The Incredible Hulk [2023] #7 - Marvel Comics

THE INCREDIBLE HULK No. 7, February 2024

Crammed full of explosions, savage smackdowns and a barrel-load of flaming bullets, Phillip Kennedy Johnson’s storyline for Issue Seven of “Incredible Hulk” must have utterly enthralled its audience straight from the start as the Green Goliath goes toe-to-toe with an undead Ghost Rider. Indeed, this opening confrontation sets such a ferocious pace, that doubtless many a bibliophile were probably pretty pleased when the narrative finally slows down two-thirds of the way through the comic, thanks to Bruce Banner’s alter-ego pausing to bask in the friendly glow of some grateful, Texas-based migrant workers.

Intriguingly though, this edge-of-the-seat action is also surprisingly supplanted by the founding Avenger’s “teenage sidekick”, once Charlie Tidwell bravely decides to launch a recklessly futile assault upon a murderous War Devil, armed only with a ratchet. Having already ripped the throat apart of one hapless labourer, the terrifying beast genuinely appears about to tear the adolescent into pieces too, and is only stopped at the last moment by the story’s fiery motorcyclist when he drags the brute face-first through the dirt; “What’re you looking at, Man?”

However, this twenty-page-periodical’s plot is equally as good when exploring the less adrenalin-fuelled elements of Johnson’s tale too - most notably the revelation as to just where the oily, somewhat tribal-looking War Devil originates from. The notion that the evil entity is somehow feeding off of the fears of a collection of American military veterans is incredibly disturbing, especially when it quickly becomes clear that the grisly-looking gestalt loathes the haunted ex-soldiers as much as the “locusts” it sees trespassing upon its land. 

Helping to hurl the reader straight into this mesmerising mixture of ghostly gunplay, soul-shaking smashes and perplexing physical possessions are the layouts of Nic Klein. The German illustrator does such a fantastic job pencilling the burning bike of “Leo’s guardian angel” that the sound of the “badass” Harley’s engine leaps off the page and echoes in the ears. Whilst the sheer sense of determination on Charlie’s disfigured face as she defends the rundown settlement’s infants speaks absolute volumes for her resolute character. In addition, the artist does a top job in providing the girl with a genuine moment of light-hearted fun as she revels in her dream of accompanying a super-hero into the fray.

The regular cover art of "THE INCREDIBLE HULK" #7 by Nic Klein