The Incredible Hulk Annual #12
Published and © by Marvel, 1983
Title: “Amazing Grace!”
Synopsis: The Hulk gets pulled into a religious war between two factions on Cygnet VII – with heartbreaking results.
Writer: Bill Mantlo
Artist: Herb Trimpe
Review: The Hulk trapped on an alien world, leading a rebellion after being forced to fight in an arena for spectator sport … wait, is this a Bronze Age prototype for Planet Hulk? Not really, but it is a surprisingly strong tale from frequent Hulk scribe Bill Mantlo. Here, the writer uses a simplistic, parabolic style to deliver a scathing indictment of organized religion and the nature of humankind; the result is shockingly bleak for a Marvel comic of the era. Artist Herb Trimpe also delivers some above-average work, inking his own pencils with a deliberate, thick brush line. Strong stuff.
Grade: B+
Second opinion: “This is one of those really moving Hulk stories, even though it takes place in an alien world that will probably never be seen in the Marvel universe again.” – Nathan Melby, Comics Buyer’s Guide Presents Hulk, 2003
Cool factor: That ending!
Not-so-cool factor: Herb Trimpe’s Hulk isn’t very hulking in some panels.
Notable: Includes a pin-up by Brent Anderson.
Collector’s note: According to the Grand Comics Database, there is a $1.25 Canadian variant of this issue.
Character quotable: “Is there no room in your religion for humanity? Can’t your faith be tempered with tolerance?” – The Incredible Hulk, man of reason
Editor’s note: This review was written July 7, 2024.
