Infernal Hulk, The (2026 series) #5

Bruce and Betty attend the funeral of their co-worker Nettie’s son Tommy, killed when the Infernal Hulk overran his army base. As Nettie weeps over the coffin, the preacher states that Tommy represent what no monster can touch, something incorruptible….

In Cincinnati, Infernal Hulk leads his/her monster horde over one of the bridges spanning the Ohio River. The Avengers arrive in a Quinjet but before they can pursue any action, the glowing figure of the One Above All descends to take on His ancient enemy, the Eldest. The two fight and One Above All knocks Hulk into the river but Hulk leaps back and tears off the glowing outer covering of One Above All, exposing an angelic form. While they battle, Hulk/Eldest taunts her opponent with being only the slave of the true One Above All who responds that as the One’s avatar, he is effectively His being. Infernal Hulk tears the avatar apart and leaps away. Witnessing this, Iron Man says that it didn’t go their way but they do have one thing they didn’t have before….

In hiding, Bruce Banner is satisfied that he and Betty are safe there but Betty is concerned for their friend Nettie, mourning the death of her son. She intends to check on her, dismissing Bruce’s selfish comment. Bruce goes with her, apologizing; they hear a scream from Nettie’s house and burst in to find Tommy’s mutilated corpse has come home to see his mama. Bruce attacks it and is slammed across the room. Tommy seizes Betty, jerking her away from Mama. Bruce sets Tommy on fire and it leaps screaming from the home. Betty assures Nettie that the invader wasn’t Tommy while Bruce decides that nowhere is safe and he has to go back….