Al Ewing continues his famous run on Immortal Hulk in an action-packed fourth deluxe volume published by Panini Comics in the Marvel Deluxe line
The most successful phase featuring the Emerald Goliath of the last decades (perhaps since the time of World War Hulk) continues to be collected by Panini Comics in its deluxe format, and now begins its final stretch in a fourth chapter that comes to us with the disturbing title of Marvel Deluxe. The Immortal Hulk 4 – Guardian of the Gate.
The Apotheosis of Samuel Sterns
The first issue we will see in this volume focuses on the character of the Leadera character with decades of history behind him who functions, from a certain point of view, as the perfect nemesis of Carcass. Both were hit by gamma radiation, but while for Bruce’s Flag The consequences were the enhancement of their physical abilities to inconceivable limits. Samuel Stern The effects were intellectual. They are two sides of the same coin, and perhaps that is why Al Ewing chooses Sterns as a major villain to defeat at the end of his phase…
We will also see in these debuts how, together with the Leader, another character appears who seems destined to make things very difficult for our protagonist, and it is none other than his father, that authority figure whose relationship with Bruce has been seen in many episodes. occasions such as the real one that triggered the birth of the Hulk.
We were able to see Sterns in his film version played by Tim Blake Nelson In The Incredible Hulkthat great 2008 movie starring Edward Nortonand it seems confirmed that we will see him again soon with green skin and a head of ridiculous proportions, while we saw Bruce’s father with the face of nick nolte in the 2003 film directed by The Lee. What this couple offers in this volume is very well constructed, but there is no need to look for any correspondence with their film versions…
Ewing’s Mark
What makes this phase special can be seen in the way Ewing treats Sterns. Yes, he will be the enemy to defeat, but any resemblance to what we would usually expect from a comic book villain mainstream of superheroes is pure coincidence. It’s not just the menacing and grandiloquent tone with which Ewing introduces each new plot twist, sprinkled here and there with those biblical quotes and those lapidary sentences with which he likes to open or close each issue. There’s also that touch of terror that, although much more toned down than at the beginning of the series, is still there.
The same could be said Brian’s Flagwho goes from being a bad father to becoming a real Freudian nightmare magnified by the whole tradition with which the screenwriter feeds the reader from the beginning of this series. And it is in that environment that Ewing can give free rein to all the crazy things that inhabit his head, giving us some of the most grotesque moments. His ability to distance the most terrifying situations from the unpleasant ones and instead enter the realm of psychological horror is admirable.
Jennifer Walters and Venom
Beyond the beginning of what will be the final stretch of the series with the formal presentation of this pair of villains, in this volume we will also find some surprises. We have an episode starring Very where we see her dealing with the mythology associated with it Green Doorand also a crossover with the saga of The King in Blackthe one written by Donny Cates in which Fuck youthe god of symbiotes, was the main villain. Here will be the artist Aaron Kuder the one who puts all the meat on the grill in a silent number set at Christmas.
However, in the graphics section it is Joe Bennett the one responsible for most of the numbers contained here, as usual in the series. One could criticize the artist for being perhaps a little less sketchy at times, but narratively it works perfectly and the atmosphere it creates is ideal for this series.
Him Volume published by Panini Comics The hardcover contains 312 color pages with a format of 17 x 26 cm. and includes the translation of the American edition of numbers 34 to 41 of the regular series. The Immortal Hulk and the special ones The Immortal She-Hulk One-Shot And The King in Black: The Immortal Hulk, In addition to all the covers of the included issues, an introduction written by Xavi Sanz Serrano and finally a large gallery of variant covers. The suggested retail price is €38 and it was released in August 2024.
Marvel Deluxe. The Immortal Hulk 4 – Guardian of the Gate
There’s a new monster in town. He’s cute, he’s adorable, and he likes kids. Yes, there was another Hulk in the past, the one who threw all those threats at the world. But who needs that? The new Hulk is here and he’ll save us or give you your money back. It’s Xemnu’s return!
Next, the Leader sets his sights on the green giant’s group of friends. In order to carry out his nefarious and long-held plans, he intends to infiltrate them. What will The Thing have to say about this? Also, Hulka discovers his immortality and his crossbreeding with the “King in Black”.
Authors: Mattia de Iulis, Bill Mantlo, Adam Kubert, Mike Hawthorne, Mike Mignola, Aaron Kuder, Al Ewing, Butch Guice, Joe Bennett, Peter David and Jon Davis-Hunt