Why The Immortal Hulk is So Good: A Horror Comic about Revenge
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
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The Immortal Hulk is a new take on Marvel's Hulk character. It's become the best selling ongoing book, surpassing perennial top sellers like Batman. Why? This video analyzes what's so special about it, taking a look at how the title is now a horror book. It's a story where the Hulk gets revenge for those who can't get it for themselves and it's executed incredibly well.
Comic tropes is probably the best comic TH-cam channel honestly.
No objection here.
Yeah it's pretty decent. One of my favorites like Comics Explained!!! I really like his love and enthusiasm for comics!!!
@@MARQUE9368 Comics explained is also really good, though much more formal.
Slimy_the _horrible_Guitarist Who?
@@AnimeLuffyFan Comics explained, he made videos like "too powerful for the MCU:Rune king Thor".
What makes Immortal Hulk so good, is that it brings back the classic elements that make the Hulk:
He is wandering from town to town- like the TV series.
He is being pursued by a military general- like the classic comics and animated series.
He is a horror monster that comes out at night- like his first appearance.
He is surrounded by superheroes, but he is doing his own thing.
It’s a return to form without having to retcon everything away. It is still a continuation of everything that came before it.
And the use of mirrors.
There has always been an element of "body horror" in his transformation if you think about it. It never seemed pleasant to me.
Yet he is officially stated in the comic to being smarter than banner, he is more mature than banner, he is not violent yet Bruce keeps isolating himself in fear causing Betty to “hate banner more than her father did” when the whole reason he isolated is irrelevant bc hulk isn’t dangerous anymore, he is more capable than banner but is always being one-upped by the female characters, Bruce is set up to being traumatised and suffering ptsd from childhood abuse but they always sideline that fact to say banner is actually the bad one and Betty is the real victim no then waste our time on a useless journalist who only exists in the story to force in the writers politics and rant about white men. She added nothing to the story and her relevance to the plot was completely gone when Walter was introduced bc she only existed to find leads on hulk to get a scoop about wether or not he’s actually returned, when Walter is added he carries the plot forward and Jackie meets and confirms the hulks presence therefore she has no reason to stick around. But the writer really likes his diversity so he continues to force her in the plot for stupid tangents and she’s always snarky and rude to banner and shows no gratitude for having her career boosted hard by hulk doing some favours. The plot keeps going on pause so the writer can go on psuedointellectual rants about god, who is god, is hulk god, is god god, is Satan really god, maybe hulk is Satan, hulk is Satan?, yeah, hulk is Satan, no, wait, hulk isn’t Satan, with so who is Satan, Betty is Satan, wait no, maybe hulk has always been Satan, is hell just hulk, idk, I didn’t write the story and I’m just making it up as I go so I guess I’ll answer these questions later maybe.
The writing is just shit, the characters all act out of character and the plot suddenly introduces things without any explanation.
The story never explains why hulk is suddenly a father figure, hulk claims it’s bc he wanted a father, but the story literally just explained that banner despises his father and wants his mother back, so it’s contradicting itself, then it introduces the whole nighttime thing but never explains it and in fact regularly has the hulk appear at daylight, they introduce this smelling lies thing which is useless to the plot and is barely ever relevant. I can go on. Immortal hulk is an overrated mess.
@@zzodysseuszz This little rant says a lot less about the story and a lot more about you than you think, man.
This sounds like what Shin Godzilla is to that franchise.
That's the best way I've heard someone describe this run.
Immortal Hulk is one of Marvel’s best comics this decade.
Agreed! Its the only Marvel title I'm reading , besides Age of X-Man (which I'm reading because I really missed reading x-titles). Thankfully they are rebooting X-men, and cancelling all x-titles and bringing Hickman in. Should shake things up
Ow yes
It helps a little that most of Marvels other comics right now aren't that great.
Definitely, I was always a big Hulk fan but this comic run is legitimately really good and is pulling me back into Marvel
It really isn't hard to top that
I’m surprised no one is going mention the reintroduction of characters from the 70’s show like Del Fry and Jack McGee, even if the latter is now a woman. The fact it’s a horror book without turning the Hulk into the bad guy is just a good way to go in general.
@giftofgab247 marvel has been this way for yeeeeeeeaaaaarrrrrs!
