Spider-Man: Brand New Day Breaks A Founding Avenger's Entire MCU Arc

Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026) brings audiences back to basics as we see Spider-Man protecting New York City without the help of other superpowered allies. That said, he still runs into many characters from his past, including Bruce Banner, aka the Hulk. But rather than work together with the Smart Hulk, Peter has to struggle with the Savage Hulk.

While it's long overdue to see this version of the Hulk, the result of Hulk's actions once again hindered the growth of Bruce Banner. While many of the events that happen make sense for his character, it's hard not to feel frustrated at his unfortunate fate and the end of his retirement.

‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ Brought Back the Hulk’s Scariest Form

As Peter Parker began to mutate and his arachnid DNA started to override his human one, he sought out Bruce Banner for help regarding suppression of those parts of his DNA. While he didn't get the answers he wanted, this connection allowed Jean Grey to take advantage.

As she looked for the location of her sister by confronting William Metzger in the Damage Control building, she used Banner as her muscle and his Smart Hulk form to cause damage. But when her hold on him broke, something broke in his mind, and the Savage Hulk was reborn.

Not only was it great to see the character again, but he got even bigger than when he appeared in Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and caused massive chaos, nearly killing Peter Parker. It was Peter telling Hulk his name and trying to connect to Banner that caused him to calm down, falling from the DODC building. But when he changed back into Banner, he was wheeled off and held in a psych ward.

Seeing Bruce Banner’s Arc Get Paused Again Is Frustrating

Since Avengers: Endgame (2019), we have had Bruce Banner in his Smart Hulk form. This was where he blended both his and the Hulk's personality into one, using the strength while keeping his intelligence. However, this change has been met with aggravation by fans because now all of the coolness they loved the Hulk for was gone.

Seeing Hulk savage again was a breath of fresh air and exactly what he needed for a character who has since become famous for being beaten by Thanos. It made perfect sense that the Hulk wouldn't be in Spider-Man: Brand New Day forever, but what we never expected was that Banner would be locked away again.

It definitely isn't an ideal scenario because we want more for the Hulk, and many may feel it hurts his arc, as the Marvel Cinematic Universe has largely abandoned his son and possibly even She-Hulk. 

Now, if Banner is locked away, it leaves us wondering if we will see him ever again and, more so, if we will ever see the Hulk again. But realistically, even if this is another slightly low point for Banner's arc, it could spring him to an even more exciting storyline.

There’s Still Hope For the Hulk After ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’

There's a lot about the fate of Bruce Banner in Spider-Man: Brand New Day that makes it easy to assume we are going through another Hulk drought. But honestly, this is par for the course even in the comics for the Hulk. Every time he Hulks out, there is a consequence, and in this case he has to be locked away.

Yet being in a psych ward sets up an even more exciting chapter for the character. For example, he could be setting up a reunion with Leonard Samson from The Incredible Hulk (2008), who could help Bruce deal with the demons in his mind. From there, the door is open not just for two Hulk versions to appear, but others like the Grey Hulk.

This is simply someone pulling back on the slingshot before Bruce Banner is launched into a new and exciting era, and Spider-Man: Brand New Day was the shot of adrenaline the character needed to be fun again. But like all shocks to the system, they are great but don't last forever. Now it's time to see what the next chapter holds for Bruce Banner because his retirement from the Hulk is officially over.