In a world where superheroes are continually revived, reanimated, or recast, no matter how often they’ve previously been sent to that great big multiverse in the sky, it’s admirable that The Incredible Hulk’s small-screen swansong adhered to its title forevermore. That said, this permanent demise wasn’t exactly part of the plan.
Despite its spoiler-heavy name, The Death of the Incredible Hulk wasn’t supposed to wrap up the string of TV movies that brought mild-mannered Dr. David Banner (Bruce Bixby) and his unjolly green giant alter-ego (Lou Ferrigno) back to television after six years in the wilderness. Following the success of 1988’s The Incredible Hulk Returns and 1989’s The Trial of the Incredible Hulk, NBC bosses and screenwriter Gerald Di Pego had intended to deliver a fourth feature-length helping of smashing, stomping action before circumstances intervened.
