As a longtime fan of the mighty Green Goliath, I must say that the Hulk’s exploits and escapades have always been a source of amusement and fascination for me. From his unparalleled strength to his occasionally bizarre sexual encounters, the Hulk has certainly led an interesting life.
Few characters in American media, particularly superhero comics and Marvel lore, have achieved the legendary status that the Hulk enjoys. This iconic figure was born from the minds of Jack Kirby and Stan Lee in 1962, initially portrayed as a “Frankenstein”-like innocent giant with a dynamic reminiscent of “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” where he shared a dual identity with Bruce Banner. Over the years, the Hulk has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide, creating a unique fiction archetype all its own. The Hulk is a character that everyone recognizes, and more importantly, adores.
And yet, not everyone knows everything there is to know about the Hulk. A sticking point in the enduring cultural fascination with the Green Goliath stems from his anatomy — the sheer, alluring uncanniness of a scrawny nerd transforming into a massive green pile of muscles that can’t be hurt by anything short of atomic bombs. The Hulk’s classic imagery alone is iconic, with the seemingly indestructible purple pants that hide his anatomy just so, an improbable piece of fabric tethering the giant monster to recognizable humanity. It makes one wonder what’s underneath those pants, and what are the nuts and bolts of his more general physiology.
Over the years, comics have provided and documented a wealth of intriguing details about the Hulk’s physique. These details sometimes push the boundaries, being either graphic, gruesome, or suggestive in nature. Here are some of the most surprising facts that might alter your perspective on the Hulk, especially if you’re not already acquainted with them.
The Hulk can swallow you whole — but not with his mouth
While the general idea behind Marvel’s Hulk characters has often been creepy, some versions have taken this to a terrifying extreme. Among these, none have ventured as far into horror as “The Immortal Hulk,” a 2018 series penned by Al Ewing and illustrated by Joe Bennett. In “The Immortal Hulk,” it’s revealed that Bruce Banner is forced to accept the Hulk’s chilling fact: he can’t be killed and will always return, no matter the details of his demise.
In Issue 8 of the series, the chilling consequences of immortality reach their gruesome climax. Here, a group of scientists are performing tests on pieces of the Hulk’s dismembered corpse, stored in separate containers. At one point, Dr. Clive discovers that Captain Marvel is leading an operation to halt their experiments, which sends him into a frenzy. In his agitation, he taunts the Hulk’s various body parts about their impending fate – a move that triggers them to break free from their containers and whirl around Dr. Clive. Before he can react, the Hulk’s body parts surround him, enveloping the scientist in gamma-radiated flesh as the regeneration process initiates with Dr. Clive trapped within the reforming body. By the time the Hulk is fully restored, Dr. Clive has been killed and assimilated into his form. Such a scene would surely impress director David Cronenberg.
One time, the Hulk lost all of his skin — and it was disgusting
In May 1962, the ongoing legacy comic series known as “The Incredible Hulk” experienced a significant turning point in 1992. At that time, the storyline was being steered by writer Peter David, who had been scripting the comics since May 1987 and made notable decisions that altered the characters significantly. One such change was merging the green and grey Hulks with Bruce Banner into a single entity. From July 1992, David’s tenure unfolded the four-part “Ghost of the Past” storyline, illustrated by Dale Keown. This arc focused on the Hulk’s battle against the U-Foes and Samuel Sterns, also known as the Leader.
In Comic Issue #398, published on August 18, 1992, the Hulk confronts the U-Foes at the Pantheon’s base. During this battle, Vector, a telekinetic with matter acceleration abilities, attempts to weaken the Hulk by stripping him of his clothes and skin, pushing him away with force. However, the Hulk’s immense strength overpowers Vector’s repelling powers, allowing him to approach and deliver a punch that sends Vector flying and renders him unconscious. Despite being left completely skinless, reduced to a writhing gray mass, the Hulk quickly recovers due to his healing abilities, regenerating his skin and restoring himself back to normal within just a few seconds. This state of vulnerability is startling, but the Hulk swiftly recovers.
Sometimes Hulk’s body heals TOO fast
Regarding regeneration, Hulk’s incredible capacity to recover from almost any bodily harm can sometimes be overly potent, leading to fresh complications for him. This is evident in “Incredible Hulk” issue 430.
In April 1995, Issue #430 – a solitary comic written by Peter David and illustrated by Liam Sharp – was published. This issue depicts a confrontation between the Hulk and an arch-nemesis, Speedfreek, who exploits the Hulk in an attempt to reach and eliminate a teenage boy believed responsible for the death of Speedfreek’s daughter. The clash between hero and villain leads to Speedfreek slicing open the Hulk’s abdomen with adamantium blades. In a desperate bid to keep his organs from spilling out, the Hulk presses his hand against the wound. Remarkably, the Hulk’s rapid regenerative powers cause his stomach to heal around his hand in mere seconds, resulting in an uncomfortable fusion of his left arm and upper body. This unfortunate event forces him to painfully extract his hand from his own wounded abdomen.
