Thanos vs. Hulk #2
Writer Jim Starlin has produced the book that I am most dissappointed in, in all of 2015 - albeitly, a short year thus far, I will not forgive him. My favorite author, my favorite villian in the namesake, my favorite Avenger... oh it just hurts so much.
Instead of ramping up tensions between Annhilus and Thanos or antagonizing the Hulk to go up against Thanos, we were rewarded a very small amount for buying issue number two, as I foretold when I told you not to buy this issue. The problem with this issues, yes spoilers are ahead, is that Starlin spends so much time within the psyche of
Banner/Hulk that he forgets why we came to this series in the first place. We wanted to see the jade giant and the mad titan trade blows on a cosmic level which he did give us, to an extent. We saw Banner piggybacking Hulk in order to hit Thanos enough for him to realize that the pain they are feeling is simulated.
It felt like Starlin was just treading water until he had a reason for Annhilus to become involved. The panel where Annhilus is within Banner/Hulk's psyche at the same time as Thanos would be the most rewarding. An interesting bit to note was is that it is believed by Thanos that two souls reside within Banner now since the Hulk has been such an overwhelming presence. Anyone who read Thanos Annual #1 will remember that he has a special place in the cosmic order. The one good thing this issue did was working Blastaar into the mix. This installment gave the Silver Age favorite a place in the tension that lies between Thanos and Annhilus with a promise that Blastaar will be on the next cover. If one can surmise correctly, Blastaar will serve as Annhilus' hand while setting up the Hulk for an assault on the Posiverse while Pip the Troll tries to circumvent Thanos enough to save Hulk. These will both backfire and Thanos will be serving Annhilus a swift serving of humble pie.
I didn't come to this series for waves in Marvel's continuity, but I did expect to have some fun on the way to an underwhelming conclusion. Any hope that still lingers for this series only resides due to the faith that I have in Jim Starlin as a cosmic genius. I'm getting serious doubts in the next two issues, but I think a surmountable peak can be reached if the next issue is written well. What should be expected of the veteraned scribe is a full battle plan from Annhilus for resources within Earth or anywhere in 616 and that Thanos will counter it now that he has offensive/defensive attack strategies.
If anyone but the diehards are still buying this series, they are looking for some big nod to the next stop in Starlin's Infinity saga - The Infinity Relativity. This series could be seen as a prelude, but it's not as it was advertised. I have a bit of a Thanos collection so I'll keep biting, but I want more! In #3 we can look to see the Hulk unchained and ready to cause some chaos. I'd in for that much, at least.
Let us know what you thought in the comments section, or just hit me on Twitter.
Instead of ramping up tensions between Annhilus and Thanos or antagonizing the Hulk to go up against Thanos, we were rewarded a very small amount for buying issue number two, as I foretold when I told you not to buy this issue. The problem with this issues, yes spoilers are ahead, is that Starlin spends so much time within the psyche of
Banner/Hulk that he forgets why we came to this series in the first place. We wanted to see the jade giant and the mad titan trade blows on a cosmic level which he did give us, to an extent. We saw Banner piggybacking Hulk in order to hit Thanos enough for him to realize that the pain they are feeling is simulated. It felt like Starlin was just treading water until he had a reason for Annhilus to become involved. The panel where Annhilus is within Banner/Hulk's psyche at the same time as Thanos would be the most rewarding. An interesting bit to note was is that it is believed by Thanos that two souls reside within Banner now since the Hulk has been such an overwhelming presence. Anyone who read Thanos Annual #1 will remember that he has a special place in the cosmic order. The one good thing this issue did was working Blastaar into the mix. This installment gave the Silver Age favorite a place in the tension that lies between Thanos and Annhilus with a promise that Blastaar will be on the next cover. If one can surmise correctly, Blastaar will serve as Annhilus' hand while setting up the Hulk for an assault on the Posiverse while Pip the Troll tries to circumvent Thanos enough to save Hulk. These will both backfire and Thanos will be serving Annhilus a swift serving of humble pie.
I didn't come to this series for waves in Marvel's continuity, but I did expect to have some fun on the way to an underwhelming conclusion. Any hope that still lingers for this series only resides due to the faith that I have in Jim Starlin as a cosmic genius. I'm getting serious doubts in the next two issues, but I think a surmountable peak can be reached if the next issue is written well. What should be expected of the veteraned scribe is a full battle plan from Annhilus for resources within Earth or anywhere in 616 and that Thanos will counter it now that he has offensive/defensive attack strategies.
If anyone but the diehards are still buying this series, they are looking for some big nod to the next stop in Starlin's Infinity saga - The Infinity Relativity. This series could be seen as a prelude, but it's not as it was advertised. I have a bit of a Thanos collection so I'll keep biting, but I want more! In #3 we can look to see the Hulk unchained and ready to cause some chaos. I'd in for that much, at least.
Let us know what you thought in the comments section, or just hit me on Twitter.
A Look Inside
