Hulk #4 Review and *SPOILERS* - Marvel Monday

Into the Lion’s Den

Written By: Mariko Tamaki
Art By: Nico Leon, Matt Milla
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: March 22, 2017
Publisher: Marvel

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

I’ve really been enjoying this series so far. I’m sure that some readers would prefer a much more action-packed Hulk comic but I really appreciate taking a step back and dealing with some more mental issues that plague our main character rather than dealing with external forces.  That said, I am looking forward to something more. I’m ready for this first story arc to really start to dive deep and we’ve already begun with the situation with Miss Brewn that we’ve had so far. I’m ready to just dive into this book so let’s just jump in.

Our issue begins once again with Jen dealing with her own problems. She tells us that she sometimes feels like it’s going to be a bad day before it even happens. We cut to a time prior when Miss Brewn was far from who she is today. She led yoga classes but one night she was attacked and beaten, causing her not only physical pain but also scarring her mentally. We cut back to the present where Miss Brewn is curled up in her bed asking for someone to protect her. The being in the shadows once again agrees to protect her. We cut to Jen who meets with her assistant Bradley. She decides to go visit Miss Brewn’s home in order to attempt to get in contact with her.

After meeting with another client Jen finally gets on the move and arrives at Miss Brewn’s building. Outside, some police are canvasing the area asking about an abandoned cop car. Jen enters the building to find that it’s far from the best condition and she can’t make out the number of Miss Brewn’s apartment number. She walks up the stairs where a man approaches her asking her about her business. She tells him she is looking for Miss Brewn and he points her in the right direction. However, he also leaves her with a cryptic message about safety before he leaves.

Outside the apartment, the cops find the bodies of their fellow cops. They aren’t able to be recognized except for the fact that they found two badges alongside of them. Inside, Jen comes to Miss Brewn’s apartment and is welcomed inside. Miss Brewn is still freaking out because of the situation with her building. She doesn’t want to move but it’s looking like she will have no choice. Jen attempts to connect with her by sharing her own trauma but Miss Brewn isn’t listening. She loses what little composure she had and her eyes begin to glow red. Suddenly, some magical energy forms around her and suddenly a giant shadow monster stands above her glaring down at Jen. This is where the issue leaves us.

This books is certainly exploring these character thoroughly but frankly, this issue feels a little light. We’ve spent the first three issues really diving into Jen’s character and this issue felt like it was trying to give us a bit more on Miss Brewn but there wasn’t nearly enough. In addition, very little actually happens. Jen goes to work, goes to Miss Brewn’s apartment, some cops find bodies, and Miss Brewn reveals the creature that has been protecting her. Granted, the last part is huge but the rest of it was pretty dull. I still am a fan of this series and I’d say the art is the best that’s it’s been in this issue but I’m not sold, but the story in this issue really lets it down. If I were collecting this in trade paperback, I may not have minded but I have to wait a month for each issue. This wasn’t enough to satisfy my curiosity.

Bits and Pieces

Hulk has been pretty good up til this issue but this one finally falls a bit flat. Not a lot happens. It feels like an issue that was meant more for a trade paperback collection rather than an issue by issue story. That being said, the dialogue is great (except for any scene with Bradley which is incredibly stereotypical and poorly written) and the art really shone through this issue. In the grand scheme of this story, this issue won’t really hurt it but it’s definitely a low point so far.

6.0/10