The Incredible Hulk #112: Greg Pak & Fred Van Lente (script), Khoi Pham & Stephane Peru (art)
With the Hulk out of commission indefinitely, The Incredible Hulk shifts focus to Hercules and Amadeus Cho. The headstrong demigod and miniature genius are apprehended by S.H.I.E.L.D. and given labor directives in return for amnesty. Never ones to oblige authority, the match made in 80s buddy cop movie heaven rebel setting up a heroes on the run story arc.
The tone of issue #112 comes in stark contrast to Pak’s previous work on Hulk most likely due to the inclusion of Van Lente in the writing process. Van Lente is a young writer known for his work on the kid-friendly Marvel Adventures comics line whose hallmark is humorous, fast-paced one-shot stories. Moments such as Hercules taking out helicopters with kegs of merlot early in the book establish a fun, lighter tone sorely lacking in most Marvel books in this time of constant war and crisis events.
The Incredible Hulk isn’t all fun and games though; Pham’s pencils add a touch of realism to a book full of Die Hard-style action stunts. Likewise, the early comparison of Hulk’s plight to the mythic downfall of Hercules and the dark sibling rivalry between Ares and his family’s black sheep add motivation to the title character that would have been useful at the beginning of the summer. It’s better late than never as The Incredible Herc looks to be a worthwhile ride.
Superman/Batman #44: Michael Green (script), Shane Davis (art)
The world’s finest crime-fighting duo are spying on the production of a movie explaining their own origins when Livewire shows up to kidnap its star. As Batman and Superman intervene an accident involving Kryptonite sets off a deadly race against time to save the boy scout in blue.
Green finally returns this book to the legitimate, if sometimes outlandish, read Jeph Loeb had previously created. His sympathetic characterizations of Batman as a pompous know-it-all with good intentions and Superman as an overconfident yet burdened optimist hearken back to what was so right in this comic and every other similarly enjoyable iteration of the team-up (the 90s Bruce Timm animated series come to mind). Unfortunately Davis’s art fails to capture the stark contrast in their respective personalities providing a bland representation of each of DC’s biggest stars.
After a stagnant year or more, Green has provided a set-up for an ambitious story arc. The Hollywood-tainted version of Batman’s origin alone makes this book worth thumbing through.
Detective Comics #839: Paul Dini (script), Ryan Benjamin (art)
The Bat-family’s biggest crisis to date comes to a close as Ra’s Al Ghul gets what he wants (kind of) and Batman sets his house in order (sort of). Luckily, a strong and thoughtful portrayal of the caped crusader and kin and an army of ninjas make things interesting.
DC has had a handful of events this year: 52, Identity Crisis, Countdown, Sinestro Corps, and The Resurrection of Ra’s Al Ghul. Out of all these crossovers and continuity busters, none have been as delicately or smartly handled as Resurrection. This tends to happen when you combine talent the likes of Paul Dini with his banner character. He hits Batman’s dual role of brooding avenger and caring patriarch dead on, littering the book (and entire story arc) with glimpses into Bruce as a father to Dick, Tim, and Damien.
Detective Comics has been a pull list staple for years now regardless of talent. With Benjamin’s perfectly toned pencils and inking and Dini’s careful scripting, it will continue to be one of DC’s most consistent sellers and whet the appetite of those following Grant Morrison's purported plans to send Batman underground with the Final Crisis in a few months. This book should be especially alluring to fans of the animated series as Dini wrote a large chunk of it.
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