Marvel brings Hulk back to his traditional conflict with Bruce Banner and the world, but with an even darker twist than usual. Hulk has been tormented permanently since his creation, and he has pulled Bruce Banner into his constant suffering, as they share one body. Despite his heroism, Hulk can never escape the pain of his own existence.
Hulk and Banner often make peace, if only temporarily. This also depends on the Hulk that holds the wheel. Since The Immortal Hulk‘s aftermath, the Fractured One has been reluctant to cooperate with Bruce Banner, and he doesn’t hesitate to send his human counterpart to the Hulkscape while he takes control. However, the Fractured One is mostly pacific, and he showcases his innocent heart by protecting Charlene Tidwell.
Unfortunately, it’s only a matter of time until Hulk and Banner’s lives are shaken to the core again.
Infernal Hulk Brings The Gamma Monster Back To His Roots
Infernal Hulk #1; Written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson; Art by Nic Klein & Matthew Wilson
Following the corruption of the Fractured One by Eldest, the Marvel Universe witnesses the birth of Infernal Hulk. Infernal Hulk embodies the darkness of Eldest and the Mother of Horrors, carrying an unspeakable amount of power and evil in his Gamma-powered body. Though he commands Hulk’s vessel, Infernal Hulk is a brand-new Gamma monster whose full potential is yet to be revealed.
But while Infernal Hulk is a new addition to Marvel’s ever-growing list of Hulks, he explores some familiar ground. In Infernal Hulk #1, the titular monster crashes in front of military forces that pursue him. He slowly climbs up the crater and declares, “there is no Banner here.” After years of progress cooperating with his Gamma alter egos, Bruce Banner is back as Hulk’s personal antagonist, and Hulk is back lashing out against the humans who want to contain him, just like in the old days.
Infernal Hulk Could Provide The Basis For Savage Hulk’s MCU Return
Bruce Banner Might Lose Control Of The Hulk Against His Will
Hulk’s rebirth in the comics shows that a return to full savagery doesn’t have to undermine a character’s development. Bruce Banner had evolved into a more controlled, articulate entity, much like the MCU’s Smart Hulk, but Eldest forcibly tore away that progress and unleashed something far worse than Banner ever wanted to become. If Marvel Studios wants to revive the original primal Hulk without undoing years of character work, this story provides a blueprint.
In the MCU, Mark Ruffalo’s Smart Hulk transformation has been stable for years, and the classic unstoppable rage-monster is overdue for a comeback. Rather than simply having Banner lose control again, Marvel Studios could follow the Infernal Hulk approach and let a villain trigger a horrifying new transformation. Someone else could remove the restraints Banner placed on the Hulk, to disastrous results.
A Savage Hulk returned this way could also raise the stakes across the MCU. A much stronger and ruthless Hulk, perhaps with unnatural enhancements like Infernal Hulk could become the MCU’s next threat. Meanwhile, Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner would have to find a better way to keep his alter ego in check without ignoring the dangers of keeping it contained in the back of his mind for years.
Infernal Hulk #1 is available November 26 from Marvel Comics.
- First Appearance
-
The Incredible Hulk (1962)
- Alias
-
Robert Bruce Banner
- Alliance
-
Avengers, Defenders, Horsemen of Apocalypse, Fantastic Four, Pantheon, Warbound, S.M.A.S.H., Secret Avengers
- Franchise
-
Marvel