How to Read World War Hulk in Order

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“World War Hulk” is one of Marvel Comics’ most riveting crossover events, featuring the Hulk at his very finest. The 2007 line-wide event follows the Hulk as he returns to Earth after an extended absence. With an army of Sakaraans, Hulk declares war on the Illuminati – who banished him several months earlier – and lays waste to New York City. Earth’s Mightiest Heroes are powerless to stop him, forced to capitulate to the strongest one there is.

As rumors heat up that the Marvel Cinematic Universe is looking to adapt “World War Hulk” in live-action (perhaps included in leaked concept art for Avengers: Doomsday), fans of the movies might want to check out the terrific comic event by Greg Pak and John Romita Jr. The expansive storyline is one of the easier Marvel events to get through, but it takes a guide for readers to know what to read and when (and what can be skipped).

Getting the Background on World War Hulk

Earlier Storylines Set Up World War Hulk

“World War Hulk” was many years in the making at Marvel Comics and, while catching up on the Hulk’s story leading up to the event isn’t strictly necessary, it enhances the experience of the 2007 crossover event. After the Hulk goes on a rampage causing significant destruction during the events of Fantastic Four #533-535, the Illuminati convenes to discuss what they should do about the raging monster in a special one-shot comic book.

The Illuminati ultimately decides that the safest way to protect the world from the Hulk’s rage is to shoot him off-world in a rocket ship–against his will. Tricked into boarding the spacecraft, the Hulk is infuriated by his newfound exile but powerless to return to Earth. Eventually, he lands on the distant planet of Sakaar, launching the “Planet Hulk” storyline.

“Planet Hulk” is a Hulk sci-fi story that can be found in Incredible Hulk (vol. 2) #92-105. Often considered one of the best Hulk storylines of all time, the arc follows the hero as he navigates his new surroundings on Sakaar, which the tyrannical Red Emperor rules. The Sakaraans are subjugated and forced to fight as gladiators for the Red Emperor’s amusement. However, the arrival of the Hulk gives the Sakaraans a champion to rally behind.

Initially, against his own will, the Hulk becomes the leader of a rebellion against the Red Emperor. Eventually, he and his Warbound (a group of warriors loyal to him that includes the likes of Korg, Miek, Caiera the Oldstrong, and others) overthrow the Red Emperor and the Hulk becomes the new leader of Sakaar. Hulk also grows more powerful after absorbing the radiation of his new planet for an extended period. All is looking well for the hero until the shuttle he arrived on blows up, killing his pregnant wife. Enraged, Hulk gathers his forces and declares war on the Illuminati, blaming them for the explosion.

World War Hulk Begins

The Hulk Arrives on Earth With an Army In This Epic First Chapter

“World War Hulk” officially begins on the moon when the Hulk and his army arrive at the home of the Inhumans in World War Hulk #1. There, Hulk easily defeats the leader of the Inhumans, Black Bolt, a member of the Illuminati. Transmitting a message to Black Bolt’s fellow Illuminati members, Hulk officially declares war on Earth until each individual responsible for his banishment is brought to justice. He and his forces arrive in Manhattan, and the invasion begins in full.

Initially, Hulk orders his soldiers to harm no civilians, though he does not limit the extensive damage they do to the city itself. Leaving New York in ruins, Hulk demands that the remaining members of the Illuminati be brought to him, promising to end the invasion once this is done. When Tony Stark mounts a daring defense, Hulk also defeats him, destroying Stark Tower in the process.

The first portion of “World War Hulk” follows several heroes trying to stave off the Hulk’s invasion. While readers can get away with only checking out the Hulk-centric titles, other supplementary issues tie into the larger story. Chief among these is World War Hulk: X-Men, a three-issue limited series that depicts the Hulk’s pursuit of Professor X, another member of the Illuminati.

Other tie-in issues feature the Hulk defeating an initial wave of Earth’s defenses, which include Ghost Rider (Ghost Rider vol. 6 #12-13) and a new team of gamma-radiated operatives known as the Gamma Corps (World War Hulk: Gamma Corps #1-4). Other heroes work to save the innocent people of New York from meeting an untimely end at the hands of the Hulk’s forces, as seen in Heroes for Hire (vol. 2) #11-13 and Irredeemable Ant-Man #10.

Audiences also get a better look at Tony Stark’s story during and after his battle with the Hulk in Iron Man (vol. 4) #19-20. Meanwhile, reporter Ben Urich begins to unravel the secrets behind a mysterious murder along with Korg, one of Hulk’s Warbound, in World War Hulk: Frontline #1.

