WHAT IF ... GENERAL ROSS HAD BECOME THE HULK? ADVANCE REVIEW

[Andrea Speed]

Reviewer: Andrea Speed andy@comixtreme.com
Quick Rating: Good

The title says it all.

<a href="http://www.comixtreme.com/gallery/data/media/1/whatifhulk.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixtreme.com/gallery/data/thumbnails/1/whatifhulk.jpg" align="left" border="0"> </a>Writer: Peter David
Pencils: Pat Olliffe
Inks: Sal Buscema
Colors: Chris Sotomayor
Letters: Virtual Calligraphy's Randy Gentile
Editor: C.B. Cebulski
Cover Art: Gary Frank & Morry Hollowell
Publisher: Marvel


Review: This will be the first of a plethora of new What If..? advance reviews this week, as my advance pack is just crammed full of them (but not, sadly , the Wha…Huh? one, which was the one I was actually looking forward to). I can already tell you these might be a bit difficult to review, as the gist of the plot is in the titles, and since I can’t spoil, I can’t go into great detail about any of the stories. Oy.

This issue is just a re-imagining of the Hulk’s origin story, complete with sneaky Russian spy and dumb-arse kid (Rick Jones), but as the title suggests, it isn’t Bruce Banner who gets transformed by gamma rays, but General Ross. The transformation is slightly different, and while the end result “Hulk-ification” is similar, there are enough differences that things quickly turn ugly for poor Ross Hulk, and it all heads towards an ending that is not as happy as it was for Bruce (if you could call how he ended up a happy ending - at least he got a series and a bad television series and movie out of the deal).

Olliffe and Buscema do a very good job on the pseudo-retro style art, and in general it’s strong and clear, much like their early work on Spider-Girl. Ross is clearly the Hulk, but also clearly a different one, although I have to admit sometimes it’s funny to see the Hulk with a sandy mustache. The action scenes are straightforward and crisp. Sotomayor does a nice job on the colors, moving from subtle to rich with great ease.

This is an interesting revisionist tale of the Hulk, and fans of the character should enjoy it.



Rating:http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpghttp://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpghttp://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpghttp://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/none.jpghttp://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/none.jpg





Buy this issue online now from X-World and Save! (http://x-worldcomics.com/yourvirtualstore/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=1606&cat=WHAT+IF%3F)

[chrismozer]

Having the What if titles return (even as one-shots) is a dream come true. I love the concept and hope Marvel can come up with some good storylines. Some of the issues from the 1st and 2nd series were a little bland.

Is the Wha...huh? issue in a comedic vein? If it is one thing i hate to do, it's laugh.

[Andrea Speed]

The Wha ... Huh? ones is supposed to be a comedic issue, yes.

[Mark Blicharz]

I've read some of them and enjoyed them.

[Walt Kneeland]

With the TPB already solicited for early-ish next year...are these worth picking up as singles, or just as well to wait for the TPB? (Though either way, I intend to pick up the "Wha...Huh?" issue).

With the MK 2099 books, I wish I'd known THAT was gonna be TPBed, rather than blowing out $3 * 5.

I recall enjoying the various "What If...?" issues, for their alternate takes on certain regular storylines, though that resulted in very select purchases for me. Didn't so much care for it in the later issues of the most recent series, though.

'Course, given that I (personally) prefer the specific concept in the titles (rather than a generic alternate-universe/something story in a book called "What If...?"), I definitely would enjoy seeing these as randomish specials or minis, as certain stories merit.

Just my (exhausted) couple cents' worth,

~Walt

[Andrea Speed]

Well, in a financial sense, I suppose waiting for the trade would make more sense. But, if you can't wait, then get the single issues, especially if there are some that you intend to skip.

I'm really helpful, aren't I? :LOL:

[chrismozer]

Originally posted by Walt Kneeland
With the TPB already solicited for early-ish next year...are these worth picking up as singles, or just as well to wait for the TPB? (Though either way, I intend to pick up the "Wha...Huh?" issue).

With the MK 2099 books, I wish I'd known THAT was gonna be TPBed, rather than blowing out $3 * 5.




