“Hulk Smash!”
When we hear these words on the movie screen, we know we’re in for a rip-roaring special effects treat. Crumbling walls, loud explosions, and flying bodies abound. The Incredible Hulk has been smashing his way into the hearts of Marvel comic fans for over sixty years, and he’s been represented on camera for close to fifty of those years.
It hasn’t always been a picnic for Dr. Bruce Banner and his overpowered alter-ego, but his staying power is symbolic of his physical endurance. As the highly anticipated Red Hulk prepares to make his debut in Captain America: Brave New World, let’s enjoy a few fun facts about The Incredible Hulk (and a few of his variations).
Disclaimer: The history of the Hulk is long, storied, and incredibly complicated. For me to try and explain all the various iterations and storylines would require nothing short of an extended Powerpoint presentation. I am no expert in Marvel comic history, but I know enough to toss out a few fun facts, so enjoy these for what they are.
The Creation of a Legend
The Incredible Hulk was created by Marvel (and Disney) Legends Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. The not-yet-green giant first appeared in the debut issue of The Incredible Hulk comic in May 1962. For the debut issue, Lee didn’t want to be too suggestive of any particular ethnic group, so he chose gray for the Hulk’s color. While Lee’s idea was sound in spirit, Marvel colorist Stan Goldberg had problems keeping the Hulk’s gray coloring consistent throughout the pages. The limitations of pulp paper coloring back in the day resulted in Hulk appearing as several different shades of gray. After seeing the first published issue, Lee changed Hulk’s skin color to green.
At his core, the Hulk is always and forever linked to gamma radiation. Dr. Bruce Banner – a noted scientist – designed the gamma bomb that ultimately caused his mutation. While performing an experimental detonation of the bomb, careless teenager Rick Jones wandered into the testing field. Banner put himself in harm’s way to save Jones, and was hit with the blast, absorbing the massive amounts of gamma radiation that created his alter ego.
From that point on, Banner physically transforms into the Hulk whenever he experiences emotional stress. Unfortunately, Hulk’s transformations often lead to destructive rampages, and the angrier he gets, the stronger he becomes.
But Hulk’s physical appearance isn’t the only thing to transform. In his comic book appearances, Banner also suffers from dissociative identity disorder (DID), which amplifies the change in his personality when becoming Hulk. Banner’s physically weak, socially withdrawn, and emotionally reserved personality contrasts starkly with Hulk’s brash, unpredictable, destructive behavior. These behavioral traits have translated onto the small screen and big screen as well.
Hulkish Inspiration
Stan Lee has gone on record to state that the Hulk’s creation was inspired by a combination of gothic characters – Frankenstein’s monster, combined with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. It is safe to say Lee drew on excellent source material.
Jack Kirby sought inspiration from the phenomenon of the hysterical strength people can find under intense situations, such as a mother lifting a car off her trapped child.
What’s in a Name?
In naming the afflicted scientist, Lee gave Hulk’s alter ego the alliterative name “Bruce Banner,” finding it easy to remember. Other popular alliterative names in the Marvel Universe include Peter Parker (Spider-Man), Matt Murdoch (Daredevil), and Dr. Stephen Strange.
As far as the Hulk himself, his name was inspired by an existing comic book character named The Heap, who was a large green swamp monster.
The Bad Guys
Let’s be honest – more often than not, the Hulk is his own worst enemy. But the big green guy does have a few established nemeses as well, because being a destructive, uncontrollable powerhouse isn’t enough of a challenge.
General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross (Red Hulk)
Perhaps the most personal enemy to the Hulk is his former employer, Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross – the military head of the gamma bomb project that turned Banner into the Hulk. After accidentally creating the Hulk, Ross became obsessed with finding, defeating, and capturing him, and trying to harness his abilities for the gain of the U.S. government.
Ross’ obsession eventually led to his willing transformation into a red version of the Hulk, to better overtake his nemesis. Unlike the green Hulk, Ross’ Red Hulk doesn’t grow stronger when he gets angrier. Instead, his increased anger causes him to overheat. At this higher heat level, the Red Hulk weakens and is better able to be defeated. Everyone has an Achilles Heel.
Ross’ transformation to Red Hulk brought about an unexpected change of heart. He grew more sympathetic towards Banner, and eventually became a superhero himself, serving time as a member of the Avengers and forming his own Thunderbolts team.
But what really makes Ross personal to Hulk is the presence of his daughter Elizabeth “Betty” Ross. Good vs. Bad is easy to plot. But add a bit of romance, and it all gets cloudy as mud. Betty Ross was Hulk’s longest-running love interest. Strong willed and independent-minded, she is able to handle the emotional baggage that Hulk throws her way. But, she complicates things (as many romances do).
