel free to give it a read.
Immortal Hulk #22 comes to us from writer Al Ewing, artist Joe Bennett, inker Ruy José, color artist Paul Mounts, letterer VC’s Cory Petit, cover artist Alex Ross, and variant cover artist Ryan Brown.
Final Score: 8.5/10
