Hulk #3

The first three issues of "Hulk" have hit like a summer popcorn flick. If you're looking for deep thinking, look elsewhere. If you're looking for some "leave your brain at the door" action packed fighting, you've come to the right place. Writer Jeph Loeb has produced a script that really lets penciller Ed McGuinness shine. The art on this book is outstanding - not realistic, not cartoony...just fun to look at. McGuiness' Hulk is dynamic and expressive. Who is the red Hulk? I have a few ideas but it doesn't really matter. Rick as the Abobmination is pretty funny. The "A-bomb" as he calls himself comes across as a very early version of the original Hulk - split personalities on display here.

If you're looking for a fast, action packed read, this is it. If you are into more high brow reading, stay away.

Hulk #2

This is an action filled issue. With the Red Hulk rampaging, Jeph Loeb has Hulk kicking some serious ass. After the setup of last issue, the identity of the new Hulk takes a left turn and leaves me wondering who. Ed McGuinness does a fantastic job of with the art - big fight scenes, splash pages, good layouts. McGuinness really gets to play in this issue and I look forward to seeing more from him in future issues. Loeb needs to work on his dialogue a bit. "Oh. The. Humanity" stuck out like a sore thumb. I got the historical reference but I'm not sure Tony Stark would actually utter those words.

Long time readers may ditch the title after this issue due to the final page reveal. Heck, it even had me scratching my head. I thought I had it all figured out until that point. I'm not sure where Loeb is taking this story, there are some somewhat ridiculous elements here that may shock long time Marvel readers, but I'm along for the first arc.

Hulk #1

I got my son the "Planet Hulk" hardcover for Christmas because I had heard such great things about Greg Pak's epic Hulk adventure. Both of us enjoyed it very much. I'm waiting for the "World War Hulk" issues to come out in TPB to catch up on that story. So, I jump into "Hulk" #1 with no knowledge of the events of "World War Hulk". Writer Jeph Loeb uses this issue to introduce the main supporting players leaving the Hulk in background. With She-Hulk and Doc Sampson playing C.S.I. for a murder we get to also see that General Ross and Iron Man will play a role in the opening chapters of this book. Loeb does a fine job capturing all of the personalities here with good interactions and dialogue. Ed McGuinness' art is very good. I liked pretty much every panel. The story is slowly played out as the murder investigation moves along and I think this gives new readers like me a chance to catch up on who's who here.

I'm on board for at least a few issues to see how this plays out and will give it my traditional 3-4 issues to see if it captures my interest.