World Famous Comics: Startling Stories: Banner / The Hulk
Startling Stories: Banner / The Hulk
By: Brian Azzarello Publisher: Marvel Comics Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Label: Marvel Comics Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 112 Publication Date: November 01, 2001
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A strong entry into the Hulk canon "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)
A Hulk that really tears the place up 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.
The best Hulk story you've never read 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.
Corben & Azarello SMASH! 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
weak art 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.
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