Hulk #9 / #10

Previously, in Hulk #8

Jennifer has spent the first two arcs of this series confronting monsters — from the monster that fed off of Maise’s fears to the monster Oliver has become. However, her biggest struggle has been confronting the monster within herself, all while trying her best to help others.

As Jennifer and Bradley look for Oliver, he’s already taken drugs he hopes will transform him back to the man he was. There’s proof that man still exists when he makes a hopeful phone call to his boyfriend Warren. Unfortunately, the drugs have the opposite desired effect and Oliver becomes even stronger and more grotesque.

Jennifer draws parallels between her experience, Oliver’s, and that of the Monster is Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. These monsters didn’t ask to be created; they’re just trying to survive in a world that fears them, all while a rage threatens to consume them. Jennifer may not fully understand her new, gray Hulk persona, but she knows it’s her only chance to save Oliver from hurting others and himself.

Her interactions with him, on a bridge as the city’s police threaten to fire at any moment, are dangerous for her own well-being. Oliver not only refuses her help, he’s set on making her kill him. It almost works, but Jennifer pulls herself from the edge just in time.

Later, when Oliver is safe (but in a coma in the hospital), Jennifer’s best friend Patsy Walker (Hellcat) points out that the fact Jennifer did stop is all that matters. Jennifer isn’t so sure, and it appears she’s no closer to understanding what she’s become.

As a new threat lurks in the shadows, she’ll have less time to figure it out.

Issues 9 and 10 saw a new artists take over for Georges Duarte. Julian Lopez and Francesco Gaston have infused the series a sleeker style. Jennifer and Patsy appear softer and rounder. Matt Milla still plays with lots of greens, but they pop more in these last two issues. Even though I’d come to enjoy Duarte’s style, I’m digging this more.

The tease of a Jennifer’s next obstacle, who seems to know a lot about her, has me very intrigued.