‘Indestructible Hulk’ #2 can best be summed up in four words: Take that, Tony Stark! As we found out in the last issue, Bruce Banner is now ready for a change. He’s determined that there’s so much good that he can do for the world if he was just given the proper resources. That’s why he’s joined forces with Maria Hill and S.H.I.E.L.D. to create things in his own lab to help the world, while using the Hulk to save the world in the mean time.

In this issue, Tony Stark visits Bruce in his S.H.I.E.L.D. lab questioning the motives behind the Jade Giant joining the organization. After meeting with Banner and seeing what he’s up to, the two of them venture to the Himalayas to gather information for an experiment, but the Hulk has a bit more in store for Iron Man while they’re on their field trip.

First off, I absolutely love this new Bruce Banner. He’s not taking s*** from anybody anymore. There are very few men who can make Tony Stark jealous and question himself, but it seems like this new Hulk can do just that. Banner has always been as smart as Reed Richards or Tony Stark, but he’s always been overshadowed by the big green cloud down-pouring on his head constantly. Now that the weather has cleared up, he can apply himself to other things while still doing the hero thing as the Hulk when he needs to. Mark Waid has brought out some great things about this character that we all have forgotten existed.

Next, I’m glad Hulk got to let off some steam on Iron Man. Just a guess here, but Bruce might still be a bit bitter over the whole Planet Hulk thing. I know that I am. So anytime we get to see Hulk knock around Tony Stark is a good day in my book. It just so happens to have great character development behind it to make a good comic experience all around.

And once again, the art is stunning. As I’ve said before, I’m not a huge Leinil Yu fan, but when paired with Sunny Gho, everything looks amazing. One example is Banner’s transformation into the Hulk in the middle of the book. Also, the onomatopoeia that they use in this book during the battle is pretty awesome.  Very good use of the word “WHAROOM”.

In general, this was a filler story, but Waid really made it count. Character development is very valuable in storytelling and for him to use what would normally be used as something to have between big storylines in this way shows his mastery of the medium. Great book and great series so far.

Final Score:

 

 

INDESTRUCTIBLE HULK #2
Written by MARK WAID
Art by LEINIL FRANCIS YU & SUNNY GHO