“You not take Hulk’s last piece of pie!”
Marvel Adventures #4
Marvel Comics (July, 1997)
The Hulk: “Captive Audiences”
WRITER: Ralph Macchio
PENCILER: Ben Herrera
INKER: Armando Durruthy
COLORIST: Kevin Tinsley
LETTERER: J. Babcock
EDITOR: Mark Bernardo
Escaping from Hulkbuster’s new robot suit, the Hulk finds himself at a circus, where he’s taken in and made welcome by the other circus folk. Two problems: it’s the Circus Of Crime and the stranded Brotherhood members–Pyro, The Blob, and Avalanche–have also sought refuge here. Despite calling himself a carnie, the Blob picks on the other workers, including the dwarf Danny who has made friends with the Hulk. When the trio decides to rob the Circus, the Hulk (not knowing they are stealing stolen goods) rushes to fight them but while he fights well the Brotherhood manages to force him away. However, the Ringmaster uses his hat to stop them until the Hulkbusters can capture them for what they did back in issue #2 with Magneto. The Ringmaster’s crime goes unnoticed and Hulk returns to being Bruce Banner, with Bruce feeling that for a brief moment the Hulk found peace.
What they got right: I think this story has been done in the main continuity in the past (Hulk finding peace at the circus, perhaps even unknowingly with the Circus Of Crime) but it’s new to the kids this series targeted. And you see that the Ringmaster is not happy about being a criminal, which matches with then current Marvel continuity where he’s reformed. It’s also interesting that technically the Hulk loses this one.
What they got wrong: The art is still horrendous, as you can see on the cover.
Recommendation: An average story at best and I’m not usually a Hulk fan anyway, so it’s tough to actually recommend as I’m sure the story’s been done better in the past.
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