Warning: Contains SPOILERS for The Ultimates #6! The the Hulk single-handedly takes on the combined might of the Ultimates, and crushes them with his mystical power combined with his world-breaking strength - indeed, just one punch hits like “15 atomic bombs”, and that’s barely scratching the surface.

In The Ultimates #6 by Deniz Camp and Juan Frigeri, the Ultimates - consisting of Iron Lad, Captain America, She-Hulk, Giant-Man, Wasp, Thor, Sif, Hawkeye, America Chavez, and the Human Torch - are breaking into another one of the Maker’s facilities. This time, they’re doing so to free a group of prisoners that (like them) were meant to be superheroes, before the Maker traveled to this world and reshaped it to his liking. However, the Ultimates had bad intel. When they opened the vault to the Maker’s ‘prison’, they found themselves in K’un-Lun, with the Hulk waiting for them there.

The Ultimates are very aware of who the Hulk is, as he’s a prominent member of the Maker’s Council. While the mission to save a group of imprisoned would-be-heroes is a bust, they can at least take down this immense threat to humanity. Unfortunately, that’s way easier said than done. When She-Hulk attacks Hulk, he charges his fist just as fans have seen Earth-616 Danny Rand do many times, and strikes her with a punch that hits like “15 atomic bombs”. At that moment, the Ultimates realize they aren’t dealing with an average ‘Hulk’, but rather “The Atomic Iron Fist”.

Hulk Becoming the Atomic Iron Fist is His Greatest Upgrade in Marvel History

Hulk isn’t Just Extra Powerful, but is Way Deadlier in More Ways than 1

The obvious power-upgrade that comes with merging the Hulk’s proven strength through gamma mutation and that of the Immortal Iron Fist is put on full display in this issue of The Ultimates. However, that’s only a fraction of why this upgrade is so great. Not only is the Hulk physically stronger than he’s ever been, but he also holds the title of the Iron Fist, which alone comes with some pretty epic perks.

Hulk is the guardian of K’un-Lun, meaning he has unlimited access to this otherworldly plane. Given his villainous status, the Hulk abused his role as K’un-Lun’s protector, and became its conqueror instead. And since he is the Iron Fist, the residents of K’un-Lun have no choice but to follow him - and they do so with undying loyalty. This means the Hulk not only has a permanent base of operations (which is an upgrade from the famous waywardness of his Earth-616 counterpart), but he also has an army of trained fighters that’s loyal only to him.

The Hulk has also become an expert hand-to-hand combatant. One of the main processes of becoming the Iron Fist is martial arts training, as one cannot hope to claim such power from brute strength and determination alone. So, the Hulk underwent the necessary training, and - as this issue shows - he became a martial arts expert. That means the Hulk isn’t just insanely strong on a cosmic scale, he is also a trained fighter, meaning he can likely tangle with the best the universe has to offer and still come out on top.

Marvel Already Proved Iron Fist is Strong Enough to Defeat the Avengers

Thunderbolts #137 by Rick Remender and Mahmud Asrar

While watching the Hulk wipe the floor with the Ultimate Universe’s version of the Avengers might have been shocking to see (especially since the Avengers and the Ultimates of the past have battled the Hulk before, and have always come out on top), Marvel Comics actually already proved why the Atomic Iron Fist’s victory is so sound. In Thunderbolts #137, Iron Fist is put through a series of hyperrealistic simulations where he’s battling the Avengers single-handedly, and every time, he kills them like it’s nothing.

Iron Fist punches through Spider-Man’s chest, launches Captain America’s shield at Wolverine’s head, ricochets a bullet fired by Captain America back at him with his enchanted hands, and nearly takes off Luke Cage’s head with a super-powered chop. And this is a version of Iron Fist that’s not only reluctant to fight the Avengers, but doesn’t have the added strength of the Hulk. Therefore, when the Ultimates went up against the Atomic Iron Fist, they never even had a chance.

While the Ultimates made it out of K’un-Lun with their lives thanks to the brilliance of Earth-6160’s Reed Richards (aka Doom), the Hulk is still out there, and he still wants every single one of them dead. And now, as fans just witnessed for themselves, the Hulk has the means to make that a grim reality, as his permanent upgrade makes him the new Iron Fist, and he’s never been stronger.

The Ultimates #6 by Marvel Comics is available now.