Iron Man Has Unleashed A Weapon Too Kill the Immortal Hulk

WARNING: This article contains spoilers for Immortal Hulk #7, by Al Ewing, Joe Bennett, Ruy Jose, Paul Mounts and VC’s Cory Petit, out now.

When the Avengers showed up at the end of Immortal Hulk #6, we knew that there would be a fight. Now, in issue #7, that’s exactly what we get, as the Immortal Hulk swiftly and systematically brings down each and every member of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Tony Stark, however, has one final ace up his sleeve, but it’s so powerful that none of his teammates want him to use it.

Following the events of Civil War II, in which Hulk was seemingly killed by Hawkeye to prevent a possible future in which Hulk killed everyone, Bruce Banner has returned to life a different man. His relationship with his Incredible alter ego has certainly changed over the years, but never has it been so deadly. Now, whenever Hulk appears, it comes at the expense of Bruce Banner’s life. In a fittingly horrific concept, writer Al Ewing has established that while Bruce Banner can (and frequently does) die, as soon as night falls, the Hulk is resurrected -- and he’s stronger and meaner than ever before.

As Immortal Hulk #7 begins, the Avengers are already locked in combat with their former friend. We see Ghost Rider fall first, Robbie Reyes and his demonic car flung through the air, crashing into the car of a local family fleeing their house in Georgeville, Iowa. We hear on the news about a level-3 Superhuman conflict in progress, Hulk turns his attention to Thor. Still unworthy, Odinson is nevertheless an Asgardian god, so it comes as a surprise to both him and us that Hulk is able to punch him so hard, he fractures Thor’s skull and knocks out one of his teeth.

As Cap rushes to Thor’s aid, the Odinson reveals that Hulk is vastly stronger than he was before, going so far as calling his former ally a “Devil Hulk.” Black Panther and Iron Man join the fray, the former having the Vibranium in his suit overload (something T’Challa thought was impossible), and the latter having his powerful Hulkbuster armor torn to shreds by the one being it was designed to fight against. This Hulk is also smart, however, fighting against both Cap and his cousin Jen (also a powerful Hulk) by not only using his fists but his words.

It's obvious something more is necessary to take this Hulk out -- and Tony Stark has exactly that.

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In engaging Captain America, this "Devil" Hulk plays off his insecurities around the recent Hydra takeover (as seen in Secret Empire) and for Jen, Hulk starts telling her that she’s just like him, something that terrifies her and distracts her just enough for him to punch her so hard she flies a clear two miles before she lands. Throughout the fight, while the Avengers are growing more and more convinced that this is one battle they’re not going to win, Tony Stark is talking about bringing his ultimate weapon online, something everyone else is against.

As Jen is knocked clear into the next town, Tony realizes they’ve run out of options. After confirming that the townspeople are all evacuated -- and despite Captain Marvel's pleas for him not to do what he’s about to do -- Iron Man unleashes the Helio Laser.

The Helios Laser is laced with concentrated UV radiation, meaning that they hit Bruce Banner with a beam of hard sunlight. This new Devil Hulk only comes out at night, leading Tony to theorize that a hit of pure sunlight like this would have a greater chance of taking him down than any conventional (read: physical) methods. As the dust settles, the Avengers survey the damage and see that the entire town of Georgeville appears to be decimated. In the center of the smoking crater is the charred skeleton of Bruce Banner.

Bruce dying isn’t that shocking, of course, as he’s perished in almost every issue of Immortal Hulk so far, but what the Avengers want to know is if they’ve done enough to bring down the Hulk. As Captain America laments the friend in need that they’ve let down, Black Panther says that what they’ve done here today is only temporary and that Hulk will soon rise again. “Back from death. Rested. Refreshed,” says T’Challa, “Would we survive that, Captain?” If a Helios Laser isn’t enough to finally kill him, then maybe Bruce Banner’s alter ego really has earned the nickname of the Immortal Hulk.

KEEP READING: Al Ewing’s Immortal Hulk Is About Ready to Look Behind the Green Door