Abomination
“Make him bigger and stronger than the Hulk and we’ll have a lot of fun with him.” That was Stan Lee’s direction when creating Abomination in 1967. His story is much the same as Hulk’s, only with nefarious intentions. Emil Blonsky – Abomination’s human alter ego – was introduced as a KGB agent and spy. But in his quest for greeted power, he exposed himself to a greater quantity of the same gamma radiation that transformed Bruce Banner into the Hulk. Blonsky became a large scaly humanoid even stronger than the Hulk, and he actually bested Hulk in their first comic battle.
Abomination has gradually become a more sophisticated villain over the years, shifting from an unthinking, savage brute to a master schemer, and even eventually becoming remorseful. He is played perfectly by Tim Roth in several MCU titles, including The Incredible Hulk (2008), Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021), and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (2022).
The Leader
Another victim to gamma ray irradiation, the Leader’s story began as Samuel Sterns – a janitor working in a chemical plant where his much smarter brother was employed as a researcher. While transporting radioactive materials (can you see where this is going?), an explosive accident bombarded Sterns with gamma radiation. His skin turned green like the Hulk, and his brain and cranium swelled, giving him superhuman intellect that reflected his subconscious desire to be smarter than his brother.
Using his super-powered brain, the Leader schemed time and time again to take over the world. But alas, he could never outdo the simple power of the Hulk.
The Incredible Hulk on TV and Film
The majority of Marvel film fans have rarely – if ever – read an actual comic book. Therefore, most familiarity with these comic heroes and villains comes from their portrayals on television and in films. The Incredible Hulk is no stranger to both screens.
The Incredible Hulk (1978-1982)
“Don’t make me angry. You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.”
For five seasons in the 1970s and 1980s, The Incredible Hulk could be seen in all his green glory on television. Professional bodybuilder Lou Ferrigno made his career playing the Hulk on TV, and he has earned himself a healthy living based on his association with the character. The “human” side of the Hulk was played by Bill Bixby. Curiously, this TV version of the hero is named David Banner instead of Bruce Banner. According to Executive Producer Kenneth Johnson, he did not want the series to be perceived as a comic book series. Part of that plan was to distance the character with a slightly different, and decidedly less alliterative, name.
This popular TV series spurred several made-for-TV movies, including The Incredible Hulk Returns (1988), The Trial of the Incredible Hulk (1989), and The Death of the Incredible Hulk (1990). All three films starred Bixby and David Banner and Ferrigno as Hulk.
The Incredible Hulk (1996-1997)
The Hulk shone extra brightly in this two-season animated series on UPN (remember that network?). Lou Ferrigno reprised his role to provide the Hulk’s voice. With season one determined to have been a little too dark, UPN decided to “give female viewers a chance.” Enter She-Hulk as a co-star, and season two of the series was officially renamed The Incredible Hulk and She-Hulk.
Hulk (2003)
The first feature film to showcase the Hulk was this 2003 origin story, starring Eric Bana as Banner/Hulk and Jennifer Connelly as Betty Ross. The film performed reasonably well in the box office and a sequel was planned. However, talks of Disney’s Marvel acquisition were underway, and plans for a sequel were shelved. Instead, Disney rebooted the film in 2008 as the second film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
The Incredible Hulk (2008)
The Hulk’s first appearance in the MCU was another origin story. Edward Norton played both sides of Banner/Hulk, and he portrayed Banner faithfully to the comics – quiet and withdrawn. Liv Tyler shone as Betty Ross, with William Hurt playing the part of Thunderbolt Ross and Tim Ross rampaging as Abomination.
The Incredible Hulk in the MCU
The Incredible Hulk has smashed in several films throughout the MCU, including several Avengers films and Thor: Ragnarok (2017). The change in production brought a change in the character as well. Mark Ruffalo went green for the superhero role, bringing some subtle humor to the role, and giving the intense character a much needed touch of charm. Hulk has also appeared in credit scenes of several other MCU films.
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (2022)
This 2022 series on Disney+ features a few select appearances by Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk, but focuses on Hulk’s cousin Jennifer Walters. The lawyer-turned unwilling superhero took the Hulk-like idiosyncrasies in a hysterical direction in this fourth-wall-breaking storyline. Light in nature and heavy on the comedy, the series even revisits Abomination as a mostly-reformed former terror.
Other Versions of Bruce Banner’s Hulk
Thanks to the endless imaginations of comics creators (and the frustratingly endless possibilities of the Marvel Multiverse) there have been dozens of variations of the Hulk over the years. We won’t look at them all, but enjoy a few of the most notable.