A TPB in the works already??? It makes me say "Wha....Huh."
Makes no business sense to me to let this be known prior to the original issues coming out.

[Walt Kneeland]

Originally posted by chrismozer
A TPB in the works already??? It makes me say "Wha....Huh."
Makes no business sense to me to let this be known prior to the original issues coming out.

Far as I recall, yeah...I don't even remember which news site it was on, about Marvel's upcoming TPBs (MIGHT even be in the current Marvel Previews, for all I know at the moment) ;)

Andrea--yeah, I think I may go ahead and wait for the trade, though splurge and grab the Wha--Huh? issue when it hits. That's the one I'm most looking forward to.

'course, this resolution COULD just go right out the window on wednesday...

Time will tell. :D

~Walt

[B. Schatz]

What... Huh? was delayed to the first week of January. You'll probably get to review it yet, Andrea.

So speaks b. schatz, knower of incosiquential information.

[Andrea Speed]

Oh, well, thank you Brandon.:D

I wonder why it was delayed - everything else seemed to come out on time...

[Ryan Read]

I agree, there have been a lot of delays lately. People are getting their advance copies in, but for some reason, the issues themselves are being delayed by 2 or more weeks then they are suppose to. Can't blame the weather on that.

[COUSIN O]

Speaking of which, does anyone know if part 4 of the hulk/thing mini-series came out??? i never got my ish in the mail...

[Andrea Speed]

Yeah, it came out already! Maybe you can look for back issues or a future trade ...

Now,I never saw a single issue, but apparently it wasn't terribly well received, if that's anything.

[WhereIsTony]

Jones never seemed sure on what the hulk was. It was like he had a story he wanted to tell and was stuck using the hulk.

I cannot wait to check out this what If.

[COUSIN O]

And so, of course, once again, i go to the comic book store on a WEDNESDAY NIGHT and there's a big gaping hole on the wall where the "what if" comics were.

now, let me be clear: i don't care if the comic book store can reserve them, or if marvel doesn't print enough, or they want to make them collectible, or they underestimated the demand, or WHATEVER. i don't care.

the bottom line is, i shouldn't have to be such a huge fan that i either (A) leave my job at lunch time on wednesday to go get the latest titles before they're all gone, or (B) develop a business relationship with my local comic vendor where he sets aside titles that would be of interest to me.

i'm SORRY, but going in wednesday night should be adequate, i don't care if they're trying to increase the value, or whatever the reason is.

now, if this was ONCE or TWICE, FINE... but this happens on a semi-regular basis, and it's NOT just one comic book store.

quite simply, this, on top of the increasingly sub-par stories, is one of the main reasons i'm getting fed up with comics in general.

OH! AND GIVE ME A BREAK WITH THE "DIRECTOR'S CUT" CRAP.
it's a comic book, not a movie, whether you're speaking figuratively or not. it just sounds like a bunch of pretentious garbage, but then again, i suppose they can't write what it really is: "BLATANT ATTEMPT TO GET MORE MONEY OUT OF THE PEOPLE WHO COME IN AT 2PM ON WEDNESDAY AND BUY UP EVERYTHING IN SIGHT"

In my view, the comic book companies (and the shops) say they want to increase business, but all they do is engage in practices that serve their core customers and alienate everyone else who doesn't pick up 600 books on wednesday.

if i was someone who didn't read comics anymore, and had been a fan of the old "what if" series, and was looking to get back into reading comics, and went to the store the DAY THEY CAME OUT and they were gone, i don't know if i'd be too keen on re-kindling my interest after that.

You're telling me no one knew in advance there was a demand for these damn things??? and no, i shouldn't have to buy the "TP" either, to be honest.
come on, let's get it together guys.

grrrrrr.

[Lord_Magneto]

wow, and i thought i had a habbit of ranting. anyway, it's probably just your comic-shop not ordering enough copies of anything. you should really check out Marvel Previews and order whatever comics you want 2 months in advance.

[COUSIN O]

Right... but isn't that exactly what i'm saying? you can't be a casual fan anymore. you have to get "marvel preview" and reserve what you want. gimme a break already! (no offense to you, of course, LM)

[Lord_Magneto]

non taken. but my point is, it's not something about the industry, it's even not marvel comics.. it's merely your single local comic-shop.

