Marvel Fanfare #2: Review

Oct 1996

Joe Kelly, Pop Mhan

Story Name:

Instinct

Review & Comments

Rating:

Marvel Fanfare #2 Review by Peter Silvestro (November 23, 2022)

Review: Jason Wilson is right: this issue is just a rematch for Hulk, Wolverine, and Wendigo following up the classic INCREDIBLE HULK #181. But in a way it is very different, as in, much sillier. The story is okay, just a standard Wendigo tale with Wolverine as the protagonist. And Hulk comes out of nowhere just to cause some plot complications. Really, Hulk seems to show up merely to justify his being on the cover. A number of scenes are played for comedy, another quality not usually associated with Wendigo (or Hulk…or Logan). And come on, we all know that the Wendigo is Michael, stop pretending we don’t.

The issue’s real liability is the art: the three central characters are short and chunky. Wolverine looks goofy with his thick hands and feet. Hulk has a huge body and a tiny round head. Wendigo is similarly proportioned but alternates between looking like a monkey and a puppy dog, which builds a little sympathy for him, despite his deserving none at all. The whole thing is amusing but forgettable.

Comments: One of Marvel’s series of 99 cent comics. Story follows Wendigo and the cryptozoologists into the next issue where they link up with Spider-Man and Ghost Rider. Marvel Chronology Project places this after UNCANNY X-MEN #340 for Wolverine; oddly, it isn’t listed for Hulk at all.

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Synopsis / Summary / Plot

Marvel Fanfare #2 Synopsis by Jason Wilson

Similar to the story in The Incredible Hulk #181, but with some differences. Heck, you could probably think of it as Round 2 for these three. Wolverine (without Adamantium) takes a trip to Canada to get away from the X-Men for a while, and get back to his roots. Suddenly, he hears a howl in the distance, and goes to investigate. What he finds is a group of cryptozoologists looking for Bigfoot (or at least that’s what they want everyone to believe). In the group is Heather Hudson, an acquaintance of Wolverine from his past. Wolverine surveys the area and finds a few strands of hair that he determines is Wendigo. He runs off to find Wendigo, with one of the mysterious researchers in tow. As he gets to the cave of the Wendigo, he tells the researcher about the first battle between Wolvie, Wendie, and the Hulk. As he finishes, a very calm and relaxed Hulk appears on the scene. Suddenly, Hulk gets attacked by Wendigo, and they take the battle towards a small town south of their location. Wolvie follows and a very comical battle ensues. The winner… Hulk, if you ask me, for his ability to keep his cool in this issue, even if he resorts to a little bit of violence.