Red Hulk Unlocks A New Mutation, And Sam Wilson Isn't Ready For This Upgrade

Warning: Contains potential spoilers for Sam Wilson: Captain America #5!

With the new Captain Americamoviein theaters, Marvel is continuing to put a spotlight on Sam Wilson, but his newest comics battle with Red Hulk gives the crimson monster a wild transformation that makes him the perfect adversary against the former Falcon. Though the fight was clearly put together for some MCU synergy, Marvel Comics’ take on the match-up takes an unexpected turn that the movies couldn’t pull off.

Marvel just released the solicitation for Sam Wilson: Captain America #5 – written by Evan Narcisse and Greg Pak, with art by Eder Messias - along with some covers that show off Robert Maverick’s latest Red Hulk mutation. Taurin Clarke’s cover officially teases that Captain America and other heroes will be going up against a Red Hulk that has suddenly sprouted wings.

Sam Wilson: Captain America #5 Cover by Taurin Clarke - War Machine, Cap, and Storm above a winged Red Hulk

Two other superheroes that can fly, Storm and War Machine, also seem to be tagging along for the fight as Marvel takes the next Captain America vs Red Hulk fight to Sam Wilson’s domain - up in the sky.

The Red Hulk Undergoes A Bold Transformation In Order To Take On Marvel’s Winged Captain America

Sam Wilson: Captain America #5 – Written By Evan Narcisse & Greg Pak; Art By Eder Messias; Available May 2025 From Marvel Comics

After almost being totally defeated by Sam Wilson’s avian telepathy earlier on in the series, Sam Wilson: Captain America finds its version of Red Hulk grow wings of his own to get his revenge. This version of Red Hulk isn’t the one that’s currently facing off against Sam Wilson in the MCU, but is actually Robert Maverick, and he’s working in security with a seedy organization called Eaglestar. It’s still unclear how the winged transformation happens, but it has to be a product of the Eaglestar’s devious plot, as they’ve been able to manipulate Maverick’s Red Hulk as their weapon.

Split image of red hulk transforming and president ross clapping in captain america brave new world

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The mutation definitively sets this new take apart from other versions of Red Hulk like Everett Ross, but interestingly enough, it is reminiscent of his daughter’s role as Harpy. Betty Ross grew wings in a monstrous new form as a result of Gamma Mutates, and perhaps some of the science that led to that physical transformation is being used by Eaglestar as they experiment on Maverick. Sam Wilson: Captain America #2 already shows that this Red Hulk has some sort of implant that seems to be controlling his actions, and could also be responsible for these other body changes.

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Marvel Presents The Next Evolution Of Their Rivalry

Sam Wilson: Captain America #5 variant cover by Fabrizio De Tommaso - Red Hulk flying with wings

In the lead-up to their big battle in the MCU, Marvel has been pushing Sam Wilson and Red Hulk as the next major rivalry in the universe, and this next step solidifies that status even further. With Sam Wilson’s history as the Falcon, avian powers, and his iconic wings, Red Hulk matching Cap’s flying powers is a cool development to ratchet up the high-flying action. This version of Red Hulk isn’t the most famous version in the comics, so Maverick could use the powerful level-up if he’s going to go toe-to-toe with Captain America.

As Marvel Comics gives Red Hulk crimson wings to heighten his abilities, only Sam Wilson’s Captain America has the power to bring him back down to Earth.

While strange mutations in the Hulk-related characters aren’t totally new, this development notably makes this villain a worthy match against Sam Wilson, and could bring about some of his greatest sky-high battles yet. Though this Red Hulk might be able to take flight, Sam is still an expert in the field, and should be able to handle any challenge that suddenly arises. As Marvel Comics gives Red Hulkcrimson wings to heighten his abilities, only Sam Wilson’s Captain Americahas the power to bring him back down to Earth.

Sam Wilson: Captain America #5 will be available in May 2025 from Marvel Comics!