Customer Reviews

Startling Stories: Banner / The Hulk

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

STARTLING STORIES: BANNER is a hard-edged, adrenaline-driven novel about scientist Bruce Banner and the raging gamma-bomb induced monster that rages within him. The story opens with the Hulk in full rampage tearing through an entire city, then moves into the clean-up attempt done later. Doc Samson arrives and the political spin to deny knowledge that the destruction was caused by the Hulk begins. The story picks up with Banner's reaction to all the carnage his alter ego has caused, but the reader sympathizes totally with this man who cannot control the monster within him. As the tale turns more suspenseful, Doc Samson succeeds in tracking down his quarry and capturing him, but the interrelations between Samson, Banner, the Hulk, and General Ross only become deeper and more complex. Ross has a secret fate he's planned for Banner, and he's not telling anyone.

Award-winning author Brian Azzarello is also the author of the monthly comics series 100 BULLETS, BATMAN/DEATHBLOW, and some special John Constantine HELLBLAZER comics. Richard Corben is a noted artist who worked in magazines such as EERIE, CREEPY, and VAMPIRELLA, but his work pops up nearly everywhere. The Hulk needs no introduction: one part nuclear physicist and one part raging monster, the Hulk has been presented in comics, novels, a live-action television series, cartoon series, and is the subject of an upcoming movie.

Azzarello is a gifted writer and it shows in this graphic novel. He stays off the first few pages, letting the action he's written be played out in Corben's panels. Dialogue balloons would have been incredibly out of place during the Hulk's destruction of a city. Choosing to show the rescue efforts after the Hulk has been through the city is amazingly done, cueing up all the readers who have watched various destructions seen of late on CNN. The mood, atmosphere and texture of those panels is so realistic the the reader is weighted with emotion. Not only is the story done fantastically well, but it is a great story. Peter David had an excellent 10-year run (something that just isn't done in comics then or now) on the Hulk, but in four short issues, Azzarello dives into the hearts of the man and the monster and relates a twisted, back-biting tale of what it must truly be like to be hunted and hated and trapped in the body of an unkillable, bloodthirsty monster. Fans have wondered for years at things that Azzarello and Corben cover in mere panels but with the emotional force of a bodyblow. The artist and writer get the reader's attention with what feels like a blow from a 2x4, then keep the hits coming until the story is finished and the reader is exhausted with emotion and suspense.

Fans of Brian Azzarello are going to find a different story here than ones they may be used to in 100 BULLETS and some of the other crime work that he does, but they'll be rewarded with the graphic novel starring the Hulk. Azzarello is at his best when writing about characters in over their heads by circumstances beyond their control. STARTLING STORIES: BANNER is also for fans of the Hulk who don't mind seeing a different interpretation on the character. Corben's fans will love the action-driven panels and the (literally) exploding use of colors. Besides being a great Hulk graphic novel, the book is an excellent story for anyone that likes the medium.

"Startling Stories: Banner" is a self-contained "non-continuity" Hulk story, meaning that this is not the Incredible Hulk you will find in an ongoing Marvel comic. This is the Hulk taken to a more logical conclusion. The Hulk's rampages cause more than property damage, killing thousands of people each time Bruce Banner loses control. On his trail is Doc Sampson and the US Army, intent on ending his menace.

However, "Startling Stories: Banner" is not an over-the-top blood bath. The story is psychological, dealing with the split personality of the character. The Hulk hates Banner, as the weak thing that lives within him. Bruce Banner feels intense guilt over the death and destruction he causes, yet he is helpless to prevent it. Doc Sampson is charmingly full of bravado, yet sympathetic to Bruce Banner.

Richard Corben's stylized art is suited to the excellent writing. His Hulk, his Doc Sampson, and his Bruce Banner are each a unique interpretation. Corben captures the destruction and depression of the characters well. Facial expressions are used well, as are the scale of the characters.

All in all, a really nice bit of comic art, perfect for those, like myself, who would like to read a well-done Hulk story without all of the baggage of the monthly series.

Ever wonder what it feels like for Bruce Banner to have the earth's most terrible natural force be the consquence of your natural survival instincts and temper? This story distills it down to it's most basic form. Ever wonder how the Hulk's rampages are explained to the public? Azzarello and Corben give a perfectly credible explanation within these pages. And just why is it that Banner - who should've left the region he's been inhabiting for all these years - is still living in America's South west?

BANNER is a great story for those who find the Banner/Hulk dynamic to be among the most intriguing and tragic in mainstream comics, but want a story outside of the continuity of the monthly title. Corben's art - though by no means a definitive vision of the Hulk - is unique, singular, and bizarre. Azzarello's script does nothing to change the course of the Hulk's history, but it is far better (and RELEVANT) than anything that's been done with the character in years. The depiction of why the Hulk was created and how it feels for Banner to deal with the aftermath of his alter-egos rampages has never been better handled or more revealing than in these pages (especially during the conversation he has with Doc Samson towards the book's conclusion).

