The Incredible Hulk [2023] #9 - Marvel Comics

THE INCREDIBLE HULK No. 9, April 2024

Even the hardest to please Hulk-head must surely have enjoyed Philip Kennedy Johnson’s “latest spine-chilling tale” for Issue Nine of “The Incredible Hulk”, due to the American author arguably creating one of the most disturbing homicidal octogenarians depicted in a comic book. Sure, a fair portion of this twenty-page periodical’s plot actually focuses upon Bruce Banner’s rather dialogue-driven melodrama with the Mother of Horror’s incarnation of Betty Ross. But whenever this word-heavy argument is replaced by the elderly supernatural serial killer, the wrinkled Antique shop owner becomes as utterly bewitching as the subsequent mutilations are graphically gratuitous.

In addition, this publication contains some nicely-penned moments for Charlie Tidwell, which highlights the young murder suspect's ability to be both quite fierce and vulnerable in precisely the same moment. This intriguing characteristic is particularly well demonstrated during the girl’s exploration of a run-down second-hand store, whilst its owner calmly covers for her to the ever-circling police upstairs. Many a bibliophile will doubtless be shouting at the book for the runaway to stop walking down into a disturbing cellar which she’s already been warned by her travelling companion shouldn’t actually exist below the water-table. However, the girl manages to control her fear and courageously discovers the fate of one who has previously crossed paths with New Orleans’ “Angel of Death”.

Likewise, this story’s hapless law enforcement officer makes for an interesting cast member, even if his life is cut brutally short once he ill-advisedly decides to verbally threaten a certain “cool, old lady.” The somewhat bullish cop is clearly just doing his duty, having accidentally bumped into Tidwell earlier that evening. So to later witness his severed head being grotesquely carried by Frozen Charlotte in one hand genuinely makes for a truly shocking moment within this magazine; “They who forget their manners… The difference shown to one’s elders… The perils of discourtesy.” 

Regrettably however, the layouts of “guest artist” Danny Earls might well prove something of a barrier to those bibliophiles anticipating another visual feast for the eyes by regular contributor Nic Klein. The “retired professional soccer player” arguably does a solid job pencilling most of this book’s contents, with his version of the Hulk’s eye-wateringly painful transformation proving particularly gruesome. Yet there's also probably little doubt that his raw, cartoon-like style doesn't always work that well, such as when the Harpy makes a surprise appearance.

The regular cover art of "THE INCREDIBLE HULK" #9 by Nic Klein