The Best Hulk Story Ever: Why Everyone’s Talking About World War Hulk

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The challenge in appreciating the Hulk as a main character lies in what makes him an enduring symbol within pop culture – his unwavering anger. While this trait is common among characters, it’s often the climactic response to a prolonged series of events. However, the Hulk’s unique power requires him to be perpetually angry; without this rage, he remains trapped as Bruce Banner. This lack of emotional depth and clear motivations, typical for three-dimensional characters, is something that the Hulk traditionally does not possess.

As a passionate movie critic, I’ve always found the Hulk comics intriguing due to their nuanced portrayal of Bruce Banner, the man behind the monster. The late, legendary Peter David brought depth to this character in his iconic run on The Incredible Hulk, transforming him into one of Marvel’s most captivating figures. However, Greg Pak decided to emphasize the Hulk’s rage with his 2007 series, World War Hulk. Critics might see anger as a single-note theme, but Pak masterfully utilized the Hulk’s fury as a mirror for readers to confront their own frustration and zeal. Life can be unjust, and through the Hulk, Pak allows us to express our anger.

The Lead Up to World War Hulk

World War Hulk is a sequel to Pak’s Planet Hulk saga from the Incredible Hulk comics. In Planet Hulk, the Hulk was catapulted into space by Earth’s secretive supergroup, the Illuminati. The Green Goliath landed on the alien world of Sakaar, ruled by the oppressive Red King. Initially a mere gladiator, Hulk gained friends, rose in power, rebelled against the Red King, and fell in love. With his allies, the Red King was overthrown, making Hulk the new ruler of Sakaar. The Hulk found himself with all he ever desired: loyal comrades willing to die for him, a strong spouse, and a world that revered him as a hero.

In the final moments of “Planet Hulk”, tragedy struck as the shipwreck triggered an immense explosion, leading to Skaar’s instability and the death of Hulk’s spouse among many others. With Skaar now uninhabitable, Hulk casts blame on the Illuminati for the destruction and embarks on a mission of vengeance back on Earth. The stage was set for “World War Hulk”, a gripping tale that sees the return of this powerful character seeking retribution against fellow heroes. Coinciding with the aftermath of Marvel’s “Civil War” and the growing disillusionment among US citizens towards their government in the 2000s, “World War Hulk” served as a metaphor for the suppressed American populace lashing out against authority figures. Ready to vent their anger, fans eagerly awaited Hulk’s vengeance against both heroes and the US government. Timed perfectly, “World War Hulk” tapped into an existing wave of frustration among readers in the United States.

World War Hulk Makes Hulk’s Anger Nuanced and Sympathetic

In the narrative, Pak initiates the tale by depicting Hulk overpowering Black Bolt off-screen, thereby setting up Hulk’s newfound power and intensifying the tension throughout the comic. As Hulk assumes an antagonistic role by attacking Earth, readers find themselves strongly empathizing with the Green Behemoth. The story reveals the profound losses suffered by Hulk at the conclusion of ‘Planet Hulk’ and explains why his rage seems righteous. However, Pak underscores that anger, while it may be useful in certain situations, can also become poisonous and devastating. As the tale unfolds, Hulk’s fury and destruction grow progressively tragic, with the Green Goliath showing no signs of relenting his rage for a moment. Despite this, Hulk displays nobility in his actions, as the Jade Titan refuses to take a life during the story, even when confronted by the Illuminati.

Fundamentally, the Hulk seeks justice and to reveal the deeds of the Illuminati to the public eye. Despite being the main character in “World War Hulk”, Pak ensures that other characters like the Illuminati are presented as equally relatable in the comic. Iron Man delivers an honest and honorable speech before battling Hulk, making him appear more human-like after the incidents of “Civil War”. As the story unfolds, Doctor Strange’s despair becomes evident, while Sentry’s arrival as the Earth’s last hope is genuinely inspiring. Contrary to its initial portrayal as an all-out battle, “World War Hulk” offers a more complex narrative that showcases both sides of the conflict without favoring one over the other. The Illuminati were due for repercussions, but the Hulk’s rage was growing increasingly destructive.

World War Hulk Has Some of the Best Artwork in superhero comics

John Romita Jr.’s artistic style has sparked debate among comic enthusiasts. Critics often voice their disapproval of his blocky figures, heavy inkwork, and intricate yet off-putting background details, as well as his overall cartoony feel. However, it’s likely that many of these commentators haven’t read the series “World War Hulk“, which showcases Romita at his best and arguably some of the finest superhero artwork in comics. In “World War Hulk“, Romita’s distinctive blocky faces and peculiar background artistry are presented, but they are rejuvenated by colorist Christina Strain and inker Klaus Janson. Strain brought additional depth to Romita’s pencil work, using stunning shading and lighting that amplifies the story’s grittiness. The Hulk has never appeared as formidable or grimy as he did in “World War Hulk“, effectively conveying the idea that the character was struggling to maintain control over his emotions.

Romita masterfully depicts each significant battle in the comic with intricate details and majesty, making every punch feel like a masterpiece. The action in World War Hulk is some of the most stunning visual spectacles in any comics, largely due to Romita’s skillful pencil work. The escalating rage of Hulk is shown convincingly throughout the story, presenting the character at his angriest and progressively building on that intensity. However, World War Hulk has set such a high standard for Romita’s career that it seems he was unable to recreate that brilliance afterwards, which has negatively impacted his public perception online.

Regrettably, “World War Hulk” is just as captivating as it is heart-wrenching. The story reveals that the bomb which led to Skaar’s demise was secretly planted by Hulk’s adversaries, with one of his trusted allies overseeing the operation. This means that Hulk’s rage was misdirected from the beginning. As he prepares to unleash his full fury upon the planet, potentially causing its destruction, Iron Man fires a laser that subdues him and confines him. In the end, Pak leaves us with no clear victors, as Hulk’s surrender is an act of compassion. After ascending to gladiator and king, Hulk finds himself back at his starting point, isolated once more. Anger may seem appealing, offering a means to channel one’s resentment against the establishment, but “World War Hulk” serves as a stark reminder of anger’s perils. Through this tale, Greg Pak skillfully illustrates the dangers of unchecked anger and reinforces the cautionary narrative about humanity’s wrath that Bruce Banner and the Hulk represent in “World War Hulk”.

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2025-06-02 01:11