RULK REVIEW : HULK Issue # 48
Jacob once had a dream… a dream now replaced with a living nightmare.
The horribly burned and disfigured Jacob, assistant to the formerly brilliant and beautiful project leader Parul Kurinji, once fantasized spending a romantic life with Parul. But in the fantastic, action-packed HULK Issue # 48, Jacob never could have imagined the macabre reality that would come to pass, ever since Parul changed into the threat to humanity known as Zero/One. Her creations… twisted acts against nature like horrific aquatic beasts, reanimated corpses and a juiced serial killer… were all manifested to extinguish lives for the woman he once loved. It had to stop before it was too late. So Jacob risks everything to bring Ross and his team the data needed to finally stop Zero/One.
Writer Jeff Parker continues to be on fire, this time delivering a spectacular thrill ride in Part Two of the “Red Sky At Morning” story-arc . In contrast to the final confrontation of the “Hulk of Arabia” climax between the Red Hulk and Dagan Shah that left a feeling of unquenched satisfaction, Rulk’s pulse pounding assault on Zero/One’s base (with the help of the Red She Hulk and Machine Man) ends with such gratifying results that it feels like the battle has been won… regardless if one eye must still remain perpetually fixed on the war.
Zero/One’s demise would have not been possible without the efforts of Jacob. Her reluctant and terrified assistant that has seen enough horror to push him into the fray of insanity, became not just a victim… but a savior… quite possibly for the entire human race. And Parker fleshes out his ironic circumstance so masterfully, it feels deeply tragic when it becomes evident that Jacob may never be able to escape the devastating fate that has befallen him. Ever.
While it would have been icing on Parker’s oh so delicious cake to witness the Red Hulk’s thunderous blows successfully sink the synthetic island of vessels down to the ocean floor… as well as relish in Zero/One’s betrayer not holding back and watching him actually stick it to her… this hearty dish was simply a feast for the senses and concludes Jeff Parker’s most gratifying story-arc yet!
With the artistic talents of Elena Casagrande and Rachelle Rosenberg on the job, there is some serious Girl Power in this issue, which is fitting for a story filled with such powerful women. Where the drawing is concerned, it seems the work and ability to dazzle the readers by the best Zero/One artist hands down Elena Casagrande increases with every panel. From her eye catching unique aquatic beasts to her downright impressive sinister Black Fog, and her uncanny ability to draw a natural female form to a robust Red Hulk that keeps on getting better and better, Casagrande’s delightful imagery has developed into a wonderful unique style.
Now with coloring, unfortunately a colorist can sometimes have a thankless job. But if anyone is deserving recognition in this department it’s the beautiful work by Rachelle Rosenberg. Talking about it doesn’t do it justice. Let’s let some of her wonderful brilliance in coloring speak for itself. Take a look:
I would love to see this creative team work full time together. This is an excellent, excellent comic.
5 out of 5 Stars
-A.J.
A general falls. A red monster rises. Stay tuned.
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RULK REVIEW : HULK Issue # 47
“Where IS HE?? Come on out, old man! I KNOW this is where you stay! Come out and face ME!” – Red She Hulk
What a fantastic read. In HULK Issue #47 “Red Sky at Morning“, the Life Model Decoys stationed at Gamma Base : Death Valley, Nevada pick up a signal that indicates there’s an incoming Hulk on his way back to base. “About time!” Annie rejoices with almost giddy excitement. “Let’s go welcome back our Hulk” But as she surfaces to greet her incredibly missed, favorite Big Red guy, the Red She Hulk is the what she finds… demanding that her father shows his face… or else!
Writer Jeff Parker pens an outstanding reunion between the estranged father and daughter Ross, who haven’t seen each other since the events of “World War Hulks” one year ago. It’s fascinating to see them interact while adjusting to their still relatively new transformations… something Thaddeus clearly has a better handle on. And when the Red She Hulk violently runs from Ross (or rather runs from her emotions), it’s incredibly touching to watch her secretly return and hide near his presence… not in an eruption of battle… but seemingly compelled just to be close to her Dad.
