PopCultHQ received an advance review copy of WEAPON H #5 from Marvel Comics. Available July 18th, 2018, the creative team for this series features writing from Greg Pak, art from Cory Smith, inks by Terry Pallot, Keith Champagne, Scott Hanna, and Walden Wong, colors by Morry Hollowell and Chris Sotomayor, and lettering from VC’s Joe Caramagna.
Here’s PopCultHQ’s review of…
WEAPON H #5
Writer: Greg Pak
Artist: Cory Smith
Inkers: Terry Pallot, Keith Champagne,
Scott Hanna, and Walden Wong
Colorist: Morry Hollowell and Chris Sotomayor
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
PopCultHQ’s Comic Book Review:
WEAPON H #5
So this week is just full of my regular reading list. Weapon H is no exception. If you have read my commentary on books such as Immortal Hulk and Totally Awesome Hulk, you’ll find I am an Incredible Hulk fanboy and Weapon H falls right into those parameters!
What is…Weapon H?
About a year back, the two series, Totally Awesome Hulk and Weapon X, had a crossover event called ‘Weapons of Mutant Destruction.’ It was a plot by the Weapon X facility to create a new form of mutant-hunting solider. By using the DNA of the Hulk, Wolverine, Warpath, Domino, and Sabertooth combined with an adamantium-laced skeleton and claws, Weapon H was born! However our mystery man, Clayton (we are not privy to his last name) is too good a solider to be controlled by the Weapon X implants. After being used to try and kill the Totally Awesome Hulk, Weapon H took off. He was then tracked by the X-team known as Weapon X. In a final battle between Old Man Logan and the Lara Kinney Wolverine, it was determined that Weapon H wasn’t a bad guy and just wanted to be left alone.
This leads into Weapon H, where we have our mystery man Clay running from his pursuers, The Roxxon Corporation. We, as time goes on, learn more about his family, who believe him to be dead, as they begin searching for him. Along the way, Clay battles a new Wendigo, Doctor Strange, and the Man-Thing. Issue 5 sees us discovering the rest of the plot as Roxxon has delved into finding magical energy sources to run planet Earth by tapping into another dimension with ghastly creatures who want to break through to slaughter everything on Earth.
Writing:
Greg Pak, who has been no stranger to the Incredible Hulk, has given us a new Gamma-spawned creature. I’m hoping in time Weapon H crosses paths with the Banner Hulk! Pak brings us a fugitive-type story with Clay running from the company who helped create him, but also want to use him to clean up their mistakes.
There’s a lot of old-school Marvel in this book. From the formation of a new Wendigo to the use of Man-Thing. Even including Roxxon Oil, now the Roxxon Corporation, as the backer of Stryker’s new Weapon X project is a breath of fresh air from the old, stuffy Weapon X stories of the past. At first, the concept was laughable by most, but the idea of the Hulk with Wolverine’s claws is fun! One could say it’s almost a 90s throwback done right.
Art:
Again, most times I loathe giving an art review but because it’s required, here I go. Cory Smith is the penciler of the series and his work is nice. He drawns Weapon H different, yet keeps the appearance of a Hulk-like creature. His Man-Thing in issues 4 and 5 are simply amazing! And while his Wendigo looks a bit different in the first issue, that is explained through the story. I don’t feel anyone else could do this series justice.
PopCultHQ’s overall assessment:
While the issue itself is nothing to write home about, the overall story is well worth your time and investment. As we see in the final two pages, there are some heavy Lovecraft themes with Roxxon and I love anything Lovecraftian. Unspeakable horrors from another dimension whose sole purpose is to destroy every living thing on the planet Earth makes one wonder if Weapon H can stay sane?
Sadly, I don’t think this series will survive their second arc after this one concludes. That is if it is allowed to continue for a second arc. The book has been good, and issue 5 here is no different, but 5 issues in and the series has yet to really grip me. Outside of being loosely Hulk-related, I probably wouldn’t have paid this book any mind.
PopCultHQ’s Rating:
3 out of 5 Stars
Again, a standard issue. Even if interesting or fun, it is just another link in a chain of a greater story. On it’s own, it doesn’t ever score higher than the bare medium. I’m not saying it’s bad, but it’s certainly not amazing. Definitely (and I hate to say this, but) a series worth waiting for the trade paperback. If you’re a fan of the series, buying the single issues is the only thing which matters. Trades and digital sales currently are not factored into how well a book performs.
WEAPON H #5 can be purchased on ComiXology and available
at your local comic shop and online retailers on Wednesday, July 18th!
Publisher – Marvel Comics
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