Warning: contains spoilers for Immortal Hulk #44
The Hulk's latest series, Immortal Hulk, completely redefined the Hulk mythos by making him immortal, but the latest issue pushed that to its limits in the grossest way possible. While the newest bit of body horror is far from Hulk's first, it is the most grotesque and tragic instance yet.
In Immortal Hulk #44 from writer Al Ewing and artist Joe Bennet, Marvel's green bruiser is at his lowest point. Bruce Banner is being tortured by the Leader, the Devil Hulk is dead, Joe Fixit is depowered, and even the Savage Hulk is only skin and bones. Still, Hulk has no choice but to squeeze every last bit of power out of those skin and bones when he's attacked by the Fantastic Four's evil counterparts, the U-Foes. Deciding to take turns, the Thing like Ironclad is up first. With no remorse, he tosses Hulk around like a rag doll before letting his teammate Vapor have at the weakened brute. She turns into toxic air that tears the Hulk apart from the inside. The group's leader, Vector, is next. He uses blasts of kinetic energy to rend Hulk's skin off. Luckily for the wounded hero, this blast sends him straight into a river, granting him a temporary reprieve. It doesn't last long.
Only half-conscious, Hulk wakes up in a cemetery where he's greeted by the U-Foes. They bicker over who should kill Hulk. It's ultimately decided that the honor should go to the youngest member, X-Ray. As bad as the other U-Foes had hurt Hulk, X-Ray's control over radiation makes him the worst by far. Defiant till the end, Hulk puts his fists up, but it's no use. X-Ray uses anti-gamma radiation to force Hulk to mutate back into his human form. A horrific transformation ensues, Hulk and Joe writhing in pain as their shared body twists and bends in ways that flesh shouldn't. As Joe Fixit experiences the full pain of what the U-Foes have done to Hulk, X-Ray erupts with energy, leaving only a fried corpse where Hulk had been. At last, he "dies" but their nightmare is only beginning as Hulk and Joe wake up in Marvel's Hell.
Though Hulk has been through a great deal of pain and torment throughout Immortal Hulk, this might be the most heartbreaking defeat yet. Even when Hulk loses, he can at least rest easy knowing he put up a solid fight and used all the strength he had. Having been drained of gamma radiation though, Hulk doesn't even land a single punch against his enemies.
Adding to this tragedy is that it's the childlike Savage Hulk who is experiencing everything. Hulk's previous fight with the Thing highlighted how vulnerable this Hulk is without his strength. Underneath all the muscle and rage is a scared child who has no idea how to express himself. To see him tortured and toyed with by the U-Foes is nothing short of heartbreaking. Things aren't looking good for Hulk, and unfortunately, readers can be certain the worst is yet to come as he endures Marvel's Hell.
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