Two of Marvel's heaviest hitters -- Hulk and Thor -- will not only face one another in what promises to be a fight of epic proportions, but the two superheroes appear to merge together to create some kind of ThorHulk as well.
Hulk vs. Thor: Banner of War, a five-part crossover from Marvel, begins next month and will see the two heroes fight one another in a legendary battle that will ultimately decide who the stronger entity is. Marvel released cover art for Hulk #8, which debuts a new ThorHulk hybrid that is angrily smashing the Bifrost Bridge in Asgard. Artwork for Thor #26 additionally shows Hulk wielding Mjolnir while standing over a defeated-looking Thor in some sort of laboratory.
Donny Cates, the acclaimed writer behind Hulk and Thor, is teaming up with artist Martin Coccolo, whose past work includes X-Force and Deadpool, for the Banner of War event. Banner of War comes right in time for the 60th anniversary of the characters, with Thor first appearing in 1962's Journey into Mystery #83 and Hulk in 1962's The Incredible Hulk #1.
The event kicks off on April 27 with Hulk vs Thor: Banner of War Alpha #1 by Cates, Coccolo and cover artist Gary Frank. The plot synopsis for the first issue reads, "Hulk and Thor have both undergone massive changes recently, but one thing remains constant - their heated rivalry! When mysterious circumstances bring them into conflict once more, will the God of Thunder be able to triumph against a Bruce Banner who can now control his rage?"
Following Hulk vs Thor: Banner of War Alpha #1 is Thor #25 (with additional cover art from John Romita Jr.) on May 11, Hulk #7 on May 25, Thor #26 on June 8 and Hulk #8 on June 22. According to Marvel, Thor #26 sees Odin force Thor "to realize the gravity of Banner's situation — and its connection to that mysterious, violent incident in El Paso. But when Iron Man’s interference causes more harm than good, our two rivals face shocking changes that change the stakes of the battle…for good."
The concluding chapter will then see one of the two heroes crowned champion. The plot description reads, "Marvel’s two heaviest hitters expend their rage on one final, brutal brawl that will answer once and for all which of these heroes is the strongest. But in a fight between gods, monsters and men, what becomes of the victor? The loser? And who really has the authority to decide?"
While his appearance looked different than that of the Hulk #8 cover, Thor, along with a number of other Avengers, gained Hulk's gamma power during the 2010 "World War Hulks" storyline. With Thor quickly becoming the most powerful among the bunch, Bruce Banner was able to absorb the gamma power from the God of Thunder before it could destroy him.
Banner of War begins on April 27 from Marvel Comics.
Source: Marvel Comics