Marvel Comics and Hulk Vs. Thor: Banner Of War Alpha #1 Spoilers and Review follows.
Who Will Win This Confusing Contest Of Champions?!
The issue has several variant covers below to supplement the variant cover above.
Plus the main cover by penciled by Gary Frank.
The promise of the kick-off book is revealed in its solicit.
HULK VS. THOR: BANNER OF WAR ALPHA #1
DONNY CATES (W) • MARTIN COCCOLO (A) • Cover by GARY FRANK
Variant Cover by MARTIN COCCOLO
Variant Cover by RON LIM
Hulk Smash variant by Trevor Von Eeden
Mjolnir Crash variant by Trevor Von Eeden
Variant Cover by RYAN STEGMAN
Wraparound Connecting Variant Cover by GEOFF SHAWHulk and Thor have both undergone massive changes recently, but one thing remains constant — their heated rivalry! When mysterious circumstances bring them into conflict once more, will the God of Thunder be able to triumph against a Bruce Banner who can now control his rage?
Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of both characters, this epic five-part crossover between the THOR and HULK series starts here in this oversized Alpha issue, brought to you by creators Donny Cates and Martin Coccolo! Key mysteries from both series will be revealed, as well as shocking consequences for the future of both characters! (Continued in May’s THOR #25 and HULK #7!)
40 PGS./ONE-SHOT/Rated T+ …$4.99
The Watcher Uatu is watching events unfold promising this will be a different Hulk vs. Thor slugfest than in the past.
Then we get caught up on the where Thor is now as a result of the last few story arcs in his series.
Same treatment for the Starship Hulk series update.
Now we’re caught up on how they got to confront each other.
They also both remark about they appear to talking to nothingness; in Thor’s case that is his deceased dad Odin and in Hulk’s case that is Bruce Banner, the pilot of Starship Hulk, talking to “Betty Ross”.
In the midst of their battle their whisked to a stadium for a formal battle?!
And, we see that splash page that has been circulating for months and gives the battle a video game vibe.
Thor believes Hulk killed seventeen people, but Hulk says he didn’t.
The Hulk actually self mutilates by lifting his body through Mjolnir!
The battle continues in earnest as…
…Odin visits Bruce Banner aboard Starship Hulk?!
That ending was spoiled with the main cover and solicitation reveal for Thor #25 from February 2022.
THOR #25
DONNY CATES, NADIA SHAMMAS & MORE! (W)
MARTIN COCCOLO, NIC KLEIN & MORE! (A)
Cover A – by GARY FRANK
COVER B – BY JOHN ROMITA JR.
VARIANT COVER BY SANFORD GREENE
VARIANT COVER BY J. SCOTT CAMPBELL
VIRGIN VARIANT COVER BY J. SCOTT CAMPBELL
RETRO VARIANT COVER BY J. SCOTT CAMPBELL
VARIANT COVER BY RON LIM
CONNECTING VARIANT COVER BY GEOFF SHAW
VARIANT COVER BY CHRISSIE ZULLO“BANNER OF WAR” PART TWO!
The 60th Anniversary celebration — and Thor and Hulk’s epic rivalry — continues in the second installment of the crossover between the HULK and THOR series! Banner’s newfound control of his rage is prolonging this fight more than Thor expected, and with Banner holding his own, Thor must get creative. Odin’s breakthrough look into Banner’s psyche seems to slow the violence, but will it be enough?
Additionally, new creators to the THOR title bring glimpses into the possible futures of Thor and his friends!
56 PGS./Rated T+ …$5.99
Here’s a few of that milestone issue Thor #25 variant covers.
Thor #25 lands in stores next week on May 18, 2022.
Hulk vs. Thor: Banner of War Alpha #1 ends with the Banner of Hulk checklist.
The Pulse:
Great art and fun character moments and action. However, the purpose of the fight remains unclear to me. 6 out of 10.
