AIPT Comics Phillip Kennedy Johnson talks Infernal Hulk, Marvel exclusivity, and Dungeons of Doom
We talk all things Infernal Hulk, from why this era of Hulk is finally colliding with the wider Marvel Universe to how Johnson has reshaped Bruce Banner’s world into a Southern Gothic monster epic rooted in Marvel lore. Along the way, we get into the X-Men crossover, the Living City, Dungeons of Doom, his new Marvel exclusive deal, and the bigger plans quietly building beneath the surface of his Hulk run. If you’ve been following Incredible Hulk or wondering where this whole infernal saga is heading, this is the conversation you’ll want to hear.
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NEWS
- Spider-Man, Hulk, and Punisher collide in Jonathan Hickman’s new Marvel event series
- Bishop scores new solo miniseries starting June 2026
- Marvel reveals new ‘Spider-Man/Superman’ #1 covers and interior art too
- Venom Unleashed news!
- Exclusive: Read the full first issue of 'The Untamed' as Stranger Comics reveals Emerald City Comic Con exclusives
Our Top Books of the Week:
Dave:
- Amazing Spider-Man #23 (Joe Kelly, Ed McGuinness)
- Lands Unknown: The Skinless Man #1 (Ben Stenbeck)
Chris:
- Cult of the Lamb: Last Sacrament Special #1 (Alex Paknadel, Troy Little)
- Narco #1 (Doug Wagner, Daniel Hillyard)
Standout KAPOW moment of the week:
Chris: Cult of the Lamb: Last Sacrament Special #1 (Alex Paknadel, Troy Little)
Dave: DC K.O. #5 (Scott Snyder, Javier Fernandez)
TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK
- Chris: Tigress Island #1 (Patrick Kindlon, EPHK)
- Dave: Assorted Crisis Events #9 (Deniz Camp, Eric Zawadzki)
JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.
- Dave: Absolute Batman #18 (TONS of retailer covers but going with Dexter Soy)
- Chris: Logan: Black, White & Blood #3 (Chris Campana Variant)
Interview: Phillip Kennedy Johnson
1. On Horror as Hulk’s Natural State
With Infernal Hulk, you’ve fully repositioned Hulk as a horror icon rather than just a force of destruction. What makes horror such a natural lens for this character, and what aspects of Bruce and Hulk feel newly unlocked for you in that genre?
2. On Marvel Exclusivity & Timing
You’re now officially Marvel exclusive while also wrapping up Book of El at DC. Creatively, what does this moment represent for you? Does going exclusive feel like narrowing your focus, or opening up the sandbox in a bigger way?
3. On Bruce Without the Monster
One of the smartest pivots in this run has been stripping Bruce away from the Hulk and forcing him to watch the consequences. What fascinates you most about Bruce when he’s powerless and confronted with what the Hulk becomes without him?
4. On Writing Other Heroes Judging Bruce
You’ve written the wider Marvel Universe reacting to Bruce in a way that feels tense, even cruel at times. Why was it important that the heroes not simply rally around him?
6. On the Living City Concept
The Living City feels mythic, grotesque, and operatic all at once. What inspired that setting, and how important is it that Hulk’s world now feels almost biblical in scope?
7. On INFERNAL HULK #7 and the X-Men
In issue #7, Hulk exerts mysterious control over mutantkind and draws them into the Living City. That’s a bold escalation. What makes the X-Men the right foil for this version of Hulk, and how does their connection to identity and mutation complicate what Eldest is doing?
7. You and Ben Percy are both playing in Marvel’s darker corners right now, and “Dungeons of Doom” has that same horror-forward energy we’re seeing in Infernal Hulk. What’s it been like working alongside Ben in shaping that space, and how do you make sure your vision of horror and mythic stakes complements rather than overlaps with what he’s building?
8. Fun Silly Question
If Eldest decided to build the perfect army out of Marvel characters purely based on vibes, who would absolutely make the cut… and who would Eldest reject immediately for being “bad monster material”?
9. Any other projects you’d like to plug?