Chernobog was a powerful Russian god that fell in an ancient war between good and evil. His spirit remained in the town where he met his defeat, looking for people to feed on to one day accumulate enough energy to return to his former glory and rejoin the war. He made a deal with a frustrated innkeeper to supply him with victims and act as a host body, and the innkeeper agreed as he despised tourists. Chernobog stalked three teenagers to feed on but was interrupted by
Bruce Banner, who was also visiting the area. Turning his attention to Banner, he soon had to deal with Banner's alter-ego, the Hulk. Attempting to absorb Hulk's energy, Chernobog's host was too weak to handle it all at once, forcing him to retreat, but he promised to return to face Hulk.