Bruce Banner Retires as Hulk, New Era of Infernal Hulk Begins

The year 2025 marks a significant turning point in the Marvel Universe as Bruce Banner has officially stepped down from his role as the Hulk, paving the way for a new character known as the Infernal Hulk. This major shift in the narrative not only alters Hulk lore but also sets the stage for an upcoming “Age of Monsters.” The transition was captured in the pages of The Incredible Hulk #30, where Banner’s powers were forcibly stripped away by the demonic entity known as the Eldest.

On October 15, 2025, the Eldest, possessing the body of Hulk’s former adversary, the Abomination, executed a dramatic plot to extract Bruce Banner from the Hulk’s form. This action severed the gamma connection between the two. The Eldest sought to use Hulk’s body to unleash the Mother of Horrors, an elder god created outside the design of the One Above All. However, upon taking control, the Eldest discovered the Mother of Horrors was in a catatonic state, having been locked away from reality for ages. In a shocking twist, the Eldest consumed the Mother’s essence, which enhanced the new Infernal Hulk’s size and strength.

As revealed in the follow-up issue on November 26, 2025, the Infernal Hulk possesses the unique ability to summon ancient monsters, transferring their powers into unsuspecting individuals. This new incarnation is determined to usher in an “Age of Monsters,” actively seeking out the formidable progeny of the Mother of Horrors. As 2025 concludes, the Avengers prepare for an inevitable confrontation, while the whereabouts of Bruce Banner remain a mystery.

Bruce Banner’s New Life

In a surprising twist, December 2025 saw the revelation that Bruce Banner has started anew in Muncie, Indiana. Living under the name “David,” a nod to the character’s portrayal by Bill Bixby in the 1978 TV series The Incredible Hulk, Banner has embraced a conventional lifestyle, complete with a steady job and what appears to be a stable romantic relationship. This new identity marks a significant departure from his life as a scientist and hero.

Despite Bruce’s attempts to distance himself from the Hulk, the emergence of the Infernal Hulk poses a grave threat, as the monstrous force roams the Earth, gathering power and allies. While Banner enjoys a peaceful existence, his deep understanding of gamma energy may soon draw him back into the chaos that the Infernal Hulk represents.

As the Marvel narrative shifts, fans are left wondering how long Bruce Banner can maintain his new life before he is inevitably pulled back into the superhero realm. The stakes are high, with the fate of the world hanging in the balance as the Infernal Hulk continues its rampage.

This fresh chapter in the Hulk saga combined with the complexities of Bruce Banner’s new life offers rich storytelling potential. As 2026 approaches, the Marvel Universe braces for the consequences of these monumental changes, setting the stage for battle and unforeseen developments in the ongoing saga of Hulk and his new identity.