Forever Alone: Avoidance of Planet Hulk

The epic trail of the Hulk and his alternate ego, Bruce Banner, during the series of events known as Planet Hulk have been adored as one of the most enticing stories by Marvel Comics. The tale is littered with action, doused in brotherhood, and ignited by revolution. Such an incredible series of comics can almost make someone forget that the entire story was only made possible by being incited by betrayal.

Planet Hulk is a storyline that is a part of the original The Incredible Hulk series of comics during the early 2000's. This story was written by Greg Pak in 2006, a long time writer for Marvel who is also responsible for what could be considered the aftermath to the events of Planet Hulk, World War Hulk. This series was so popular it received an animated movie adaptation and part of the story will be involved in the upcoming live action movie Thor Ragnarok.

The story does not begin in The Incredible Hulk #92 when the Hulk lands on Sakaar, a constantly aggressive world populated by monsters, tribes, and a highly advanced race of aliens ruled by a tyrant known as the Red King. It begins in a one-shot comic called New Avengers: Illuminati with the characters of Iron Man, Mr. Fantastic, Namor, Black Bolt, Dr. Strange, Professor Xavier, and Black Panther.

This group called the Illuminati are several things: they are the brightest minds in the Marvel Universe, leaders among all the heroes, men who have held the power of the world in their hands at some point, the friends of Bruce Banner and the Hulk, and the men that would exile the Hulk from Earth. The entire group, being full of very capable men, do not all agree with Hulk's banishment. However, enough of them do to see that he is sent away with all the intentions of seeing that he is left alone in peace.

My personal opinion in all of this is that if the Illuminati had simply asked, Banner or the Hulk would have agreed. Some would argue against this mentioning Banner's love interest or all the people who have viewed the Hulk as a true hero as reasons that either would not leave. However, Banner and the Hulk have abandoned these people for the sake of the world's general safety on multiple occasions without giving it a second thought.

The characters of Hulk and Bruce Banner  have always been two opposite beings that have constantly strived for the same goal of seeking absolute solitude. The Hulk wants to merely live as a free being who's existence has been abhorred since the day the explosion that created him lit the sky. Bruce Banner has been the main person to hate the Hulk, and has wanted nothing more than to make sure that he was as far away from people as possible. The Hulk wants to roam like an animal and Banner wants him to never be used as a weapon. They both just want to be left alone and neither has ever succeeded in this mission.

In the end the overwelming desire for isolation is the justification for the actions of the Illuminati, they trick the hulk onto a ship disguised a satellite. On this ship a video message is played, on it is Mr. Fantastic explaining how deeply they regret their decision and that they are sending him to a safe and lush planet to roam free. Naturally at this betrayal, the Hulk rages, damages the ship and is sent off course to Sakaar where Planet Hulk begins.

There is a What If comic for Planet Hulk that features a scenario where Hulk dies instead of his wife at the beginning of World War Hulk and another where Hulk manages to land on the correct planet. Both scenarios are somewhat difficult to accept due to some of their details, but are thought provoking and worth considering. Especially the second, where the Hulk lands on the intended planet and ultimately finds peace. I have personally always considered, regardless of how incredible the story is, how much trouble could have been avoided if the Illuminati had simply asked.