Donny Cates, writer
Martin Coccolo, art
Vc’s Joe Sabino, letters
Recap
Thor sits on the throne of Asgard in place of his father. Odin died in a previous battle and his spirit essence was transferred into Mjolnir. Thor fought numerous foes, including Galactus and Thanos, to stabilize his place of authority. Thor seeks out Hulk due to
the death of 17 people at a bar in El Paso, TX, for which he seeks to hold Hulk responsible. Starship Hulk is searching for solace after escaping Ross and numerous foes on a strange planet. Thor meets Starship Hulk in space and the battle moves to a planet called Sakk-Reen. It continues in an arena created by the Watcher called The Black Hand of God. The Watcher prefaces the battle as different from any previous battle between these two foes but remains cryptic as to why.
Cates does a nice job of setting up the grandiosity of the fight by showing Thor’s nobility, not wanting to hurt any innocents during the fight, and Banner’s ego, not wanting to lose. The contrast in motivations sets the stage for the fight because it informs the reader why both sides will not walk away. Thor states that he has to hold Hulk accountable and protect innocent lives. Banner’s motivation is wispy, based solely on ego, I’m the strongest there is.
The book flows smoothly from panel to panel offering up several full-panel beauties. My favorites include a full panel of Starship Hulk from the side flexing and readying himself for Thor’s onslaught. Another panel shows a noble and resolute Thor, square chin and broad shoulders, facing off Starship Hulk. Even the depictions of human characters who lack superpowers are done to enhance their emotional states making them more relatable.
The conflict for Banner is made more intense by the dyadic relationship between him and Betty. She is in the cockpit with Banner, who is in Starship Hulk. She persuades him that this battle is not like the battles he fought against Ross and the Abominations on the strange planet. Banner definitely disagrees. However, later in the story Banner’s strength comes through, in Walter White fashion, when it appears that Thor has subdued The Hulk, Banner finds a way to think his way through the problem. This aspect of the battle feels different, Banner is a strong ally when he can do the thinking while Hulk does the fighting.
Fans of the Thor-Hulk rivalry will enjoy this book because Cates goes all-in on the gore, bravado, noble motivations, and ego-driven attempts of these characters. I highly recommend that fans jump on this book and follow the 5-issue arc which will unfold in both Thor and Hulk books simultaneously. Overall 10/10