Red Hulk #4 - Marvel Comics

RED HULK No. 4, July 2025

It’s arguably rather rare for a writer to ensure that their readers can physically feel the unbridled anger of a comic book character. But that is precisely what Benjamin Percy somehow achieves with his narrative for Issue Four of “Red Hulk” once General Thunderbolt Ross discovers “that Doom has taken over the world”, and furiously declares the he now won’t rest until “there’s an American flag planted on Latverian soil.

Indeed, this promise to a somewhat startled Deathlok also does a great job in setting up the twenty-page periodical’s cataclysmic conclusion, as the former commanding officer of Desert Base risks all just so his emaciated physical form can finally be exposed to some more Gamma radiation and take a big step towards achieving his vow; “Direct the nearest kiloton tactical missile to these coordinates.”

Similarly as impressive is the American author's ability to repeatedly demonstrate just how military-minded the aging soldier still is by showing Ross utilising both extremely basic survival skills – in the guise of killing, eating and skinning deer so as to survive sub-zero temperatures – as well as raiding an armaments locker for much more modern-day technology, such as some Kalashnikov automatic rifles. Admittedly, the army officer does get lucky in stumbling upon a deserted dwelling on the outskirts of Doctor Doom’s nearest power plant. However, the computers and manufactured firearms provide a nice contrast to the almost caveman look Thaddeus has assumed in order to outwit the army of Doombots hunting for him and his two comrades-in-arms.

Equally as well penned though, has to be the personality of Luther Manning, which provides an otherwise rather seriously-toned publication with an occasional injection of much needed humour. The ever-complaining cyborg assassin’s internal monologue with his computer brain is particularly impressive, and should certainly cause many within this comic’s audience to have a smile across their face whenever the pair are at odds with one another as to the severity of the situation.

Lastly, Geoff Shaw’s layouts should also be given a ‘big thumbs up’ for repeatedly reminding any onlookers as to just how desperate Ross, Deathlok and Machine Man’s plight actually is. The draining, exhausted look upon Thunderbolt’s face proves especially good at showing the immense toll the trio’s physical exertions are taking. Whilst the illustrator’s ability to have the threat of discovery constantly hovering over the heroes’ heads is well maintained, courtesy of the odd panel reminding everyone that one of Victor’s deadly cloaked robots is always only a heartbeat behind them.

The regular cover art of "RED HULK" #4 by Geoff Shaw & Marte Gracia