‘Infernal Hulk’ #10 is a good supernatural bottle episode

Bruce Banner is on the hunt for a Hulk body, and the only place to find one is in the Soul Cage after Sumanguru stole his Hulk form. It’s a mystical and supernatural chapter in the run, and Infernal Hulk #10 is all about a test of riddles. Nothing a genius like Bruce Banner can’t handle, right? Infernal Hulk #10 opens with Bruce and Brother Voodoo tied to posts, seemingly in great pain as Sumanguru talks about an Egyptian sorcerer. Artist Adam Gorham does a great job setting the scene, as monsters look on, and crows peck at Bruce. The very next page pulls out to reveal all of this is happening on the back of a giant corpse that clings to a giant tree with a city carved into its side. It’s epic, metal as hell, and a good opening to establish the good guys have no chance of escape. Phillip Kennedy Johnson fashions a solid bottle episode, so to speak, at least with the A-plot. Sumanguru’s story of riddles, and then jumping into his riddle test on Bruce, allows for this portion of the story to do its thing in a mythical location apart from the Eldest’s conquering of Earth. As Bruce answers each riddle correctly, his pain grows, and eventually a twist in this game reveals nothing is fair when a sorcerer is leading a game. That poor giant corpse!Credit: Marvel The A-plot does a little shenanigans with revealing backstory via a flashback, making the twist somewhat conventional. The creative team does a good enough job to make you think Bruce and Doctor Voodoo can’t win, but let’s be real, this is a superhero book, and there was never really any doubt. At the very least, this bottle episode wasn’t dragged beyond a single issue, so the flashback reveal isn’t frustrating. Outside of this, the B-Plot focuses on Lycana, who fights David Bridger, spinning out of the last issue. Not only is her fighting form quite cool, but her attack on Bridger helps remind casual readers of her abilities. One of which could help turn the tide against the Eldest. Combined with the A-plot, this issue serves as the edge the heroes need to have any chance of defeating the Eldest. Closing out the issue is a solid setup for the Eldest’s army and where they’re at in America. Could the good guys be too late? Infernal Hulk #10 takes Bruce Banner deep into the supernatural for a clever, self-contained test that pushes his intellect as much as his endurance. The riddle game loses a little impact through a conventional flashback reveal, but Adam Gorham’s massive, hellish imagery keeps the issue visually gripping. Add in Lycana’s increasingly important role and an ominous final setup, and the march toward the showdown with the Eldest continues to gain momentum. ‘Infernal Hulk’ #10 is a good supernatural bottle episode Infernal Hulk #10 Infernal Hulk #10 takes Bruce Banner deep into the supernatural for a clever, self-contained test that pushes his intellect as much as his endurance. The riddle game loses a little impact through a conventional flashback reveal, but Adam Gorham’s massive, hellish imagery keeps the issue visually gripping. Add in Lycana’s increasingly important role and an ominous final setup, and the march toward the showdown with the Eldest continues to gain momentum. Reader Rating0 Votes 0 Adam Gorham delivers some incredible, metal-as-hell supernatural imagery The riddle challenge makes Bruce’s intelligence central to the conflict Keeps its central supernatural detour contained to one issue The flashback solution makes the central twist feel somewhat conventional 8 Good Buy Now Amazon