Annie is charming as ever. Between her excitement to welcome Ross home and her intuition and understanding of exactly what makes Ross happy is a pure delight. From not forcing Ross to dwell on the “touchy-feely stuff” to allowing Ross to finally be the captain of the ship, it’s these little moments that somehow become the biggest… and shines a spotlight on how Jeff Parker is truly gifted at making these characters feel real, like flesh & blood. He makes you care so much… and what is a better compliment than that? Add the return of the refreshingly now more menacing Zero/One, her intriguing Lab 7, and what she is doing to every ship that crosses her path (which is so cool) and there’s no debate: Jeff has outdone himself!
After reading this issue, who wouldn’t become an official fan of artist Elena Casagrande. While previously impressive with her rendition of M.O.D.O.K. in her earlier contributions to HULK, her talents shine extremely bright in this issue. Elena is extremely gifted in drawing women in a very natural way. And she excels in facial expressions so well.. whether it’s anticipation, anger or joy.. you can tell what every character is feeling before reading a single word of dialogue. Plus she is now the creator of my favorite rendition of Zero/One. And after Patrick Zircher’s artistic run, Casagrande has returned the Red Hulk to his true form: Eyebrow-less.
Finally, a special nod must be given to artist Carlo Pagulayan for his amazing cover of this issue. It’s a stunning eye-catcher, that enjoyably incorporates the HULK logo into the scene’s action. It may just be the best HULK cover yet! Bravo!
Buy this Issue and read it at least twice!
5 out of 5 Stars
-A.J.
A general falls. A red monster rises. Stay tuned.
Follow the RED HULK BLOG on Twitter @ RedHulkBlog
RULK REVIEW : HULK Issue # 38
“No. It. Will… NOT!!!!” M.O.D.O.K screams as he stands his ground and creates a frontline! “All Life Model Decoys! Report to my location with PLASMA RIFLES! And Discharge ZZZAX!!”
It is simply thrilling to see the new M.O.D.O.K. finally get a hell yeah moment in HULK Issue #38 “Planet of Fear Part Two“. Writer Jeff Parker enjoyably has our favorite mental organism designed only for killing taking names and kicking ass, saving New York and its citizens in the process. His deeds are justified (of course) by concluding that no one should conquer the world but he and no one should kill the Rulk but he, which is why M.O.D.O.K stops Zero/One’s assassin Black Fog from dealing a final death blow to a vulnerable Red Hulk moments before. But for whatever the reasons, his actions are ultimately heroic and his come and get some attitude is just plain infectious and so much fun. By the way, the new M.O.D.O.K digs chicks now too. After sharing a quite logical mind merge with Zero/One and coming to the realization that it was his evil actions that created her, the large headed villain becomes quite infatuated with his shapely counterpart. “I think I’m in love“. A new M.O.D.O.K. indeed.
Where the previous issue felt like filler and manufactured, designed to lure new readers following the Fear Itself Marvel cross-over event into the fold of the Red Hulk saga, Jeff Parker manages the second tie-in to continue his terrific story and actually benefit from it. Waving away my previous complaints, Fear Itself no longer felt forced upon this series, rather just woven and symbiotic, something that is hardly achieved in cross-overs like this.
Parker’s great work is complimented by the artistic talent of Elena Casagrande. While her renditions of the Red Hulk leave much to be desired, Casagrande seems she was born to draw the new M.O.D.O.K. And considering the killing organism was the centerpiece of this issue, she was definitely in her element of excellence.
4 out of 5 Stars
-A.J.
A general falls. A red monster rises. Stay tuned.
Follow the RED HULK BLOG on Twitter @ RedHulkBlog
In joyful celebration of the landmark 50th issue of writer Jeff Parker's critically acclaimed HULK Comic, superstar Jeff Parker has graciously and enthusiastically agreed to answer questions from the people who count the most: the loyal fans! Click here to 
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