Warning: Contains SPOILERS for The Incredible Hulk #19!The very nature of theHulkis synonymous with horrific transformations, as the idea of one’s body mutating into a massive, green behemoth is pure body horror at its finest. While that point has always been a bit understated in Marvel Comics, more recent Hulk writers/artists have been really hammering home the horror associated with his transformations. And now,Hulk’s new transformation marks his most horrific look yet.
In a preview forThe Incredible Hulk#19 (Legacy #800) by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Nic Klein, and Danny Earls,Hulk is being held captive by the Eldest, a primordial monster who wishes to use Hulk to open an ancient prison crafted by the One Below All and release the Mother of Horrors. Meanwhile,Hulk’s sidekick, Charlie, has been resurrected following her fatal encounter with Frozen Charlotte, and she’s become a Skinwalker. Now, it’s up to Charlie and her newfound power to free the Hulk from the Eldest’s clutches. But, after seeing Hulk’s latest transformation, that just became even more difficult.
The Incredible Hulk#19 is a giant-sized issue celebrating the comic’s 800th issue. This preview contains pages from the other originalHulkstories featured in the issue, starring the likes of She-Hulk, Brawn, and Red Hulk.
The Hulk has been captured by the Eldest after making a deal with the ancient monster, trading his flesh for Charlie’s resurrection. However, the Eldest still needs the Hulk’s complete compliance before she can use his power to unleash the Mother of Horrors. So, Eldest has resorted to good-old-fashioned torture to break the Hulk’s spirit, and her control over his flesh makes that process a breeze. In this preview, readers see that one method of torture the Eldest is using is transforming the Hulk (and Bruce Banner) into a twisted tree.
Hulk’s New ‘Tree Form’ is the Latest in a Long Line of Horrific Transformations
Hulk’s Transformations Have Been Extra Intense SinceThe Immortal Hulk
While the Eldest is the one pulling the strings behind this particular ‘twisted tree’ transformation (which is why it’s arguably the most horrific of all Hulk’s transformations), this is just the latest in a long line of them - and most of them are the Hulk’s own fault. Throughout the current Incredible Hulk run, every time Banner turns into the Hulk (or Hulk turns into Banner), the process is visually graphic and utterly agonizing.
Images of theHulk’s massive teeth growing over Banner’s, and Bruce vomiting from the pain of powering-down from Hulk (just to name a few examples) litter this comic run - and that isn’t unique to just this series, either. Back in The Immortal Hulk, Hulk and Bruce faced their fair-share of body horror experiences. From the hellish torture Bruce found in the Below-Place, to Hulk piecing himself back together following full-body dismemberment, the Hulk can’t seem to catch a break in his more recent stories.
It’s Time for Hulk to Rejoin the Avengers Full-Time
The Hulk Needs a Break from This Torturous Horror with a Feel-Good Superhero Adventure
The past few story arcs of the Hulk being by himself and taking on all manner of incomprehensible horrors have assuredly taken its toll on the Strongest Avengers, and it’s high-timeHulk rejoins the Avengers full-time. This isn’t to say his solo stories haven’t been amazing lately (they absolutely have), but the poor guy just needs a break. Marvel has been putting the Hulk through the ringer lately, with his latest ‘twisted tree’ transformation being no exception.
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Hulk could use a feel-good superhero adventure after suffering through all this darkness. But, unfortunately for the Green Goliath, that’s not happening any time soon. Instead, the torturous body horror is being cranked up higher than it’s ever been, proven true withHulk’s most horrific transformation yet.
The Incredible Hulk #19by Marvel Comics is available June 21, 2025.
Hulk
The Hulk, a Marvel Comics superhero created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, is physicist Bruce Banner transformed by gamma radiation. He morphs into a giant, green-skinned creature of immense strength and invulnerability when angered. Struggling with his transformations, Hulk allies with other heroes, battling villains while balancing his intellect with uncontrollable rage, making him a central figure in Marvel’s universe.
