A monster from the annals of Marvel history returns in The Immortal Hulk #31, written by Al Ewing, with a main story art team of Joe Bennett (pencils), Ruy Jose, Belardino Brabo, and Cam Smith (inks), and Paul Mounts (colors), and a second story art team of Javier Rodriguez (pencils, colors), and Alvaro Lopez (inker). Previously, Bruce Banner and several of his Hulk personalities came to an agreement to end the world as it is known, mainly by smashing the worst parts of it. Their first target was the Roxxon Energy Corporation, headed by CEO Dario Agger, who happens to be a minotaur and ex-enemy of Thor. Agger didn’t take the attacks lying down, though, and decided to out-strategize his foe, rather than meet him in the streets with his fists. Dario’s first major strike against Banner came when he released a group of giant monsters in Phoenix, Arizona, during the day when Hulk was at his weakest. One of the said monsters ended up swallowing the green goliath whole, but he re-emerged as Banner’s savage personality, and unwittingly unleashed parasitic creatures from within his captor. Just when things seemed they couldn’t get any worse, another monster named Xemnu arrived claiming to be the savior of the city. Now, with this new mystery creature stealing Hulk’s thunder, perceptions begin to twist, and all begins to go according to Dario Agger’s plans.

This issue mostly focuses on one of Banner’s newest allies--Dr. Charlene McGowan. As stated in previous stories, she was drummed out of legitimate science and ended up manufacturing drugs before working for a shadow government agency dedicated to hunting the Hulk. Being a brilliant scientist, Banner saw a use for her in his new organization and offered her a spot on his team. She accepted the offer but has been a bit of a background player until this issue, where Ewing has decided to shine a spotlight on her past. Only time will tell if she goes down in the history books as a fan-favorite supporting player, but her checkered past and willingness to throw in with any monster who will sign her checks make for an interesting start.

The other highlight of this story was the return of Xemnu, who looks as ridiculous as his name sounds. Dating back to just before the silver age of Marvel started, he’s a bit of a relic of a bygone era, but Ewing makes good use of him and his strange mind control powers here. Seemingly preying on people’s nostalgia, he operates like a parasite piggybacking off on fond memories and burrowing his way retroactively into people’s consciousness. Hulk may be able to smash his way out of anything, but it’s hard for him to fight something as intangible as telepathy, which makes Xemnu an ideal foil for the titular hero.

Bennett, Jose, Belardino, Smith, and Mounts do an excellent job, as usual, of delivering on creepy monster mayhem (especially when it comes to Xemnu’s eyes). Still, this issue also showcases a secondary art team for McGowan’s flashbacks. Rodriguez and Lopez’s style is completely different from the main team but is also pitch-perfect for illustrating McGowan’s street-level criminal past. These kinds of split art duties can sometimes be a little jarring, especially when you’re switching back and forth, but it makes perfect sense here and plays especially well into the final scene of the issue.

This chapter doesn’t shake things up too much, but if you’ve been enjoying Ewing’s run on this book so far, you won’t be disappointed. Xemnu is a great fit in the horror-themed story, but McGowan’s flashbacks are equally compelling, and much needed development for one of the newest characters. This book is already an instant classic, but it only gets better as it goes. If you’re not reading it, start picking up the trades immediately.

Grade: A+