• Written by: Phillip Kennedy Johnson
• Art by: Travel Foreman
• Colors by: Matthew Wilson
• Letters by: VC’s Travis Lanham
• Cover art by: Nic Klein (cover A)
• Cover price: $4.99
• Release date: October 18, 2023

The Incredible Hulk #5 concludes Hulk’s meeting with Man-Thing and Charlie’s fight for survival against the Swamp Witch only to have a peculiar visitor waiting with an offer.

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Is The Incredible Hulk #5 Good?

In the review for issue #4, I felt a creeping concern that Phillip Kennedy Johnson was starting to settle into a monster-of-the-month model, which doesn’t work long-term for established characters. In The Incredible Hulk #5, Johnson pulls out of the model and points the series in a new direction that shows much more promise. Red flag averted!

When last we left Hulk and Charlie, Hulk was pulled into the Nexus of All Realities to have a chat with Ted Sallis, aka Man-Thing’s human consciousness, to warn Hulk that the Eldest is coming and Hulk needs to join forces with allies. Meanwhile, the Swamp Witch used a lure that looked and spoke like Charlie’s deceased little brother to capture Hulk’s current traveling buddy.

Now, Ted shows Hulk that too many innocent people will be hurt or worse, including Charlie, if he leaves humanity to deal with the monsters. Hulk begrudgingly agrees, emerges from the Nexus, and tears the Swamp Witch just in time to save Charlie. Before Hulk and Charlie can move on, Betty (still in Harpy form) arrives to deliver a message – Eldest can separate Bruce from Hulk and Betty from Harpy if Bruce submits.

Now, we’re cooking with Gamma radiation. monster-of-the-month story repetition works best when you’re introducing a new character. You can use different variations of monsters and scenarios to develop the character for the reading audience. Hulk is already a known quantity, so shifting the story with a specific purpose and direction makes a lot more sense and adds a spark to the series.

What’s great about The Incredible Hulk #5? Ted Sallis’s heart-to-heart with Hulk brings more clarity to Hulk’s view on his current status quo in a series that’s largely been narrated from Bruce’s PoV. The chat doesn’t take a long time, but you learn that the Hulk persona is no longer a mindless brute. He’s simply angry about being bottled up and wants to go his own way. Further, Betty’s arrival adds a big boost of purpose and direction to the Eldest portion of the arc.

What’s not so great about The Incredible Hulk #5? Once Hulk emerges from the Nexus and confronts the Swamp Witch, the fight is over a little too quickly. What’s the point of sending Kaiju-sized monsters if Hulk barely breaks a sweat?

How’s the art? I wasn’t too fond of Travel Foreman’s style in issue #4 with the use of off-kilter negative spaces and artsy panel compositions. Here, the panels are better, and some of the art looks okay. There are plenty of rough spots, but it’s an improvement over the last issue. Still, I’ll be happy for Nic Klein’s return.

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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Bits and Pieces

The Incredible Hulk #5 shifts away from the repetition of the monster-of-the-month model to give attention to the Eldest and fill out Hulk’s motivation in his ongoing struggle with Banner. Johnson’s story is well-written and ups the anticipation level for where the series is headed, and Foreman’s art is a bit better than the last issue.

8/10