For a long time, the Hulk was Bruce Banner’s monster, but the Infernal Hulk, by creatives Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Nic Klein, unleashes him on the world. The new status quo is simultaneously exciting and terrifying as we begin to see the fallout from the Hulk’s most shocking transformation yet. If the rest of the series follows this issue’s lead, then we’re in for something special.
Last we saw Bruce Banner and Hulk, Eldest, the firstborn of the ancient Mother of Horrors, violently tore them apart. Eldest is a skin-walker, possessing the ability to wear different bodies like clothes, and was finally able to take control of the Hulk’s body. They consumed the withered husk of their mother and transformed fully into the Infernal Hulk. Horror elements have long been part of the character’s history, with Stan Lee himself saying he based the concept off Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but this is a step beyond. The Hulk is now a being of pure evil, and the results are stunning.
This issue opens with a surprising normalcy as we’re introduced to David Bridger, a construction foreman wrapping up his day. Cut to the present, where Bridger, revealed as a war hero, commands troops on a highway as a mysterious foe approaches. He promises a young soldier he’ll look out for him, a sentiment that feels instantly doomed.
It’s not long before the Infernal Hulk makes landfall, his explosive entrance brilliantly rendered by artist Nic Klein. This isn’t your parents’ Hulk; he’s a calculated monster out for violence. The troops are annihilated in a tapestry of blood and gore, with each turn of the page producing more horrifying results. Bridger watches as the young soldier is crushed, then transformed into a monster himself. The Infernal Hulk then summons Gologolthia, a living city full of rotting flesh, gaping maws, and bloodshot eyeballs, and claims his throne at the top. It’s a brutal opening that reinforces Johnson’s horror-focused direction.
This is as good as first issues get. There’s a fair amount of lore dump, which may confuse new readers, but those who followed the previous arc will love the developments. Hulk is now a monster in every sense of the word, dismantling property and killing innocents without regret. Watching him explode a man’s head with a thunderclap firmly asserts that our hero is long gone.
However, this issue’s real strength comes from its commentary on the relationship between the Hulk and Banner. It’s been a rocky road, but they’ve always kept each other in check. Without Banner to temper the Hulk’s rage, we’re left with a villain to rival Marvel’s darkest threats. Eldest isn’t going to give up control without a fight, and the rest of the Marvel Universe should be terrified.
Speaking of Banner, he isn’t really in this issue besides the final panels. It’s a shame, as we’ve been left wondering what he’s been up to since the events of the last issue. Being separated from the Hulk is something he’s wanted for years, but not like this. It will be interesting to see how he grapples with this dilemma as the book moves forward.
As mentioned earlier, Klein is fantastic in this book. The action scenes are savage and uncompromising; not a drop of blood or chunk of gore is wasted, and the environments are rendered vividly. His portrayal of the Infernal Hulk as a towering mass of muscles, complete with an evil sneer, is a thrill. The highlight is the living city of Gologolthia on page twenty-six. It bursts forth in a gnarled mass, shifting the landscape from Middle America to Hell on Earth. It’s a Lovecraftian-influenced cityscape, and Klein nails every grotesque detail.
Matthew Wilson’s colors are a bright spot throughout, his sinister purple hues flowing together with wicked oranges and otherworldly greens. The contrast between the ordinary at the start of the issue and the cosmic horror at the end is a delight. There may not have been a ton of dialogue for letterer Cory Petit to handle, but he makes his mark with his sound effects. They cascade across the action scenes, making each panel feel alive.
Infernal Hulk #1 is an exciting start for the series that pushes our protagonists in a fresh direction. Johnson and Klein are one of the most exciting creative teams going today, and their dive into the dark nature of the Hulk is shaping up to be a classic. Who, if anyone, can stop this dire new threat? Can Banner reunite with the Hulk? The questions have been asked, now we’ll just have to stay tuned for the answers.
‘Infernal Hulk’ #1 | Marvel’s Most Terrifying Hulk Transformation Yet
Infernal Hulk #1 is an exciting start for the series that pushes our protagonists in a fresh direction. Johnson and Klein are one of the most exciting creative teams going today, and their dive into the dark nature of the Hulk is shaping up to be a classic.
