- Written by: Greg Pak
- Art by: Carlo Pagulayan, Jason Paz, Roberto Poggi, Oren Junior
- Colors by: Chris Sotomayor
- Letters by: VC’s Cory Petit
- Cover art by: Carlo Pagulayan, Jason Paz, Neeraj Menon (cover A)
- Cover price: $4.99
- Release date: October 8, 2025
Return to Planet Hulk #1, by @Marvel on 10/8/25, opens once again on the war-torn surface of Sakaar and the legend of the Green Scar. Hulk might be the hero these refugees need, but the question lingers: Will smashing be enough this time?
First Impressions
The issue bursts with brutal energy and wild visuals, showcasing strength, desperation, and hero worship with delicious color. All the characters leap off the page, chiseled by Carlo Pagulayan’s art and shaded with a punchy palette. Still, by the final smash, the story seems lost in its own rubble, looking for something to do.
Plot Analysis
The survivors of Sakaar are on the run again, hungry and desperate, as stories of the Green Scar flare among the refugees and gladiators. Hulk – now revered by many and resented by some – leads the way, promising food and safety, while old warriors debate whether legends are worth dying hungry for. Tensions break when monsters and bots bear down on the camp, forcing Hulk and his motley crew into a fight that’s equal parts chaos and survival. Hulk’s blood, spilled in the skirmish, gives rise to miraculous vines, sparking new talk of Hulk as “Sakaarson,” a savior tied to prophecy. The narrative cycles through doubts, rivalries, memories, and bewilderment – all seen through slugfests and snarky asides, but mostly ricochets between bickering survivors and Hulk’s personal struggle with what kind of legend he ought to be. Even as the dust settles, the only clarity is that Hulk would rather be smashing than leading, and that the universe never lets him just be alone.
Writing
Greg Pak’s script leans into lore and legacy, blending big feelings with rough humor and crowd chatter. Dialogue is lively and sometimes witty, but the plot wanders into a maze of old grudges and prophecies without much fresh momentum, never quite answering the question of what everyone’s supposed to be fighting for besides more smashing.
Art
Carlo Pagulayan’s pencils are a knockout: every fist, vine, and explosion packs a punch. Chris Sotomayor’s colors amplify the grit and emotion. Sakaar’s wasteland pulses with reds and greens, and every Hulk moment lands some visual magic. The layouts flow smoothly and stage every brawl with lively choreography.
Characters
Hulk, Miek, Korg, and assorted refugees all get a moment to shine, thanks to sharp visual character work. Faces brim with attitude and sorrow. Hulk himself is almost mythic – a mountain of muscle struggling with a messiah complex. The ensemble’s dialogue pops, even while the story gives them little to aim for outside surviving the day.
Positives
The art is the explosive heart of the issue; Pagulayan brings Hulk and Sakaar to life with wild detail and raw cinematic energy. Every character feels distinct, animated by expressive ink and color. The banter and personality spill off the page, making every scene visually memorable.
Negatives
The plot itself is more lost than angry, built on old prophecies and vague threats that go nowhere fast. There’s little progression or real purpose. The story churns out fights and legends but never settles on a central conflict or gives the characters a destination worth the trip. It’s smashing for smashing’s sake, leaving readers and Hulk alike wondering what the point was.
About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.Follow @ComicalOpinions on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
Final Thoughts
Return to Planet Hulk #1 looks like the dictionary definition of epic art, but underneath the brawls and bombast, the story is just spinning its wheels in Sakaar dust. Turn the pages for the visuals and character swagger, but don’t expect to find much meat in the plot stew. Hulk smashes, the crowd yells, but someone forgot to bring the story. Is that the point? If so, it’s a punchline looking for its joke.
7/10
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