Giant-Size Hulk #1 (2024) Review

Written by: Phillip Kennedy Johnson
Art by: Andrea Boccardo
Colors by: KJ Díaz
Letters by: VC’s Cory Petit
Cover art by: Bryan Hitch, Alex Sinclair
Cover price: $6.99
Release date: April 17, 2024

Giant-Size Hulk #1 sends Banner down the rails when he encounters a Crossroads Devil anxious to extract a toll for anyone hitching a ride on his train.

Is Giant-Size Hulk #1 Good?

Giant-Size Hulk #1 is half original, half unoriginal, and the half that IS original isn’t that original. In other words, this issue gives readers plenty of Hulk smashing, but it’s not worth the shameless cash grab cover price.

Phillip Kennedy Johnson keeps up the same motif as the regular Incredible Hulk run by pitting Hulk against yet another monster during his aimless travels through the backroads of America. This time, Hulk encounters a crossroads devil named Patchwork Jack, who demands payment from anyone who hitches a ride without a ticket. When the devil learns Banner is really Hulk, and he’s carrying a small doll containing Charlie’s soul, the fight is on to prevent Patchwork Jack from claiming Hulk’s body or Charlie’s soul.

Let the smashing commence.

The second half of the issue is a facsimile reprint of Incredible Hulk #372. The smashing in Johnson’s first half may be bigger and more explosive, but the facsimile reprint is a more meaningful, complete, and well-done story.

What’s great about Giant-Size Hulk #1? The smashing in Johnson’s tableau is first-rate. If you like cutting right to the chase to see the big green guy do what he does best, you’ll get all the mindless action.

What’s not so great about Giant-Size Hulk #1? Johnson’s story is more tableau than story. The paper-thin plot barely serves as an excuse for Hulk to smash yet another monster without any meaning or purpose beyond survival, which is the main criticism I’ve had with Johnson on the ongoing Incredible Hulk. Honestly, Johnson’s script read like it was thrown together in twenty minutes, which isn’t good enough for a $6.99 cover price.

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

Giant-Size Hulk #1 gives readers a new story hair-thin plot that just gives Hulk an excuse to smash yet another forgettable monster. The second half is a reprint of a much better Hulk story. If all you want in a Giant-Size Hulk comic is mindless smashing and nostalgia bait, get this comic. For everyone else, skip it. Points were reduced for the shameless cash grab.