Warning: Spoilers ahead for Incredible Hulk #26!
Marvel just revealed the true horrors Bruce Banner is subjected to when placed within the mind of theHulk. The two sides of the hero have always had a complicated relationship, and over the years,Marvel has further explored the true nightmarish extent of where Banner goes when the Hulk takes over, and it keeps getting more intense.
InIncredible Hulk#26, written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, with art by Kev Walker, Charlie, a young runaway who has been acting as Hulk’s sidekick,enters the Hulkscape and sees the grotesque torturethe Hulk subjects Bruce Banner to. Initially believing the Hulk a hero, Charlie becomes mortified and runs from Hulk after witnessing the horrors within the Green Goliath.
In keeping Bruce Banner imprisoned within his Hulkscape, the Hulk has given Bruce a fate worse than death within his own personal hell.
Marvel Doubles Down On The Nightmare Fuel Landscape Within Hulk’s Mind
Incredible Hulk #26; Written By Phillip Kennedy Johnson; Art By Kev Walker; Color By Matthew Wilson; Lettering By VC’s Cory Petit
For years, Bruce Banner has fought tirelessly to keep the Hulk under control, but the extent of his efforts has backfired asHulk has created a dimension within his mind specifically to keep Bruce locked away and in constant suffering. InIncredible Hulk#14, Hulk explains this is Bruce’s ultimate punishment for making Hulk a shadow within his own mind.
It is apparent that the Hulkscape is heavily influenced by Hulk’s psyche, and the state of his and Bruce Banner’s relationship.
The struggle between Bruce Banner and the Hulk is one of Marvel’s most enduring battles but this dynamic struggle reached a head whenBruce Banner created Starship Hulkby combining science and magic to pilot Hulk’s body while maintaining his consciousness. Now Hulk is returning the favor, but tenfold, as Hulk’s prison for Bruce contains mangled monsters and unspeakable torture.
While Hulk’s dimension of horrors is a new development, Bruce’s ability to remain conscious within his mind while transformed into the Hulk has been a part of their dynamic before, but usually, Bruce can see the outside world from Hulk’s mind. It is apparent that the Hulkscape is heavily influenced by Hulk’s psyche, and the state of his and Bruce Banner’s relationship.
Hulk’s Headspace Has Never Been Scarier, And Bruce Banner Is Suffering the Consequences
The Hulk’s Internal Revenge On Bruce Banner
At their most stable, Bruce Banner has been able to influence the Hulk while within his mind, yetthe current state of Hulkscape shows the scope of the Hulk’s wrath and what the Hulk is truly capable of.Bruce Banner has little to no control over his situation with the Hulk, and Bruce Banner is more divided than ever.
Within the Hulkscape, the Hulk has concocted a horrific revenge so horrible, it was too graphic to fully commit to the pages. The many years Bruce Banner has attempted to get rid of the Hulk have unfortunately caught up with him, as theHulkis now returning the favor and subjecting Bruce Banner to torture he will never recover from.
