WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Immortal Hulk #39 by Al Ewing, Joe Bennet, Ruy Jose, Belardino Brabo, Paul Mounts & VC's Cory Petit, on sale now.

When it was revealed that Samuel Sterns aka, the Leader, was actually the one manipulating Bruce Banner in The Immortal Hulk, it came as a shock because it came out of nowhere. Everyone was fixated on the Green Door and the One Below All, not realizing Sterns was already making a link to these supernatural entities so he could be given the tools to break the Hulk once and for all.

Now, courtesy of issue #39, it's revealed exactly how that deal was made as Sterns gets upgraded through a horrific power boost that comprises one of the nastiest meals ever seen.

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The Leader, after dying a few times, began to understand more about the Below-Place, which led to him trying to strike a deal with the frightened Brian Banner in issue #0. He realized that Brian was chosen as the gamma emissary but Sterns found him unworthy, or as he says, not the "right shade of green." It's why he wants to co-opt Brian and take his position as he understands what power this Chosen One can wield. By becoming the One Below All's true avatar, a deserving general, he can finally top the Hulk.

He pierces Brian's mind, preying on his insecurities as he can tell this role is weighing on the deadbeat dad. Sterns wants to trick him out of this access to the dark god and once he can make that connection, Brian will become his tool. But, of course, he has to keep these cards close to his chest. Brian, though, is easy to work over and gives up the mantle, thinking Sterns will bring him back to life to repent for all his sins. However, as Sterns agrees to take over the job, his face opens up and similar to a Xenomorph from the Alien series, he begins to devour and digest the man.

It's one of this book's most gruesome scenes as he swallows him like a giant python, savoring it. This gives Sterns access to Brian's memories and the One Below All, calling the meal a delicious one filled with Brian's narcissism, violent tendencies, and his genius. Immediately, as Sterns finishes eating and paying compliments to the chef, the One Below All appears as the Leader now bears his mark. But Sterns makes it clear, he's a humble servant and wants to help usher in the apocalypse. He thinks he can help the evil force own the Multiverse by taking control of the Jade Giant.

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The Leader has tried to do this numerous times but now he's powered-up like never before. It's dark karma for Brian but bad news for the Hulk because it's here that the Leader plots to destroy his loved ones and infiltrate his mindscape.

Unfortunately, the One Below All buys in because it knows Sterns' plan is foolproof as we're seeing with how he imprisoned and killed off Hulks in Bruce's head to enslave the Green Goliath.

KEEP READING: Immortal Hulk's Al Ewing Explains Why the Leader Is a Perfect Foe for the Avenger