Hellverine #6: Unleashing the Hell Hulk!

So it has come to this.

Marvel is taking its Hellverine series to the next inventive level by introducing the clawed Spirit of Vengeance’s own Hell Hulk for an intriguing matchup that first showcased the iconic Wolverine back in 1974.

Arriving in May’s Hellverine #6, authored by Benjamin Percy and illustrated by Rafaelle Ienco, the Hell Hulk is linked to a clandestine government organization known as ‘Challenge Hellfire’—yet his human identity remains a mystery. Additionally, it is still uncertain whether Challenge Hellfire has any ties to the X-Men’s enduring foes, the Hellfire Club, though that seems unlikely for now.

Here is a collection of covers for Hellverine #6 featuring Akihiro battling the freshly named Hell Hulk, including the main cover by Kendrick ‘Kunkka’ Lim, the variant cover by Chris Campana, and the Hell Hulk character design crafted by series artist Rafaelle Ienco:

“Project Hellfire is a covert initiative focused on researching and advancing the science and technology derived from Hell. Their laboratories—situated deep underground the Pentagon, in a facility known as the Pentangle—have uncovered something alarming,” explains writer Benjamin Percy. “Worldwide, in hidden areas, individuals are being pushed to violent fury, posing a danger to themselves and others. An investigation indicates that a common element ties these incidents together: the appearance of the HELL HULK, a creature emitting infectious waves of infernal energy. A broader scheme is beginning to surface, and only Hellverine can decipher its significance and halt a demonic plot that jeopardizes the planet.”

“Creating new mythologies for the Marvel Universe in Hellverine has been incredibly rewarding,” Percy adds. “There exists an entire world beneath this one, complete with laboratories, monuments, missions, and its own distinct characters, and readers are discovering all of this alongside Akihiro. We introduced the fiery hybrid of Ghost Rider and Wolverine known as Hellverine. Now we’re adding more elements to play with in this fiery sandbox, featuring the Hell Hulk, who, unsurprisingly, comes with a BIG story to accompany his explosive introduction.”

Marvel has a tradition of combining variations of its most popular characters, as seen with the titular Hellverine, who is Logan’s son Akihiro reincarnated as a Spirit of Vengeance. The pairing of Hulk and Ghost Rider is a new venture, though—at this juncture, something extraordinary is undeniably underway.