Review by Frank Plowright

Does the matter of whether the Hulk would beat Thor in a fair battle still occupy today’s Marvel fans? With Donny Cates writing the exploits of both in 2022 it seemed like a good time to find out. If there’s any doubt as to the importance in the Marvel universe scheme of things, Cates provides the gravitas of the Watcher introducing the whole affair, relating the situations both players find themselves in before it all kicks off. Thor is basically Thor, but more troubled, but anyone who’s not read the Hulk’s title for a while will find him considerably changed. Under Cates, Bruce Banner controls the Hulk from within more directly than previously via merging magic and technology.

The kicking off is due to Thor believing the Hulk has murdered someone, and over the course of the story we learn the truth of that, along with a disturbing change to Banner. Iron Man becomes involved, Odin has his say, and while no-one’s going to be disappointed with five chapters of mayhem, it’s five chapters of thoughtful mayhem.

Essential to any Hulk vs. Thor battle is an artist who can deliver the power, and Martín Cóccolo surely ticks that box. When the Hulk and Thor have at each other the sound effects and debris spill off the page, yet, perhaps surprisingly, when it’s called for he can also supply a delicacy. It’s there at the start, and another string to his bow is the cartooning seen on the sample art. Colourist Matt Wilson elevates the art, his use of green especially innovative. He gives gamma radiation the allure of the Northern Lights.

Considering the acclaim Cates received for his patchy Thor run, it’s strange that this crossover is somewhere near the best of it. He starts at near maximum, and keeps extending the possibilities, and where it eventually leaves Thor is a masterstroke. Self contained and doing what it says on the tin, Banner of War is immensely satisfying.