The Incredible Hulk
The stronger Hulk gets, the madder Hulk gets... and the madder Hulk gets, the stronger Hulk gets.
Abilities
- •Virtually unlimited superhuman strength that increases with rage
- •Near-invulnerable skin resistant to bullets, explosions, and extreme temperatures
- •Powerful regenerative healing factor
- •Can leap miles in a single bound
- •Thunderclap — creates devastating shockwaves by clapping hands
- •Resistance to mind control and psychic attacks
- •Ability to see astral forms and ghosts
- •Bruce Banner possesses genius-level intellect in nuclear physics
- •Can breathe underwater and survive in space for extended periods
Powers & Abilities
Biography
Dr. Robert Bruce Banner was a brilliant nuclear physicist who was caught in the blast of a gamma bomb he designed for the U.S. military. The massive dose of gamma radiation should have killed him, but instead it triggered a transformation — whenever Banner experiences extreme stress or anger, he transforms into the Hulk, a massive green-skinned behemoth with virtually limitless strength.
The Hulk's power is unique in the Marvel Universe because it has no upper limit — the angrier he gets, the stronger he becomes. This has made him both one of Earth's greatest defenders and one of its most dangerous threats. Banner has spent decades trying to control or cure his condition, while the Hulk personality views Banner as a weak prison to escape from.
Over the years, Banner has manifested multiple Hulk personas: the savage Green Hulk, the cunning Gray Hulk (who operated as “Joe Fixit” in Las Vegas), the merged “Professor Hulk” who combined Banner's intellect with the Hulk's power, and most recently the terrifying Immortal Hulk who cannot truly die. Despite — or because of — this internal war, the Hulk remains one of Marvel's most compelling and powerful characters.
First Appearances
Incredible Hulk #1
1962First appearance and origin of the Hulk — Bruce Banner is caught in a gamma bomb explosion. Originally gray-skinned in this issue.
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Incredible Hulk #2
1962Second appearance — first green-skinned Hulk. Introduces the ability to transform at night.
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Incredible Hulk #3
1962Third appearance — first time Hulk is triggered by anger rather than nightfall
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Key Villain First Appearances
Tales to Astonish #90
1967First appearance of the Abomination — Emil Blonsky becomes Hulk's most dangerous gamma-powered rival
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Incredible Hulk #2
1962First appearance of the Toad Men, early Hulk villains
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Tales to Astonish #62
1964First appearance of the Leader — Samuel Sterns, Hulk's genius arch-nemesis
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Incredible Hulk #271
1982First comic appearance of Rocket Raccoon — yes, in a Hulk comic!
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Joining the Avengers
Major Battles
Incredible Hulk #181
1974Hulk vs Wolverine — first full appearance of Wolverine. One of the most valuable comics in existence.
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Hulk #340
1988Gray Hulk (Joe Fixit) vs Wolverine rematch — iconic Todd McFarlane cover
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Incredible Hulk Annual #1
1968Hulk vs the Inhumans — first major crossover battle
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Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #4
1984Hulk holds up a 150-billion-ton mountain to save the other heroes
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World War Hulk #1
2007Hulk returns to Earth enraged after being exiled to space — takes on the entire Marvel Universe
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Iconic Storylines
Incredible Hulk #312
1986The definitive Bruce Banner origin — reveals his abusive father Brian Banner. Peter David's landmark issue.
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Incredible Hulk #330
1987Todd McFarlane begins his legendary art run on the Hulk
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Incredible Hulk #340
1988The most iconic Hulk cover ever — gray Hulk reflected in Wolverine's claws by Todd McFarlane
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Incredible Hulk #377
1991Banner, Gray Hulk, and Green Hulk merge into "Professor Hulk" — Peter David's masterpiece
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Planet Hulk (Incredible Hulk #92)
2006Hulk is exiled to space and becomes a gladiator king on the planet Sakaar
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Immortal Hulk #1
2018Horror-driven reimagining by Al Ewing — Hulk can't die. Critically acclaimed modern run.
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Different Hulk Personas
Incredible Hulk #1
1962Gray Hulk — the original Hulk was gray, not green (printing error led to the change)
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Incredible Hulk #347
1988Joe Fixit era begins — gray Hulk works as a Las Vegas enforcer in a suit
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Incredible Hulk #377
1991Professor Hulk — Banner's intellect with Hulk's strength. The "merged" personality.
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Totally Awesome Hulk #1
2015Amadeus Cho becomes the new Hulk, taking over from Bruce Banner
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