Writer: Jeff Lemire

Art: Michael Del Mundo, Marco D’Alfonso, and VC’s Cory Petit

Price: $4.99

Release Date: September 30th, 2020

There’s a monster loose in America’s heartland… and it’s not the Immortal Hulk. However, when a girl goes missing on a Kansas farm, Banner gets an inkling that gamma is involved. Nevertheless, this small town doesn’t appreciate strangers poking around their turf, especially the enormous, green, destructive kind. Let’s smash into IMMORTAL HULK: THE THRESHING PLACE #1 by Jeff Lemire and see if the Hulk can save this little girl before it’s too late. Or, is the Immortal Hulk about to take the heat for another bloodbath?

If you’re interested in this comic or any of the others mentioned below, simply click on the title/link to snag a copy.

Before I dive into the review, I feel your understanding of the phrase “Threshing Place” is pertinent in order to truly understand the story. The term is actually a biblical term and is usually translated as “threshing floor”. It’s a flat, smooth place where farmers would separate grains and harvest their crops long before machines. And let me tell you, it was a process. But more importantly, the “threshing floor” was symbolic. The “threshing” was a term used to separate the good from the bad. John the Baptist, and I paraphrase, said that Jesus would come to separate the good grain from the chaffed. Jesus would place the good grain in his barn and burn the rest. My point; pay close attention to the title, the biblical meaning, and the entire story as you read IMMORTAL HULK: THE THRESHING PLACE #1 this week. Jeff Lemire knew exactly what he was doing by naming this issue “The Threshing Place” AND he understood a deeper meaning laced throughout Al Ewing’s IMMORTAL HULK run that’s been scratching at the surface since issue one.

Now, not only did Lemire creatively weave biblical thematic tones throughout this issue, but Mike Del Mundo added the emotion and balance drawing this reader deeper into the narrative. Gosh, I’ve missed Del Mundo’s painted, almost portrait-like style that graced us with its presence back in Jason Aaron’s THOR run. Del Mundo’s style is what ultimately provokes the feeling, rhythm, and mood surrounding the Hulk, the small farm town, and the little girl. Oftentimes, readers forget that the writer may ”state” the plot, the conversation, and the premise but it’s the artist that gives the issue it’s true expression, harmony, and attitude. Every emotion you’ll feel as you read this week’s IMMORTAL HULK is truly thanks to Del Mundo and his artistic team. From the specific colors to make each page pop to the layout of exploding panels and line work, this issue has it all including the Hulk’s larger than life appearance, stature, and volatile demeanor. Together, Lemire and Del Mundo infuse their talents to create such a passionately strong issue worthy of any reader’s time that needs no real background to digest. Anyone interested in finally dipping their toe into the IMMORTAL HULK will easily be able to do so with this issue.

FINAL THOUGHTS

By understanding the title, you’ll understand the purpose of the issue. Frankly, you’ll begin to grasp an underlying theme about the true nature of the Hulk that Lemire is continuing to branch off from Al Ewing. Throughout human history, one of the Bible’s main themes has been to separate humanity from sin. Sometimes, it’s done by Babylonians and other conquering nations while other times it’s done by a worldwide flood, natural disaster, plagues, and pandemics. My point is that Ewing and Lemire are showing readers that the IMMORTAL HULK is that very instrument. He is the threshing floor, the separator of gamma, of sin, and curse used for good. IMMORTAL HULK: THE THRESHING PLACE #1 is the perfect symbol of what the Hulk truly is for mankind and the balance he brings to fallen humanity. I strongly recommend the read and purchase. My hope is that many take notice of this issue so that maybe the baton can be passed to Lemire and Del Mundo after IMMORTAL HULK ends following issue 50. Hulk fans, don’t wait until the weekend! Pick this up today and let me know what you think!

9.5/10