Well, he DOES talk about Jackie McGee
Is a woman, is implied to be trans, is useless to the plot and added nothing the entire time she was in it, rants about the writers politics all the time, is always getting unearned praise, was given the title of hulk expert even tho she met him once for a total of like 2 minutes, is a shitty journalist bc she gets literally no stories written and is always like “I have no idea what to write about” etc when there was heaps to write about, I can go on. This character fucking sucks and hurts the comic
But they keep making hulk seem like an abusive person all the time in the comic. They even had Betty learn to hate banner more than her father did bc he isolated himself after rising from the dead.
This isn't a criticism, I'm just genuinely surprised that you can talk about the scene with the Absorbing Man and follow it up with a discussion on the terrifying artwork without ever touching on the absolutely horrifying shot of the Absorbing Man standing in front of Hulk when, like, his body is ripped in half and his spine is standing up straight, and he's still ready to fight.
That's just the essence of body horror right there.
I mean, he did put that panel in the video. And at that point in his narration, the art pretty well speaks for itself.
It’s even in the thumbnail
I don't understand why you have been so upvoted considering you are just plain wrong
@@samuraibeluga3749 plain is he? I plain don't think so.
@@gustavgnoettgen not sure what you on about.
Hulk is THICC in this comic, but the evil kind of THICC.
Touch my Pudinzinho ......wat
What is evil thicc
@@noregrets3925 king k rool is evil thicc
THIKK
@@noregrets3925 That thicc that jellies in the night.
If you want to dissolve flesh you can use mountian dew
It was one of their defenses against the accusation of a mouse being in a can
"it would have dissolved into the fluid"
Most sodas are acidic enough to dissolve organic matter.
The guy suing Pepsi said he bought it on a specific date. They countered that if a mouse had been in there since that date it would have been affected more by the acidity. So the guy lost the case.
@@zakunick1 vinegar is acidic too.
Comic Tropes: The immortal TH-cam comic artist
We love you, man.
PSA for those that didn’t know, Marvel is releasing Oversized Hardcovers of the series later this year. Joe Bennet’s Art is worth dishing out the extra dollars for the oversized pages
I'm down
Jake Nap Good looking out! Also PSA for those who didn't know. Hardcovers are cheap when you figure floppies are $5/issue. And tpbs are about $3.2 an issue. At full retail this OHC is about $3.5 an issue. Totally worth it. Love hardcovers, imma get this one.
Holy cow, those body horror panels are amazing. Props to whoever at Marvel pushed that angle with this run.
Immortal Hulk reminds me *a lot* of Fullmetal Alchemist. All the body horror stuff, the large door after death, a group of immortal beings and even some of the ways hulk’s face is drawn. Interesting if it’s a coincidence, but cool nonetheless.
it reminds me of lovecraft in certain ways.
Existential horror.. fear of death a creature beyond comprehension and abominations it's got it all.
Well he did copy other things. Like one of the plot arcs is just stolen from dmc5
@@zzodysseuszzwait what which one
Let’s not forget to mention the absolutely amazing Alex Ross covers ! His best work!
True
For me, it's a toss-up between these covers, or basically the entire run of the comic Marvels
His art of top-notch in that.
Casai
What about kingdom come?
The collector
He did Justice as well, but both looked incredible, and I'm glad he did so much work for DC and Captain Marvel.
Okay, it’s great, but... Project Superpowers is still my favourite of Alex Ross’s cover work.
Never read much comics outside of some Manga and Graphic novels, but I love hearing you discuss all kinds of stuff in the comics sphere! Also the intro is really good
What a great recap. I just re-read all 50 and completely fell in love again. Your analysis in this is spot-on. Well done!
One of these days, he's gonna start a video with "Oh, hi! You just caught me becoming one with the universe and shedding my mortal form! Speaking of which-"
*"No grizzly bears were harmed during the making of this video."*
Loving your material. I'm burning thru it all. The OG Hulk turned into the Hulk at night. Looks like this is a callback to that version. I kinda like it.
Immortal Hulk recently appeared in Fantastic Four where he ruined the honeymoon of Ben Grimm and Alicia Masters as a pawn of the Puppet Master - Hulk took out his revenge on PM in a very gruesome manner adterward...
Best intro together with “oh hi, you caught me dying”
Whoever greenlit this at Marvel needs an award for having the biggest balls on earth. It was a giant risk but ended up being a huge hit and i personally rate it as one of the best runs in comic history.
Sounds like an amazing series! I just hope that She Hulk can remain more upbeat and fun. I always liked that aspect of her character. We need some light to balance the dark.
