This over-sized installment is a therapy session through the Hulk’s mind in the hellscape known as “The Below Place”. Everything that has come prior to the finale of this super-horror series comes into play as the mystery of the Green Door is finally revealed. But before that, reader’s are treated to a “Goldmember”-level twist in regards to the Leader’s relation to Banner and The One Below All reveals his true face, sparking stark conversation for those who understand duality and who believe in the concept of a demiurge, who isn’t the best entity to look up to.
There’s not much Bruce Banner here, which was a slight disappointment since I have always seen alot of myself in “milksop Banner” given my own troubled upbringing and subsequent nomad lifestyle. But when the good Doctor does make an appearance, he is as selfish as ever; but his self-centerdness becomes easier to sympathize with, given the ride that was taken throughout the series to truly examine the abuses that exacerbated and gave birth to his personality disorder. Joe Fix-It is a champ here, but I would have loved to see him go grey for a bit. Sunshine Joe is a cool concept, but as I read him, I couldn’t help but hear Thaddeus Ross’ voice in my head.
For anybody who’s ever had there world shattered by infidelity, this book will definitely ring some bells; and maybe have you consider forgiveness.
Reading this could easily make one wonder how much of a nomadic life has Ewing ever lived, or what case studies he used to be able to perfectly portray the existence of a ghost to characters who are through and through specters themselves. There are various nods to other eras of the Hulk that inspired Ewing & co.’s work, but as it swells the heart to see such respect and fan service being paid to this mythology, these blasts from the past can’t help but cause heartbreak with their gouged out eyes and bodies crumbling like a dilapidated housing project. The violence is what is to be expected from previous issues : dripping, oozing blood, disembowelments, bodies ripped in half, and men getting beaten to death for sleeping with their brother’s wife. Yeah, this is that type of Hulk book. One that doesn’t shy away from the pitfalls of existence in this realm that is all to common amongst people that I have listened to, supposedly from different walks of life.
Pain, suffering, torture, indifference, isolation : these are constants in Banner’s life, whether he has on a pair of eyeglasses or ripped shorts. If you dont know these constants then this book is not for you, I invite you to spend your time elsewhere. But if you’ve been through hell to the point that is all you know and all you have to look forward to, then Ewing and co. invite you for one last trip to The Below Place : with Bennet’s absolutely devious art style that would make Elphias Levi blush, and Ewing’s soul piercing words ; even if your tear ducts become dried up from this trip through the Hulk’s personal hell – one page of the Immortal Hulk No.50, and you’ll consider making reservations where the One Below All can only be called a great host.
Score: 4.5/5
Author Profile
Latest entries
