We Finally Have an Evil Hulk (and It’s About Time)

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The Hulk is a fascinating character in the Marvel universe, and what makes him stand out is that he’s not a traditional superhero. This core concept was present from the very beginning, as the first issue of The Incredible Hulk immediately questioned whether he was a man, a monster, or something in between. Unlike most Marvel heroes of the 1960s, whose stories often supported patriotic ideals, the Hulk’s initial adversary was the US military, led by General Thunderbolt Ross. While the Hulk has certainly performed heroic acts and saved the world on several occasions, he fundamentally remains a monster – he just happens to sometimes target the right enemies.

The new comic, The Infernal Hulk #1, takes the story in a fresh direction. The previous Incredible Hulk series ended with the Hulk being controlled by the Eldest, a powerful being connected to the source of the Hulk’s strength. This version of the Hulk is purely evil – it’s the monster taking complete control. While hinted at for years, this complete transformation hasn’t been fully explored until now. And frankly, it’s a welcome change that was long overdue.

The Hulk Is the Perfect Marvel Star Turned Villain Ever

The Hulk has been fantastic recently. While some prefer to forget certain past storylines, The Immortal Hulk is widely considered one of the best Marvel series of the 21st century, and the current Incredible Hulk run has also been very strong. The series brilliantly brought together all the core concepts of the Hulk that have developed over the years. It perfectly captured the horror aspects of the character, hitting all the right notes. Al Ewing’s writing tapped into the genuinely frightening side of the Green Goliath, making us both fear and sympathize with him. It redefined the character in some ways, but also built upon its history to make it even better.

This story felt like a classic Hulk tale, skillfully combining intense psychological drama with genuinely frightening moments to create something fresh. It never lets you forget the Hulk is a dangerous, destructive creature – a core part of what makes the character so compelling. He is a monster, and monsters are meant to be frightening. We’ve witnessed him devastate cities and overpower countless enemies, from Earth’s armies to alien forces, even defeating beloved heroes. Yet, we’re always reassured that, somehow, no one actually dies, and that we should focus on the man within. But that doesn’t change the fact that he remains a terrifying monster.

For years, Marvel has portrayed the Hulk primarily as a destructive monster, exploring villainous versions in stories like World War Hulk and Old Man Logan, and with characters like the Maestro. While many alternate realities feature evil Hulks, Marvel has consistently avoided letting the main Hulk (from the 616 universe) become truly malicious. Despite causing massive destruction, the Hulk rarely has any actual victims. This has surprisingly made the character less frightening and even a bit silly. We’ve seen him inflict brutal injuries, like nearly killing Thor, but it’s always presented as uncontrolled rage, not malice. This approach ultimately undermines the potential for meaningful character development for the Jade Giant.

Even if Marvel doesn’t want the Hulk to be a true villain in the main comic universe, refusing to ever portray him as genuinely evil feels like a missed opportunity, considering his history. The new comic, The Infernal Hulk #1, cleverly solves this problem by having an entirely different entity – the Eldest – take control of the Hulk’s body, leaving only a monstrous being. This is a scenario fans have long anticipated and feared, and it’s satisfying to finally see it explored. Marvel waited so long to introduce this storyline that many previous depictions of the Hulk as a monster now feel less impactful. The Infernal Hulk #1 delivers on a payoff that fans have been waiting years to see.

Evil Hulk Is Good

The latest Hulk comic, The Infernal Hulk #1, marks a turning point for the character by fully embracing his monstrous, villainous side. This is similar to what happened with Godzilla. While American Godzilla films are enjoyable, the recent Japanese movies, Shin Godzilla and Godzilla Minus One, are often considered superior because they portray a truly menacing, though still somewhat sympathetic, Godzilla. These films highlight the monster’s duality in a compelling way. Now, The Infernal Hulk is doing the same for the Hulk, and it’s a welcome change.

For years, Marvel stories have hinted at the Hulk becoming a villain, always offering a reason to explain his restraint. The Infernal Hulk #1 boldly removes that hesitation, allowing the Hulk to be truly unrestrained. This lets Marvel maintain the character’s core concept – the Hulk isn’t in control – while still showing his destructive power, brilliantly illustrated by Nic Klein. It’s a natural progression for the character, and finally, the Hulk is a villain, which is a surprisingly welcome change.

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2025-11-27 00:13