Hulk: Grey remains one of the better comics I've read throughout the decade. This is honestly the first time I've been exposed to the work Jeph Loeb (2nd really) and Tim Sale. Since the hype of Batman The Long Halloween all those years ago, I've wanted to check these two out. Loeb's accolades are well deserved and his psychological storytelling gets a heavy duty two thumbs up.
Sale's fluid linework definitely does justice to the rough and tumble desert setting, and the inkwash style use to depict on the Hulk as the childlike behemoth that he is, is a refreshing take on the character's original visual concept (drawn by Jack Kirby) however the majority of this look was inspired by artist Marie Severin and her take on the character.
The story is a flashback tale that kicks off with a late night visit from Bruce Banner (the Hulk's alter-ego) to the office of Dr. Leonard Samson, all of which is depicted in Black and White. When the flashback happens, the book goes to full color beginning with Bruce caught at ground zero of the Gamma Bomb explosion. From there, the Hulk tear-asses through the desert for to straight nights reverting to his human form during the day. This retelling of the Hulk's origin takes place b/w the original issues of Incredible Hulk #1 & #2 (1962).
While Grey offers plenty of "HULK SMASH!" moments (Loeb and Sale even throw Iron Man into the mix to give the Hulk a legitimate punching bag), it is at it's core a love story centering on Betty Ross, Banner's late wife, and her connection to the Hulk. The willful "General's Daughter" is the only character with the stones to mouth off at the Jade Giant. The Revelation Bruce has at the end of the story strong, subtle, and utterly unexpected. This is definitely one of the finest written pieces I've had the opportunity to get my hands on in a while.
Ryan Scales
April 2010
The story is a flashback tale that kicks off with a late night visit from Bruce Banner (the Hulk's alter-ego) to the office of Dr. Leonard Samson, all of which is depicted in Black and White. When the flashback happens, the book goes to full color beginning with Bruce caught at ground zero of the Gamma Bomb explosion. From there, the Hulk tear-asses through the desert for to straight nights reverting to his human form during the day. This retelling of the Hulk's origin takes place b/w the original issues of Incredible Hulk #1 & #2 (1962).
While Grey offers plenty of "HULK SMASH!" moments (Loeb and Sale even throw Iron Man into the mix to give the Hulk a legitimate punching bag), it is at it's core a love story centering on Betty Ross, Banner's late wife, and her connection to the Hulk. The willful "General's Daughter" is the only character with the stones to mouth off at the Jade Giant. The Revelation Bruce has at the end of the story strong, subtle, and utterly unexpected. This is definitely one of the finest written pieces I've had the opportunity to get my hands on in a while.
Ryan Scales
April 2010
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