Incredible Hulk #27
Before I ever read an actual comic book, I had the Marvel encyclopedia. This book had all the knowledge in the world as far as I was concerned, and I studied it accordingly—when I didn’t have to share it with my brother (he bought it, but I appreciated it more, so whatever). Individually, I had a Spider-Man character guide and he had a Hulk one. As is the right of all younger siblings, I stole my brother's stuff as needed. Hulk: The Incredible Guide was no exception.
I quickly found that this book was unlike the lighthearted world of Spider-Man or the Avengers. This encyclopedia was a tale of woe. From Abomination to Zzzax, it was a meticulous cataloging of men and women made monsters, grotesquely twisted by their own hubris or ill-fated accidents.
Bruce Banner’s world is one of monsters, and he—or rather the Hulk—is the scariest one of all. Not just because Hulk’s an eight-foot-tall force of destruction, angry beyond all reason, but because he’s sad. Tragic, even. Beneath the hulking mass of gamma-radiated muscle that is Bruce Banner is a child who just wants the bad things to stop: the fear, the violence, the abuse.
It never stops though—not completely—and anger is a destructive coping mechanism, one liable to poison the folks around you. But sometimes, anger can get justice. Sometimes, monsters get pointed in the right direction, and we’re forced to reconsider what a monster really is.
This issue is superb. It’s an atmospheric foray into the Southern Gothic genre for the jolly green giant, and it’s spectacularly done. Kev Walker’s art is crisp, Cam Smith cloaks Hulk in shadows—elevating the drama and suspense—and Matthew Wilson’s colors bring the woods to life in stunning fashion. Lastly, Philip Kennedy Johnson has written something special here: an expertly crafted, self-contained story that is a must-read this week—one I’d bet on to be remembered as a classic Hulk story in the years to come.
Speed Racer #1
I always thought Speed Racer was kinda corny. His helmet was goofy-looking, and honestly, who even owns a pet monkey? I’m happy to report that I am, in fact, an uncultured swine who was unfamiliar with Speed Racer’s (legal name, by the way) game.
This story is so much fun—the perfect mix of high-speed action and family drama. First, as someone who’s never engaged with any Speed Racer media outside of 20 minutes of the 2008 movie, this is a great introduction to the character. Writer David Pepose quickly establishes Speed’s motivations and his rebellious character without the book turning into an exposition-heavy slog.
Davide Tinto’s art strikes the perfect balance of realism and whimsy, which is needed for a story that has something as campy as a car outfitted with buzzsaws and auto jacks. Past the wacky gadgets and deadly racing is a very human coming-of-age tale wherein Speed must pave a new road forward—one sure to be filled with all the potholes and speed traps that come with growing up.
Lastly, every race needs music. So if I may:
- “Crescendolls” – Daft Punk
- “Nice Out” – Kilo Kish
- “Raingurl” – Yaeji
The War #1
War is hell, but hell takes many forms—at least nine, anyway. Sometimes it’s deep in the trenches when the fear of artillery raining on your head seizes you, or the ceaseless, maddening buzzing of a Predator drone miles above your city.
Our hell is the endless conversations and debates of your most chronically online, news-junkie, doomer friends. I know, because I am the doomer friend, quick to point out the ills of the world without a solution in sight. It’s aggravating work, but someone’s gotta do it. Right?
The War centers on us, we lucky few who live in the shining city on a hill. The ones for whom war is always on the horizon and never at the doorstep. It’s a theoretical fear—the war—subject to debate and postulation about how it may occur and how we’ll react if and when it happens. That’s where this story begins: in a dimly lit New York City high-rise with eight friends contemplating the apocalypse.
Garth Ennis has crafted one of the best dramatic comics I’ve ever read. It’s timely and topical without preaching in favor of any particular ideology. Instead, the story simply explores how humans react when they’re powerless, faced with the unknown, forced by powers far greater than them to stare into the abyss.
It’s simply phenomenal writing, unassisted by fantastical settings or incredible powers. That isn’t to say the art isn’t good—in fact, it’s great. Every character is unique and rendered with incredible detail, from the subtle facial expressions of an embarrassed fiancé to the creeping terror of a man seeing the world come undone. Becky Cloonan does an astonishing job and is only improved by Tamra Bonvillain’s (cool name!) colors.
Every page is filled with the warmth of a setting sun, which is fitting for a book about the end of the world. If you like politics, apocalyptic scenarios, or watching the news until you have a panic attack, you should check this one out.
The Thing #3
The ever-lovin’ blue-eyed Thing is back this month in an action-packed issue that’s all gas and no brakes. Just when Ben and Marty were closing in on the missing girl—BOOM!—all heck breaks loose. Now the Thing is on the run with precious cargo in tow, and every villain worth their salt is after him.
This series is a lot of fun. The art is spectacular, and Ben Grimm’s past is explored in new ways. Before he was one of the world’s greatest heroes, he was Danny Grimm’s kid brother, who couldn’t win a fight on his own. That history, coupled with a monstrous transformation, makes the Thing one of Marvel’s most compelling characters, in my (correct) opinion.
He’s a guy who has plenty of reasons to be a villain, but underneath the rocky exterior is the heart of a true hero. How he’ll survive what’s coming next, though, is anyone’s guess.
Titans Annual 2025 #1
The Titans have a long history—one that goes back even further than 2003, it turns out. In the course of that history, details get lost and origins become murky. Don’t fret though, Donna Troy is here to set the record straight in an oversized issue that explores the earliest days of Donna and the Titans.
First things first—the art! Phil Jimenez’s art imbues this story with a soft, dreamlike quality. It’s like looking through a photo album and finding out your nostalgia actually undersold the good old days.
As for the story, to say it’s heartfelt is just not enough. This issue is a love letter to Donna and the Titans—one that isn’t afraid to go for the throat to make you feel something.
As someone who barely knew anything about Donna Troy, this issue will make you understand why she’s a true Amazon—more than worthy of Wonder Woman’s co-sign.
I've worked at Dr No's for about less than a year and I've been patronizing them for half my life. I like comics, video games, music and sometimes sports.
I’m a GSU graduate, veteran sandwich artist, and aspiring writer. Ask me about the X-Men or my anime car sometime.
I think all comics are good they're human expression, dreams put to a page through days, months and years of dedication. They're windows into other worlds, aspirations of all we can be, warnings of what we may become and everything in between. Above all I think comics can help us understand the things we often don't consider.
That's what I want these reviews to do, help folks understand maybe even appreciate something they haven't seen before, but yea lemme wrap this up I got books to file. Happy reading!
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