Marvel Comics writer Donny Cates is no longer penning the publisher's Hulk ongoing series. However, he has quietly been laying the groundwork for an "insane" new project at the House of Ideas.Marvel Comics' Hulk #12 (due for release on Feb. 15, 2023) was recently solicited as being written by both Cates and series artist Ryan Ottley. However, a social media post from Ottley suggests that in addition to penciling the book, he is also actually its sole writer, just as with issue #11 (itself due for release on Jan. 18. 2023). "HULK 12! February! Another issue that I am the writer AND the artist for," Ottley tweeted. "Come see what this dork Ottley is gonna do with the rest of this HULK PLANET arc." When asked if Cates was still writing the series, Ottley replied, "No, he moved on to other things. I'll be writing the rest of this arc. There's always a chance he comes back for later arcs but I just don't know. I miss his amazing scripts, fortunately he created such a solid foundation that the world is such a blast to continue creating in!"
Cates himself then took the time to clarify some things on his own Twitter account. "Hey guys. I'm okay," Cates wrote. "Just needed to breathe and deal with a bunch of... life. Anyway, yeah no fear, I've been working with [Marvel Comics Editor-In-Chief C.B. Cebulski,] [Senior Editor Wil Moss] and [Marvel] in the background on something INSANE that will... well, you'll know it when you see it. Love you guys! See you soon! #Excelsior"
Donny Cates' Run on Hulk Reaches Its End
Following the conclusion of Immortal Hulk, Cates and Ottley were announced as the new Hulk creative team in June 2021, with their first issue launching in November 2021. The first six issues of Marvel's now-current Hulk series were written by Cates and penciled by Ottley. Issues #7 and #8 were written by Cates and illustrated by Martin Coccolo, with Daniel Warren Johnson also co-writing issue #8. The duo of Cates and Ottley reunited for issues #9 and #10, with Ottley -- as previously mentioned -- set to take over as both writer and artist in the upcoming Hulk #11.
Written and illustrated by Ryan Ottley, Hulk #11 goes on sale Jan. 18, 2023 from Marvel Comics, followed by issue #12 on Feb. 15, 2023.