I've already said it, but I'll say it again, I love everything about this book. Johnson is crafting an intriguing horror story with Marvels biggest, scariest character right in the middle of it. The creatures he's come up with are larger than life, elemental horrors that can do more than physical or mental damage. They can attack the psyche. Not only that, Hulk has someone he actually wants to protect. These factors bring stakes to a character that is otherwise invulnerable. All that said, this issue has the two most important things in comics going for it: It's fun to read and it's fun to look at it. Read Full Review

New Orleans is a perfect place to take this Incredible Hulk story, as it continues its gruesome and fabulous run. Read Full Review

The Incredible Hulk #9 begins a new story arc for Bruce and Charlie as they come into contact with a new monster from New Orleans. While the Bruce and Hulk portions of the comic are more expository and short, the slowly built up mystery and menace with Frozen Charlotte was still good. The tone and pacing of the comic make it feel like the beginning of a crime noir type of story but with the Hulk. Read Full Review

While a slow start, the new arc is bound to pick up and reach a certain high. While interesting in terms of setting and plot, issue #9 felt rather slow and just barely dragging the reader along. Read Full Review

The Incredible Hulk #9 feels like the start of a record stuck on repeat. Phillip Kennedy Johnson moves Banner and Charlie to New Orleans against any form of common sense, and the monster-of-the-month model gets even more confusing when the monster they encounter appears by coincidence. Either Johnson never had a story to tell, or he's biding his time on the title until something better comes along. Read Full Review

A sharp turn in art direction from what we have seen before, but Earls’ style suits New Orleans very well, and Wilson’s colors provide a sense of continuity.

I would, unfortunately, have to call this the weakest entry of the series thus far. That said, though, I still enjoyed this a good amount. Listen, I wasn't the biggest fan of Earls's art here, but I don't get the amount of hate for it here. My own opinion is that Nic Klein is a better artist and I do wish he was doing every single issue for this series. However, I think Earls was a solid fit for this book, especially for an issue without much action in it. Aside from the art, I thought Johnson gave us an intriguing first part of for this story here. I wouldn't say it's something we haven't seen before in comics, but I think it's still executed in a good way.

It's still a solid run, I just wish the art stayed consistent. Earls' art drags the rating down a bit for me, unfortunately.

Plot

This comic begins a new story arc that places Bruce Banner and Charlie in New Orleans, when passing through a cemetery Bruce sees Betty, he transforms into the Hulk and she tries to convince him to hand over the Hulk to The Eldest and thus be the channel to bring to our world The Mother of Horrors.

Charlie went to a Motel to wait for Bruce and is trapped by a monster, the Eldest is everywhere.

With a slower narrative, this comic delves into Eldest's pursuit of Hulk and Charlie.

Art
It is organic and full of textures that give it a gloomy and terrifying tone.

Summary
Hulk and Charlie are ambushed by monsters

This issue was the first major bump in PKJ’s run on Hulk. The story itself was a mixed bag and the New Orleans setting seemed like a great fit for the Southern American gothic type horror that has come to define the book. But, the Bruce/Hulk part felt too redundant to similar scenes we’ve seen in the book already and Danny Earls’ art couldn’t live up to the amazing work we’re accustomed to from Nic Klein. I couldn’t help but think about how this would have all looked if Klein were at the helm.

This wasn't this series best offering. Had some potential but overall was kind of boring.

I like the creepy vibe this book continues to bring and the main baddie asking like Betty, but the horrible art really throws it off. I'm not sure what the editor was thinking bringing this artist onto the book. This book needs consistency and it's not getting it.

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The guest artist for this issue is terrible. How can they pick such a bad artist for such an important character? And the story is starting to feel repetitive; it lacks surprises, and we're beginning to get bored. It's not a disaster yet, but they need to move forward because this run is losing more and more interest.

What in the world is Marvel doing with the artists? Not to say Earls is terrible, but its such a step down. Nic needs to be the on-going artist for this book. The biggest damage done to this series so far is the herky-jerky artist rodeo that has been going on. Put Nic on it and let him be awesome.

For those of you who realize I rate every issue of the IH, you might wonder- why did you give the last issue a 10/10 but this one a 5.5? Well simple, besides the art, the last issue was a wonderful end to the monster stories and a nice next arc to move the plot forward could have occurred. Instead we get another 2-3 issue monster story with no progression. Additionally this issue felt like 2 plots, maybe 3 jammed together with none of them really being important parts to each respective plot line.

The story is jarring as well. They just end up in New Orleans but the girl is still being chased by police? Is this really the USA? A single killing and she is being chased/police actively know her face across this large of an area? So much time has gone by in each of these states that 100s of killings by more dangerous people have probably occurred. I do wonder if PKJ understands how the police works or if this is just suppose to be suspension of disbelief.

This is by far the weakest issue of the series so far. This needs to get turned around asap. more

Art :/ They want to end the series and that's why there are terrible drawings in this series. This is not a indie comic book series! Don't do this pencil style in a main comic book series. Fulfill your fantasies elsewhere.

And series feels like the start of a record stuck on repeat!

I never thought Phillip Kennedy Johnson was a good writer. He makes a nice introduction to the stories, but then falls apart and can't be put together...

I think I bought this series just for the covers and now it's time to give up on it!