Warning: contains preview images for Hulk vs. Thor: Banner of War Alpha!
In 2017’s Thor: Ragnarok, Thor fought the Hulk in a spectacular gladiatorial combat match, and in a preview for Hulk vs Thor: Banner of War Alpha, the two titans are headed for a rematch in Marvel Comics. The forthcoming mini-series, released to help celebrate the two characters 60th anniversaries, will see Hulk, now in his uber-powerful Starship Hulk mode, go toe-to-toe with the God of Thunder. The first issue goes on sale in print and digital April 27.
Thor: Ragnarok is a beloved entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. A key plot point in that film was a gladiatorial match between Thor and the Hulk, orchestrated by the Grandmaster on Sakaar; the Hulk had been the Grandmaster’s champion for the previous two years, defeating many a powerful warrior. Thor and the Hulk worked together to not only foil the Grandmaster but stop Hela from destroying all creation. The film is epic, and memorable scenes such as Thor and Hulk’s fight endured it to fans. Now, Donny Cates, who currently writes both Thor and Hulk’s ongoing series, will bring the two back together for another showdown—and now Thor must contend with Starship Hulk—the Jade Giant’s most powerful form to date. Cates will be joined by illustrator Martin Coccolo for Banner of War: Alpha #1; the book will feature a cover by legendary Hulk illustrator Gary Frank.
The unlettered preview shared below shows Starship Hulk and Thor locked in combat in an arena on a distant world. A motley group of aliens, including Uatu the Watcher (eating popcorn) are cheering the combatants on. The fight rages back and forth, with neither Hulk or Thor seeming to get the upper hand.
The preview contained no dialogue, nor context on why Thor is fighting the Hulk. It does invoke, however, memories of their epic showdown in Thor: Ragnarok, only now, Thor is fighting what might be the most powerful version of the Hulk yet, a Hulk whose body Banner is molded into a living starship, fueled by anger and rage. So far, Starship Hulk has torn through every obstacle in his way; in one memorable instance, he utterly annihilated an extra-dimensional team of heroes, shredding through them as if they were tissue paper. Thor himself has been the recipient of power upgrades recently, and he will need all of them for the fight ahead. Thor has proven more than a match for the Hulk in the past, and Hulk has taken Thor to the mat on several occasions; now two of Marvel’s most powerful heroes are set to throw down once again.
Thor: Ragnarok’s epic clash between Thor and the Hulk was one of the most memorable scenes in the film, and the entire MCU, and now the two are having a rematch in a preview for Hulk vs Thor: Banner of War: Alpha.