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Nothing lasts forever, even in comics: even with a series Marvel Comics launched just four months ago as an 'ongoing series.' Word is out that The Infernal Hulk comic series by writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Nic Klein will be ending after 10 issues, and that, according to one of the creators, it was the plan all along... despite Marvel not announcing it as a 10-issue series in the beginning.

"Since there seems to be some upset and false prophecy- Yes, Infernal Hulk ends with issue #10, but as we‘ve always said, it is NOT the end of our Hulk story," Klein writes on Twitter, in response to a speculative story on the book's ending by Bleeding Cool's Rich Johnston. "It is not a cancellation; everything is going as planned. The Third act starts thereafter."

Klein and Johnson have been Marvel Comics' Hulk team since June 2023, creating a 30-issue run on Incredible Hulk (which would be 'Act One' for them), followed by this now confirmed 10-issue run under the rebranded name of The Infernal Hulk (which is 'Act Two'), and then culminating with another comic - be it a one-shot, a limited series, or an 'ongoing' that will end at some point. Another source has confirmed to Popverse that Infernal Hulk is part of a larger plan by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, setting up another storyline after Infernal Hulk.

Speculation arose about this seemingly short ending for the Infernal Hulk ongoing series when Marvel's comic book distributor Penguin Random House posted a listing for a new Infernal Hulk collected edition collecting the first 10 issues, with fans and industry watchers speculating that since a 10-issue collection of an ongoing series was anomalous, it could be implying the series was ending after 10 issues. Johnson and Klein's previous Hulk comics under the Incredible Hulk name were collected in chunks of five issues or less.

With Infernal Hulk #6 (of 10) set for release in April, if the series keeps its monthly schedule, it would end in July 2026 - coinciding neatly with the MCU Hulk's apparent return in July 31's Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and the tentpole comics announcement center that is Comic-Con International: San Diego. If the 'Third Act' of Johnson and Klein's Hulk run was to begin the following month, standard marketing procedure for Marvel would be to announce it in April or May to give retailers time to pre-order; although perhaps with this news getting out seemingly premature for Marvel, they could announce plans as early as this month, possibly at February's ComicsPRO Annual Meeting (which we will be covering in-person).

The Infernal Hulk #1 - #3 is available now, with the next issue - Infernal Hulk #4 - due out February 25.

Want more? Make sure you've read our list of all the best Marvel Comics stories of all time, and get ready for all the free Marvel comics coming as part of this year's Free Comic Book Day / Comics Giveaway Day events.