[Andrea Speed]

LM has a point - it may just be your local comic shop. But then again, not releasing enough and creating a demand has been done before...

[chrismozer]

A decent enough read. Nothing earth shattering.
Loved the ending but if it had been me (instead of Bruce), i would've kicked Ross in the head when he was down as well as shooting him.

How come no one knew Igor was a spy? The name itself should've been a dead giveaway.

[chrismozer]

Originally posted by COUSIN O
And so, of course, once again, i go to the comic book store on a WEDNESDAY NIGHT and there's a big gaping hole on the wall where the "what if" comics were.

now, let me be clear: i don't care if the comic book store can reserve them, or if marvel doesn't print enough, or they want to make them collectible, or they underestimated the demand, or WHATEVER. i don't care.

the bottom line is, i shouldn't have to be such a huge fan that i either (A) leave my job at lunch time on wednesday to go get the latest titles before they're all gone, or (B) develop a business relationship with my local comic vendor where he sets aside titles that would be of interest to me.

i'm SORRY, but going in wednesday night should be adequate, i don't care if they're trying to increase the value, or whatever the reason is.

now, if this was ONCE or TWICE, FINE... but this happens on a semi-regular basis, and it's NOT just one comic book store.

quite simply, this, on top of the increasingly sub-par stories, is one of the main reasons i'm getting fed up with comics in general.

OH! AND GIVE ME A BREAK WITH THE "DIRECTOR'S CUT" CRAP.
it's a comic book, not a movie, whether you're speaking figuratively or not. it just sounds like a bunch of pretentious garbage, but then again, i suppose they can't write what it really is: "BLATANT ATTEMPT TO GET MORE MONEY OUT OF THE PEOPLE WHO COME IN AT 2PM ON WEDNESDAY AND BUY UP EVERYTHING IN SIGHT"

In my view, the comic book companies (and the shops) say they want to increase business, but all they do is engage in practices that serve their core customers and alienate everyone else who doesn't pick up 600 books on wednesday.

if i was someone who didn't read comics anymore, and had been a fan of the old "what if" series, and was looking to get back into reading comics, and went to the store the DAY THEY CAME OUT and they were gone, i don't know if i'd be too keen on re-kindling my interest after that.

You're telling me no one knew in advance there was a demand for these damn things??? and no, i shouldn't have to buy the "TP" either, to be honest.
come on, let's get it together guys.

grrrrrr.

I don't blame you for being angry. I know that feeling, too. Nothing like going to get your comics only to find they are sold out. This has caused me grief in the past and has put miles on my car as i hunt from store to store!!

The hell with director's cuts. Just a marketing ploy for the completists out there!!

[Walt Kneeland]

It's a shame when a reader gets hooked on a title and/or is willing to check it out and give it the benefit of the doubt, regardless of the cover...gets it home and oops...THAT is NOT # 2!

Perhaps I can ebay the "regular" New Avengers # 1? The "Director's Cut" "bonuses" should have been included in the "regular" edition, in my opinion. Comics are pretty much all over-priced these days anyway, so tacking a dollar onto a first issue (ONLY!) wouldn't be the end of the world, and would give the new readers some background information that MIGHT lend additional enjoyment to the story.

With the Astonishing X-Men, I bought the Director's Cut intentionally because it was the ONLY affordable "cover" that depicted any sort of image of the "X-Men"...and I'll be darned if I'm going to hang onto a debut issue of a TEAM BOOK that has a symbolic image of a single character as its cover...

As to copies selling out...I know for a fact that I completely take for granted that I have two comic stores within a few miles of each other--both within my "usual stomping grounds." If the one I usually go to doesn't have something (or there's a trade I'm intending to buy), I will go to the other store to find it.

...and to stay on topic...I somehow missed that Peter David was the writer on this book. I suppose I might pick this up, if there're any left to be picked, along with David's return to the Hulk this week. :D

~Walt
I may not be the IDEAL reader, but darned if I don't contribute, what with being impatient enough to get some things as singles, and double-up when I buy the trades... :rolleyes: