Tell me that artwork isn't incredible! In an issue that mostly relies upon artwork to describe the inner turmoil within our favorite green guy's mind, Alex Ross just blows everything away with his work on the cover. I am referring to The Immortal Hulk #39, or #756 for you purists. Don't get me wrong! Al Ewing (writer) and Joe Bennett (penciler) do an excellent job with the story panels on the inside pages. Keeping The Hulk within the horror story arena, it appears that the comic book has been elevated to almost a Scanners-like storyline.
The Leader opens the issue with a backstory as he eats Brian Banner, in an effort to obtain what little mind, soul and even Gamma might be left. This is all being done for the mysterious One-Below-All. Meanwhile, the back pages of the issue shows that The Hulk's body is still being held at the Alpha Flight Space Station. Our green hero was apparently shot in the head for blasting a town Gamma-style.
The artwork in this issue really gets creative as most of the issue is spent inside the mind of The Hulk. The Leader is now in present time going after the Devil Hulk. Bruce not only has a front row seat for the action, but so does Hulk's alters, which includes Joe Fixit and The Big Guy. Sam Sterns needs to find out the secret of the Green Doors and what better way than facing the battle from the inside. This battle has been going back and forth more times than a great wrestling match, with a clear winner not in sight. Things get intense, as The Hulk deals with his daddy issues! The Banners have come full circle and neither one of them will be the same after this!