INCREDIBLE…IMMORTAL…INFERNAL! 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! Infernal Hulk #1 kicks off a new chapter for the classic character that leans into his horror aspects.

The Hulk isn’t a character I regularly keep up with but check out every so often. I read the first arc or so of Phillip Kennedy Johnson‘s take on the character and enjoyed it. Johnson had, what I felt, was what felt like a fresh take, focusing on the horror roots of the character. I’ll admit, I didn’t keep up, but with a new “volume,” the next chapter in Johnson’s story, I wanted to see where things were and I clearly missed something good. Infernal Hulk #1 is a solid start with a tense vibe throughout and a build that pays off in a single issue.

The Hulk has been taken over with Banner no longer a part of the creature. While the Hulk was known for destruction and leveling so much, it was always an out of control situation and eventually Banner would reason and find a way to make amends, or it was part of a mission for good. Here, the Hulk’s power and abilities are for pure evil it would seem.

Johnson dives deep into the horror aspects of the character, instead of focusing directly on the Hulk and his actions, instead the anticipation of those actions. It’s a story that builds up the tension and fear of what’s coming to then pay off with complete and utter destruction. Infernal Hulk #1 focuses on a town and soldiers in this new Hulk’s path as they attempt to hold the line and delay the inevitable so civilians can escape, until it’s too late. Then, it’s carnage and destruction.

And, Infernal Hulk #1 doesn’t hold back. Nic Klein‘s art goes all in with bodies ripped apart, heads exploding, just blood, guts, and destruction. With Marvel dipping it’s toes into “adult comics” and labelling them with “Red Band,” it’s a bit of surprise this comic didn’t get that label. It’s over the top in a shock and awe sort of way, delivering imagery that has a slight sickness to it all. That’s helped by the colors of Matthew Wilson and lettering by Cory Petit whose work elevates the vibe the comic is going for. It’s not just horror, but an other worldly type of horror with colors that pop a bit in a sickly sort of way.

While it can help to know what has happened up to this point in Johnson’s Hulk run, you can dive into Infernal Hulk #1 without having read what has come before and just appreciate the carnage and destruction. It’s an interesting direction and teases something big coming not just for the comic, but the Marvel Universe as a whole.

Story: Phillip Kennedy Johnson Art: Nic Klein
Color: Matthew Wilson Letterer: Cory Petit
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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