Marvel Just Confirmed Why Bruce Banner Will Never be Free of the Hulk

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Bruce Banner, the man behind the Hulk, has one of the most difficult lives in all of Marvel Comics. He endured a childhood filled with abuse and then became the Hulk after an accidental exposure to gamma radiation, leading to a life of constant struggle and being hunted as a monster. Bruce always wanted to be rid of the Hulk, and in the Infernal Hulk series, that wish seemingly came true when a powerful villain called the Eldest separated them. However, with the Eldest now possessing the Hulk’s body and causing destruction, everyone is wondering: where is Bruce? Infernal Hulk #3 reveals the answer, and it’s deeply upsetting.

In Infernal Hulk #3, Bruce Banner finally achieves his dream of a normal life: a peaceful suburban existence with Betty Ross, who has also lost her gamma-powered Harpy form. They’re living under assumed names, David and Heather, and appear to have escaped their monstrous pasts for good. But this idyllic life Bruce has created is built on a deception, and it’s starting to fall apart.

Bruce can Never Escape the Hulk

Bruce has always dreamed of separating himself from the Hulk and finally living a peaceful, normal life with Betty. But in Infernal Hulk #3, it becomes clear that he’s the only one who believes this is possible. Everyone around him, in one way or another, shows him that he can’t escape his past forever, and his refusal to accept this truth leads to more and more people getting hurt.

Bruce is enjoying his new life, but Betty is devastated. The story reveals she’s been hurting herself, with bandages visible on her arms, as she struggles with the loss of her Harpy form. This trauma has deeply affected her mental state. A simple act – failing to open a jar of ice cream – causes her carefully maintained composure to crumble, and she resorts to self-harm. She cries, remembering when she could fly across vast distances and through extreme environments as Harpy, contrasting it with her current feeling of helplessness as a human. This heartbreaking scene highlights the growing distance between Bruce and Betty, and how Bruce wrongly believed they both wanted the same future.

Betty’s recent struggles are just one indication that Bruce Banner can’t outrun his history with the Hulk. As the Hulk, now influenced by the Eldest, causes widespread destruction, heroes like Iron Man and Mr. Fantastic naturally turn to Bruce for a solution. Bruce attempts to distance himself, which leads to a confrontation with Iron Man, who accuses him of being afraid to take responsibility. Bruce is essentially avoiding the truth – pretending he has no connection to the rampaging Hulk. But they’re correct; Bruce is the leading authority on both the Hulk and gamma radiation. Instead of helping, Bruce’s attempts to move on are simply shifting the problem onto everyone else.

Betty, Iron Man, and Mr. Fantastic all point out to Bruce that the Hulk isn’t simply a monster he transforms into – he’s a fundamental part of who Bruce is and has drastically shaped his life. Because of her connection to Bruce and exposure to radiation, Betty became the Harpy, though she embraced the power it gave her, unlike Bruce. Bruce also wouldn’t have formed friendships with Iron Man and Mr. Fantastic if the Hulk hadn’t become a hero. For decades, nearly every choice Bruce has made and every relationship he’s had has been affected by the Hulk, meaning he can never fully escape his past.

Bruce and the Hulk Need Each Other

Infernal Hulk #3 powerfully illustrates not only why Bruce Banner can’t escape the Hulk, but also the core problem plaguing both of them: their tendency to avoid facing difficult truths. Bruce’s attempt at a normal life is based on a falsehood—he consistently dismisses concerns and grievances from those around him. For example, when Betty began struggling, Bruce insisted everything was fine and they should simply move forward. It wasn’t until Betty’s emotional crisis that he finally acknowledged her pain. The comic reveals that Bruce and the Hulk are inextricably linked, two halves of a single being, and their refusal to accept this reality fuels their conflict.

The Hulk isn’t just a result of an accident; he’s a physical representation of Bruce Banner’s internal struggles with trauma and suppressed anger stemming from a difficult childhood. Bruce’s attempts to distance himself from the Hulk are similar to someone avoiding their mental health problems, which ultimately makes things worse for everyone involved. Simply separating the Hulk doesn’t resolve Bruce’s underlying issues. The comics often show Bruce briefly imagining transforming when he’s frustrated, highlighting the emotional emptiness created by trying to ignore this part of himself. By denying any connection to the Hulk and pretending to be okay, Bruce is actually harming both his friends and his own well-being.

Bruce’s refusal to face the truth mirrors the flaws the Hulk showed throughout The Incredible Hulk series. Just like the Hulk tried to isolate himself by suppressing Bruce’s consciousness and distancing himself from friends, Bruce now pushes others away and avoids acknowledging his need for help. The Hulk believed he was better off alone, ignoring the danger posed by the Eldest, and this denial ultimately made him vulnerable. Because Bruce and the Hulk are so closely linked mentally, Bruce is repeating the same errors he thought he’d left behind with the Hulk, making him susceptible to the Eldest taking control.

Bruce’s attempts to get rid of the Hulk are based on a mistake: he’s trying to reject a core part of who he is. The Hulk, while different, represents Bruce’s inner struggles and hidden feelings. Trying to suppress or eliminate this side of himself is harmful. The harder Bruce tries to create a perfect, problem-free life, the more damage he causes, either through his own hesitation or the Hulk’s destructive outbursts. Bruce might not want to admit it, but he and the Hulk are inextricably linked and need each other. True strength and wholeness will only come when they learn to work together and defeat the Eldest.

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2026-01-31 18:11