Hulk #25

[informationgeek]

"For most readers over the decades, “Thunderbolt” Ross has been the preeminent figure representing the military, and always holding that military role in opposition to super-powered people. But from years of being so close to the fire in essence, he’s been burned–he’s become the thing he fought for so long. And he completely did it to himself, he can’t blame anyone else. It leaves him in a very interesting place for a character.

He’s reached the end of one life and is beginning another, and though we may resent him for a lot of reasons, we can empathize with him at the same time. And he was never evil, just wrong headed. Seeing the world through the eyes of being a Hulk is a big transformation beyond being able to punch through a mountain. I think readers will see some of their friends and family and even themselves in Ross." - Jeff Parker

Writer: Jeff Parker
Artist: Gabriel Hardman
Colorist: Elizabeth Breitweiser


We'll get back Loeb's run later, but here's what came after it and I think we'll all agree, this is sooo much better.













'

Bruce: I'm done fighting you, Ross. Your war with Hulk is over. You know it. You had the best shot you're ever gonna have and he.... I... beat you. Go red right now. I'll go green and do it again. No strategy, no plan is ever going to change that. I don't need an edge, Ross. I'm the Hulk.










I cannot recommend Parker's run on Red Hulk enough. It's easily one of the most surprisingly enjoyable superhero runs I've ever read.

Comments

[crinos]

Yeah, seem once you get him away from Loeb Red Hulk works fine.

Especially since this arc also includes everyone Hulk walked all over when he had his plot armor getting their payback (lets see I know Iron Man and Thor get their licks in, and Watcher trolls him at one point),

My favorite part is that Thor claims that he didn't realize Ross was on their side now, but then admits to Steve that yeah he did.

[q99]

"I cannot recommend Parker's run on Red Hulk. It's easily one of the most surprisingly enjoyable superhero runs I've ever read."

I assume you missed a word there, but yea :)

[lbd_nytetrayn]

Yeah, I was just wondering, "is Geek trying to hog all the enjoyment?"

[thatnickguy]

"ENOUGH!" - Loki, Avengers

[beyondthefringe]

Like freaking night and day compared to the Loeb run. This... this I actually like.

[matrix_dragon]

I still love that bit where Banner goes 'no, I didn't do that because I was afraid you'd beat me up. I did it to save your life.' And that's why Bruce is the hero.

[an_idol_mind]

Well...technically Bruce is lying - Ross still has the power to absorb energy, and Banner didn't shut that off. However, his lie did have a purpose, because if Ross keeps absorbing energy he'll wind up trapped in one form (IIRC) and unable to change.

[scorntx]

Yeah, this is leaps and bounds ahead.
(I do like the bit where Ross tries to act like his did in Loeb's run and Rodgers just goes "nope, not putting up with this. See ya.")

[bruinsfan]

I always like it when they show a big part of Steve's effective leadership capabilities is his understanding of people and their motivations. Like back in Busiek's run on Avengers when he pointed out that Morgan Le Fay couldn't build effective societal systems to rule by in her own time, so remaking the world in her image via magic was inevitably doomed to failure.

[locuatico]

"My job is to show him there is.... it's hydra!"