The Incredible Hulk #604

The villain of this issue - the Harpy - reminds me of the character's first appearance during the early years of The Incredible Hulk.

The gamma-powered Harpy was actually Betty Ross (though I have to admit I can't remember how she became a monster. Oh well, does it matter?). For the cliffhanger at the end of one issue, the Harpy and the Hulk reverted to their human forms and were falling to their deaths.

Of course, Bruce Banner was wearing his amazing purple pants (that somehow don't shred when he becomes the Hulk, and don't fall off when he reverts to Banner), but Betty was naked - though thanks to the Comics Code, as we said in Grade School, "You don't see anything."

But on the splash page that kicked off the next issue, she was suddenly wearing a towel, which had presumably floated by. Many a "No-Prize" was awarded that day.

Anyway, here we are, the present day, and the Harpy attacks and the Leader appears to be taking a more active role in this comic.

The main story continues to focus on Bruce Banner (who can't change into the Hulk - yeah, right) as he trains his son, Skaar, for the eventual purpose of killing the Hulk. (It's confusing, I know.)

This comic has been a guest-star bonanza, with everyone from Wolverine to the Juggernaut stopping by to generate some action scenes - but it's all part of the fun.

The writing has been crisp and thoughtful, with more than a few clever and unexpected plot twists turning up along the way, certifying that writer Greg Pak is an excellent match for this comic.

The art in this issue is quite good, as Ariel Olivetti and Giuseppe Camuncoli team up to provide the art. There's a lot of strong work here, as gamma-powered behemoths fight it out.

The Savage She-Hulk backup story also has nice art, but the story just seems to keep running in place.

Luckily, the lead feature is worth the price of admission. And the Harpy is still naked (though you still don't get to see "anything," even though the Comics Code is long gone).

Grade: B+