Spoilers Ahead!
Initial Thoughts
What has the Catholic Church unleashed? In Spider-Man/Hulk: Fire and Brimstone #3, the unthinkable happened: Bruce Banner and the Hulk have officially been separated into two different entities. But at what cost? You couldn't tell a Marvel story about Fire and Brimstone without Mephisto, and his appearance carried a sense of premonition and alarm. He warned against the exorcism, saying what might be unleashed could be the start of the world's end. Given how gung-ho Cardinal Thornhill seemed about this exorcism, something felt fishy to me when the Cardinal disappeared the minute Bruce and the Hulk were separated. Was this part of a much bigger plan? I guess we’ll see in the finale.
Writers Kevin Smith and Andy McElfresh have really hit a good stride in the storytelling, even if they can't help themselves and continue with the cringey dialogue. I still think this is a unique and clever story that highlights what makes Smith such an interesting writer. With his Catholic background, something that has always inspired him, he and McElfresh have been able to continue telling a fresh and interesting story that thrives on creative ideas. We are set for a great finish, and while we all might see where this is going, I'm still invested in seeing how it happens!
They Did it!
So Cardinal Thornhill has actually done it. He managed to Hulk-out Bruce, leaving them as two completely different entities. In Marvel canon, this has happened twice—at least as far as we know—and now we have to deal with the consequences of what Thornhill has wrought. I don't think the Cardinal is telling us everything about why he was so readily available and eager to do this exorcism, especially when even the Bishop, straight from the Vatican, had to make a surprise visit. I am interested to see how they explain how the gamma rays — which we all know transformed Bruce — can be removed by a Catholic Cardinal. That is why I think Thornhill isn't what he seems.
There will be a massive battle to end the story, and I think the Cardinal will be involved in some way, which will also serve as the catalyst for Hulk and Bruce to merge as one again. I also don't think this is the last we'll see of Mephisto. The devil will play a big part in this before it is all said and done, and not on the side you might think he will be on.
Regardless of what happens, or how it ends up, I don't think we should gloss over this monumental moment in Marvel history. A Cardinal tore Hulk and Banner apart, and that's insane.
This Means Something To Me!
The cliffhanger left me wanting more, which is a great sign of what a penultimate issue should be about. Are Cruce, the Hulk, and Hellk three different entities? Why does Mephisto care? Where is Cardinal Thornhill? However, for me, the one angle that stuck with me is the image of tears pouring out of Banner’s eyes in the very last panel of the book. This means so much to him. This demon that he has been dealing with for the better part of his adult life was finally taken care of. Like I mentioned in an earlier review, how can you not view this as an allegory for mental health? If it were only that simple.
However, ultimately, you know this can't last. Bruce and the Hulk will inevitably merge back, for the good of the rest of the world. In a story that deals with religion and spirituality, this becomes Banner’s cross to bear: he has to keep living with the monster inside him because he knows the only one who can truly control the green guy is himself. That is what makes him a hero. Not the power, not the strength, but the ability to sacrifice his happiness for the greater good. I got all that from one panel.
Mephisto Looks Cool as Hell
Each new character unveiled in this series lives up to what R.B. Silva established in the previous few issues. I really like the designs Silva came up with for the “Hellk” and Mephisto. Both characters look hellish—appropriately so—and Mephisto has a regality that adds to his persona. The Hellk looks like something straight out of Hell. Its three horns and size make it terrifying. By contrast, Mephisto’s look is cool and slick, which, to me, works much better for the devil. In biblical texts, he is not described as a monster, but as a beautiful angel, and he is exactly that here.
As I have fallen in love with this world, I haven't talked enough about Spider-Man's design. I think his look is fantastic and, besides Mephisto, makes him the slickest-looking character in this book. Aside from the first couple of panels in the first issue, we haven't seen Peter’s face; Spider-Man has made the most appearances. With that much exposure, it was important to give Spider-Man a strong design, and Silva’s smooth-looking costume, with coloring from Federico Blee, makes this one of the better-designed Spider-Men out right now. His design and coloring fit right in with this neo-neon (is that a thing) world.
Final Verdict
Spider-Man/Hulk: Fire and Brimstone #3 was the perfect setup issue before next month’s finale. Bruce Banner finally got what he wanted and got rid of the Hulk. However, we are about to see the cost to the rest of the world. The big exorcism they teased for most of three issues didn't disappoint. The premise, while interesting, relies heavily on execution, and I think writers Kevin Smith and Andy McElfresh have, thus far, steered it down the right path. I’m confident the ending of this very unique story will land, which will make up for some of its flaws.