One of the biggest questions that Avengers 4 has to answer is the one regarding the status of the Hulk and the nature of his relationship with body co-host Bruce Banner. An aspect of what many consider to be the main issue with Infinity War is that it only feels like half a movie. In particular, the Hulk and Bruce Banner arc seems to get waylaid, with them both “agreeing to disagree” over when and if “Hulk Smash” is still an option for Banner.
After some sterling character development in Thor: Ragnarok, Hulk’s beating at the hands of Thanos in Infinity War gave him a degree of performance anxiety and he was never to be seen again. Judging by what’s reportedly new concept art though, the character bears a resemblance to his Professor Hulk persona, teasing a possible meeting halfway between the two sides.
Check it out for yourself in the gallery below:
Smaller in stature, more human in facial structure and somewhere between Banner and Hulk in both physicality and intelligence, perhaps this is the compromise that the pair have come to. Readers of the comic books will know that Professor Hulk came about after a series of psychological dabblings – which we won’t get into here – allowed both Banner and the big green guy to occupy the same body.
This new arrangement would no doubt give the Hulk a more strategic approach in battle, which may prove advantageous during the next confrontation with the Mad Titan. Plus, there’ll be plenty more Hulk figures to market, so it’s really a win-win.
There’s lots more of interest in the artwork too, including a beardless Cap, a more traditionally suited Captain Marvel and an un-Ronin-esque Hawkeye, but we’ll have to wait and see how much of it actually ends up on screen when Avengers 4 opens big next May.
