World War Hulk Review – “Iron Man #19-20”

A little later than originally promised, but still here.

General Information

Title: Iron Man #19-20

Author: Christos Gage

Illustrator(s): Butch Guice (pencils and inks) and Dean White (colours)

Original Publication Date: Cover dated August and September 2007

Cover Price: Each issue priced $2.99 US, $3.75 Can

Past comic reviews can be found here.

Premise

These two issues cover the latter portion of “World War Hulk #1” and the first portion of

“World War Hulk #2” from Iron Man’s perspective, showing the plans he has prepared and implemented, as well as how

he deals with his battle against the Hulk.

High Point

Hulk confronts Dugan.

Low Point

Dugan made great progress in most of issue 20, and then suddenly slipped a few notches at the

end.

The Scores

The originality suffers a bit from a common thread in the crossovers.

Unlike Civil War, which had enough room for every character to have their own story, the World War

Hulk event essentially puts every character in the same story. The miniseries are showing new aspects, but

the crossovers with existing titles all seem to be additional viewpoints of the same story. This, like the Civil

War crossover in the same title, seems to set up some changes for the future of the title, but doesn’t appear to

add anything to the main title that won’t be explained there, too. I give it 3 out of 6.

The artwork is good, and in many cases preferable to Romita’s work on the main

series. It’s a more serious tone of writing here than in the main series, and it’s got the artwork to match. I

give it 5 out of 6.

The story is interesting. The first issue is just an expansion of a few pages

of the main series, which doesn’t do a lot to engage the reader. The second issue starts to move forward very

nicely, with some great exploration of Dugan. I give it 4 out of 6.

The characterization in the first issue comes mainly in the sections of

dialogue copied exactly as is from the main series. The second issue does a great job with new material for Dugan

and Stark. Dugan in particular has a few moments to shine. I give it 5 out of 6.

The emotional response builds nicely, with the second issue

getting great stuff done after the mild first issue. (At least, I found it mild, as I’ve been following the main

series. The most powerful moments had already been revealed.) I give it 4 out of 6.

The flow is nice and smooth throughout the whole set. The nicest thing about the

“between the panels” nature of the crossovers is that the panels the stories slide between in the main series

clearly left room for the stories to be told! (*cough*PunisherCivilWar*cough*). I give it 5 out of 6.

Overall, this is a decent crossover, using the main event to set up an

interesting position in the main title. I give it 4 out of 6.

In total, Iron Man #19-20 receives 30 out of 42.

World War Hulk Review Checklist