New ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ Concept Art Shows Alternate Hulk Designs

Marvel’s art books have become a treasure trove for fans eager to explore the paths not taken, offering insights into character designs and story elements that never made it to the final cut. Few reveals spark as much discussion as concept art related to a character as iconic as the Hulk.

The excitement has only intensified since the release of ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day,’ which reintroduced Mark Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner after a long absence from the character’s more savage persona. As the film’s companion art book reaches fans, new details are emerging about how differently this version of Hulk could have appeared.

Recently shared concept art from the book highlights early designs for Bruce Banner and his transformation into Hulk, with artist Wesley Burt reportedly creating multiple interpretations of the character before Marvel finalized its look. Among the discarded concepts was a version of Hulk depicted in gray instead of his signature green, an idea that was explored early in the design process but ultimately abandoned.

Producer Emily Fong explained that the decision to maintain the green color was crucial for keeping the character recognizable to longtime fans. She noted that while this version of Hulk differs from previous portrayals, the green skin remains a vital connection to Bruce, making it essential to preserve that visual link.

In addition to color variations, the art book reveals that concept artists intentionally designed this version of Hulk to differ from Ruffalo’s likeness, aiming for a more monstrous, comic-accurate appearance. Artist Ryan Meinerding reportedly drew inspiration from classic comic book depictions, particularly John Romita Sr.’s original artistic vision for the character.

This shift aligns with the film’s broader creative direction for Hulk’s role in the narrative. Instead of continuing the more restrained “Smart Hulk” persona introduced in ‘Avengers: Endgame,’ ‘Brand New Day’ allows Bruce to reconnect with his Savage side, reportedly featuring one of the film’s most significant set pieces as a horror-tinged sequence centered around a predator-versus-prey dynamic between Hulk and Spider-Man.

Other early concepts included a bearded version of Hulk and variations that subtly incorporated traces of Ruffalo’s facial features beneath the character’s more aggressive new design. While none of these specific looks made it into the final film, their inclusion in the art book provides fans with a rare glimpse into the extensive experimentation that went into finalizing Hulk’s return.

Ruffalo’s return as Bruce Banner marks his first major appearance in the role since 2022’s ‘She-Hulk: Attorney at Law,’ making his comeback one of the most anticipated aspects of ‘Brand New Day’s’ marketing campaign. Alongside Hulk, the concept art has also unveiled alternate designs for other characters, including Frank Castle’s Punisher and Michael Mando’s Scorpion, giving fans plenty to analyze ahead of and following the film’s release.

For a character with such a rich visual history, seeing the various creative directions Marvel considered before finalizing Hulk’s look adds an extra layer of appreciation for the choices that shaped his on-screen return. Whether future MCU projects will revisit any of these scrapped concepts remains to be seen, but for now, fans finally have a clearer understanding of the journey Hulk’s design took to reach theaters.

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