The fleeting advantage of rapid healing, experienced by the Hulk, mirrors his existential predicament: he possesses immense power yet struggles to intentionally manage it and shape it according to his desires. It’s difficult not to perceive a sense of sorrow in the portrayal of this character accepting the pain that will ensue as he forcibly removes his hand from his own body.
The Hulk is humbling
In family-friendly Marvel Comics, characters like the Hulk, known for his gigantic size transformations, often spark curiosity among readers about personal aspects such as his physical size. This is a topic that has been a source of speculation for many years. However, Hulk comics have generally chosen not to address this issue directly, instead providing hints and scattered information for the more curious fans to interpret.
In the unique occurrence found in “The Incredible Hulk” #398 from 1992, readers received a hint regarding Hulk’s physical dimensions. This is where Vector rips off Hulk’s skin, and the intriguing disclosure unfolds a few pages later. As Hulk regenerates into his whole form, he, as expected, remains in the nude. He’s eager to rejoin the battle, but Agamemnon, head of the Pantheon, intervenes, stating that fighting won’t be necessary due to their recent truce with the Leader. The Hulk wanders around the mountain, protesting, when the Leader asks him to put on pants, noticing that his large size was causing discomfort among some men present. He also mentions the presence of women, but Atalanta seems unfazed, commenting from the sidelines, “I’m not in a hurry.
The Hulk is… vigorous… in bed
As a passionate gamer immersed in the Marvel universe, I’ve always found the Hulk’s character intriguing, and not just because of his strength or anger management issues. You might notice that his sexuality has been a significant aspect in some storylines, which is quite unusual for comic books of this nature. It’s fascinating to consider how the raw energy and relentless vigor associated with the Hulk could potentially influence his intimate life. And it seems that this curiosity has been addressed, as the Hulk’s performance, if you will, has been portrayed as quite impressive in certain narratives.
In various tales throughout the years, the character of the Hulk has been depicted as having a very strong libido. However, in “Giant-Size Wolverine: Old Man Logan” #1, this intensity becomes unsettlingly excessive. This comic book, penned by Mark Millar and illustrated by Steve McNiven, presents a chilling vision of Bruce Banner as a mad tyrant ruling over a post-apocalyptic California, now known as “Hulkland” and governed by the Hulk Gang – a group of offspring born from the incestuous relationship between the Hulk and his first cousin Jennifer Walters, also known as She-Hulk.
In one instance during their battle, Hulk (Banner) refutes allegations that he’s become insane due to radiation exposure by stating, “Who else could I have paired up with except my first cousin? Jenny She-Hulk was the only one capable of keeping up with me!” The comic doesn’t specify if Banner acted upon such feelings or merely contemplated them, but in any case, it presents a troubling scenario from various perspectives.
The Hulk’s transformations have gotten grosser and grosser over the years
Over time, the character of the Hulk, initially portrayed as a horror-tinged Marvel creation and essentially a monster who involuntarily takes control of another man’s body, underwent a transformation in the comics. This shift led to him being depicted less as a pure monster and more as an “angry giant hero.” The consistent depiction of Bruce Banner transforming into the Hulk, as seen in the classic 1978 TV series and all three live-action cinematic adaptations of the character since the 21st century, is that he merely grows bigger and turns green.
Apart from the conventional method, the transformation of the character can also be presented differently, as evidenced by the creators of the Hulk comics who have grown increasingly mindful of this flexibility in recent years. The phenomenal success of “The Immortal Hulk” series, with its recurring themes of body horror and its portrayal of the Banner-Hulk interface as a horrific blend of pain, deformation, and grotesque imagery, has influenced more recent comics to depict the Hulk as an entity that violently emerges from Bruce Banner, tearing him apart in a manner reminiscent of classic werewolf horror. Issue #6 of “The Incredible Hulk” volume 4, published in November 2023 with Phillip Kennedy Johnson on scripting duties and Nic Klein handling the artwork, offers an exemplary illustration of this approach, showing the Hulk gruesomely emerging from Banner, his head sprouting out like a snake shedding its skin. Yuck.
A recent version of his transformation was literally stomach-churning
Blood Hunt,” also written by Johnson and illustrated by Danny Earls.
In the vein of the grand “Blood Hunt” crossover involving Marvel superheroes facing off against the resurrected Vampire Nation, the standalone comic “Hulk: Blood Hunt” delves into the story of Bruce Banner. He stumbles upon the abandoned town of Old Tucson in his pursuit to free Charlie Tidwell’s soul from a cursed doll. Upon his arrival, he encounters only one resident – a man named Miguel – and discovers that vampires lurk beneath the earth. The eerie setting sets the stage for horror, but the truly chilling moments unfold when Banner transforms into the Hulk.
In the comic “Blood Hunt,” the Hulk is portrayed as forcefully tearing open Bruce Banner’s ribcage and exiting his body, a scene described by Earls in a gruesome and terrifying manner. However, it’s possible that this violent emergence is symbolic of how Banner feels during transformations rather than a literal event. Nonetheless, the imagery is so intense, it’s as if we’re witnessing the permanent arrival of the Horror Hulk.
