Writer: Mark Waid
Artists: Matteo Scalera & Kim Jacinto
This has been overall a very consistent series so far, as although like everything there are issues that are better than others, none have been bad. Mark Waid has also done a brilliant job of making some use out of the disappointing Age of Ultron storyline, with this story looking to become even more interesting.
Plot
Hulk continues his quest to correct the timeline, travelling to the 6th Century, encountering King Arthur, and his Knights, facing of against another Chronarchist named Valdar Ahd.
Review
This was an outstanding issue, and this storyline is really starting to kick off now. Mark Waid just did an amazing job of this issue, and his work on Hulk in general has been astonishing. What I liked most about Waid's writing in this issue however was how well he managed to balance the pace of it, as well as having the right tone for the setting. I also loved how well Waid once again managed to show the difference between Hulk, and Banner, as although we see the differences all the time, it's much more interesting in this due to them both being in the same sequence. Waid also managed to add great drama, and brilliant action to this issue as well, with it being very intriguing, whilst also extremely interesting.
The art on this issue was also very good, and both Matteo Scalera, and Kim Jacinto did a great job. Now I'm still not a huge fan of Scalera's art, but I have to say I much preferred it over Jacinto's. Both artists styles were similar, with the the odd jarring moment, but Jacinto's art went to another level when it came to jarring faces, making me appreciate Scalera's art a lot more. I did however enjoy how both artists drew the Hulk himself, and especially Scalera, who does an amazing job with the big angry giant, also producing some outstanding fight sequences that explode out the page. I also really liked the layout in this issue, as during both Scarlera, and Jacinto's artwork it added a lot of tone, and depth.
I was extremely happy at the end of last issue when I noticed that Hulk would be heading to King Arthur's time, as I really enjoy anything related with the King Arthur myth, and although it has been badly used in comics in the past it's worth taking the chances for the times were it's handled right. This was one of them times, as although Waid still had this heavily focused on Hulk, he managed to add Arthur in making things very fun, and exciting. I also loved how he didn't go too far with Arthur in this issue, feeling that the minimalism helped to make this setting work with the changes that Valdar Ahd would cause.
Speaking of Valdar Ahd, this issue would see with him the appearance of yet another Chronarchist. I really enjoyed when the Chronarchists were first introduced a couple of issues ago with Tok Baltusar, but was even more interested to find out that there are others like him who are more powerful. The way that Valdar handled fighting Hulk was also very different, and unique, and although this fight may have not been the most action packed, it was extremely fun, and clever, showing just how powerful Hulk is. I also loved seeing the change in Valdar's reactions throughout this story, as it showed the unpredictability that comes with the Hulk.
Waid also once again showed time in a really fun, and exciting way, and although I won't go into any plot details as to avoid spoilers I will say my thoughts on how he handles time. Now time is a risky thing in comics as it can give you wonderful stories, but like time travel itself if you miss use it, it will have nasty consequences. Waid however uses time in a subtle, yet brilliant way that's very unique, and exciting. I also have loved how he's only had Hulk in the same place for one issue so far, as it allows less problems, as well as gives more variety.
Final Verdict
A brilliant continuation of this amazing story, and I've loved seeing Hulk jump through time. This issue also showed King Arthur brilliantly, and seeing Hulk fight alongside him, and the Knights of the Round Table was simply amazing. There was also plenty of action in this issue, and on top of everything else it was extremely exciting, and explosive. Due to all this I'd highly recommend this issue as well as the series so far, and can't wait for next issue which is one I've been looking forward to since this story was first announced.
Rating: 9/10
Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Matteo Scalera
This has been an amazing series so far, and has shown just how good Hulk can be in the right hands. It's also had some exciting stories, and with the direction the series is heading in it could become even more exciting.
Plot
Hulk, and Banner (who's consciousness is in a robot) have been sent back in time to 1873, to try and fix the changes that have been happening to their timeline, encountering dinosaurs when they shouldn't be, and a time travelling menace named Tok.
Review
This was a great issue, and although it wasn't quite as good as last issue, it was still amazing, and has gotten me even more excited about this Agent of T.I.M.E. story. Mark Waid has once again done an outstanding job of the writing with this issue, and although I'll never be happy with Age of Ultron, he has given it a purpose, as without that we wouldn't be getting this story. I also really enjoyed how fun this issue was, and that due to this being a time travel series that it has the potential to give something new, and exciting with each issue. Waid also did an excellent job of the dialogue, and narration in this issue, as I felt it was very natural, and dramatic.