The Hulk Defeats the Illuminati

The Hulk Hunts the Illuminati in a Mission of Revenge

After Hulk declares war on the Illuminati, he and his Warbound are faced with three major defensive forces that aim to stop the invasion before it begins in earnest (as found in World War Hulk #2-3). First, the New Avengers, Mighty Avengers, Black Panther, and Storm unite in an impressive defensive unit against the Hulk. However, even their combined strength is not enough to defeat the Hulk and his Warbound, who capture them all.

Next, General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross leads the United States army against the Warbound, which is also easily put down. Finally, a desperate Doctor Strange, the last remaining member of the Illuminati, allows himself to be possessed by Zom. This demonic entity gave him the power to defeat the Hulk (during the events of The Incredible Hulk #111). However, he falls as well, leaving Earth without any further defenders. As revenge for the pain he suffered, Hulk declares that the captured members of the Illuminati will be forced to fight in a gladiatorial arena, just as he was forced to fight on Sakaar.

The supplementary issues of this segment of “World War Hulk” are not as vital to the overall story but still help expand the crossover in interesting ways. While Ben Urich and Korg continue to investigate a strange murder in World War Hulk: Frontline #2, the few remaining heroes of Earth continue to fight the Hulk’s forces.

The Punisher gets involved in Punisher: War Journal (vol. 2) #12, and even the young heroes at the Initiative jump into the fray in Avengers: The Initiative #4-5. Through all these stories, one thing becomes increasingly clear: the Hulk’s invasion of Earth has been successful.

World War Hulk Ends

Things Come to an Epic Climax in a Twist-Filled Ending

The explosive end of “World War Hulk” occurs in World War Hulk #4-5. After converting Madison Square Garden into a massive gladiator arena, the Hulk forces the Illuminati to fight giant aliens. When they emerge victorious (barely), Hulk commands them to fight each other to the death. He promises to leave Earth once their fight is complete.

However, things take an additional turn when the Sentry, an old friend of Hulk’s and one of the most powerful beings in the galaxy, arrives. Sentry and Hulk engage in an epic battle that leaves New York City in ruins. The fight proves exhausting enough for Bruce Banner to emerge for the first time in months, appalled by the Hulk’s actions. However, the Hulk re-emerges when Banner is attacked by Miek, leading to the death of Rick Jones.

In the finale of the “World War Hulk” storyline, Hulk attacks his own Warbound in anger at the death of his old friend. Then, Miek reveals that it was not the Illuminati who orchestrated the explosion of the Hulk’s shuttle. Rather, it was a group of Red Emperor loyalists whom Miek had allowed to do their wicked deed in hopes that it would trigger the Hulk’s conquest.

Appalled by Miek’s manipulation, the Hulk grows angrier than ever before, becoming powerful enough to destroy Earth itself. Thankfully, Tony Stark’s weaponized satellites finally bring him down, shooting him with lasers until he falls unconscious. Hulk and the surviving members of the Warbound are all taken into custody, and their invasion officially ends.

World War Hulk’s Aftermath

World War Hulk Left the World Forever Changed

Though the invasion ends in World War Hulk #5, the story continues in several additional series that help flesh out the aftereffects of the Hulk’s actions. World War Hulk: Aftersmash: Warbound #1-5 follows the remaining members of the Hulk’s Warbound as they escape imprisonment and search for a new purpose. They grapple with the emotional events of the invasion, which saw several of their members die and ended in a major betrayal by their friend Miek.

Meanwhile, Hercules teams up with Amadeus Cho to take over the Hulk’s ongoing title (which is temporarily renamed The Incredible Hercules) beginning in issue #112. Damage Control (vol. 4) #1-3 deals with the massive clean-up effort in New York City after the invasion.

Things slowly start to go back to normal for the regular people of the world, though they will remain ever-haunted by how quickly their defenses fell against the enraged Hulk. Thus, “World War Hulk” comes to an official end with the Hulk locked away in a high-security bunker and the Illuminati utterly shattered.

What to Read After World War Hulk

There Are Plenty of Comics to Continue Reading If You Liked World War Hulk

Comic fans who enjoyed “World War Hulk” have plenty of options for further reading once they finish the epic crossover event. The end of “World War Hulk” features the introduction of Skaar, Hulk’s son, who was thought to have perished in the womb during the initial explosion that led to the invasion of Earth. He stars in his own series, Skaar: Son of Hulk, which follows his early adventures and eventually brings him to Earth in search of his father.

Skaar: Son of Hulk eventually leads to the 2010 crossover storyline, “World War Hulks.” This sequel shakes up the Marvel Universe in several major ways. Among the most prominent moments in this crossover is the introduction of the Red Hulk, who is later revealed as Thaddeus Ross. World War Hulk paid off years of storytelling while setting up future storylines that elevated the franchise.

“}]] World War Hulk is one of the best crossovers in Marvel Comics, but it’s difficult to read the entire storyline. Here’s your comprehensive guide.  Read More