Warning: SPOILERS for The Immortal Hulk #27
Audiences lined up to see Avengers: Endgame introduce Dr. Bruce Banner and the Hulk, re-imagined as one being, affectionately dubbed ‘Smart’ Hulk or ‘Professor Hulk’ in the comics. While good for a laugh, the result was also disappointing to longtime Hulk fans. The ‘merging’ was done off camera, without viewers getting to see what struggle, if any, Banner went through. The result is simply a big green Banner with no evidence of the Hulk other than physical appearance. And for those who feel Endgame did Hulk’s character a disservice, the comics may have proven their case… doing basically the opposite, and making for an even better and more terrifying story.
The new twist has arrived in the pages of The Immortal Hulk # 27, a comic book series that has transformed Hulk into a climate change warrior. Bruce has lost all faith in mankind and their ability to take care of the planet, so has decided that the only way to save Earth is to start doing it by force: making an alliance with the Hulk to destroy the world as we know it. But ever since Banner was killed and resurrected, his Hulk side lives at night, and disappears with the sunrise to hand control back to Bruce or one of the other Hulk personas. The answer? For Bruce and Hulk to come to an arrangement… and peacefully merge the way fans always hoped to see.
In the MCU, Professor Hulk is seen as the ideal combination of brains and brawn – without the pesky anger issues or need for violence. Hulk in a cardigan: it’s fun, it’s funny. But it is NOT a true melding of the two distinct, individual personas. Endgame essentially erases the struggle that defines the Hulk as a character, turning Hulk, previously a monstrous form ruining Bruce’s life, into his dream come true (apparently). But in The Immortal Hulk #27, Banner and the Hulk have now truly merged, and they’re both stronger for it… and it is terrifying.
After destroying a Roxxon Corp. server site, the Hulk decides to lay in wait to watch as reinforcements arrive, and see the destruction he caused. But the sun is rising, something that up to this point would cause him to turn back into Bruce. Remember: the day isn’t the Hulk’s time. But things have changed. Hulk explains that Banner showed him he could fight the change, revealing Hulk and Bruce can fight it together, now that the two sides are working together to end the world. Together they truly are “the strongest there is,” both physically and mentally.
The result is a much better version of the merger of Bruce and the Hulk than fans got in the MCU. As Banner describes it in Thor: Ragnarok, their dual nature means Hulk is driving the car, while Banner is locked in the trunk (and honestly, vice versa). Where Avengers: Endgame solved the problem by just… letting Bruce drive the Hulk’s car, and love the upgrade, the comic book version has handed Hulk the keys. While Banner rides shotgun right beside him, giving him the directions he needs. This Hulk won’t be reluctant to smash, as Professor Hulk thinks it is gratuitous and embarrassing. This Hulk has both personalities working together – and the world may fall as a result.
The Immortal Hulk #27 is available now from your local comic book shop, or direct from Marvel Comics.
Next: Marvel’s Hulkverine Takes on Symbiote Super-Soldiers
