In Immortal Hulk, writer Al Ewing has thrust the titular character against classic foes and frenemies from his past. The Immortal Hulk title reads like a love letter to classic Hulk stories from the 80s and 90s, namely those from Peter David’s seminal run with the character. Now, the ending of Immortal Hulk #42 reveals an underrated team of supervillains known as the U-Foes are Hulk’s next opponents.
The U-Foes are a team of villains comprised of Vector (Simon Utrecht), Ironclad (Mike Steel), Vapor (Ann Darnell), and X-Ray (Jimmy Darnell). The team is essentially a villainous version of the Fantastic Four. Their origin story features them purposely bombarding themselves with cosmic energy to gain superpowers. Unfortunately for the villainous pastiches, Bruce Banner interferes with their plan and Hulk sends them packing. For most fans, the U-Foes are an afterthought; B-list villains for the Avengers or Hulk to thrash. However, the team’s ripoff jobber status might end.
In previews for Immortal Hulk #43, it’s teased the U-Foes may kill Hulk. Such a solicitation is nothing new in the comic book world, the ‘what if’ is an easy way to sell a few extra copies. But under correct circumstances, the U-Foes could actually kill the Immortal Hulk. Many fans forget that during the Siege crossover event the U-Foes destroyed the Marvel Universe’s version of Soldier Field and took point during Osborn’s invasion of Asgard. Soldier Field's destruction alone caused enough mayhem and chaos to make Norman Osborn and the God of Mischief himself, Loki, proud.
Recently, unscrupulous government director Henry Gyrich gained control of Gamma Flight, a team that monitors and captures gamma mutates. Gyrich relieves Gamma Flight and replaces them with the U-Foes as the latest government-backed superhumans tasked with taking down the Hulk. It is a callback to the first time the U-Foes became government-sponsored, previously serving during the original Civil War storyline to atone for their crimes, and participating in the aforementioned Siege of Asgard - where they held their own against Thor himself. As powerful as Hulk is, he’s not invincible - and the U-Foes pack just enough firepower to get the job done. Ironclad is nowhere near as strong as Hulk, but his metallic skin is exceptionally durable, allowing him to stand toe-to-toe with Banner. Vector’s telekinetic blasts can injure Hulk and disintegrate his skin. Vapor can transform her body into the most poisonous gases in existence. X-Ray possesses perhaps the most lethal power of all, as his ability to bombard opponents with radiation means he can potentially strike the Hulk with so much gamma energy the green giant reverts into Bruce Banner. The U-Foes are not a mere bootleg Fantastic Four, they're powerful characters in their own right.
The Hulk is a walking Weapon of Mass Destruction and one of the most powerful beings in the Marvel Universe. But one should that even the Hulk has his limits. Furthermore, Bruce Banner has not exactly been in the best of spirits lately. The Leader took over the body of the powerful Green Scar persona, and seemingly killed the Devil Hulk - a Hulk alter with possibly the most direct connection to the One-Below-All. With two of the most powerful incarnations of the Hulk gone, and Banner himself being tormented within his psyche by The Leader, the U-Foes may defeat the Immortal Hulk and find themselves thrust into infamy within the world of Marvel Comics soon.
