Escaping The Magic Planet: ‘Immortal Hulk #32’ Reviewed
by Josh Davison
Mild Spoilers Ahead
Xemnu, the Living Hulk, has taken the world by storm. He is everyone’s favorite superhero and their idol. Dario Agger, the Minotaur, is so happy with Xemnu’s performance that he will do anything to keep the creature satisfied. Meanwhile, Bruce Banner is having an internal struggle with one of his Hulk personalities and Rick Jones is worried about him. Dr. McGowan knows deep down that something is wrong with the world now and she consults Doc Samson about observations about the return of Xemnu, the Living Hulk.
A new Hulk has taken over in Immortal Hulk #32 and he is controlling the narrative–all narratives–now. We get more insight into Xemnu, the Living Hulk, and his deal with Agger and Roxxon in this issue.
In short, Xemnu is freaking terrifying and he gets the Earth once Roxxon is done sucking it dry. Also, we get to see Xemnu feed and this is the moment of the issue–that is to say the moment where Al Ewing and Joe Bennett come up with a moment so unforgettably disquieting that you’ll remember it for the following week.
Three individuals seem able to pierce the veil crafted by Xemnu: the Savage Hulk, Rick Jones, and Charlene McGowan. The explanation as to how McGowan sees past Xemnu’s lies is actually quite interesting and fleshes her out as a character a lot more.
Bennett continue to deliver his impeccable artwork, and he, Ruy José, Belardino Brabo, and Paul Mounts are once again joined by Javier Rodríguez and Álvaro López, who handle the Xemnu fantasy sections. All together, they make a hell of an artistic team and that choice for the Xemnu sections is stylistically brilliant.
This is once again my biweekly/monthly message that Immortal Hulk remains a brilliant series and undoubtedly the best book Marvel has on offer at the moment–and it’s not like Marvel is starving for good titles right now. The X-line, Venom, Thor, Iron Man 2020, Daredevil, Fantastic Four, and Avengers have all been incredibly strong of late, but Immortal Hulk always comes out on top. #32 is no different and earns a recommendation. Give it a read.
Immortal Hulk #32 comes to us from writer Al Ewing, artists Joe Bennett and Javier Rodríguez, inkers Ruy José, Belardino Brabo, and Álvaro López, color artists Paul Mounts and Javier Rodríguez, letterer VC’s Cory Petit, cover artist Alex Ross, and variant cover artist Patch Zircher with Dave McCaig.
Final Score: 9/10