Peter David left the Hulk after an epic run, one of the longest in comics, and the book floundered.
Joe Casey had a go at it for a bit, but really all he did was wrap up David’s run. Then the book relaunched and I have to confess: I haven’t read the first 33 issues of the reboot (I don’t even think they’re available in trade paperback). Jim “Priest” Owsley even wrote a guest issue.
But again, nothing stuck.
Then, along came Bruce Jones, perhaps best known for his amazing horror indie comic “Twisted Tales,” from the late 1980s. His run is beloved by me, but I know not everyone likes it. It moves Hulk to a grittier series–away from the multiple personalities and explorations of hidden identities.
In the first issues, we see the version of Bruce Banner from the second Hulk movie. Bruce is on the run from the law–since Hulk is accused of causing the death of a young boy. Assassins try to kill him.
He’s hiding out in nondescript hotels, doing yoga, and communicating by laptop with a mysterious benefactor.
In each of these issues, there is a simple story–a done-in-one. Like in #34, Hulk helps protect a kid from some gang bangers.
And he does it as Bruce…
We never get to see the Hulk!
It’s a good tone-setting first issue.
The following issues, including the ‘Nuff Said crossover, which seems to have a cameo of Scarlet Witch as a diner waitress…
These issues feature discrete adventures concurrent with the story of the military group hunting Banner/Hulk.
The mystery builds. He keeps getting messages from “Mr. Blue” on a digital message board. Blue warns him and enables him to elude his pursuers.
He is also befriended by Sandra Verdugo, a special agent who was betrayed by the government killer pursuing Hulk.
She’s got powers. At one point, she’s shot in the head and lives.
The arc ends with Banner getting evidence that Hulk did not commit the crime he has been accused of. His friend Sandra seems to be killed in an explosion–along with his pursuer–but her hand emerges from the grave at the end.