The new revamp of the Marvel Comics' Hulk series gets double ‘Marks’
as Mark Waid (writer) and Mark Bagley (artist) unite their considerable
story-telling talents to bring a whole new chapter into the life of Bruce
Banner (the Hulk).
In this first issue someone has shot Bruce Banner in the
head causing severe brain trauma. A
covert government team calls in a preeminent neurosurgeon to remove the
bullets.
As the surgeon begins the operation his mind drifts back
when he first met young Bruce Banner in college. Through a series of flashbacks Bruce Banner’s
transformation into the Hulk is recalled and how (despite being a monster in
the public’s eyes) he became a hero,
saving countless lives.
As the operation proceeds readers discover that the covert
government division is not S.H.E.I.L.D. but an operation who was responsible
for shooting Bruce Banner. It is their
intent to implant a control device into Banner’s brain thus regulating and
directing the Hulk transformations.
As the doctor proceeds to operate, struggling against the
morality of such an operation, Banner suddenly awakes, transforms into the Hulk
and flees.
Sometime later Banner is discovered recovering in a small
town-the only problem is the brain trauma he suffered has left him with little
more than the intelligence of a small child.
I admit, this story has me intrigued. What exactly is going
on and how can the Hulk possibly survive as we know him? I plan on tuning in for a few issues to find
out. How about you?