View Full Version : INCREDIBLE HULK #97 - "Free" - Review & Spoilers
Expletive Deleted
08-09-2006, 01:19 PM
INCREDIBLE HULK #97, Pak & Lopresti, out today . . .
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In the second part of "Planet Hulk: Anarchy," we see Hulk's army grow as he liberates the gladiators and trainees at the Maw installation, but at the same time his Warbound alliance starts to break apart. Korg, Elloe, and Hiroim are all still firmly with Hulk, but Miek and Brood are splitting off on their own. Miek is basically in charge of his fellow Natives, and he's getting a little bloodthirsty when it comes to the Imperials. Elloe declines to kill the officer who was responsible for her father's death, but Meik has no such qualms. It's heavily implied that he has the captives slaughtered during the night. He also starts to exhibit some strange physiological changes.
If you've read the GLADIATOR GUIDEBOOK, especially the part about the Natives' biology, you can probably figure out where this is going. He evolves into his species' alpha male form and challenges Hulk's decision to head for the plains after the Maw battle.
Meanwhile, Hulk's legend is growing among the lower classes of the Empire. He's increasingly viewed as the prophesied Sakaarson, much to the irritation of the Red King, who orders the Lieutant to deal with Hulk once and for all.
The moment when Hulk takes the control disk off the rampaging Maw monster and says "Free" was really well done, I thought. Likewise, the way Pak is being ambivalent about the exact nature of Hulk's destiny on Sakaar makes for a nice air of mystery. The Sakaarson/World Breaker prophecy fits almost perfectly with Hulk's inherent contradictions. Will his rage destroy them all or make them free?
All in all, another excellent chapter in the "Planet Hulk" saga.
Sean Walsh
08-09-2006, 01:25 PM
One question: was this book, as the title says, "free"? ;) :p
Expletive Deleted
08-09-2006, 01:28 PM
Sadly, no.
But it's $2.99 well spent.
If you've read the GLADIATOR GUIDEBOOK, especially the part about the Natives' biology, you can probably figure out where this is going. He evolves into his species' alpha male form and challenges Hulk's decision to head for the plains after the Maw battle.....
*goes to get the Guidebook*
drwho
08-09-2006, 02:17 PM
I hope Hulk makes Miek into bug juice. I just think giant roaches are gross and i hope hulk feels the same way. Quick question the death's head that appeared in Amazing Fantasy was that based on this planet or they just happen to have exact same costumes? If anyone could explain the deaths head story in amazing fantasy like maybe spoil it would be appreciated.
Expletive Deleted
08-09-2006, 02:18 PM
I think he'll have to.
Which is kind of a shame, since I liked the vicious little pint-sized version in the "Exile" phase of the storyline.
I think we'll see Miek go off to lead the natives and be slaughtered by the Imperials.
mrc1214
08-09-2006, 02:41 PM
This book has been very good so far. And i dont want Miek to die all he was doing was what Hulk told him to. He was making them nevery stop paying. To be honest i dont really ever want to see Hulk come back to Earth i hope they keep him on this planet.
Hiromi
08-09-2006, 02:52 PM
The amount of growth Meik has shown in the last two issues has been excellent, this event continues to impress on all levels. And I love how Hulk has a pet dinosaur now.
Expletive Deleted
08-09-2006, 02:56 PM
And I love how Hulk has a pet dinosaur now.On the one hand, it is pretty cool. On the other hand, I sort of wish it was Devil Dinosaur.
'Cause, y'know, that'd be on a whole 'nother level of awesome.
Hiromi
08-09-2006, 02:57 PM
We've already got ninjas in the form of the Shadow Warriors, what's next Pirates? God this book is awesome.
The words "pet dinosaur" make me love this book even more than before.
Kevinroc
08-09-2006, 03:15 PM
And it looks like Hulk's in a "LEAVE HULK ALONE" kick again. Sigh... The Hulk is so anti-social. :p
Sheldon
08-09-2006, 03:38 PM
The words "pet dinosaur" make me love this book even more than before.
Yes the pet dino part was awesome. Plus Miek going crazy for blood is fun too.
One thing I thought was silly was the emperor burning everyone....
mrc1214
08-09-2006, 03:40 PM
Would i be completly out of line to say that this could be the best Hulk stuff ever??? I would have to say its a least up there with 340-346. Is Pak a new writer or has he been around for a while?? Hes a very good writer.
