The Galactus' cosmic power. Fans are about to see exactly that, as Galactus rejects the Silver Surfer to turn the Hulk into his cosmic herald, transforming the Green Goliath into a space-faring servant of his endless hunger.

The change is coming in January's What If...? Galactus Transformed Hulk? #1​​​​​​​, in which Marvel readers will witness an alternate timeline where Galactus empowered the Hulk for a mysterious mission that only the Green Goliath and his genius other half Bruce Banner can accomplish.

The issue will kick off a new series of one-shots depicting What If...? scenarios where Galactus recruits heroes including Gambit, Spider-Gwen and Moon Knight. Each hero will be transformed as Galactus gifts them his Power Cosmic, with Hulk's body being partly covered in a cracked version of Silver Surfer's silver in Ron Lim's epic cover art and character design.

Hulk Is Replacing the Silver Surfer as Galactus' Herald

Marvel's Specials Will Explore Alternate Histories Where Galactus Chose Different Heroes

Galactus is a fundamental force of nature in Marvel canon, constantly feeding on living worlds to feed his unyielding cosmic hunger. In order to conserve energy, Galactus often empowers heralds - powerful beings who search out new worlds for him to consume. The most famous is the Silver Surfer, but there have been many others, all with their own reasons for sacrificing their humanity to serve Galactus. However, there have also been occasions where Galactus is faced with a unique cosmic problem and chooses a specific herald to help him conquer it. These heralds are often purely heroic, since - while Galactus feeds on the galaxy - he is also one of the chief forces protecting it from outside threats and ensuring it lives as long as possible.

What If...? Galactus Transformed Hulk? #1 will seemingly see Galactus empower the Hulk for one such mission - one that requires both Hulk's strength and Bruce Banner's genius. While Galactus may feed on the universe, killing billions of sentient beings each time he feasts, he is overall a force for good on the cosmic level. Galactus both protects the multiverse from outside threats and - once the current cycle of Marvel's reality ends - the energy he has collected will be unleashed, helping to birth the next 'cosmos.' Marvel is currently on its Ninth Cosmos, primarily because all the previous World-Eaters before Galactus (like his predecessor the Omnimax) were successful in their mission.

Marvel's summary makes it clear that Galactus may regret gifting so much power to the Hulk, and this could be because of the Jade Giant's links to a terrifying multiversal predator who exists to make sure that Galactus' ultimate purpose goes unfulfilled...

Hulk is connected to the most powerful force of evil in Marvel lore - one who is dedicated to fighting against Galactus' larger mission...

Hulk's Ultimate Form Stole Galactus' Power

The Breaker of Worlds Shows Hulk's True Connection to Galactus

In Al Ewing and Joe Bennett's Immortal Hulk, fans finally met the One-Below-All. This terrifying being that lives beneath the multiverse is an enemy of all life, and its grand plan was to take possession of the Hulk and use him to effectively steal Galactus' power. Fans saw the consequence in The Immortal Hulk #25, as Hulk became the Breaker of Worlds - a being who eradicated all life in the universe not to feed, but in order to bring the cycle of creation to a permanent end. Thankfully, that timeline was averted, but Hulk is still connected to the most powerful force of evil in Marvel lore - one who is dedicated to fighting against Galactus' larger mission.

Because of the One-Below-All, fans have seen Hulk's possessed body infused with the totality of Galactus' power, turning him into a gigantic world-killer who punches entire planets to dust. However, fans haven't seen the Hulk actually in control of the Power Cosmic, and that's what they're being offered in What If...? Galactus Transformed Hulk? #1. In fact, while a Silver Surfer Hulk is an awesome idea, it will almost be more interesting to see how Bruce Banner wields the Power Cosmic and the attendant ability to construct essentially anything his genius mind can dream up.

Galactus is about to turn the Hulk into his cosmic herald, resulting in an epic redesign, but if their history is anything to go by, the World-Eater should be very careful handing even a fraction of his power over to the Green Goliath.

What If...? Galactus Transformed Hulk? #1 is coming January 1, 2025.