Marvel Comics Changes The Game, Announces New ‘Hulk’ #1 For Comics Giveaway Day 2027

The first Saturday in May is one of geekdom’s biggest holidays, even to the point that it’s known by many names. On May 1st, 2027, Marvel Comics is about to shake up Comics Giveaway Day in a big way as they launch the next volume of Hulk with the first issue completely free.

Next year, Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Nic Klein wrap their years-long Hulk epic with the event series Hulk War: Infernal Rage. Marvel has announced the new creative team for the series’ next volume, as Ultimate Wolverine creative team Chris Condon and Alessandro Cappuccio take over with Hulk #1. And just like the introduction says, the full debut issue will premiere on Comics Giveaway Day 2027 completely free.

“Marvel’s Comic Giveaway Day offering should not only give people a reason to run to their comic shops, but also a reason to come back! That’s why we’re choosing it to launch Hulk, giving away the entire first issue of his new ongoing series,” Editor-in-Chief Stephen Wacker explained. “We believe strongly in what Chris and Alessandro are building here and while PKJ and Nic are definitely a hard act to follow, we want as many people as possible to get their huge green mitts on the Hulk’s next adventure!”

This is an absolutely unprecedented move for any publisher. Usually the free comics available from Marvel are short teasers for other stories and series, or half length stories from current series’ creative teams. Launching a major new ongoing series with the first full-length issue completely for free simply hasn’t been done in the history of the event.

To go with the launch, Hulk #1 will also be the next entry in Marvel’s massively successful True Believers blind bags. While Cappuccio’s main cover will be available for free, fans will be able to purchase variants for the issue, all of which will be within the blind bags. The blind bags will be available on Comics Giveaway Day as well.

“Dreams do come true, it seems, even if it comes at the suffering of poor Bruce Banner,” Condon said. “I am beyond thrilled to be a part of the team chronicling the next era of the Jade Giant at Marvel, and to be reteamed with my pal Alessandro Cappuccio — as well as legendary Hulk editor Mark Paniccia — makes it all the more exciting. I’ve loved the Hulk since I was a kid and that love has continued to this very day, so I hope people know that what we’re crafting is in tribute to everything from Lee & Kirby’s initial debut to Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Nic Klein, & company’s horrifyingly brilliant Infernal Hulk saga. We are taking things in an exciting new direction for our day and age, but don’t worry, Hulk still smash.”

 “There are characters you meet professionally, and others who, in some way, stay with you,” Cappuccio shared. “The Hulk definitely belongs to the second category. Behind his immense strength lies a universe of fragility, conflicts, and contradictions that continues to fascinate me. He’s a character who seems to have an endless supply of stories to tell, and that’s exactly what makes him so special.”
“Having the opportunity to explore this universe means a great deal to me,” he continued. “Doing so alongside Chris Condon — with whom I’ve already shared a wonderful experience working on Ultimate Wolverine and whom I now consider a friend as well as a colleague — makes it all even more special. I can’t wait for readers to discover what we’re working on.”

Now, regardless of how big a deal this is, this isn’t an announcement without some caveats. As many have complained about over the last few years, this is yet another new #1 from the House of Ideas, and when you look at the Hulk himself, it’s a lot. This is at least the eighth new Hulk #1 since 2015, and that number increases rapidly even going back only another three to five years.

Overall though, I’m personally pretty excited for this. Though the pitch is fairly boilerplate for Hulk (the solicit promises Bruce Banner once again searching for a cure, and a deal with the devil might be the way to find it), Condon has proven that he can turn what sounds like a standard pitch into something unique and special.

Check out Cappuccio’s cover and the art for the blind bags above, and stay tuned for more about Hulk #1 in the coming months!