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Marvel officially has a new Hulk, replacing Bruce Banner in a shocking twist unveiled today. Here's everything you need to know about the new Green Goliath.
Bruce Banner has been the Hulk since 1962, but it hasn't been an unbroken run. Over the years, others like Amadeus Cho and the Eldest have taken over, often by draining Bruce of his gamma powers. In those cases, Bruce gets a little taste of human life while someone else carries the burden of the Hulk.
Now, as Marvel builds up to the epic Hulk War event, there's a surprise new Jade Giant in Marvel lore...
Marvel's New Hulk Is Sumanguru
In today's Infernal Hulk #9 - from Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Adam Gorham, Matt Wilson and Cory Petit - Bruce Banner enters the mystic prison known as the Soul Cage. There, he encounters a shocking adversary - a new Hulk who leads an army of demons.
The new Hulk is revealed as Sumanguru - a demonic sorcerer who stole Hulk's blood when they last clashed in 2024's Incredible Hulk #13. Bruce and Doctor Voodoo have entered the Soul Cage to try and find a weapon against the Infernal Hulk (another villainous demon who stole Bruce's powers prior to the beginning of this series.)
Sadly, to get that weapon, the two will have to find a way past the brand-new Hulk, and the comic ends with Bruce challenging Sumanguru to a game of riddles. If he wins, Sumanguru leaves its new Hulk body, but if Bruce wins, the demon gets Doctor Voodoo.
Who Is New Hulk Sumanguru?
Sumanguru was once a mortal child who befriended a witch, tempting other kids to their doom in exchange for mystical tutoring. Eventually, Sumanguru was powerful enough that he could siphon the lifeforce from his victims, taking their form and remaining time on the planet as his own.
At the height of his power, Sumanguru ruled a sprawling empire, but was eventually overthrown and imprisoned in the Soul Cage by Doctor Voodoo. Previously, Bruce and the Hulk were forced to venture into the Soul Cage to rescue their one-time sidekick Charlene Tidwell. The mission was a success, but Sumanguru drew blood. As a 'flesh-weaver,' that was all the arachnid entity needed to build its own Hulk body and become ruler of the Soul Cage.
Bruce Banner has one chance to defeat this new Hulk, showcasing his monstrous potential by putting his ally Doctor Voodoo up as collateral. However, even if he can reclaim the Hulk's body, he can't inhabit it. Bruce recently confirmed he's now permanently immune to gamma, so even if he can acquire Sumanguru's creation, he'll need someone else to take on the Hulk identity.
With the Eldest stalking the Earth as the Infernal Hulk, the last thing Earth's heroes need is another demonic Hulk building a power base, but if Bruce can't win this challenge of intelligence, that's exactly what's going to happen.
Infernal Hulk #9 is available now from Marvel Comics.
