Superheroes have been round for a very long time, and by this level, the 1000’s of collective tales informed throughout many years have lined what many take into account to be all the bottom these tales might. There’s the previous saying that there’s nothing authentic underneath the solar, and that’s undoubtedly true to a sure extent. Tales have lengthy since realized from and repeated one another, with every new author placing their very own spin on the fabric. Nonetheless, each every so often comes a comic book run that really feels particular, prefer it’s taking issues in a course nothing has earlier than, and that’s precisely the kind of story we’re right here to speak about in the present day.
For characters just like the Hulk, who appear to repeat the identical kinds of tales much more typically than others, these original-feeling takes appear particularly uncommon. But, “The Ω Hulk” storyline did precisely that, giving us one thing we’d by no means actually seen earlier than: an clever Hulk. Not the Hulk with Banner’s mind, however the Hulk remodeled into a brilliant genius all his personal and attempting to repair the world, all whereas his worst future hangs in entrance of him like destiny. Sadly, we’ll by no means get a correct conclusion to this arc as a result of it was pressured to wrap up very prematurely by the onset of Marvel’s greatest occasion, which reset the whole lot. Secret Wars (2015) is well certainly one of Marvel’s finest, smartest occasions, but it surely killed a doubtlessly basic Hulk storyline.
The Hulk Story that Might Have Been
This storyline was spurred on after Bruce Banner was shot within the head, and Iron Man injected him with the Extremis Virus to save lots of his life. Banner modified the Extremis within him to grant the Hulk mind to match his, turning into Doc Inexperienced, and the Jade Big instantly went to work fixing the world. His final aim was ridding the world of all gamma-mutates and completely burying Banner within his thoughts, and whereas he did principally accomplish that first aim, it was removed from probably the most fascinating a part of this story. Throughout all the endeavor, as Doc Inexperienced’s affect grew and he took extra management, he began to dream of probably the most well-known evil future for the Hulk, the Maestro.
This evil counterpart hails from what is well one of many Hulk’s most memorable storylines, and though we see him loads in different universe tales, we’ve by no means seen the trail which may lead Banner down that street. This story gave us that glimpse, specializing in how the Hulk, even a super-intelligent one, finally lacked the very human coronary heart that allow Banner preserve his rage in management. Doc Inexperienced might see himself making the alternatives that might result in turning into the Maestro, however nonetheless believed in his mission, including a novel stress as he fought in opposition to his future whereas he carved it. This was solely made extra difficult by an AI he created of himself, which went rogue with even much less humanity than he had. This setup had a genuinely authentic supply of stress and drama, however sadly, it by no means got here to completion.
The Unlucky Reset That Modified All the things
Not like DC, which has reset its continuity a number of occasions, Marvel doesn’t do reboots. Barring retcons, each Marvel story ever printed is canon, merely slid additional into the long run to account for the period of time handed. That’s what made everybody unprepared for the quasi-reboot when Secret Wars ended. It didn’t wipe out previous continuity, but it surely did reset everybody into new standing quos. For the Hulk, that meant the Doc Inexperienced storyline was shoved apart, swiftly wrapped up simply earlier than the occasion, with a brand-new, Completely Superior Hulk taking up after it.
We by no means actually obtained closure for this storyline. Gammon, the rogue AI, was merged with the Chief in Immortal Hulk #34, and the Doc Inexperienced persona has been talked about, however has remained dormant since his disappearance. It’s a darn disgrace, on condition that the Maestro himself is such a beloved villain and he was truly getting used within the first new method since his debut. Deserted storylines go away a nasty style in my mouth, particularly ones with the potential to go the gap. Secret Wars (2015) was an unbelievable occasion that I wouldn’t commerce a dozen Hulk storylines for, however the truth that it prematurely ended this story will all the time go away a blemish on its report.
What deserted storyline do you pray might have a decision? Tell us within the feedback under!