Marvel’s most terrifying monster is about to collide with mutantkind.
AIPT can exclusively reveal the solicit and cover for Infernal Hulk #7, written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson with art and cover by Nic Klein. Hitting stores on May 27, the issue throws the newly crowned “King of Horrors” directly into conflict with the X-Men as Infernal Hulk exerts a mysterious influence over mutants, drawing them into his growing army within the grotesque Living City.
With Bruce Banner’s conscience torn away and the Hulk’s body commandeered by the Eldest, Johnson and Klein have already reshaped the character into something far darker. As established in issue one, this Hulk is not conflicted or restrained. He is pure, mythic evil unleashed. Now that corruption turns its gaze toward mutantkind.
The official description teases a chilling escalation: when Infernal Hulk draws mutants under his control, can the X-Men resist the call? Can they save their people from a monstrous new leader? And when Hulk attacks, who will he attempt to kill and who will he seek to recruit?
Johnson tells AIPT this was one of the chapters he was most eager to write.
“Our Infernal Hulk vs. X-Men crossover in issue seven is one of the issues I was most excited for,” Johnson said. “The Incredible Hulk has now become the new ‘King of Horrors’ as Infernal Hulk, he’s attracted the notice of the heaviest hitters in the Marvel Universe, and they’re all coming for him. Hulk’s plans for mutants come into focus in this issue, it’s not good, and the X-Men have something to say about it.”
The writer also confirmed that this is not a one-off encounter, but the beginning of a larger role for Marvel’s mutants in the series.
“The X-Men are some of my favorite characters in the Marvel universe, and they’ll have a big role in Infernal Hulk going forward,” Johnson said. “The last time I got to write Magik was in Marvel Zombies: Resurrection years ago, and bringing her back to pit her against Hulk is SO FUN. I think this story will get our X-fans super invested in Infernal Hulk as we head into Act III of our Hulk epic.”
Klein’s art, which has already delivered some of the most nightmarish Hulk imagery in recent memory, looks poised to escalate once again. If issue one showed Hulk smashing helicopters like toys and turning men into pulp with a single clap, issue seven promises a battlefield filled with mutants caught between horror and loyalty.
With Act III approaching and the Living City swelling under Hulk’s control, Infernal Hulk #7 positions itself as a major turning point for Johnson and Klein’s horror epic. The King of Horrors has called. On May 27, the X-Men answer.
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