Marvel’s new Hulk comic brings the Gamma monster to his darkest depths, which is precisely what the hero’s MCU counterpart needs. Of all the heroes in the Marvel Universe, the most terrifying one is probably the Hulk, whose massive power and relentless rage makes him a menace to society.

Following Hulk’s dive into the Below-Place in Al Ewing’s acclaimed The Immortal Hulk, Phillip Kennedy Johnson’s The Incredible Hulk run leads directly to the birth of the Infernal Hulk, a more twisted reinvention of Marvel’s iconic Jade Giant. While not as large in scope as the interdimensional The Immortal Hulk, Infernal Hulk adds a darker layer to Hulk’s tragic story.

Hulk’s long streak fighting off his destructive impulses have come to an end as something much darker takes over his body.

Infernal Hulk Introduces A New Kind Of Horror To The Gamma Monster’s Lore

Hulk Goes Full Horror With His Infernal Transformation

All Hulks in Marvel lore are traditionally separate entities that inhabit the same mindspace, and sometimes, they’re able to come out to claim temporary freedom from the others. The Infernal Hulk is also a separate entity, but he’s unique in his total independence from other Hulks and Bruce Banner himself. Powered by the flesh of the Mother of Horrors and possessed by Eldest, Infernal Hulk is a true monster, in the most literal sense of the word.

Speaking to AIPT, Infernal Hulk writer Phillip K. Johnson discusses how his current run raises the bar from The Incredible Hulk. Johnson explains how Hulk’s transformation isn’t the only clear horror element. The dark fantasy tone, inspired by Hellboy comic writer [Mike] Mignola and Hellboy movie director [Guillermo] del Toro floods the setting, creature designs, injuries, and gory encounters. Where Al Ewing’s The Immortal Hulk leans on body horror and cosmic horror, Infernal Hulk leans heavily on folk horror:

“If anything, the hardest part about taking the gig was like, what do I do,” Johnson said. “How do I not just do more Immortal? Because that’s what I wanted” […] “More of like a [Mike] Mignola/[Guillermo] del Toro kind of a thing,”

Infernal Hulk‘s ethereal brand of terror is evident right off the bat. Hulk is more than used to slicing through entire battalions, but the devastating effects of his rampage had never been depicted as grotesquely as they are in Infernal Hulk #1. Infernal Hulk’s lair, strength, and power-ups, as well as Bruce Banner’s nightmares and the Hulkscape itself, feature an unnerving kind of detail that makes the whole comic feel like a fever dream. Even different characters like Namor and the Avengers are contaminated by this colorful yet harsh atmosphere.

Infernal Hulk Makes Bruce Banner’s Alter Ego A True Nightmare

Infernal Is The Most Evil Hulk So Far

Hulk is the bane of Bruce Banner’s existence, and even the most peaceful of the scientist’s Gamma monsters, the Fractured One, puts Banner through hell. Yet, very few Hulks are inherently evil. As the embodiment of Bruce Banner’s self-hatred, Devil Hulk seeks destruction. Kluh is the representation of Banner and Hulk’s feral instincts, which make him ruthless and animalistic, but unpredictable. And as the name implies, Guilt Hulk likes to toy with Banner’s grief and regret.

Meanwhile, Infernal Hulk doesn’t care about Bruce Banner. He even casts Banner out in order to sink the world into darkness without distractions. Like Eldest and her monstrous relatives did throughout Phillip K. Johnson’s The Incredible Hulk, Infernal Hulk wants to see evil itself conquer. Banner and his Hulk alter egos are only a tool, and the world’s heroes are only an obstacle.

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With virtually no connection to Bruce Banner’s psyche and little relation to all other Hulks, Infernal Hulk can’t be bargained with. He’s fueled by pure evil, like a massively enhanced version of a horror movie monster. Few other Hulks could doom the world to a worse fate than Infernal Hulk if they could achieve their purpose, considering most of them would stop at finding peace, ruling over the planet, or breaking Bruce Banner mentally and physically.

The Marvel Universe Now Feels The Fear That Bruce Banner Is Used To Feeling

Infernal Hulk Is A Huge Menace To Earth

Infernal Hulk is unleashing his fury on Earth, and the Avengers and the X-Men are already on his path. But just like Bruce Banner before he gave up, Earth’s Mightiest Heroes are bound to realize that this is a very different Hulk. They gradually understand that they can’t simply contain or control him, or craft a strategy to transform Infernal Hulk back into Bruce Banner. This is why Iron Man is disappointed in Bruce Banner’s decision to step down.

The idea of an unstoppable raging monster who can’t be contained is something that only Bruce Banner understands to the fullest. While more powerful characters can temporarily neutralize the Hulk, Banner is constantly trapped, powerless, witnessing the Gamma creature wreak havoc as he watches. Now, Marvel’s Earth witnesses an even more vicious monster bring a whole world of dark creatures with him, with no evident weaknesses and no signs of stopping.

It Took Surprisingly Long For Marvel To Turn Hulk Into A True Horror Character

Hulk Is Traditionally Monstrous, But Rarely A Horror Figure

Hulk has been a misunderstood monster even when the collateral damage suggests a much darker reality. While he was born from the gothic horror roots of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Bruce Banner’s alter ego rarely ventures into the territory of pure, unadulterated villainy. Hulk’s destruction is usually brushed off as collateral damage or a byproduct of the Gamma monster being a victim of himself. It’s only until Eldest unchains the beast that Hulk strips away the heroic safety net that has historically softened the character’s terrifying edge.

Unlike the body-horror focus of the Immortal Hulk era, Infernal Hulk gazes into the supernatural abyss, with the Eldest utilizing Hulk’s infinite strength to submerge the Earth into a realm of literal horrors. This is an unmistakably evil entity driven by the singular, twisted urge to extinguish the world’s light. Brute force may be the only strategy that could stop this beast.

The MCU Needs To Make Hulk A Horror Character

Hulk’s Horror Traits Can Undo His MCU Mistakes

The MCU’s Hulk has increasingly lost his edge, culminating in Smart Hulk’s lighthearted and even adorable personality. Spider-Man: Brand New Day is reportedly set to revert Smart Hulk to his Savage persona, which provides a golden opportunity for the MCU to lean into a more brutal version of the character. But instead of simply bringing back Phase 1’s Hulk, the MCU could lean into his comic book counterpart’s horror inspirations to restore his gravitas.

The MCU has already explored this aspect of the Hulk. The Incredible Hulk masters this in its opening act, introducing the monster through a shadow-filled factory sequence where Hulk felt like a slasher villain stalking soldiers. This continues in 2012’s The Avengers, specifically during the Helicarrier chase where a feral Hulk relentlessly hunts a vulnerable Natasha Romanoff through darkened corridors. In Avengers: Age of Ultron, the horror is palpable when Hulk’s mind-controlled rampage destroys part of South Africa.

Which version of the Hulk is the scariest in the comics and the MCU?

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