Review: Joe Fixit #1 is classic Marvel at its best

Joe Fixit, Marvel's latest glimpse into the Hulk's past, is a fun and engaging romp without the bloat that plagues so many other storylines.

Warning: Spoilers for Joe Fixit #1 ahead!

Marvel has reimagined the Hulk a number of times recently, but none have been as interesting as Las Vegas enforcer Joe Fixit's latest attempt at a Banner-era take. Joe Fixit #1 evokes classic Marvel shenanigans by keeping the story tight and the action free of extraneous characters or callouts, as it showcases a new twist between Fixit's Hulk and the underworld's iconic strongman, Kingpin. hero/villain dynamic. With Spider-Man riding along as the viewer's surrogate, the questions that follow play to the strengths of all three characters in enjoyable ways.

The Hulk's "Joe Fixit" identity first appeared in 1988's The Incredible Hulk #347 by Peter David, Jeff Purves, Mike Gustovich, Petra Scotese, and Joe Rosen. After apparently dying at the hands of the Leader during the "Gammagate" incident (where a gamma bomb detonated in Middletown, Arizona), the Hulk was discovered by mobster Michael Berengetti and became his enforcer. No longer physically or mentally turning back into Bruce Banner, the Hulk is happy to have a life of his own in Las Vegas and embraces it.

Joe Fixit #1 sees Peter David come back again Hulk again with Yildiray Çinar, Dee Cunniffe and Matt Milla. While passing through Las Vegas, Peter Parker saw Kingpin in town and followed his nemesis to Bereengeti's Casino Casino. Aware of King and trying to force his way into Bereengeti's territory, Spider-Man is happy to see Joe Fichte (who Spider-Man recognizes as the Hulk) instead proceed to take King and settle the matter. Humiliated, Kingpin retreats and vows revenge on Fixit.

Kingpin's Strength Is No Match For a Hulk

There are too many character elements to line up beautifully here. Traversing Las Vegas, Spider-Man becomes the narrator and the audience's voice throughout the action, bringing his usual charisma (and fun Parker luck). Kingpin possesses incredible strength and is the perfect villain for this story. Fisk is used to physically intimidating a mob boss to do his bidding, but the Hulk becomes an unstoppable obstacle for the guy who's used to being the strongest man in the room. Crucially, the issue didn't try to build anything beyond the conflict between these three characters: there were no foreshadowing of side characters or gratuitous, plot-related Easter eggs to divert attention from Kingpin's impending downfall. attention.

Joe Fixit #1 is a solid A issue that anyone can pick up and enjoy, whether they're familiar with the Marvel Universe or not, because it makes character elements and motivations clear from the start, so the action becomes engaging and accessible Understood. While Kingpin was once again humiliated when he underestimated Joe Fixit, the way he randomly murdered a talkative henchman and repurposed his goal to kill Fixit allowed him to retain credibility as a legitimate threat to the hero. With its balance of action, comedy, and strong character writing, The Hulk's latest story, Joe Ficett, is a welcome return to the classic Marvel genre.

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