Warning: contains spoilers for Ultimate Invasion #2!The evil version of Hulk as the perfect hero. The Maker, an evil variant of Reed Richards from the Ultimate Universe, is using time travel to create his own perfect universe, with heroes he can control. Richards’ plan is working great, having already snuffed out Spider-Man, and in Ultimate Invasion #2 readers meet the Legendary Hulk, who has all the character’s best qualities, such as strength, but without his rage-fueled rampages.
Ultimate Invasion #2 is written by Jonathan Hickman, drawn by Bryan Hitch, inked by Andrew Currie, colored by Alex Sinclair and lettered by Joe Caramagna. The issue opens with the Maker recounting his plans for this Earth: he has prevented the Fantastic Four from being created and stranded Thor on Asgard under Loki's rule. However, he acknowledges that some events are necessary, as the scene cuts away to Bruce Banner being caught in a gamma explosion. Later, the Maker decides to open up his “city” to the rest of the world, throwing a huge gala party. Dignitaries from many countries walk the red carpet, including a unique variant of the Hulk. Hailed as the legendary Hulk, this version is gray and bald, wearing long, flowing robes and flanked by acolytes. This shocking new variant has seemingly mastered Zen meditation, redirecting his anger into enlightenment.
Hulk Has Finally Found Peace
This new incarnation of the Hulk may be the most surprising yet - and it is all thanks to the Maker. In Ultimate Invasion #1, the Maker escaped from his prison (created by the original Reed Richards), and built a machine to find the perfect universe. In the epilogue to that issue, the Maker implemented his plan by catching the radioactive spider that was destined to give Spider-Man his powers. The Maker is running an experiment, to create a world where his will is undisputed. The Legendary Hulk is seemingly a callback to the iconic Ultimate Hulk vs Wolverine, where Bruce Banner retreated to Tibet to try and find inner peace, but was tracked down by Logan (working as Nick Fury's agent.) In the Maker's new reality, it seems Banner was allowed to continue this quest, with surprisingly effective results.
This Is the Hulk the Maker Wants
The Maker took great care in influencing the outcome of this universe; preventing Spider-Man from being created was just the opening salvo in the Maker’s quest. However, he did not stop the gamma bomb that created the Hulk from detonating, implying that he has plans for Bruce Banner’s new alter-ego. The Maker knew from experience that the Hulk is always a wild card, and he can throw serious spanners into the works. The Hulk is powered by anger and rage, so the Maker had the foresight to curb those qualities, seemingly turning Hulk into the leader of his own splinter religion, the Enlightened Children of the Holy Light. In short, the Maker now has a version of the Hulk he can control.
The Legendary Hulk may be the evil Reed Richards' greatest accomplishment. The Earth 616-Hulk has long sought to control his anger and rage, to varying degrees of success; and with the help of pretty much everyone from Doctor Strange to Charles Xavier. Sometimes, he has been successful, merging the Hulk’s brute strength with his considerable intelligence. More often than not however, he has failed, losing control of the monster and bringing disaster wherever he goes. It is highly ironic that an evil Reed Richards found the solution; channeling the Hulk’s anger into a more constructive end. The Hulk has a new, perfect form - but one that is also calibrated to the desires of the amoral Reed Richards who warped an entire reality, setting himself up as the tyrannical ruler of an entire universe.
Ultimate Invasion #2 is on sale now from Marvel Comics!
