The 1980s were an eventful decade for the Incredible Hulk, as his comic book stories evolved from the nomadic fugitive narrative that inspired his 1970s TV series into more science fiction and fantasy-oriented fare. Featuring the introductions of multiple new heroes and villains, the '80s also saw the first appearances of new versions of the Hulk, not all of which shared the original's alter-ego.
Beginning with a five-year run by writer Bill Mantlo, the decade would close with the arrival of Peter David, arguably the most prolific author to ever pen the Incredible Hulk comic, as he began an unprecedented 11-year tenure. These two writers helped define the Avenger for a new generation of fans, and produced some of the finest Marvel comic book issues featuring the Hulk in the 1980s.
"The Monster" Incredible Hulk #250, 1980
The Hulk and the Silver Surfer had fought both against and alongside each other multiple times before this issue, but Incredible Hulk #250 marks the first meeting between the Surfer and Bruce Banner. Surfer, trapped on earth since Fantastic Four #50 (1966), devises a plan using gamma radiation to manipulate the force field preventing his escape. This naturally leads him to search for Banner, the world's leading expert on gamma radiation.
Expectedly, a miscommunication between the heroes leads to confrontation. At the climax of their ensuing battle, the Surfer makes a harrowing decision, sacrificing his own chance at freedom to save Banner and again showcasing the value for life that led to him being exiled on Earth in the first place.
"The More Things Change" Incredible Hulk #324, 1986
Following a brief separation from which Banner and the Hulk each barely survived, the two are re-merged, but their condition is unstable. A gamma-irradiated nutrient bath is devised as a solution, but things go awry when perennial Hulk antagonist and longtime villain Thunderbolt Ross attempts to sabotage the operation, and eternal sidekick Rick Jones falls into the chemical cocktail along with Banner. Not only does this issue return the Bruce Banner Hulk to his original, gray color, but it serves as the origin story for one of the earliest "alternate" Hulks when Rick Jones emerges in the following issue transformed into a new savage green goliath as well.
"Desert Heat" Incredible Hulk #326, 1986
After the events of Incredible Hulk #325 introduced a brand new Hulk, #326, unveiled his identity: Rick Jones. Though the reveal had been obvious from the start, the establishment of Jones' Hulk was an exciting turn of events. The massive throwdown in this issue between Jones' Hulk and Banner's recently returned gray Hulk heightened the excitement, featuring the very first encounter in what would eventually become an ongoing legacy of Hulks fighting Hulks. While Rick Jones' tenure was short, it was well-received and memorable, setting the bar for future alternate Hulks in the years to come.
"Vicious Circle" Incredible Hulk #340, 1988
Writer Al Milgrom's run on The Incredible Hulk (#320-330) was brief but notable, with the introduction of a new Hulk, the return of the gray Hulk, and the "death" of Thunderbolt Ross all taking place within his 10 short issues. When Milgrom's occupancy ended abruptly, incoming writer Peter David inherited multiple dangling plot threads. After an unassuming start, David would begin to find his stride a few issues in, with a particular standout coming in Incredible Hulk #340.
As David had begun establishing the gray Hulk as his own distinct character, he highlighted this shift by pitting the burgeoning new identity against one of the former Todd McFarlane, "Vicious Circle" deftly illustrates the differences between the classic and new Hulks by using one of his most well-known adversaries as a clear point of contrast.
"Crapshoot" Incredible Hulk #347, 1988
Though he spent his first few issues attempting to clean up the tapestry inherited by his predecessor, including depowering the Rick Jones Hulk early in his run, Peter David adopted the recently re-established gray Hulk as his own. Just over a year into what would become a legendary 11-year reign, David completed his slow-burning transformation of the gray Hulk, establishing the identity by which the character is most known today, Joe Fixit.
Far from a savage brute, Fixit established himself as a Hulk unlike any seen before; a callous, calculating, and cunning enforcer. Even after the eventual return of the savage green version, Fixit would remain a fixture in Hulk comics and a recurring alternate identity battling for dominance within Banner's fractured psyche.
"Everybody Loves A Parade, Right?" Incredible Hulk #279, 1983
Having recently gained full control of his Hulk form and redeemed his reputation, Bruce Banner receives a full pardon for his past actions and is celebrated as a hero, complete with a parade through Manhattan dedicated in his honor. Appearances from an assortment of the most significant of Marvel's pantheon, including the Avengers, Spider-Man, and Fantastic Four, contribute to an issue steeped in celebration, as the Hulk is showered with gifts upon the steps of City Hall.
Amidst the congratulations, Hulk receives a handshake from enduring rival the Thing, with Ben Grimm itting that the Hulk has in fact always been the stronger of the two. While the Hulk's metamorphosis into a beloved champion of the people was destined to deteriorate eventually, his day in the sun depicted in this issue is an undeniably feel-good moment after years of tragedy and turmoil.
"Days Of Rage" Incredible Hulk #300, 1984
Reverted to his savage state following the psychic "death" of Bruce Banner, a rampaging Hulk is confronted by many of the same heroes who had recently celebrated his redemption. d on its cover as a "Special Abnormally Sized Issue," Incredible Hulk #300 is best described as "Hulk vs Everybody, as the jade giant faces off against Avengers roster during the course of the issue.
After having spent the previous two and a half years of publication held in check by Banner's consciousness, the now unbridled Hulk unleashes enough rage to remind readers how he earned his incredible reputation, while the combined heroes resort to increasingly desperate lengths to contain the destruction.
"The She-Hulk Lives!" Savage She-Hulk #1, 1980
When attorney Jennifer Walters is wounded during an attempted mob hit, an emergency blood transfusion from her cousin, Bruce Banner, results in her transformation into her own incarnation of the gamma-irradiated hero: the sensational She-Hulk. Despite the hype surrounding her comic book debut, the real-world story behind She-Hulk's creation is less glamorous but no less fascinating.
Following the success of the television show The Bionic Woman, a spinoff of The Six Million Dollar Man, Marvel architect most enduring Marvel legacy heroes of all time. In the years since her inception, She-Hulk has undeniably outgrown the shadow of her namesake, becoming a fan-favorite character and spawning an eponymous MCU-set series on Disney+.
"Monster" Incredible Hulk #312, 1985
Chronicling the entire life story of Bruce Banner, Incredible Hulk #312 introduced previously unknown details of the doctor's history, including depicting for the first time young Bruce's physical abuse at the hands of his alcoholic father. Drawn with an aura of permeating anguish by future Hellboy creator tragedy to the character of Bruce Banner, touching on mature themes such as domestic abuse and depression.
Later writers would expound upon these revelations as they dissected the traumas which birthed Banner's ongoing mental illnesses and psychological instability. With equal amounts of heartbreak and hopefulness, the man behind the Hulk is laid bare as the monsters of his past converge into the monster he would eventually become.
"Old Soldiers Never Die" Incredible Hulk #291, 1983
Entirely centered around General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, Incredible Hulk #291 recounts his life's history up to that point, revisiting his continuing conflict with the Hulk from his own perspective. Taking place shortly after an ill-advised alignment with the villain MODOK, the story juxtaposes Ross' altruistic intentions with his history of misguided decisions as he battles with the guilt of his recent treasonous actions.
Adding new layers of nuance to his rivalry with the Hulk, "Old Soldiers Never Die" helped to establish a more sympathetic depiction of the general, which would heavily influence his later portrayals when he was transformed into the fan-favorite Red Hulk decades later.