REVIEW: The Incredible Hercules - 118

Firstly, if you've read my last Incredible Hercules review, you'll already know that I'm pretty impressed with how the series has been going so far. But how does issue 118 shape up?

***SPOILER ALERT***

Pretty damn bloody well, that's how!

Happily, Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente don't show any signs of letting their excellent storytelling up, ensuring that issue 118 delivers some of their best scriptwork to date. Rafa Sandoval once again pencils the issue beautifully showcasing some truly amazing twists and turns as Herc's rag tag team travel through the dreamland, encountering a pretty crafty Nightmare...

Now, you might have noticed that this review is a little bit short. And, to be honest, there's a reason for that. This book has a truly fantastic Secret Invasion moment in it - a true surprise that is genuinely brilliant. And if I made this review any bigger... Well, I'd be tempted to let you know what it is.

Take my word for it - pick this book up.

Pete's Score: 4 out of 5
(a brilliant continuation of the Sacred Invasion, with a truly killer twist)

REVIEW: The Incredible Hercules - 117

Alright - I know I've said this before - but Hercules and Amadeus Cho are definitely crying out for their own book (and not just a Hulk 'stand-in' comic).

***SPOILER ALERT***

Issue 117 picks up right where 116 left Herc and Amadeus - deep in Skrull territory, with Athena convincing a council of gods that they must take up arms to fight the coming invasion. Oh - and adding a little sidenote that Herc will be leading everyone into battle.

A tiny detail, but more than enough for Hercules to kick a truck into touch over in a hissy fit (as Athena neglected to mention that small detail to him in their travels). Sure enough, all the gods (apart from the Asgardians [Thor's tribe], who haven't been invited because of their recent troubles) agree to be part of the fight - and lend the services of Snowbird, Tecumotzin (Ajak of the Eternals), Amatsu-Mikaboshi and the God-Eater.

Just as they depart on their mission however, they see the beginnings of the Skrull invasion on earth (and can do nothing about it - tying nicely into Secret Invasion issue 1), and wonder if Athena's eyes have always been so... green...?

This issue, as with the one before it, is fantastic on multiple levels. Both the artwork from Rafa Sandoval and script from Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente never miss a beat, with both always beautifully portraying the epic world of the gods. And not only that - both also tie in perfectly to Secret Invasion, giving us what might be the beginnings of an interesting 'sneak peek' to the background plan of how the Skrulls will be dealing with the gods...

Pete's Score: 4 out of 5
(thoroughly recommended as before - not only an issue to buy, but a book you should subscribe to)