Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Nic Klein’s run on the Incredible Hulk may be ending, but they still have plans for the Jade Giant, the Eldest, the Mother of Horrors and the rest cast they’ve been building for the last two years.
Marvel will relaunch the title as Infernal Hulk in November, and they’ve revealed that Bruce Banner’s days as the Hulk are over — at least for now. Because something far worse is taking over the Hulk.
“I’ve been promising Hulk fans the biggest, boldest status quo change in Hulk’s history, and that time is finally here,” Johnson said. “The next few issues of Incredible Hulk give fans all the answers they’ve been waiting for about Eldest and the Mother of Horrors, and Infernal Hulk is the beginning of a terrifying new normal, not just for the Hulk series but for the entire Marvel Universe.”
Johnson, Klein and other artists like Daniel Earls, have returned the Hulk to his monster roots in Incredible Hulk, introducing even worse creatures than the Hulk. The story has centered on the Mother of Horrors and the Eldest, two horrific beings who have made the Hulk’s life hell — with plans to use his body to wage war on the rest of the Marvel Universe.
“There are monsters way worse and more powerful than anything we’ve seen so far, bigger and stronger than Hulk with origins that go back to the foundations of the Earth. It’s time to take this story to the next level, and no corner of the Marvel Universe will be left untouched before the end,” Johnson said.
Here’s the main cover and a promo image by Nic Klein:
Marvel shared more details on what to expect with the relaunch:
The evil known as Eldest has literally torn Bruce Banner and the Hulk apart and taken the Hulk’s body as their own. This new, unstoppable Infernal Hulk is ten times the monster that everyone always feared Hulk would be. Their diabolical plan is to plunge the world back into ancient horrors by transforming our heroes into nightmarish beasts! Meanwhile, the indomitable Bruce Banner, though powerless, will stop at nothing to thwart their evil schemes!
“Working on Hulk whether it be Incredible and now Infernal with Phillip has been a dream,” Klein said. “Phillip is not only an amazing world-builder and craftsman who pours so much heart into this book, but he has also become a great friend and fantastic collaborator throughout this. Infernal Hulk is where the journey was always going to go all along, and I’m excited to see reader’s reactions to it. I know I’m putting a lot of blood, sweat, ad tears into it, as always.”
Look for Infernal Hulk #1 to arrive in stores on Nov. 26.