Marvel Officially Announces Its New Hulk

Published Sep 23, 2026, 6:30 PM EDT Robert Wood is a writer and editor based out of Cheshire, England. He is the author of 'The False Elephant: and 99 Other Unreasonably Short Stories' - 100 stories, each told in exactly 100 words. Rob got into comics via Bendis' Ultimate Spider-Man and the UK anthology 'The Mighty World of Marvel,' which was running Frank Miller's Daredevil, Classic Hulk and Contest of Champions II. Prior to journalism, he worked in copywriting and copyedited for Oxford University Press. He is on X as @PinchTwigs and Instagram as roobwoodjourno. Marvel just added a new Hulk to official lore, as Bruce Banner's attempt to literally exorcise his monstrous other half exposes the hidden history of gamma radiation and the monsters it creates. New series Spider-Man/Hulk: Fire and Brimstone sees Bruce Banner attempting to rid himself of the Hulk by seeking an exorcism, with Spider-Man along for the ride to protect his friend and ally's immortal soul. However, a dark relevation emerges from Bruce's efforts, revealing that exorcism may have first been invented to finally defeat the 'Old Testament' Hulk, Lahkor the Devourer of Light. Marvel Introduces The 'Old Testament' Hulk In today's Spider-Man/Hulk: Fire and Brimstone #2 - from Kevin Smith, Andy McElfresh, R. B. Silva, Federico Blee and Joe Sabino - Bruce meets Cardinal Thornhill and is shown a vault beneath St. Patrick's Cathedral. The vault contains a hidden scroll written by Saint Peter, sharing the story of Lahkor. The scroll reveals that Lahkor was born shortly after the Great Flood, encountering a celestial object which seemingly turned him into a destructive demon. Bruce confirms that science backs up the story of a celestial object striking the moon, and that exposure to a neutron star could have bathed it in gamma radiation, leading to Lahkor becoming a Hulk. Lahkor's Hulk form is shown as part of the story, with a thick black beard and the classic jade hue of a gamma mutate. However, it's possible to read this scene as a visual representation of the lore Thornhill is describing, not a literal flashback to historical events. According to Saint Peter, Lahkor's Hulk survived for thousands of years, with Cardinal Thornhill revealing that "the creation of the rite of exorcism freed him." The story convinces Bruce Banner to go through with his exorcism, with Spider-Man following Daredevil's advice to stick by Bruce's side and handle any fallout from the process. Does Lahkor Replace Marvel's 'First Hulk'? The last few years have seen Marvel pin down the lore surrounding gamma energy, revealing that the radiation's transformative power comes from the curdled blood of the One-Above-All, Marvel's version of God. Gamma came to exist when the demonic Vinruviel went to war against god, and their battle caused the manifestation of the demonic One-Below-All, who can possess and act through those radiated by gamma. The One-Below-All is another aspect of the One-Above-All - effectively god's 'Hulk.' The story of Lahkor doesn't seem to contradict this recent lore, but it does potentially introduce a new 'first' Hulk. This title was previously held by a character named Tammuz who lived in 9500 BC and was irradiated by a comet, encountering the eldritch 'Green Door' as a result. The Biblical Flood is traditionally believed to have happened between 2000 and 3000 BC, suggesting Tammuz would remain the First Hulk, however it's hard to perfectly combine different mythological interpretations with Marvel's own lore, making it possible that Lahkor would be considered the first Hulk. Hulk Lore Has Never Been More Magical While Hulk's powers come from radiation, the last decade has recontextualized the sci-fi elements of Hulk lore as a result of deeper, more eldritch forces stretching back to the foundation of reality itself. Fire and Brimstone doubles down on that reading, seemingly revealing that the concept of exorcism isn't just applicable to the Hulk - it's a direct result of a demonic legacy that spans eons and haunts Bruce Banner in the modern day. Marvel has officially introduced a new 'Old Testament' Hulk in the story of Lahkor the Devourer of Light, giving Bruce Banner hope that an exorcism could finally rid him of the curse of gamma radiation. Spider-Man/Hulk: Fire and Brimstone #2 is available now from Marvel Comics. Created By Stan Lee, Jack Kirby First Appearance The Incredible Hulk (1962) Alias Robert Bruce Banner Alliance Avengers, Defenders, Horsemen of Apocalypse, Fantastic Four, Pantheon, Warbound, S.M.A.S.H., Secret Avengers Franchise Marvel