Despite saving the galaxy multiple times, Hulk. As the Avengers and the world fall to a spreading alien disease, Groot is left with only one ally - the Hulk. Opinionated and frequently bored, Hulk hopes for the chance to team up with Rocket while revealing the Green Goliath’s personal nickname for the feral inventor.

Marvel Zombies: Dawn of Decay (by Thomas Krajewski, Jason Muhr, Rachelle Rosenberg and Travis Lanham) is Marvel’s newest miniseries that subjects Earth’s mightiest heroes to a seemingly unstoppable virus responsible for turning its victims into zombies. Groot was the first to contract this unknown virus and spread it to the Avengers. One by one, every Avenger, except the resilient Hulk, fell to the virus, leaving only Groot and the Hulk unturned.

Now, the two must work together to cure the Avengers and save the world, but the Green Goliath isn't happy with his ally, objecting that, "Groot bores Hulk. Where Space Skunk? Space Skunk funny."

Move Over "Trash Panda" - Hulk Names Rocket "Space Skunk"

Marvel Zombies: Dawn of Decay - Writing by Thomas Krajewski, Art by Jason Muhr, Colors by Rachelle Rosenberg, Letters by Travis Lanham

Throughout the first issue of this new miniseries, as well as the new preview for issue #2, Hulk repeatedly refers to Rocket Raccoon as a "Space Skunk." Rocket's unfamiliarity with Earth has long allowed his Guardians of the Galaxy teammates to get away with branding him a 'Trash Panda' but Hulk goes further by picking a far more reviled mammal. This Hulk is Bruce Banner's 'Savage Hulk' persona, who has the perspective of a child. It therefore makes sense he'd crave some sort of chaotic amusement - something that Rocket is known for causing.

Hulk and Rocket actually go back even further than Rocket and Groot by a matter of decades.

Rocket has undergone a lot of name changes over the years, from Mammal-Thing to his chosen codename of Star-Sheriff, however "Space Skunk" is definitely the most insulting. Indeed, it's made all the worse because Hulk genuinely enjoys Rocket's company, finding a talking raccoon as amusing as a child would. While being insulted is one thing, being genuinely seen as a figure of fun is another. However, Rocket may be willing to forgive Hulk because of their surprising connection...

Hulk Has a Surprising History with Rocket Raccoon

Rocket Debuted Alongside the Green Goliath

Rocket Raccoon's first canonical appearance was in 1982's The Incredible Hulk #271. In the story, Hulk finds himself on Rocket's home of Halfworld, where Rocket recruits the Jade Giant to take on the villainous Judson Jakes. This adventure means that Hulk and Rocket actually go back even further than Rocket and Groot, with Bruce Banner's alter-ego helping Rocket in his original mission to safeguard Halfworld. Now, 42 years later, Hulk and Rocket Raccoon meet again - although thanks to the "Space Skunk" nickname, Rocket would likely have been happy to wait a few more decades before reuniting.

Marvel Zombies: Dawn of Decay #2 is available October 9 from Marvel Comics.