Bruce Jones is getting tons of accolades for his current scripting on the regular series, but it would be interesting to see what this creative team could do with the opportunity. 'Cause this series feels less like a one-shot and more like a taste of bigger things to come.

STARTLING STORIES: BANNER is a hard-edged, adrenaline-driven novel about scientist Bruce Banner and the raging gamma-bomb induced monster that rages within him.

"Banner," a four-part novella written by Brian Azzarello and illustrated by airbrush master Richard Corben, is a strong entry in the continuing legacy of Marvel's jolly green giant. The story, which features General Thunderbolt Ross once again tracking a homicidal Hulk/suicidal Bruce Banner through the Southwestern deserts, follows familiar terrain. Corben does a great job physicalizing the destructive, sweaty violence when Banner "Hulks out" - - this is a very tactile presentation, and the action scenes are exciting. Best of all is the depiction of Doc Samson as a swaggering, overconfident jerk -- one of the least sympathetic views of his character to date. This is a quick read, but a good one. Worth checking out! (Joe Sixpack, Slipcue book reviews)

Not bad if continuity mavens (I'm one of them) can just relax and not worry about where this fits in the overall timeline of the Hulk character, and just enjoy the story. Think of it as two guys (Azzarello and Corben's) personal take on what the Hulk is all about and you'll be fine. That approach will also help some of the more stranger aspects of the story- such as Doc Samson's sudden callousness about life- go down easier.

I also liked the lean verbiage and strong emphasis on visuals; too many comic book stories kill you with tons of dense word balloons, forgetting that they're supposed to be comics, a visual medium. I'm all for reading a nice dense novel... when I'm in the mood for a nice dense novel. Generally (there are exceptions), I like my comics to get the job done with nice art and lean-and-mean prose. And that's what "Startling Stories: Banner" does with all cylinders firing.

Oh, and the actual story? Mr. Azzarello and Mr. Corben envision a truly savage, out-of-control Hulk who routinely leaves death and devastation in his wake, with General Ross, Doc Samson, and the army having the horrible, tiring task of cleaning up after him. But their hands aren't totally clean, either. And the whole mess only makes Bruce Banner, who is completely ineffective in halting the madness, all the more tragic.

100 Bullets creator Brian Azzarello collaborated with legendary artist Richard Corben for this Hulk mini-series, which is undoubtedly the best Hulk story you've never read. Banner finds Azzarello and Corben re-envisioning the green goliath in this self-contained story, as Bruce Banner is on the run from the military after his green-skinned alter ego lays waste to a town and it's inhabitants. On his trail is Doc Samson and General Ross; each of which has their own plans for both Banner, and the monster they all played a role in creating. What makes Banner works so good is Azzarello's purposely grim storytelling, and his characterization of Doc Samson is cynically funny. Richard Corben's artwork is what sells this TPB however, with his rendition of the Hulk being both monstrous and more akin to Jack Kirby's original vision. All in all, Startling Stories: Banner is the best Hulk story you've never read, and even though it is too short for it's own good, it manages to stay with you after turning the final page.

This scenario has been done many times before where this character is concerned. That is, Hulk versus the U.S. military. However, artist Richard Corben's distinctive style gives the reader a breathtaking view on carnage, mayhem and destruction!

Azarello's script is simple and the dialogue is kept to a minimum to the point where it appears that he wanted Corben to cut loose.

Never has the Hulk's rage, savagery and power been so well depicted and drawn. The facial expressions and monsteresque stature of Marvel's Green Goliath as pencilled by Corben truly gives us the sense of the cine-fantastic. A simple two panel scene of Hulk breaking down a mountain side has never looked this great. Indeed, one can truly feel the "Baaash!" when Samson connects with the Hulk on a double page spread. While some fans may disagree with Samson's persona as a self-serving megalomania S.O.B., Corben captures his attitude majestically.

This is the best Hulk saga that has been published since Peter David's departure from the series.

Review by Brian Grindrod

This is the first time that I can honestly say that I'm dissapointed by the work of Richard Corben. Corben's artwork was definitly not up to par. The faces of Doc Samson and the Hulk were to cartoonish and out of purportion. The Hulk looked like a big ignorant goofball!

The story was [horrid]! Azzarello's story and script was dull and lifeless to say the least. I did not like how Doc Samson was portrayed like a thug. I do not remember him being like that back in my Hulk reading days. I will give this book two stars out of five. The two stars are for the Corben artwork that was interesting to look at, but not for his renderings of Doc Samson and the Hulk. Not worth the read!

I found the art in this book to be rather weak. It wasn't bad, but nothing real great. The story on the other hand is a pretty good one. It really goes into the psychology and guilt of Banner. What would it be like if you had a monster inside? And it has a killer ending.