Last I'd heard she was experiencing some serious PTSD from getting her shit kicked in by Bruce in World War Hulk or something... did she get over it?
You must have been so happy when you found a comic book themed bowling shirt
Picked this up during quarantine and I am so happy to see Swamp Thing’s ecological themes and dark political story telling carrying into the 21st century
Slight correction. Walter Langkowski was always friends with Banner in college. We've seen the flashback to that years ago.
6:07 Not an Anarchist... A nihilist.
Anarchism is no government, no heirarchical rulers.. Nihilism is nothing matters we're all going to die.
found the anarchist
@@neronthetyrant What a r/bettlejuice moment lol.
Yup, came to the comments to say this
i don't see nihilism in the statement either. however i haven't read the comic
Stale Bagelz most anarchists eventually become nihilists, ideals form bridges into worse mentalities.
Holy Hell that artwork is BEAUTIFUL! I cant tell what really makes it more, the inking or the pencils themselves (color is amazing as well!), genius level artwork in every panel. I absolutely love it, I might have to buy a comic for the first time in 15 years.
Comic Tropes: "Why The Immortal Hulk is So Good"
"She-Hulk" in Immortal Hulk: Allow me to introduce myself
Hasnt she been that ugly before? Its on the old avengers comic about the avengers braking up
@@LeadMetal82 Not that I know, She-Hulk looked good since her debut and in recent time
Hanif yeah a couple of issues before Avengers Dissasembled, there was a arc where She-Hulk lost control and hulked out uncontrollably. Then it was called back in the Avengers Dissasembled arc.
@@yeayared there you go. Though that one was temporary
What even is the criticism there? That she looked like a monster?
Cuz if you're that deep into Immortal Hulk and are complaining about that, hoo boy do I have a bridge to sell ya.
Al Ewing has been a favorite of mine since MIGHTY AVENGERS. When I realized with issue # 13 of IMMORTAL HULK that he was writing the book I immediately jumped on, collecting the previous issues and buying the latest issues. It was totally enjoyable and a value his epic run. I enjoyed this video.
The Immortal Hulk is my favorite Hulk run higher than anything done by Peter David or Greg Pak! I own most of the Immortal Hulk run: Vol 1-6 & 10-12 but I am missing Vol 7-9 when I get them I will have the complete run.
Alan Moore's Swamp Thing for sure, regarding the storytelling, but visually some panels reminded me of Brian Yuzna's 1989 horror flick Society.
I know this is old but thanks for turning me on to this. I’m not a Wednesday warrior but I buy up the collected versions ASAP.
Discovers immortality
Reaction: indifferent "oh"
Beautiful.
That cut to his neck bleeding was so smooth. Amazing editing Chris!
Love the intro as usual, keep up the great work!!
The art style and designs are fantastic. I love it when artists and writers actually act creatively.
I just realised that on the video cover Abomination's Skull has Teeth but his Body has Teeth as well.
Huh.
Abomination has two sets of teeth... he is a nephalim
@@checkpoint3260 oh ok my bad
@@feragosmyxixarashtra7948 naw just kidding
@@checkpoint3260 oof
Man I love your videos, thank you for doing what you do
0:18 And that's why Chris isn't featured in any of the big crossover events. He'd just tank whatever punishment the villain is throwing out, so the stakes would be nullified.
This comic series has to be in marvels top 10 comic book series of all time for me! The story telling,Art,Plot,characters,designs,atmosphere etc is absolutely Astounding and a wonder to behold.
Same. To me it's one of the best comics ever made.
Thanks for including my art, Chris! Best Comic TH-cam channel by far! Keep up the great work!
I think a primary reason for Immortal Hulk picking up so well is primarily the cover art. It shows off the horror aspect and they've just been gorgeous covers, it drew me in and I've never collected Hulk aside from the Peter David run
My guy, you are criminally underrated.
Just read the last issue. Sad to see it end. This series reminded me why I still read comics almost 40 years after I read my first.
Never thought Hulk and body horror would go well together. The design and concept is like if Junji Ito created the Hulk before Stan did.
This is the most grass-root vibe TH-cam content I've seen in 15 years, and I love it.
Excuse me sir ? Grizzly bears ? That was the genuine Bigfoot !
That intro was genius
Stoppen watching the video after 5 minutes because you convinced me to buy this book and I didn't want to be spoilered 😁
He didn't really spoil anything
I hated the idea of Bruce Banner having split personality disorder , but the writers of The Immortal Hulk have made it really compelling.