Now I've never been overly fond of Matteo Scalera's art on this series, and although it has been growing on me, I wasn't too happy with his work on this issue. Now I didn't hate it, as there was a lot I liked, it's just that I felt that it was a little too rough, and jarring at times, with the backgrounds mostly being too plain. I did however love his dinosaurs, which were simply amazing, and I loved his art showing Hulk square off against them. The rest of the action was also brilliantly handled, being very exciting, and explosive. I also really liked Scalera's layout's, which were very dynamic, and unique, helping to make the characters, and events stand out more, as well as adding more drama.
One of the early things to grab my attention with this issue was it having dinosaurs involved, but more so due to it being the a wild west setting, in the year 1873. No unfortunately unlike the cover, Hulk doesn't get to ride on a T-Rex, but to be honest I wasn't quite expecting that, as covers are only to five an idea of what may feature in a issue, whilst being dynamic, and eye catching. Hulk did however get to fight a T-Rex in this issue, which was simply amazing, and one of the best things that I've ever seen in a comic, making me very happy.
The other time orientated thing that I enjoyed about this issues was that involved cowboys, as although I was never a huge western fan growing up, being brainwashed by John Wayne movies, I did become one after watching the Spaghetti Westerns starring Clint Eastwood, and besides that have always liked the cowboy/western time setting. So this issues having cowboys in it made me very happy, and I loved how Waid made out that every cowboy in the west had to fit the word Kid into their name, which was very amusing.
The villain in this issue would be a time traveller named Tok, who is the person responsible for messing around with the broken time structure, also being the person responsible for bringing dinosaurs to the wild west. Now I doubt that Tok will ever become a character that I'll remember, but he was still a great character, and brilliant for this type of story. I also enjoyed how he was very sinister, and maniacal, appearing to have a plan, and the fact that he's big also helps, as it gives more of a challenge, which is especially useful due to this being a Hulk story.
Final Verdict
This was an outstanding issue, and a great continuation to this story. It had plenty of excitement, and drama, having brilliant action, and tremendous narration, and dialogue. It also involved dinosaurs, and cowboys in a awesome way, making things very fun, and entertaining. Due to this I'd highly recommend this issue, and am really looking forward to the next issue.
Rating: 8/10
Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Matteo Scalera
This has been one of my favourite series from Marvel, producing some seriously consistent work. It has also given some amazing stories, as well as taken Hulk in a new, unique direction, which works perfectly for his character.
Plot
After a run in with the Sons of the Serpent, Bruce Banner is taken to an agency called T.I.M.E. to help with the recent problems that time travel has caused.
Review
This was a phenomenal issue, and one of the best in the series, as well as the best from the last few issues. Mark Waid continues to build on this amazing run, setting up a story which looks into the affects of Age of Ultron perfectly. I also felt that for a set-up issue that it managed to be very suspenseful, and exciting, as well as dramatic, as although I've read some brilliant set-up issues, this is one of the best in recent history. Waid also did a great job of adding mystery to the storyline, as with multiple possibile changes it should be interesting to see exactly what will change in the Hulk's world, though I hope it's nothing terrible.
Matteo Scalera once again produced amazing artwork on this issue, and it has really started to grow on me, with this being the best he's produced so far. The detail in Scalera's art is simply outstanding, and he has also really improved on his layouts, as although they were good in the last couple of issues, they were much more dynamic in this issue, adding depth, as well as more drama to the story. Scalera also drew an amazing action sequence in this issue, and seeing Hulk fight on a plane was simply magical, and expertly handled. I also loved how Scalera managed to show the suspense, and atmosphere with the facial features of the characters, adding even more tone, and depth to the issue.
This issue started with Hulk fighting a group known as the Sons of the Serpent. Waid really seems to like using the Sons of the Serpent, as they are also the main villain group in his Daredevil series at the moment, and although they don't look to have a big role in this series, I found the connection interesting. The fight between the Hulk, and the Serpents was however one of the most exciting fights that I have seen in this series, being extremely entertaining, and explosive. It also had some interesting dialogue, with the Serpents being very scared, and Hulk having fun, which is also coincidentally fun to read.
