Incredible Hulk #81

Incredible Hulk #81, published in June 2005, arrived during the 'House of M' crossover event penned by Peter David, who had returned to define the character's modern era. This issue serves as a tie-in to the broader alternate-reality narrative orchestrated by Brian Michael Bendis, where the Scarlet Witch reshapes the Marvel Universe. In this specific installment, the Hulk finds himself settled in the Australian outback, grappling with the disorientation of a reality he did not create, focusing on his complex, often tragic relationship with his wife, Caiera, within this distorted world.

The interior art was provided by Jorge Lucas, whose style contributed to the dark, introspective tone that marked David's tenure on the title. The cover art, illustrated by Mike Deodato, reflects the gritty, high-contrast aesthetic prevalent in mid-2000s Marvel comics. The issue was received as a competent bridge between the character's personal struggles and the massive scope of the House of M event, lauded by readers for maintaining the internal consistency of David's Hulk despite the chaotic demands of the editorial crossover.