Fittingly, with the latest Spider-Man flick in the theaters, Spider-Man and Hulk would team-up once again on the pages of a comic in Spider-Man / Hulk: Fire and Brimstone #1. Co-written by Andy McElfresh & Kevin Smith with illustrations by R.B. Silva, Fire and Brimstone is new look into Hulk’s inner demons that has my interest peaked for more.
Thwip-Smash! The newest high-octane adventure for Spider-Man and Hulk! It’s nonstop action! Side-splitting quips! And… the exorcism of Bruce Banner?!
First off, the issue takes no time jumping into the action. I am talking only panels into the story and we have a double-page spread with a ton of characters, mostly villains, on the streets of New York City. No slow build-up of tension or suspense, just straight action from the get-go. There is even an appearance from Stilt-Man, which will make Eisner-winning journalist David Harper a happy man.
We have seen Catholicism on the pages of a Marvel comic before, tends to show up more in the Daredevil series, but is front and center in Spider-Man / Hulk: Fire and Brimstone, understandably so. What starts as an attack on a large religious gathering in Central Park turns into a deeper look into the inner demons plaguing Bruce Banner and the Hulk. Not preachy, but a unique look into the monsters within.
After reading this first issue it made so much sense that Smith was enlisted to write this story. Someone who is not shy about discussing his catholic upbringing, including taking shots at it, Smith brings a fresh new take on what really is going on with the mind and body of Bruce Banner. There is no shortness of fighting, but also thoughtful examination on anger, and even a not-so-suttle look at masculinity (a ton of “man” characters find there way into the book) packed into this first issue. Smith, along with McElfresh, craft a story that brings together action and comedic flair allowing a stellar first issue to sink in.
The action-packed Spider-Man / Hulk: Fire and Brimstone needs someone to bring this battle to life and who better than Silva. Each panel is jam-packed with characters in an epic battle that starts almost in the first panel. With so much to look at, it can be hard to keep track of things, but Silva does a fantastic job with packing a lot into a tiny space. Not to mention the wonderful colors by Federico Blee and lettering by Ariana Maher.
Spider-Man / Hulk: Fire and Brimstone #1 may have all the smashing, thwipping, and of course, wisecracks you would expect from a team-up between these superheroes, but it is the deeper look into Bruce Banner’s inner demons that really had me hooked. Writers Kevin Smith and Andy McElfresh, along with artist R.B. Silva wonderfully craft a fresh and unique story that sees Bruce Banner turn to faith as a way to tame his anger. Spider-Man / Hulk: Fire and Brimstone is not your typical Marvel team-up, but is a wildly entertaining and surprisingly thoughtful.
Spider-Man / Hulk: Fire and Brimstone #1 hit local comic shops on August 19, 2026 from Marvel Comics.
Spider-Man / Hulk: Fire and Brimstone #1 Preview