There would also be a new agency introduced in this issue, named T.I.M.E. (Temporal Irregularity Management and Eradication). Now this doesn't hurt the quality of the story, I did feel that it was a little coincidental that there so happens to all of a sudden be an agency with the acronym, T.I.M.E. I also don't understand Marvel's deal with having to have so many of these, as we already have S.H.I.E.L.D. (which was also called H.A.M.M.E.R. for a while), S.W.O.R.D. as well as others, and I just feel that another it's not necessary for another. I did however love the concept, just felt that it didn't need an acronym name.
The villain known as Zarrko would also feature in this issue, helping T.I.M.E., and Banner with the problems that time travel has caused, suggesting that the Hulk is the only one capable of fixing this, and surviving the trip. Now I found Zarrko to be a very interesting character, as although I have never read anything he has appeared in, only knowing that he's fought the likes of Thor, Spider-Man, and Fantastic Four. The interaction between Zarrko and the other characters in this issue was also very interesting, with amazing dialogue, that added suspense, and mystery, as well as drama. I also look forward to seeing if Zarrko will continue to play a big role in this story, and whether he'll go back to his villain ways or not.
Final Verdict
This was a fantastic issue, and one of the best in a while. It had some amazing action, as well as some suspenseful, and dramatic dialogue, all of which gave great tone, and depth to the issue. It also perfectly set-up this new story, and has me very interested in what will come next. This all makes it extremely easy to recommend this issue, as it's the perfect jumping on point for new readers, as although I'd also recommend the rest of the series, you can easily begin reading from this issue.
Rating: 5/5
Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Matteo Scalera
This is easily one of my favourite series since the start of Marvel NOW!, giving unique and fun stories, that are also really exciting. It has also been one of the most consistent series out from Marvel, as although it's not always spectacular, it's always been great.
Plot
After surviving a huge explosion, Hulk, and Daredevil continue to pursue Agence Byzantine's supersonic weapon, leading them to none other than Baron Zemo.
Review
This was an amazing issue, and a phenomenal continuation from the last issue. Mark Waid has turned this story which was simply good into something phenomenal, and he handled everything in this issue perfectly. The main thing about Waid's writing that I enjoyed in this issue was how he had Hulk intereacting with Daredevil, as it felt so natural, adding depth to the issue. I also loved how Waid handled the action in this issue, as although we got a bit during last issue, he really stepped it up here, and it was simply outstanding. I also loved how Waid managed to rap this short story up so quickly, whilst keeping the excitement, and drama, as well as even adding suspense, which was fantastic.
Matteo Scalera once again did a very good job of the artwork on this issue, and although it may still take a few more issues for me to feel comfortable with him being the new full time artist on this series, it has shown improvement in this issue, as the rough style of Scalera's artwork has been used to the story's best advantages. Scalera also showed a mean Hulk, with plenty of emotion, as due to the amazing action sequences, you really get to see Hulk in his glory, which Scalera handled that perfectly. Scalera also once again did a great job with the layouts, adding more depth, and tone to the issue, as well as even more drama.
The last issue ended with Baron Zemo being Agence Byzantine's buyer, and I was so happy, as he's such a great villain. It was also nice to see him feature in a story that didn't feature Captain America, as although some his best appearances are in them stories, it's nice for a bit of change every once in a while. I also love the tone that Zemo adds to this story as well, as due to him being a classic villain, as well as the fact he was written brilliantly, it added some atmosphere to the story. The addition of Zemo also adds an aura of mystery, as although this issue showed part of his plan, I'm sure there's more behind it, leaving tons of speculation.
This issue would also explain some of Hulk's changes in attitude, stating that he varies in both reasoning, and intelligence. I have to say this is a very clever development to the Hulk character, and it makes total sense, as due to his characteristics, already having a change in attitude due to anger, it is very plausible that his reasoning, and intelligence would vary along with this. I do however hope that Waid remembers this in future writing, and shows it, as I loved it, as it gave a much more classic tone to the green giant, and made the issue more fun to read.
