Note: This article contains significant plot details from The Incredible Hulk #24.
Impending Clash: Thor vs. Hulk Again
In a striking development within Marvel Comics, Thor and the Hulk are set to clash once more, as depicted in the latest installment of The Incredible Hulk. Their longstanding rivalry has produced numerous epic confrontations, but the upcoming battle promises to defy a key aspect of their history.
The Context of the Showdown
In The Incredible Hulk #24, penned by Phillip Kennedy Johnson and illustrated by Kev Walker, Bruce Banner and his companion Charlie Tidwell find themselves fleeing from Skinwalkers. This peril comes after Charlie has unknowingly bonded with Lycana, the Mother of Skinwalkers. Seeking refuge, they head to Doctor Strange’s Sanctum Sanctorum only to discover it was a trap laid by their pursuers. Upon their escape, they encounter Thor, who approaches with a deadly intention: to eliminate Charlie.
Thor Takes on a Black Hat Role
In this scenario, it appears that Thor assumes the role of the antagonist. Although dispatching Lycana is framed as a positive for the broader world, it comes at the cost of an innocent girl’s life, making Thor’s intentions villainous. In contrast, Hulk acts heroically, trying to assist Charlie in either managing her new powers or getting rid of Lycana without causing harm to her. This complicates the moral landscape of their impending confrontation.
The Traditional Narrative Reversed
Historically, Hulk has often been cast as the ‘villain’ in their encounters. For example, in The Defenders #10, Thor attempts dialogue as Hulk escalates into violence. Similarly, in The Incredible Hulk #300, a corrupted Banner pushes Hulk into a frenzied rampage, forcing Thor to intervene. These scenarios typically place Hulk in a negative light, but this time, the narrative is flipped.
Consequences of Thor’s Choices
Thor’s decision to confront Hulk under these circumstances not only breaches the unwritten rule of their rivalry, where Hulk is often the aggressor, but it also harbors the potential for dire consequences. Engaging with the Hulk—one of Marvel’s most formidable beings—while simultaneously aiming to confront Lycana, poses a significant risk to Thor’s safety. Both foes are exceptionally powerful, and should they join forces, Thor’s survival is far from guaranteed.
Potential for Immediate Karma
If Thor were to meet his end during a confrontation he initiated, it would serve as poetic justice. While Lycana represents a palpable threat, the ethical implications of targeting a child for a supposed greater good might seal Thor’s fate. Thus, as this new chapter in the Hulk vs Thor saga unfolds, it challenges the perceptions of heroism while instilling a gripping tension about the outcome.
The Incredible Hulk #24 is currently available from Marvel Comics.