Expletive Deleted
08-09-2006, 03:41 PM
Quick question the death's head that appeared in Amazing Fantasy was that based on this planet or they just happen to have exact same costumes?The Death's Heads aren't native to Sakaar. A ship crewed by three hundred of 'em fell through the portal and crashlanded. The Red King (or his father, I forget) killed their leader and the rest swore loyalty to him.
Their origins (and connections to the character in AMAZING FANTASY) are, to the best of my knowledge, still unclear.
The Death's Heads aren't native to Sakaar. A ship crewed by three hundred of 'em fell through the portal and crashlanded. The Red King (or his father, I forget) killed their leader and the rest swore loyalty to him.
Their origins (and connections to the character in AMAZING FANTASY) are, to the best of my knowledge, still unclear.
His father. And the suit the Red King wears is made from the body of that leader.
Soundrave
08-09-2006, 07:54 PM
Yeah, IIRC that's why they follow the Emperor -- because they view the wearer of the armor as their leader ever since the Great Portal disrupted their AI.
Boy, the Gladiator Guidebook has really enhanced my understanding and enjoyment of this story. I feel like I know all the characters so much better.
Sparda
08-09-2006, 08:02 PM
I enjoyed the issue today and damn miek got huge already. Damn I don't got the hulk gladiotor guidebood. Don't got part one of when the hulk arrives in saakar for the first time but I got the rest of the issues and I keep on loving it more. The cover arts are beatiful, brilliant writing, and you have hulk who's being appreciated by beings for being a hero and not looked at as a monster :) can't go wrong with that.
The only complaint I got is that planet hulk will be short :( I want it to last a really long time.
Dussan
08-10-2006, 04:03 PM
I have to wait a few more months, I need to read this in TPB form cause it sounds awesome.
One thing. Anyone else like me and CANNOT wait till Hulk gets back to Earth and WTF owns everyone?
Majinlex
08-11-2006, 04:57 AM
Not for a while, I'm really enjoying this place he's at now.
Highlight of the book for me was when Hulk punched an alien T-Rex in the face! That was an awesome panel. And then there was the touching moment where he freed it.
There were some very interesting moral points in this issue as well. Just as soon as they'd freed the slaves in the Maw, Elloe was going to order them to kill their captor. Sure they probably would've wanted to but Hulk saw that making them do that would be just the same as what the slavers were doing. Hulk frees them and says something like "To hell with anybody who tries to make you a slave".
That was a great moment. Plus he then said that if Elloe wanted him dead she should do it herself. :cool:
The kings Shadow (can't remember her name) is really cool. I'm eagerly awaiting the next issue after seeing the cover.
Sophisticated_Gamer
08-11-2006, 07:26 PM
I love this story line, it is so kick ass, one of my favorite comic books by far, HULK IS SO DAMN BAD ASS
Will.S
08-11-2006, 07:58 PM
Just gotta say, my favorite parts were Hulk's reaction to his surrounding developments and his fight with the imperial soldiers. I dug the reference to the Secret Wars mountain bearing Hulk and I always geek out when I see Hulk do his trademark thunderclaps.
Interestingly enough it seems that the Lieutenant has a similar power so I'll be looking forward to seeing her fight Hulk come next issue.
greenlazer
08-13-2006, 05:10 PM
ithink this is some of the best hulk stuff ever, i started reading hulk for the first time in years and i want him to stay on "planet hulk" or whatever. if the stories after planet hulk are in any way close to as good as this i will be a hulk reader for life.
Will.S
08-13-2006, 06:36 PM
Would i be completly out of line to say that this could be the best Hulk stuff ever???
It's certainly the best Hulk story I've ever read.
Meta 05
08-13-2006, 06:48 PM
I have the PLANET HULK arc a try, my first time reading hulk acctually.I droped at 92 but i have alittle to back issue shop, with all the positive praise I may get back on track with the title. It was pretty interesting but i was giving a lot of new things a try at the time an this one did have alot of entertainment value seems it still has its momentum
Sophisticated_Gamer
08-13-2006, 07:20 PM
same here, it was the first hulk title i read, and omg it is so friken kick ass, i love it!
JuggernautRM
08-13-2006, 09:16 PM
Been reading Hulk since Planet Hulk started, and I havn't been disappointed yet.
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