The Leader’s Terrifying Transformation in ‘The Immortal Hulk’ Outshines ‘Captain America’ Movie

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In a different wording, the film titled “Captain America: Brave New World” is the fourth installment in the Captain America series, yet it appears to deviate from the character’s continuity. Although there are connections to “Captain America: Civil War” and Sam Wilson’s previous appearance in Disney+’s “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” the film primarily emphasizes characters that were initially introduced in the 2008 MCU movie, “The Incredible Hulk.

The links to “The Incredible Hulk” span from President Thunderbolt Ross, portrayed by Harrison Ford rather than the late William Hurt, and his bond with daughter Betty, to the film’s main antagonist, a disgruntled scientist named Samuel Sterns, also known as the Leader.

Redefining the role, Tim Blake Nelson’s humorous portrayal of the Leader in Brave New World softens many of its rougher aspects. However, the character would have been even more impactful if it had mirrored the powerful approach established in the trailblazing comic book series, The Immortal Hulk.

Who is Samuel Sterns?

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Samuel Sterns was introduced to viewers before they recognized his identity. Throughout the movie “The Incredible Hulk“, Bruce Banner (played by Edward Norton) communicated with an enigmatic character called Mr. Blue, who requested samples of Banner’s blood and hinted that he might have a solution to Banner’s affliction.

Towards the end of the movie, Banner confronts a nervous scientist named Samuel Sterns who turns out to be Mr. Blue. Instead of helping Banner as promised, Sterns intends to use Banner’s irradiated gamma blood for himself, which angers Banner so much that he transforms into the Hulk and destroys the lab, injuring Sterns in the process. The final image of Sterns in The Incredible Hulk shows him looking straight at the camera while smiling, as a shattered vial of green liquid seeps into his open wound. In Brave New World, Sterns’ head has undergone a drastic change, suggesting that he has been affected by gamma radiation and grown to an enormous size, reflecting the state of his irradiated brain.

In Marvel Comics, the Stern character, who later became known as the Leader, was introduced with an origin story distinct from what we generally know. This character, initially conceived by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, first appeared in the 1964 issue #62 of Tales to Astonish. The plot saw a confrontation between the Hulk and Spider-Man’s adversary, the Chameleon. The Leader was subtly present in the background, manipulating events so that the Chameleon could infiltrate a U.S. army base, disguise himself as General Ross, and gather intel about the Hulk.

Over time, we uncover details about the Leader’s past. Growing up in the wake of an intelligent older brother, Sterns was envious of the intellect that garnered his parents’ admiration. He found employment as a janitor at his brother’s lab and accidentally spilled canisters containing gamma radiation. This incident distorted his appearance but also boosted his intelligence. Sterns considered it a reasonable exchange, repeatedly exposing himself to radiation and transforming into an even more grotesque form.

As “The Leader,” Sterns considered the Hulk as his formidable adversary, a beast who squandered the gamma energy that rightfully should have been his. Time and again, The Leader would harass the Hulk, using various powerful allies to carry out his commands, orchestrating wicked schemes from his space-based stronghold.

However, the Leader made unprecedented strides beyond anything seen before in the renowned comic book saga, “The Immortal Hulk.

What is the Immortal Hulk?

For a period of three years, from 2018 to 2021, the comic book series “The Immortal Hulk” was published, and it brought the main character back to his horror-themed origins. Writer Al Ewing, along with artist Joe Bennett, reimagined the Hulk’s gamma origin, blending it with religious symbolism and environmental warnings. The narrative starts as a new persona called the Devil Hulk arises, who assumes control over Banner at night and embarks on his own dark, destructive journey.

Throughout their journey, Ewing and his fellow writers unfold a tale that’s deeper and more ominous than we’ve seen before. As other characters with gamma abilities join the hunt for the Devil Hulk – figures like Joe Fixit and the original green Hulk among them – it’s revealed that the gamma bomb incident, which transformed Bruce Banner, was a catastrophic event with far-reaching consequences. This disaster not only wreaked havoc on the environment but also summoned an ancient evil known as the One Below All.

The initial thirty-three installments largely function like a compilation of iconic tales, as Banner and his Hulks confront familiar adversaries such as Leonard Samson, the Minotaur, and even the Thing from the Fantastic Four. However, it is not until issue #34, authored by Ewing and illustrated by Butch Guice, that we learn the true antagonist behind the plot: Samuel Sterns, also known as the Leader.

In issue #34, Sterns’s past is recounted and a fresh twist is given to his recurring deaths and revivals. It transpires that the One Below All has designated the Leader as its vessel. Consequently, the One Below All resurrects Sterns and dispatches him back to Earth to control characters with gamma power.

Typically, the Leader is depicted much like his portrayal in ‘Brave New World’, exhibiting a knack for manipulation akin to a highly rational computer. However, ‘Immortal Hulk’ introduces a religious zeal into his character, tying his intelligence to a fanatical devotion towards an omnipotent evil intent on nothing short of Earth’s destruction.

Can the Immortal Hulk Influence the Future of the MCU?

In the movie adaptation of Brave New World, the main antagonist, the Leader, is quickly apprehended, leaving him in custody. Meanwhile, Sam makes a hasty exit to confront the Red Hulk. However, during the film’s closing credits, there’s a hint of things to come as the Leader reappears with a foreboding message. In this scene, Sterns informs Sam that Earth is merely one realm within a multiverse, and each world has its own protectors who are prepared to go to extreme lengths to safeguard their domain.

In the movies “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars”, it is clear that the Leader’s jest sets up the multiversal journeys. However, his warning carries a depth of darkness that goes beyond typical foreshadowing. The way Tim Blake Nelson delivers his lines has an eerie quality to it, as if he has transcended the thirst for revenge from “Brave New World” and moved on to more profound matters.

Should the issues at hand pertain to the One Below All, it’s clear that Captain America and his fellow Avengers alone won’t be enough to turn things around. Instead, it seems like every hero and villain from the Marvel Cinematic Universe will have to band together to thwart whatever malevolence the Leader may bring forth.

Captain America: Brave New World is now playing in theaters.

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2025-02-19 22:36