10 of the Worst Hulk Moments in Comics: A Critical Analysis

Virtually everything after the late 1980s saw Hulk undergo a significant transformation from a mindless brute to a corny one-liner smart alec with absurd new powers. Marvel's obsession with out-doing their rivals, particularly Superman, led to a series of character developments that don't align with the original or more critically received comic book arcs. This article critically examines some of the worst Hulk moments in comics, drawing from a mix of both canonical and non-canonical examples.

Key Points

The decline of Hulk's character from an intriguing hero to a ridiculous superhero. Multiple instances where Hulk appears weaker or less effective than expected. Fiterations in logic and inconsistency in character development.

The Decline of Hulk’s Character

For all its success, Marvel became obsessed with out-doing Superman. This obsession ultimately reflected in character developments that detracted from Hulk's original charm and effectiveness. As Stan Lee acknowledged, the issue arose because Hulk and other Marvel characters were given power boosts to compete with Superman. However, this approach led to a series of character arcs that were seen as detrimental to the franchise. ‘Hulk was a very interesting character before the late 80s. Anything after the early 90s is straight garbage.’

10 of the Worst Hulk Moments

Hulk Being Mindcontrolled by Puppetmaster

During the fight against the Fantastic Four in 2018, Hulk was mindcontrolled by Puppetmaster to attack the Thing (Fig.1). The fight ended with a disappointing outcome, with Grimm, the Thing, absorbing the brunt of the beatdown. This plot point lacks a solid foundation, as it is not clear how a mind-controlled Hulk, who should be stronger, could lose the fight. Moreover, Grimm's sudden victory, despite being rendered unconscious earlier, adds to the confusion (Fig.2).

Hulk vs. Red Hulk

One of the most embarrassing matches for Hulk was against Red Hulk in 2008 (Fig.3). Although he was initially strong, Red Hulk eventually outsmarted and outmaneuvered the ostensibly angrier Hulk, choking him out. This poorly constructed fight was an attempt by Jeph Loeb to showcase his new creation, but it came at the expense of the Hulk's reputation.

Hulk vs. Savage Wolverine

In Savage Wolverine 5, the Hulk was shown to be consort with a “special gorilla,” which is a highly unlikely and unsatisfying outcome (Fig.4). Any non-Adamantium weapon, including simple punches or any other less extreme jungle weapon, should not cause the Hulk significant harm.

Incest in Wolverine: Old Man Logan

Mark Millar's Wolverine: Old Man Logan is criticized for pushing boundaries in a way that alienates readers rather than engaging them. Banner refers to Betty as a "woman too much" for him, and questions if he should try Hulk instead. This statement is not only infantile but also inappropriate, especially in the context of a serious comic series (Fig.5).

Hulk vs. Batman

Batman vs. The Incredible Hulk reveals a notable lack of understanding of the Son of Krypton’s powers (Fig.6). Despite the comic stating that Batman is not hurting the Hulk, his movements are enough to momentarily astound him into holding his breath. This overreliance on mechanized equipment and seeing trivial actions as impactful demonstrates a disconnect between intelligence and reality (Fig.7).

Hulk vs. Maestro

In the Hulk: Future Imperfect 2, Maestro, who has survived numerous nukes and radiation, is killed by the original gamma bomb. This plot point, while focusing on the destructive capabilities of the gamma bomb, is illogical and lacks coherence (Fig.8).

Hulk vs. Kraven the Hunter

Incredible Hulk 11 is memorable for its portrayal of Hulk being restrained by Kraven the Hunter, despite his immense strength appearing as if he was Shrek (Fig.9). Kraven's traps and traps actually hold him for a while, which is not consistent with the Hulk's character arc and abilities.

Conclusion

This analysis highlights some of the most disappointing moments in Hulk's history, showcasing the decline in character depth and logic in the comic book series. While there were certainly improvements and engaging stories in the later comics, it is undeniably true that the character's evolution from a powerful and complex hero to a corny and often inconsistent figure detracts from the overall franchise.

References

Lee, S. (2005). Memories: Memories (Man of Steel/Man of Tomorrow). In L. Ziff, (Ed.), Memoirs of the Marvel Universe: Stan Lee’s Reminiscences of the Golden Age of Comic Books. (pp. 226-239). Toronto: Penguin Books.

Millar, M. (2018). Wolverine: Old Man Logan. London: Marvel Comics.

Lobdell, D. (2008). Hulk: Future Imperfect 2. Dallas: Marvel Comics.