Please don’t watch other comic YT channels. I now believe this prohibition you have held to helps to keep your channel much different and better. There are two types, they complain about the same thing or they review the same thing. I’ve been a Hulk fan since the 70’s and I believe this run ranks up there with Jarella, Hulk international (starts back in #255) and the great runs you mentioned.
I think Superheroes and horror mix VERY well. Ever since I saw Bixby's eyes in a transformation, Hulk scared me. I would run into my room and hide as soon as Ferrigno's Hulk would emerge. I would peek out at the TV momentarily and run back in my room frightened. Since then, whenever I am watching, for instance, Jeepers Creepers, I would make it through the movie and think something like, "What if Batman was in this?" That's why I love the Batman Vampire trilogy and the main run continuity where Batman becomes 'vampyr'. The genres mix better than people would think.
Bushwhacker is a Cyborg? I thought he was just some crazy dude cursed with body horror and had a craving for eating ammo
The one comic book Channel that doesn’t condescend to its viewers. It assumes we’ve actually read many of the back issues and are familiar with the cannon.
I HATED the Cho version of Hulk. Felt like they fundamentally changed what the Hulk was and the writing disrespected Bruce Banner's legacy in a weird way.
Plus...the Cho version looks sooooo douchey and is pretty full of themself. I hope we don't get that version in the MCU.
EpoxyMuffin endgame bro 😭
Chulk could've been great if they leaned fully into the idea of pride=strength instead of just using anger.
Allen Glass
Thanks for putting your miniscule, insignificant opinion and trying to initiate a fanboy war with a comment that obviously had no intention of doing so.
They were just agreeing with my original comment...
EpoxyMuffin
They said "Bro hulk sucks" which made it sound like he was saying Hulk in general sucks. Reread his comment and you can see why I may have misinterpreted what he was saying.
Man, the intro itself is worth a like! Awesome as usual!
I love the aura this man gives off
Comicstorian: the stories
Comics Explained: the lore
ComicTropes: the history/facts
Let's give credit where credit is due... the horror/monster designs in Immortal Hulk are taken directly from John Carpenter's "The Thing" and Neill Blomkamp's "Zygote."
Aaron I’d even say a bit of swamp thing for sure Alan Moore run
If you're really interested in giving credit where credit is due, those monsters in Carpenter's "The Thing" were designed by comic book artist Mike Ploog, who also storyboarded the film.
@@noneofyourbusiness4616 Ploog did the designs WITH Rob Bottin under the suggestion and final OK of Carpenter.
@@aaron2709 oh, I had no idea that a director of a film directs things
@@noneofyourbusiness4616 Why are you being a dick?
Chris, may I? Thank you. I am new to your channel AND Immortal Hulk. Both are unlooked for treasures. You balance humor with concrete content in an extremely high functioning manner that works very well for me- like Red Letter Media. And this magazine.. yes, swamp thing is my faveorite title.. guy which author. Bravo Chris, I'll be chirping away in your comment sections for years to come.
Oh you caught me watch comic tropes
The body horror element of the run is the big seller, but its story... Comes and goes. There's a lot of abandoned themes, people behaving completely out of character, mediocre explanations, etc, but in general is good because it's different. I enjoyed it, but it's not without its flaws.
Best intro yet 10/10
A comic channel that atleast mentions 2000ad and even has some on the wall feels rare, this makes me happy
I love the research you put into every video. It's educational and funny which is a deadly combo!
goddamn that opening scared me. hey man i normally dont evewn comment but im loving your channel
Hulks new regenerative ability is both awesome 😎 and scary as hell 😱 I mean seriously he basically ate someone without even chewing
Dude, that was your absolute best ever intro! God, I was cracking up for like 20 minutes! I love your channel. I hope we collaborate on a project one day, though my genre is wilderness survival, it would be a cool idea. All the best, buddy!
Absolutely love your videos. And I reaaaaaally really love your intro theme. Amazing video keep up the good work. Only criticism I could possibly have for these videos is the audio has a bit of an echo when you do the front facing cam. Idk how else to describe the audio inconsistency
Hulk outselling Batman??
We’re living in Bizarro World!
(Hulk has always been one of my favorites.) ❤️
I'm sold - I order the first few Trades based on your review!
Okay so who else paused this video to look up Hulk throwing a bear??
PS. If you didn't, you should because it's the greatest thing ever)
Thanks for the recommendation, have been loving Immortal Hulk.
“Oh hi! You caught me learning that I’m immortal!”
