I keep reading in all of the margins and etc about Acclaim's vision of these concept books - and it's a great idea. I think I actually connected a lot with many of these characters - and rather quickly. Something else to really compliment is the architecture of the book. Really, it could be seen as sort of an origin book for Dr. Tomorrow - taking an adventure of the character early and putting him into play - with minor hints of what is to come. I also really liked the Turok connection - and of course the X-O connection. While the last panels were probably too corny, it kind of worked. The story was pretty brash - and harsh, too. Bravado was a good character - and I thought about him through the story - intentionally, I presume. Most of the origin stories were pretty vague - almost caricatures of existing ones. Perhaps intentional... But how great would it have been to really explore some more of those characters, too. Perhaps contract the ending a bit. I know that Turok had to have some grandiose gesture at the end to save everyone - but couldn't the both of them have worked more together? Turok seemed to die almost for nothing. All in all, it was a very good issue. Nowhere near as strong as the SOLAR comic, but pretty good. And I was glad to see that some connection was made outside, too. While I haven't yet read the SOLAR one - I am wondering why the focus was so great only on that character.
A jump in quality. Everywhere.
I can't compliment the beginning of this comic enough. The art is much better. It has that real Silver Age feel, and it works here. I am not certain how or where all of this was dropped off, OR if it was ever even close to picked up. But this issue draws that line - and really improves the standard for the Hulk. I haven't read an issue of Hulk this good perhaps since the first origin issue. Writing a book for a character that for the most part is painted as, "Hulk SMASH!" could be difficult - but this one does quite a few things right. First, it includes quite a few panels of Bruce - and Betty, too. Both are hyper-aware of their own failings, and they also are trying to prevent them from happening again. Bruce is treated like a prisoner which he most certainly would be in a current era. In addition, Betty realizes that this can't happen to someone. Then, when Hulk appears - that character is wildly sympathetic. He is a dunderhead, but he also does the right thing - and tries to NOT hurt others - even going so far as saving the Rhino from the explosion, carrying him to safety, and hoping he can fight again when he recovers. When Rhino attacks, Hulk tries to get him to stop - and only 'kills' him when he has no other alternative. On top of all that, the Rhino is a pretty great foil to the old greenskin. Kind of a dope, but still on that same plane. I hope that most of the rest of these issues are at this level.
Tough
Let's say that they are both pretty good - but Hulk has taken a more serious leap forward.