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)

REVIEW: Hulk vs. Hercules - When Titans Collide

This comic is one of those wonderful 'huh, didn't see that one coming' comic books that surprise you in multiple ways.

Surprise number one - this comic book isn't a special one-shot designed to link in to upcoming movie hype - it gives some additional insights into the current storyline in The Incredible Hercules.

***SPOILER ALERT***

Surprise number two - there are a couple of stories in here (one, admittedly a reprint), along with a sneak peek at the next issue of Incredible Herc (which looks like it's going to be a Skull fest).

Surprise number three - we see the Hulk in a very different, happy, light in this book. Something that makes you hark back to the original stories of a misunderstood beast, looking to be left alone.

So - as you've probably guessed - all of this adds up to a pretty good comic book. Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente craft a sweet tale from the history of Herc and the Hulk in 'Smash of the Titans', with fantastic artwork from Khoi Pham, Paul Neary and Debbis Calero - and (as you might have guessed) 'The Titan and the Torment' from Tales To Astonish issue 79, is classic Stan Lee.

At $3.99 - this should be a no-brainer.

Pete's Score: 4 out of 5

(thoroughly recommended - doesn't get more fun than this)

REVIEW: The Incredible Hercules - 116

I was pretty surprised at the end of the recent World War Hulk saga, when this book turned into The Incredible Hercules. Looking back, I really should have seen it coming - especially with the new 'Hulk: Red' book on the horizon. 

So has the series suffered because it's missing the big green smashing machine?

Not in the slightest. In fact, the recent Hercules and Amadeus Cho issues of the book have been some of the best. So good in fact - I wonder if it's about time Hercules had a book of his own again...

***SPOILER ALERT***

But what of issue 116?

The storyline picks up a little way after the ending of 115 (Herc and Amadeus arriving at Athena's house), with Athena driving the boys up to San Francisco, home of the recently mind-wiped Eternals (see John Romita Jr's mini-series for more).

Upon arrival, Herc disappears into the trees to 'go drain the hydra', and bumps into Ikaris and Thena, who mistake him for Gilgamesh. All kinds of fighting follows as Herc tries to convince the pair that he isn't an Eternal, but rather the son of Zeus.

Now - to some of you, reading the above will probably turn you right off. This kind of myth and folklore is often met with a pretty mixed view, with the Fantasy camp loving it, and the Sci-Fi camp not liking it quite so much.

Those of you who know me will already know that I'm a fully paid up member of the Sci-Fi community. Fantasy, just isn't my thing. And - for the record - Harry Potter just turns my stomach.

But when it comes to this particular book - I can't help but enjoy myself. Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente write the book exquisitely, and Rafa Sandoval's pencils are sublime. It's an almost perfect marriage - and one that I sincerely hopes to go on either to a new Herc mini-series (as the ever lovin' Hulk is bound to return), or preferably - an ongoing title.

Pete's Score: 4 out of 5

(thoroughly recommended for Sci-Fi or Fantasy fans - watch out for the shocking Secret Invasion tie in)