Expect a review of “Civil War: Choosing Sides” tomorrow, and a Halloween themed movie on Oct. 31.
General Information
Title: Essential Hulk Vol. 3
Credited to: Stan Lee, Roy Thomas, Harlan Ellison, Herb Trimpe, Gil Kane and Sal Buscema
Original Publication Date: 2005 reprint of material originally published from 1969 to 1971
ISBN: 0785116893
Cover Price: $16.99 US, $27.25 Can
Buy from: Amazon.com
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Past comic reviews can be found here.
Premise
Hulk just wants to be left alone, but other won’t leave him alone. Includes Incredible Hulk 118-142, as well as the crossover issues Captain Marvel 20-21 and Avengers 88.
High Point
The Harlan Ellison issues. For once, there was an obstacle that couldn’t just be smashed away.
Low Point
The repetitive nature of the character is obvious in these packed collections.
The Scores
The originality is poor. This is a whole heck of a lot like what we’ve seen in previous volumes. I give it 3 out of 6.
The artwork suffers from inconsistency. Hulk’s appearance and size can change quite a bit, even under a single artist. I give it 4 out of 6.
The stories told are either Ellison’s issues, or stories in which any amount of planning and brainpower can be defeated by hitting something hard enough. I give it 3 out of 6.
The characterization is weak. Apart from Ellison’s stuff, there’s no depth here at all. I give it 3 out of 6.
The emotional response is poor. I’m not a “brawn over brains” kind of guy, and there’s not much of anything else here. I give it 4 out of 6.
The flow is the best part of the collection. The visual storytelling is smooth, and easily links one page or issue into the next. I give it 5 out of 6.
Overall, it’s a collection that only belongs on your shelf if you like to collect Essentials or the Marvel universe. The only story worth seeking out in this set is also a part of Essential Avengers Vol. 4, which is a much better collection. It’s just not a very interesting character at this point. I give it 4 out of 6.
In total, Essential Hulk Vol. 4 receives 26 out of 42.