Hulk #8 (2022) Review

Written by: Donny Cates, Daniel Warren Johnson
Art by: Martin Coccolo
Colors by: Matt Wilson
Letters by: VC’s Cory Petit
Cover art by: Gary Frank, Brad Anderson
Cover price: $3.99
Release date: August 17, 2022

Hulk #8 (2022) boasts the wild claim of answering one of the longer-running comic book debates – who would win in a fight: Thor or Hulk? By the end, the Banner of War arc will be concluded, but will the debate be answered?

Is It Good?

The Banner of War arc is back after a considerable delay with Hulk #8 (2022). Was the wait worth it? That depends on your point of view and what you’re looking for in a Hulk comic. For this reviewer, no, it wasn’t worth the wait.

This series relies so strongly on readers’ tastes that it’s difficult to really nail down a proper critique. The way Cates has constructed the series, Hulk’s journey serves as little more than an excuse to have big, gamma-fueled, smashing battles. The plot is paper thin, the sparse dialog serves its purpose, and everything else is geared toward setting up Hulk fights. If that’s what you’re looking for in a Hulk comic regardless if a story is actually present, you’ll be satisfied with this issue. Conversely, if you want action that’s a meaningful part of a story, you’ll be left wanting.

As for Cates’ (and Uatu’s) boast that this issue definitively settles who would win in a fight, this issue technically provides no answers. There’s significant interference in the fight, courtesy of Odin’s spirit, and the fight ends in a draw. Why construct a low-brow arc geared toward answering a question without answering it? Who knows.

The art is great in this issue. Again, if you’re looking for non-stop Hulk smashing, there’s a lot to like here. The action is big, loud, and energetic. The few wow moments feel like WOW moments. And Wilson’s coloring provides plenty of visual pop.

About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.

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Final Thoughts:

Hulk #8 (2022), and the Banner of War arc as a whole, seems geared to do little else but set up big Hulk fights with any semblance of the story added as an afterthought. If all you want is to see Hulk smash, you’ll love this issue. If you want some meat with your potatoes, look elsewhere.