Last issue has some amazing action, but there was a lot more in this issue, making the action from last issue look average. The fight with Daredevil, and Hulk against HYDRA, and Baron Zemo was simply amazing, and the sort of fight that I've been hoping for since the start of this series, as although there has been some amazing fights in the past, I've really wanted to see Hulk against someone like HYDRA, and Zemo, and having Daredevil in the mix made it even better. The dialogue during the fight was also spectacular, and I really enjoyed the fact that both Daredevil, and Hulk enjoyed themselves at certain points, making the fight that much more entertaining, and fun.
Final Verdict
This was a phenomenal issue, and one of the best in the last few issues, really taking the level up a notch. It had outstanding action, as well as a fantastic villain, also having some moments that were extremely fun. It also had some interesting concepts, and developments throughout, and I seriously hope that this is continued from sometime in the future. Due to this I'd highly recommend this issue, as well as the rest of the series, and especially the last issue as well.
Rating: 5/5
Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Matteo Scalera
This has been one of my favourite series since the start of Marvel NOW!, and although it's not always phenomenal, it's always good, and has been one of the more consistent series. It also doing something unique with the Hulk, and has been an amazing series.
Plot
After Bruce Banner arranges to meet his lawyer Matt Murdoch, better known as Daredevil whilst on a S.H.I.E.L.D. mission in Hell's Kitchen it sees Hulk and Daredevil work together to take down a gunrunning group called Agence Byzantine.
Review
This was a fantastic issue, and a great start to the Blind Rage story. Mark Waid has been impressing me with this series, and he continues to do so here, as although this wasn't one of the better issues in the series, it was still good. With Waid also writing Daredevil it was nice to see him finally do a story with both Daredevil, and Hulk, and even more so due to it not being a crossover. I also loved how Waid used Daredevil enough to make him worth adding, whilst also keeping the main focus on Hulk, which was as it should be. Waid also did a good job with the drama, and suspense, and overall this was a great set-up issue, and I'm sure it will pay off in the following issue.
Matteo Scalera did a brilliant job on the art in this issue, and although it's not my favourite style, especially on the Hulk, it was still good. I did however find that the roughness of Scalera's art was a bit much sometimes, as although it was very cool at times, especially on Daredevil, it just didn't look right in other places. Scalera did however draw some amazing action sequences, as although there wasn't too many, they did look amazing. The facial expressions, and emotions were also shown perfectly, and Scalera really did a great job. The layout of Scalera's art also added more depth to the issue, also adding more drama, and tone, being perfect.
The thing that I was obviously most looking forward to with this story was seeing Hulk team-up with Daredevil. Waid manages to write both these characters brilliantly on a regular basis, but he also can write them as amazingly as a team. I just loved the interactions that Daredevil had with both Banner, and Hulk, as the dialogue was extremely interesting, an entertaining. I also loved how we finally know what Banner's insurance, and that he's got Daredevil looking out for him, and his affairs, being an excellent way of introducing him into a story, and with Waid also writing his adventures on a regular basis it make it less of a risk, as he's used to writing the character.
Another thing that was touched upon in this issue would be how Hulk reacts to certain people, and that if Banner trusts you enough that you can convince the Hulk more easier. I found this a very interesting idea, as it makes perfect sense that although Banner is sometimes classed by Hulk as his enemy, that due to them both being the same that they'd have influence over each other. Another thing I liked about this was that it showed just how little trust Banner had in Maria Hill, as when she tried to calm him down he wouldn't, whereas Daredevil tries once and succeeds.
The enemy in this issue would be a gunrunning group called Agence Byzantine, and although the name sounds stupid, they made a great catalyst to this story. The only real interesting thing about Agence Byzantine was the weapons that they were smuggling, which were some sort of supersonic gun. It was however a little coincidental that a story to feature Daredevil would also feature a supersonic gun, playing on Daredevil's main weakness. At the same time that just adds to the brilliance of it, as although it may be predictable, it adds to the intrigue, which Waid would follow up on perfectly.
Final Verdict
This was a terrific issue, and although it's been one of the weaker Hulk issues in the last few, it was still very good, and a great start to this two part story. It also had some great action sequences, as well as some interesting, and dynamic moments, and really makes me want to read the next issue. Due to all this I'd still recommend this issue, as although it isn't the best issue to judge the series on, it was still a brilliant issue.
Rating: 4/5
