Infernal Hulk #10 — Philip Kennedy Johnson and Adam Gorham turn the gamma ray up to eleven
Bruce Banner faces his darkest iteration yet. In Infernal Hulk #10, the scientist and Doctor Voodoo make a desperate stand in New York, aided by the formidable Lycana. It is high-stakes, supernatural horror with a gamma core.
There is a specific kind of tension that only a Philip Kennedy Johnson script can generate, where the science fiction premise bleeds seamlessly into genuine supernatural dread. In Infernal Hulk, that blend has been the series' greatest strength, and issue ten pushes it into new, terrifying territory. This isn't just a big green guy smashing things; it's a battle for the very fabric of a city and the souls of those trying to save it. The premise here is simple but devastating: the usual heroes have been pushed out of the game, leaving Bruce Banner and Doctor Voodoo as the last line of defense against an enemy that defies conventional logic.
As the Infernal Hulk closes in on New York, the stakes shift from physical destruction to existential threat. Banner and Voodoo aren't just risking injury; they are risking eternal enslavement. The narrative leans heavily into the horror elements of the Gamma World, turning the usual Hulkbuster protocols into desperate, spiritual warfare. Just when it seems like the situation is completely hopeless, the tide turns with the arrival of Charlie Tidwell, the skinwalker Lycana. Her entry adds a wild card to the fray, blending ancient mythic power with the modern gamma tragedy in a way that feels both fresh and inevitable.
Adam Gorham’s art is the perfect vessel for this chaos. His style is kinetic and unsettling, capturing the grotesque beauty of the Infernal Hulk and the visceral struggle of Banner’s internal war. Every page feels heavy, filled with a sense of impending doom that makes the action sequences feel urgent rather than routine. Nic Klein’s cover further sets the tone, promising a visual experience that is as striking as it is intense. This is a comic that demands to be felt, not just read.
If you have been following the journey of the Gamma World, this issue serves as a crucial nexus point where past sacrifices pay off in the present. It is a story about redemption through confrontation, where the only way out is through. For those new to the series, it might seem dense, but the emotional core of Banner’s struggle anchors the supernatural elements, making it accessible even if you haven't caught every prior thread.
I’d recommend picking up the Nic Klein variant if you can find it; it captures the mood of the issue perfectly, hinting at the horror without giving away the specific beats of the confrontation. It’s a great piece of art to hang on the shelf, a reminder of just how far this story has traveled from its initial setup.