Warning: Spoilers for What If...? Galactus Transformed Hulk? #1Hulk. While he's dreamed up incredible ideas to stop some of Marvel's most terrifying enemies in their tracks, his Hulkbuster design has continually failed despite repeated updates. Now, after years of toying with the design, Tony has finally crafted a successful Hulkbuster suit capable of meeting the green giant's punch.

What If…? Galactus Transformed Hulk? #1 by Mat Groom and Lan Medina explores a potential timeline where the Hulk is selected as Galactus’ herald. The vast amounts of power the Devourer’s heralds are granted, combined with Hulk’s immense existing strength and durability, create an absolute behemoth.

Fortunately, Tony is finally ready to meet him head on. By upgrading the Hulkbuster with "cosmic harness" technology that he apparently confiscated from Doom, Iron Man is impervious to the Silver Hulk's energy blast and meets his ultra-powerful punch with one of equal force. It's been twenty years since the original Hulkbuster was introduced, and Tony Stark has finally perfected the design.

Iron Man’s Latest Hulkbuster Armor Is as Strong as a Cosmic-Level Hulk

What If…? Galactus Transformed Hulk? #1 by Mat Groom, Lan Medina, Juancho Velez, and Travis Lanham

Galactus' Silver Hulk is doubtlessly one of the strongest versions of the character, as his own natural abilities are amplified considerably by the World Devourer's Power Cosmic. He's quick to demonstrate his god-like skill against the Avengers when they confront him during preparations for Galactus. Not only does he effortlessly take out Captain Marvel by absorbing her cosmic energy, he uses the resulting blast against Vision. The short-lived battle proves how strong the new Hulkbuster is, that it can stand against him. It still isn't enough to secure a win for Tony, but it comes closer than any other version of the armor.

Iron Man has crafted suits to fight Sentinels and face down the giant Fin Fang Foom, but taking on the chosen herald of Galactus is a different game entirely. Silver Hulk faces a Hulkbuster model that combines everything Tony has learned about energy absorption and resistance, wrapped up in a design that is visually reminiscent of the original Hulkbuster. When Tony pulls out any version of this armor, disappointment is soon to follow, but he's finally on the right track after two decades of tinkering. Unfortunately, since this timeline is hypothetical, the "real" Tony still has a long way to go.

Iron Man Doesn’t Need the Hulkbuster to Stop the Hulk

Tony Stark Defeats the Hulk Another Way

Tony's new Hulkbuster put on an impressive show (compared to its predecessors), even if it failed to fully overpower the Hulk. Iron Man's honesty and regret concerning how Bruce Banner was chosen as a herald is enough to turn the tides of the fight instead, meaning that the armor is only in use for a brief time before it becomes irrelevant. It was still in the field long enough to prove what Tony could do with new technology. By using Doom's "cosmic harness," Iron Man created a version of his iconic Hulkbuster armor strong enough to stand against Galactus' cosmically-powered Silver Hulk.

What If…? Galactus Transformed Hulk? #1 is available now from Marvel Comics.