The Hulk Finally Got Rid of Banner, But Is He Just a Monster Now?

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Since the gamma bomb transformed Bruce Banner’s suppressed persona into the Hulk, they have constantly clashed. The earliest tales about them revolve around Banner’s attempts at seclusion or finding a cure, while the Hulk desires solitude. Over time, they’ve learned to collaborate and have both saved and jeopardized the world as a team multiple times, but their partnership has long since ended. In this installment of The Incredible Hulk, the Green Goliath tries to imprison Banner within his own consciousness and maintain control over their body permanently. After 25 issues, the Hulk has achieved its wish, but without Banner’s compassionate human spirit, is the Hulk anything more than an embodiment of anger? This is a question that teenager Charlie Tidwell, who assists the Hulk, must answer for herself.

Hulk Is Finally in Control

Following prolonged mental adjustments, pushing Banner further and further into their collective consciousness known as the Hulkscape, ultimately leading to the Hulk overpowering and retaining control of their body. Now, without Banner’s influence, Hulk and his companion Charlie enjoy the liberty to live life on their terms, which primarily involves isolation from others. However, Hulk’s existence is not all smooth sailing. An old entity called the Mother of Horrors is confined behind the Green Door that Hulk sealed during the renowned Immortal Hulk storyline, and her offspring, the Eldest, has pursued Hulk across the nation with the intention of compelling him to reopen it. With the Mightiest There Is managing to avoid capture thus far, the Eldest has resorted to kidnapping other gamma-enhanced individuals, like Doc Samson and even Hulk’s own child, Skaar.

In his current state, Hulk has developed an unusual level of caution, as he believes he hears the Eldest’s voice in his mind. When he spots someone close to their camp, he instantly assumes it’s one of her assassins and rushes toward them. To his surprise, it’s none other than Bucky Barnes, also known as the Winter Soldier, a close friend of Captain America and a hero admired by Charlie. Bucky isn’t there for battle, but instead seeks out Bruce Banner to ask about the missing mutates. When Hulk demands that Bucky leave because Banner is not returning, Bucky reluctantly complies without argument. Before departing, Bucky offers Charlie some guidance. He warns them that both the Eldest and the powers of Lycana, the first Skinwalker Charlie has bonded with, pose a significant threat. However, Hulk, without Banner to keep him in check, is oblivious to danger and will recklessly charge forward. Bucky explains that a Hulk devoid of Banner is simply a monster, and suggests that Charlie should escape while she still has the chance.

Without Banner, Is Hulk a Man, Monster, Or Both?

That night, Charlie finds herself preoccupied with Bucky’s statements, unable to shake them from her thoughts. Determined to disprove him, she employs her mystical abilities as Lycana to penetrate the Hulkscape in search of Banner. However, the scene that unfolds is far from what she anticipates – a desolate, post-apocalyptic landscape with grotesque bone pillars and enormous skulls, at the heart of which lies a colossal, zombie-like Hulk head. Banner feebly pleads for her to depart, yet Charlie refuses, intending to aid him and demonstrate that neither Hulk nor she are beasts. Yet upon witnessing the devastation wrought by Hulk upon Banner, her resolve crumbles. Tears stream down her face as she cries that this cannot be real, that Hulk would never commit such an atrocity; however, Banner implores her to flee before Hulk becomes aware of her presence. We do not know what action Charlie takes, but she is expelled from the Hulkscape, shrieking that Hulk is a monster. Unwilling to resemble him, she metamorphoses into her wolf-like form with wings and departs, granting Hulk his longed-for solitude.

In a new transformation, the Hulk – once symbolizing Bruce Banner’s suppressed anger – has become an indifferent being, discarding his human essence. Despite his monstrous appearance, there was always a touch of humanity within him, making him both helpful and harmful to people. With a heart full of kindness and mercy, he mirrored Banner in many ways. However, the Hulk has now completely abandoned all traces of Banner, including his human side. The Hulk yearns to be nothing more than a monster, yet he faces off against the Queen of Monsters. To stand any chance of surviving or regaining Charlie’s trust, he must rediscover and accept that human aspect within himself before it’s gone forever. Essentially, Banner has long relied on the Hulk, but now the Hulk needs to understand that he needs Banner to prevent his own destruction.

The Incredible Hulk #26 is on sale now!

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2025-06-28 03:10