"Oh hi! You caught me learning I'm immortal!
*I'M CRYING-*
Blessed that you showed up in my reccomended today! Love your content.
The most interesting/creative thing, that I saw from the big 2 in a long time.
Also I like Comics Explained, I subscribed to Rob waaaaay back, and he really ignited my interest in comics.
As someone who grew up with the Hulk in the Sal Buscema days and stopped reading when Hulk joined the Pantheon, I'm going to have to check this title out. It seems that the creators of the Immortal Hulk have a real love for the 1978 TV show.
Just saw this video and my mind is blown that this book exists. I had heard a bit of this title and that it was good, but I am entirely unplugged from current books (I haven't bought a book off the rack in over 10 years). Having said that, based on your review, I am going to pick up at least the first trade.
It looks awesome, in that it seems like it's not really a mainstream comic. It reminded me a lot of manga, more than regular American comics. Seems like a very interesting take, where they've taken a lot of risks and kept the book insulated from the rest of the Marvel universe to let the creative team tell their story. I wonder how long this will last. Probably not long...
Great video, I think it's one of the best you've ever done. Keep up the amazing work.
I believe I saw you on a live chat for Cartoonist Kayfabe. Cool!
That intro was a great introduction to your channel
12:37 gotta love that Bigfoot posing Hulk
It's a horror story. He's a monster at his core. This took him back to his roots as the jekyll/Frankenstein hybrid.
Haven't missed an issue of Immortal Hulk. Its literally the first or second book I read when it comes out. Love the body horror elements.
“Oh hi, you caught me learning that I’m immortal.” Omg.
Alex Ross cover art. Nuff said.
Wish the interior art didn't look like it was from 2003 though.
@@Clay3613
I think it looks pretty good actually
Idk about that I remember Ross was drawing covers for Spider-Man towards the end of Slotts run
@@jasonjones3328 Many of the All-New Spider-Man comics have covers made by Ross
I fell in love with immortal hulk for a very special reason
I love the character interactions. Both between the different people in the hulk system. And how other characters interact with each other. The small moments that really humanize them
The horror is great. As is the storyline about Bruce banner, devil hulk, the rest of the system. As well as their close allies trying to "end the world" in order to save the world are all great. But first and foremost its the characters
Brilliant work as ever, sir.
Al Ewing has his tropes, like putting the issue title on the final page. It would be fun to examine why his stories are always so brisk and enjoyable. He's that guy who can take whatever's left over in the kitchen and whip up a brilliant meal because he genuinely loves the ingredients. His run on New and US Avengers were giddy fun with the most unlikely characters and storylines.
Lets Remember all the People who dies about Mountain Dew Arguments....
Oh. Was that maybe a shout out to the green soda in the MCU?
Rest in Peace for once and for all, Uncle Rob...
People really died for Over an Argument over Soda
Just stumbled onto this channel. Excellent pacing and I dig the intros.
Just watched the intro and had to press like lmao your intros always make me laugh :)
I remember Peter Davids last issue, something like 350ish, he had this idea laid out, where future Banner finally gave up and tried to off himself, but it was Hulk who wouldn't let him die. He would jump off a building but Hulk would hit the ground. It was a bit spooky and interesting, neat to see it all getting explored, might have to read this run. Thanks!
That intro skit was God tier my friend, absolute gold. Love this channel.
this was trending on twitter earlier, pleasantly surprising
Hey, could you talk about Christopher Priest's Black Panther run in late 90's'?That's my favourite run on the character.
Legendary Gaming I talk about some of it in my Black Panther episode.
Christopher Priest's Black Panther is a freakin' masterpiece
There's a scene early on where Zuri and Thor yell at each other about how great they are and start fighting due to a misunderstanding and it's genuinely one of my favorite moments in all of comics. It's hilarious.
I feel like I’m the only one subbed to this channel who doesn’t know who Christopher priest is😂
Nailed the intro once again Chris!!
Honestly hope immortal thor is just as good
I know this is four years old, but I'm paying between $5-6 per comic. It has made me really focus on only a few titles, and I look for graphic novel that cover an arc I'm interested in. I basically ignore almost everything on the monthly release shelf.
Dude I've been intrested in comics but I haven't really invested in them but after watching this I might start
Well, did you?
This one snuck up on me. I tried out the new #1 and then, before I knew it, I was saving my Hulk comic for last every week and genuinely looking forward to it. Glad to hear that the sales are going well.