Incredible Hulk Epic Collection: Fall of the Pantheon (Epic Collection: Incredible Hulk) Paperback – 23 Jan. 2018

The Hulk Epics have been alternating between the very beginning of the series and the Peter David-written run of the nineties, and this latest, volume 21, is one of the latter, collecting material from 1994-1995. It's another period of transition for the character, who at the beginning of the volume is still running the team of Greek-themed superhumans known as the Pantheon, and still permanently settled into the Hulk body but with Bruce Banner's brain.However, the search for traitorous former Pantheon leader Agamemnon leads, via a trip to Asgard, to a climactic battle that sees Hulk's relationtip with the team finally severed, and leaves him with a new quirk to his transformations - if he gets too angry, he'll be left in Banner's fragile body but with the Hulk's savage mind! He and his wife Betty are left as fugitives once more, hiding out in small town America and trying to keep a low profile, despite all the threats that just keep finding them...We also see the end of artist Gary Frank's tenure on the book, to be replaced with a short run by Liam Sharp, whose exaggerated figures are something of a match for the green goliath. David's writing is the same as it ever was, although this is certainly not the highpoint of his decade-long stint; there is certainly action and character aplenty, although his injokes and references continue to be extremely clunky. The volume does at least tackle some serious subjects, such as the AIDS crisis, the pro-life/choice debate, homelessness and child abuse, with varying degrees of tact and efficacy considering the main character is a musclebound green powerhouse.Also included are the lusciously painted Tales to Astonish one-shot that teams Hulk with Wasp and Hank Pym to battle a wannabe Loki in Norway, and a charity issue that sees him both battle and team up with Spidey foe-turned-antihero Venom; the former is much more fun than the latter, it must be said.Extras include six pages of Swimsuit Special pinups of various Hulkverse characters, Two articles from Marvel Age covering the two specials, and two letters pages from the era. This is very much a changeover volume, not quite as good as the already-released volumes 19 and 20, but still very worth the time of fans of the character.

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