Warning: Contains Spoilers for the Incredible Hulk #16
Marvel’s latestIncredibleHulkhas surprised readers by introducing the Marvel Universe’s chronological first Hulk, one that has a fascinating connection to an existingAvengerscharacter. Though Marvel is best known for its reinterpretation of Norse mythology, this latest arc takes readers all the way back to the first recorded story in history, the Epic of Gilgamesh.
The Incredible Hulk#16 – written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, with art by Danny Earls – offers readers more background on thehistory of the Hulk’s powers, pushing them far beyond their gamma radiation origins into the realm of the mythological.
The issue established thatEnkidu – the companion of Gilgamesh, who himself is a Marvel character and Avengers member – was the first Hulk, typing one of the world’s oldest myths into modern Marvel canon.
The Surprising Real-World Origins Of The Hulk’s Secret Marvel Universe History
The Incredible Hulk#16 – Written By Phillip Kennedy Johnson; Art By Danny Earls; Color By Matt Wilson & Dee Cunniffe; Lettering By Corey Petit
With famous legendary characters like Thor and Loki, it’s not surprising thatMarvel would reveal its first Hulk is based on an actual legend.Enkidu was a half-human warrior figure in the stories of Babylon and Akkadia, known for his being raised in the wilds and among the animals there. As such, he was often, as inThe Invincible Hulk,referred to as the Bull-Man of Akkadia, not only for his fantastic strength previously unseen before by humans, but also due to his disfigured form that made him look like a hybrid of man and beast.
In the realEpic of Gilgamesh, Enkidu was a half-human warrior, known for his being raised in the wilds and among the animals there, who became the best friend of Gilgamesh. It was Enkidu’s tragic demise that led Gilgamesh to undertake his famous quest to achieve immortality – something that Marvel Universe version of the character was successful at.
It is no wonder that the Hulk is famously immortal, considering the main story of Enkidu and Gilgamesh had to do with the quest for immortality. Enkidu’s death was a grim one, and his friend Gilgamesh went on one of the first mythological quests as a result. Now, one of humanity’s oldest stories is echoed in the modern mythology of comic books,as the present-day Hulk follows in the footsteps of the legendary animal-men of the past, culling monsters and achieving immortality.
The Marvel Universe Version Of Gilgamesh Is Already An Avenger
First Appearance:Eternals#13 – Written & Illustrated By Jack Kirby
The fascinating thing about Enkidu’s revelation asthe first Hulk in Marvel continuityis that his friend Gilgamesh, the ancient king of Uruk, has been a character in the Marvel Universe for decades already. Also known as “the Forgotten One,” Gilgamesh was introduced in Jack Kirby’sEternalsin 1977, and as subsequently made off-and-on appearances since then, including stints serving with the Avengers. This makesIncredible Hulk#16’s reimagining of Hulk lore even more exciting, and suggests more could be done with these characters in the future.
As an Avenger, Gilgamesh fully embraces his Mesopotamian heritage by draping himself in the hide of the Bull of Heaven, just as the character is often depicted in ancient art.
Gilgamesh is a hero outside of time, thousands of years old, and as such, a piece of the puzzle that spans generations of Hulk lore. As an Avenger, Gilgamesh fully embraces his Mesopotamian heritage by draping himself in the hide of the Bull of Heaven, just as the character is often depicted in ancient art.Readers are already speculating whether he will play into the Hulk’s story at all, as he would be able to provide Bruce Banner more aptly with the Hulk’s lineage,the origin of which he witnessed.
Marvel’s New Hulk Mythology Established Bruce Banner As The Latest In A Long Line Of Hulks
Enkidu’s Introduction As The First Hulk Is A Massive Change
This Bull-Man of Akkadia completes the Hulk’s lore in a satisfying way. The Mother of Horrors is being raised back to power by the Eldest, andthis being is the Hulk’s evil opposite, considering they are monsters of different kinds. Only, she is arriving for destruction and conquest, and the Hulk is one of earth’s greatest defenders. Their battle has been timeless, as witnessed inThe Hulk #16,showing Enkidu’s first tussle with her powers in a way that makesBruce Banner more of an avatar of a cosmic force than just a punch-happy superhero with an anger problem.
“One of the Most Powerful Creatures on Earth”: Hulk Shakes Up Marvel’s Power Rankings by Debuting a God-Tier New Rival
The Incredible Hulk is about to debut a new god-tier villain that’s described as an immortal wolf-demon who may shake up Marvel’s power rankings.
As more and more of Hulk’s history comes to light, with connections to human history and the oldest tales told in human mythology, the fight between good monsters and bad monsters will show an immortal conflict as immortal as the Hulk. Bruce Banner is the current avatar of this green flame, and though the Eldest is back after Enkidu’s defeat, the Hulk plans to slay her master the Mother of Horrors for good.With deep lore connecting history of humans to theAvengers,this cosmicHulkis swiftly reaching his peak - and honoring his ancestors along the way.
Hulk
The Hulk, a Marvel Comics superhero created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, is physicist Bruce Banner transformed by gamma radiation. He morphs into a giant, green-skinned creature of immense strength and invulnerability when angered. Struggling with his transformations, Hulk allies with other heroes, battling villains while balancing his intellect with uncontrollable rage, making him a central figure in Marvel’s universe.