Professor Hulk
In the 1990s, a more thoughtful Hulk was born – Professor Hulk. This combination of brains and brawn into one being gave the Hulk a dimension he had never before enjoyed. He also provided the basis for the Professor Hulk in Avengers: Endgame (2019).
Weapon H
What do you get when you combine Hulk and Wolverine? You got it – Weapon H! This may be one of the most dangerous Hulk variants on the list, fusing Hulk’s raw power with Wolverine’s adamantium claws and healing abilities. But wait, there’s more! Weapon H can also shapeshift between different Hulk forms, including Red Hulk and even the Leader.
Maestro
Set in a dark, post apocalyptic future, this version of Hulk has mutated into Maestro – a dictator bent on ruling the remains of humanity with an iron fist. The ruthless, sadistic, and tyrannical Maestro is an excellent example of what would happen if the Hulk ever embraced his darker roots.
Kluh
Kluh (Hulk spelled backwards) represents the bad side of Hulk, when unencumbered by his moral compass. A vicious and evil-minded beast, Kluh is ruled by hate. His black skin, glowing red scars, white spiky hair, red eyes, and clawed hands make him look every bit the evil part. This part of hulk’s psyche emerges enough to present as a minor antagonist in itself.
Grey Hulk/Joe Fixit
We know why Hulk is green and not gray as originally envisioned, thanks to the difficulties of inferior printing equipment in the 1960s. A retconned story tells of Hulk turning green due to additional use of gamma radiation, leading to the most well-known Hulk (also known as Savage Hulk).
Both the gray and green Hulk versions reside in Banner’s psyche, with the stronger green personality usually winning out. But a 1980s comic run by Peter David reimagined the original Grey Hulk personality, giving him the alias “Joe Fixit.” And as you might imagine, this version was a morally ambiguous Las Vegas enforcer and all around tricky, manipulative “tough guy.” I kid you not, this was an actual version of Hulk.
Other Hulks (Not Bruce Banner)
Not every Hulk comes from inside Bruce Banner. Over Marvel’s many creative years, other characters have taken up the mantle. We’ve already looked at Thunderbolt Ross as Red Hulk, Samuel Sterns as the Leader, and Jennifer Walters as She-Hulk, but let’s touch on a few other Hulk variations.
Skaar and Hiro-Kala
These two sons of Hulk were born of his second wife Caiera the Oldstrong. Skaar initially vowed to hunt down and kill his father in a misguided quest for revenge. Skaar and Hulk finally had their big battle in Incredible Hulk # 611 (1968), but they were able to overcome their issues, allowing Bruce and his son to embrace each other. On a lighter note, Skaar appeared at a Banner family picnic in the final episode of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.
Spider-Hulk
Spider-Man became the first Marvel hero outside of Hulk’s immediate friends and family to become a Hulk. Peter Parker was accidentally infected with Hulk’s gamma radiation in a 1985 issue of Web of Spider-Man. Parker became a full-fledged “Spider-Hulk” in the following issue. Despite Parker’s brilliance, he struggled to control the temper of his Hulk, until he was thankfully cured of the affliction.
Hulkpool
In 2007’s popular World War Hulk series, Deadpool absorbed so much gamma radiation he hulked out. “Hulkpool” combines the Hulk’s raw power with Deadpool’s immortality and prowess in hand-to-hand combat. Like many others, Deadpool had trouble reconciling a Hulkish component to himself, and he then went back in time to kill his original self. Hulkpool managed to kill his past self, however he himself was left still alive, since Hulkpool’s accidental machinations to this timeline had split into a new universe. Does that sound confusing? Thank the tirelessly complicated Multiverse.
Venom-Hulk
Comic fans love a good team up, and the pairing of Hulk and Venom in the 2019 series Absolute Carnage required every ounce of talent these two power players possessed. With Carnage going on a rampage of epic proportions, Hulk needed to pair with the Venom symbiote to stand a fighting chance. This combined super-Hulk still wasn’t able to defeat Carnage, but the team up was fun while it lasted.
There you have it – a sampling of Hulk’s smashing success over the decades. A new-to-the-big-screen version of Red Hulk, played by Disney Legend Harrison Ford, makes his debut in Captain America: New World Order, releasing in theaters on Valentine’s Day.
Do you have a favorite version of Hulk? Let me know what you think by joining the conversation on social: Instagram Facebook X
Sources:
Meet the Hulks of the Marvel Universe – Blair Marnell, Marvel.com, April 6, 2022
Marvel: 20 Strongest Versions Of The Hulk – Darby Harn, ScreenRant, June 9, 2024
