Summary
- The Hulk's evolution in the Marvel Comics universe includes variations like the Immortal Hulk and Maestro, making him one of the most powerful beings.
- Professor Hulk's integration of brains and brawn showcases a combination of strength, smarts, and potential, setting the stage for versions like the Hulk in Avengers: Endgame.
- Blue Hulk, powered by Captain Universe, reaches the height of Hulk power with flight, matter manipulation, and energy control, mastering the universe itself.
The the most powerful beings in the entire Marvel Universe.
The Hulk continues to evolve since his debut in The Incredible Hulk #1 in 1962, not only changing colors several times but exploring new powers and forms in different versions of comic continuity. Other Hulks like the She-Hulk emerged in later years, competing for the title of the strongest version of them all.
Gray Hulk
Incredible Hulk #1 by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Paul Reinman, Artie Simek
Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby during their historic creative run early in the Marvel Universe, the first Hulk possessed superhuman strength but wasn't very fast or agile. He also lost all of the brainpower of Bruce Banner when he transformed, rendering him a mindless brute easily manipulated by villains like Loki.
The dichotomy between the intellect of Banner and the brawn of the Hulk dominated the evolution of the character going forward, and much more stronger Hulk forms integrated both brains and brawn.
The Hulk was originally always intended to be gray, but due to a printing error, he ended up with a green shimmer, and Stan Lee requested that Hulk be colored that way going forward.
Ultimate Hulk
Ultimate Marvel Team-Up #2 by Brian Michael Bendis, Phil Hester, Ande Parks, JC, RS, Comicraft, and Wes Abbott
The Ultimate Hulk ripped the adamantium-laced Wolverine in half, easily cementing his status among the most powerful Hulks in the comics. Despite this, the Earth-1610 Hulk tops out in power and ability well below his Earth-616 counterpart. He lost major battles to Hercules and Thor, two characters the main Marvel Universe Hulk fought to a standstill.
This Hulk also fell under the influence of Kang, among the most powerful Kang The Conqueror variants in the comics, who used him to collect the Infinity Stones for her.
The Incredible Hulk
Incredible Hulk #1 by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Paul Reinman, Artie Simek
The Hulk's color changed in the second issue of the series in 1962 because the colorist, Stan Goldberg, had trouble realizing the gray color given the limitations of the era. Still, differences exist between the gray and green versions. The Incredible Hulk generally packs more punch than his gray predecessor, and is also much more agile and can jump enormous distances.
The green Hulk proved his incalculable strength early on when he fought Hercules to a stalemate. Comic book fans know Hercules possesses god-like strength, but it wasn't enough to defeat the Hulk in their first encounter in Tales To Astonish #79.
Infernal Hulk
Deadpool Annual #1 by John Layman, Juan Doe, Fabio D'Auria, and Clayton Cowles
A lot of people consider the Hulk a monster, but the Hulk of Earth-11638 was an actual demon. After Bruce Banner became the Sorcerer Supreme, he used his incredible magic to tear the Hulk personality from his mind and banished Hulk to Hell. Unfortunately, Hulk only grew stronger in the fires of Hell and transformed into a demon. Hulk wanted nothing more than revenge on Bruce Banner for casting him out, and after years of being banished to Hell, he was eventually able to break out and return to Earth as the Infernal Hulk.
Infernal Hulk was massively powerful and went on a rampage as he tried to locate Bruce Banner. Eventually, Infernal Hulk was stopped by trapping him inside another version of Bruce Banner and then snapping that Banner's neck before Infernal Hulk could take over again.
Cosmic Hulk
Eternals #14 by Jack Kirby, Mike Royer, Glynis Wein, and Mike Royer
The Cosmic Hulk shares the powers and abilities of the regular Hulk, including the ability to absorb and emit gamma radiation. His powers derive from a vastly different source, however. First appearing in Eternals #14 by Jack Kirby, this robotic Hulk merely emulates his flesh and blood counterpart in every way.
The robotic Hulk drew energy from the Uni-Mind but itself became a mindless instrument used against innocent civilians and even the powerful Doctor Doom in Incredible Hulk #606.
Hulk 2099
2099 Unlimited #1 by Evan Skolnick, Chris Wozniak, Chris Ivy, Marie Severin, and Steve Dutro
Hulk 2099 possesses the general strength, stamina, and endurance of the regular Hulk, with additional physical attributes like razor-sharp claws capable of slashing through solid steel and a long tongue. He also retained his intelligence and could transform back and forth at will from the Hulk to his human alter-ego John Eisenhart.
Hulk 2099 in some ways shared more in common with She-Hulk than his 21st-century namesake, being an attorney practicing law in a dark, dystopian future.
She-Hulk
Savage She-Hulk #1 by Stan Lee, John Buscema, Chic Stone, and Joe Rosen
Jennifer Walters received a blood transfusion from Bruce Banner, giving her most of his powers. Unlike him, she retains her intellect in the Hulk form and her super strength in human form, giving her a slight advantage in of power potential. Since her power stems from how angry she gets, like him, the limits to her strength and endurance remain largely unknown.
The Hulk at times proved he was stronger than She-Hulk, especially during World War Hulk, but both have since leveled up considerably, leaving the question open for debate in the comics and the Disney+ She-Hulk: Attorney At Law series.
