Marvel Reveals The Horrifying Truth of Hulk’s Gamma Mutations

Spoilers for Gamma Flight #1 ahead!

In the Marvel Universe, there have been many characters mutated by gamma radiation, most notably the Hulk, and now Marvel has revealed a horrifying secret about gamma mutates—they can never be truly cured of their condition. This startling revelation is made in the first issue of Gamma Flight, on sale now in print and digital.

Gamma radiation has been responsible for creating not only the Hulk, but the Leader, She-Hulk, the Abomination, and many others. The idea of gamma radiation is grounded in real science; in the Marvel Universe, gamma radiation manifests as both particle and wave, but also in a third form, one supernatural in nature. It’s this third form that transforms people into gamma mutates. Recent developments in Immortal Hulk have revealed an even more sinister side of gamma radiation, as it originates with the demonic One Below All, who resides in the deepest layers of Hell. It was also recently revealed that when a gamma mutate dies, their soul goes to the realm of the One Below All, and resides there until their resurrection; and now, if this was not horrifying enough, Marvel has revealed another disturbing aspect of gamma radiation exposure.

Earlier in Marvel Comics, Gamma Flight had been dispatched to bring in the Hulk; but they broke ranks and helped the Hulk, and are now on the run, attempting to help cure other gamma mutates. Doctor Charlotte McGowan, the team’s gamma radiation expert, warns this might be a lost cause, as no gamma mutate has been cured of their affliction for long. Puck brings up Skaar, the Hulk’s kid, as someone who was cured, but Doctor McGowan cautions Skaar is the outlier.

Doctor McGowan’s assessment is dead on—Bruce Banner has tried numerous times to cure himself of his condition, and in some cases, he actually succeeded—but every time ultimately ends in failure, and he reverts back to the Hulk. This is true for the others as well. This revelation serves two purposes: it emphasizes how truly tragic the gamma mutates are, doomed to be monsters all their lives, and it also shows that the One Below All is truly inescapable: the gamma mutates are never cured, and thus never free of his destructive influence. They will die and go to his realm, waiting to be reborn into new gamma mutated bodies. Puck’s hopes of curing gamma mutates seems far away indeed.

Gamma radiation is responsible for creating the Hulk and the rest of the gamma mutates in the Marvel Universe, and as more is revealed about it, the more horrifying it becomes; the recent revelation that a gamma mutate is never cured may be the most startling yet. Gamma Flight #1 is written by Al Ewing and Crystal Frasier, with art by Lan Medina, colors by Antonio Fabela, and letters by Joe Sabino.

About The Author

Shaun Corley
(1378 Articles Published)

Shaun Corley is a pop culture enthusiast living in the Pacific Northwest. After stints in both customer service and academia, he’s turned his attention to writing about comic books–his lifelong passion. He is a graduate of Radford University, with a degree in English. When not reading comics, he enjoys spending time with his fiance and their dog.

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