Return to Planet Hulk (2025 series) #1

On Sakaar, Hulk a/k/a the Green Scar has escaped from the arena and led the other gladiators and a crowd of citizens out into the wild. But a cynic among the group of refugees questions whether Green Scar is out for anyone but himself. They are all hungry but Hulk isn’t there so, despite Korg’s warning, the cynic and some henchmen enter the Twisted Wood looking for game. They are attacked by a giant beast so the cynic leads it back toward the camp, hoping the gladiators there can kill it, without any concern for the civilian refugees. Then Hulk appears and beats the monster to death. Hulk reminds them that the woods belong to the monsters, not the people. The dead monster’s flesh is revealed to be poisonous and so no good for feeding the group. Then it is noticed that the Hulk’s spilled blood is going into vines and he is hailed as the Sakaarson, the plant’s prophesied savior. Hulk recalls how the Silver Surfer said Hulk may be the Sakaarson, the savior, or the Worldbreaker, the promised destroyer. Considering his past, Hulk rejects that idea but a little dude pricks Hulk’s leg with a blade to generate more vegetation; Hulk must be restrained from killing the man and so he runs off in a rage….

Hulk flees deep into the Twisted Woods, fighting giant spider-like creatures, and he jabs a hole in the ground, releasing lava to create a barrier the spiders can’t cross. Hulk intends to settle there where he can be alone, not trying to meet anyone’s expectations. Then he is attacked by several Wildebots, feral machines. Hulk smashes them all but a badly damaged one tells Hulk, “The flesh always wants to fight,” indicating the people have turned the valley into a deadly wilderness. But Hulk’s spilled blood grows into vines and a swarm of small furry creatures emerge to feed on the plants. The bot fires a spear at the creatures but Hulk intercepts it, the spear piecing his hand. The bot points out that all flesh hate Hulk and want to feed on him yet he saved them. Then Hiroim, Korg, and Miek arrive, calling to the Green Scar. Miek praises Hulk, calling him back to the refugee group and the cynical bot mocks him, calling the idea of unity and heroism a false dream. Pondering the bot’s words, Hulk returns with his team to face his destiny….