Warning: contains spoilers for What if...Galactus Transformed Hulk!

The Galactus, but he is also, surprisingly, the most gentle. In What If…Galactus Transformed Hulk? the planet eater empowers the Jade Giant with the Power Cosmic, making him his newest herald. Yet rather than create a cosmic and rage-powered behemoth, the Hulk becomes perhaps the most noble of Galactus’ heralds, even eclipsing the Silver Surfer.

What If…Galactus Transformed the Hulk? Is written by Mat Groom and drawn by Lan Medina. The one-shot reveals that Galactus once again attacked Earth, and there was no stopping him this time, so a bargain was struck: Hulk becomes Galactus’ herald, and he spares the planet. Galactus appealed to Hulk’s sense of alienation in order to convince him to . The Hulk serves Galactus well, but one difference sets him apart from other heralds: he scouts the world for Galactus to devour, but warns the populace ahead of time to evacuate and be spared the planet eater’s wrath.

Galactus' Heralds Are Feared Throughout the Marvel Universe

Galactus Has Used Many Heralds, And Many Have Betrayed Him

The heralds of Galactus are some of the most powerful, and feared, beings in the Marvel Universe. Galactus consumes planets, taking their energy to sustain himself. To help him find worlds, he employs heralds who travel the cosmos seeking planets to satisfy Galactus’ hunger. The heralds possess a sliver of the Power Cosmic, which gives them fantastic powers and the ability to survive in deep space. These heralds come from all across the universe. In some instances, they offered themselves to Galactus in order to save their world.

The Silver Surfer's debut arc in Fantastic Four #48-50 is regarded as a highmark of comics' Silver Age.

This was the case with the Silver Surfer, who is perhaps Galactus’ best known herald. Born Norrin Radd in Zenn-La, he struck a deal with Galactus when the entity arrived at his world: spare the planet, and he would serve as a herald. Galactus took him up on the offer, and the Surfer would serve Galactus for many years. However, when the Surfer came to Earth, seeing it as a potential meal for his master, he began to second-guess Galactus, and turned against him. Galactus imprisoned the Surfer on Earth, but he was eventually able to return to space.

While being a herald gives one great power and a limited degree of freedom, it comes with a heavy psychic cost to the individual as the deaths mount.

The Silver Surfer is far from the only herald of Galactus. Indeed, the planet eater has used many throughout the years, such as Terrax, Firelord and Nova (Frankie Raye). Each of them followed their own path to Galactus, and like the Surfer, many turned on him. Just as the Silver Surfer grew wary of the carnage and bloodshed he was directly responsible for, so did the others. While being a herald gives one great power and a limited degree of freedom, it comes with a heavy psychic cost to the individual as the deaths mount.

Marvel is Giving the Power Cosmic to Some of Its Greatest Heroes

The Hulk Immediately Sets Himself Apart from Other Heralds

Marvel’s new line of What If specials look at what happens when other heroes obtain the Power Cosmic, and become heralds of Galactus. Characters as diverse as Gambit and the Hulk have been chosen to be heralds. The addition of the Power Cosmic to the Hulk’s already great strength and durability makes him, on paper, one of the most powerful beings to ever live. The Power Cosmic and service to Galactus also comes with another benefit for the Hulk: he can control his anger and focus on it, while retaining his humanity in the process.

Upon becoming Galactus’ new herald, the Hulk does something that distinguishes him from Nova, Firelord and even the Silver Surfer: he warns the natives of planets in Galactus’ path to evacuate, often giving them plenty of time to do so.

Upon becoming Galactus’ new herald, the Hulk does something that distinguishes him from Nova, Firelord and even the Silver Surfer: he warns the natives of planets in Galactus’ path to evacuate, often giving them plenty of time to do so. Galactus does not seem to mind, as long as it does not take the Hulk away from his duties as a herald. As seen in the What If special, the Hulk’s warnings are rarely heeded, and in some cases, he is received with outright hostility by those he is trying to save.

The Hulk Ultimately Becomes Like All Other Heralds

Future Heralds of Galactus Should Follow the Hulk's Example

While Galactus does not seem to mind the new direction for heralds that the Hulk is charting, the tensions between the two become too much, and Banner follows in the steps of so many heralds and turns on his master. The Hulk was never meant to be Galactus’ herald. A good herald cares nothing for the natives of the planets they scout, and the Hulk bucks this trend. His advance warnings are a first for heralds, and while a wonderful gesture, they ultimately demonstrate why the Hulk is a bad choice for the job.

What if...Galactus Transformed Hulk is on sale now from Marvel Comics.