Ultimate Hulk was an incredible horn-ball
One memorable milestone in Marvel Comics lore is the initial installment of “Ultimates,” a series centered around an Avengers team comprised solely of characters from the Ultimate Marvel universe. In the first volume of “Ultimates,” penned by Mark Millar and illustrated by Bryan Hitch, between 2002 and 2004, the Ultimate Hulk takes on a role similar to a villain. In this alternate universe, Bruce Banner has managed to keep the Hulk under control for some time, but when the Ultimates are struggling with public image, he administers a serum that transforms him into a colossal Hulk, causing chaos throughout New York City.
In the “Ultimates” volume 1, the Hulk is portrayed differently compared to most versions, as he represents an unbridled expression of Bruce Banner’s suppressed primal instincts. This interpretation leads to Ultimate Hulk being overtly and relentlessly sexual, not only pursuing all the sexual encounters that Banner avoids but also frequently expressing his desire for sex to anyone who listens. He seems to disregard morality and empathy, often showing a lack of concern about consent. In one disturbing scene, he implies that he plans to forcefully seduce Betty Ross as revenge for her rejection of Banner. Throughout the years, the Hulk has been depicted in various ways, but among these, this version stands out as particularly sleazy.
The Hulk’s bare butt was a big first in the MCU
In comparison to their comic book versions, the movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe are exceptionally, rigorously, and cautiously designed for family viewing. Given that mature content is shunned in traditional Marvel comics to retain younger readers, this becomes a significant financial risk when dealing with high-budget blockbusters expected to rake in billions at the box office. As a result, it’s uncommon to witness romantic interactions or explicit displays of affection among characters in MCU films.
As a die-hard Marvel fan, I can’t help but notice an interesting trend when it comes to nudity in Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films. In an unexpected twist, the Hulk took the lead in breaking this pattern – or should I say, his backside did! The first instance of a MCU film daring to show nudity was in “Thor: Ragnarok,” where a comical scene between the jade giant and Thor (Chris Hemsworth) briefly revealed the Hulk’s bare posterior. Interestingly, before “Ragnarok,” the franchise had come close to this, albeit unofficially, with the Hulk again playing a role – this time in his human form as Bruce Banner, portrayed by Edward Norton, in “The Incredible Hulk.” Fast forward to the future, Taika Waititi, the director of “Thor: Ragnarok,” wasn’t shy about pushing boundaries again when Chris Hemsworth bared it all in a revealing scene in “Thor: Love and Thunder.” The Hulk may have started this trend, but it looks like he’s got some competition!
She-Hulk’s nudity has been played for laughs (and controversial commentary)
Way back in 1992, the “Sensational She-Hulk” comic playfully addressed reader’s inclination towards objectification with regard to Jennifer Walters. In this era, some She-Hulk enthusiasts had long been demanding that the character be shown in the nude on the pages – a request that would have been strictly against guidelines set by the Comics Code Authority, as any form of nudity was forbidden at that time.
In issue #40 of “Sensational She-Hulk,” published in April 1992 by John Byrne, the cover showcases an apparent depiction of She-Hulk with minimal clothing, covered only by a newspaper and a bold declaration, “THIS IS IT! BECAUSE YOU DEMANDED IT!” Inside the comic, She-Hulk is seen jumping rope, seemingly without clothes, though blurred lines conceal certain private areas. Throughout these scenes, She-Hulk addresses the reader, expressing her displeasure about being forced to expose herself in such a manner for the sake of comic sales, despite her success as an attorney and membership in the Avengers team.
Later on, Renée Witterstaetter, the editor of the comic, intervenes and removes the rope from She-Hulk’s grip, explaining that Tom DeFalco (Marvel’s editor-in-chief at the time) wouldn’t approve such a scene if She-Hulk was truly nude. This leads to the disclosure that she had been wearing underwear beneath her clothing all along. Unruffled but concerned, She-Hulk now frets about potential issues with the Better Business Bureau due to allegations of false advertising.
The Hulk was once de-Hulkified by sex
In many comics that delve deeper into the Hulk’s sexuality, like Mark Millar’s “Ultimates” series, sex is often portrayed as a raw, energetic, and instinctual act for the character, reflecting his aggressive personality and disregard for limits. However, in a unique scenario, sex has been shown to contradict the Hulk’s persona so much that it prevents Bruce Banner from transforming into the Hulk under any circumstances.
In issue 3 of the “Defenders” miniseries from 2005-2006, written by Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis with illustrations by Kevin Maguire, we see that when Umar the Unrelenting captures the Hulk, she uses him as a sort of decorative ornament, or “paperweight.” After they engage in sexual activity, the experience proves incredibly enjoyable and calming for the Hulk. Instead of escalating his anger, it has the opposite effect, transforming him back into Bruce Banner. Interestingly, following their intimate encounter, Banner finds that he is unable to revert back to the Hulk, regardless of any attempts by himself or Umar.
Apart from sleeping with and enduring Hulk in a previous encounter, Umar even sought another instance. In the comic series “Incredible Hulks” #633 by Greg Pak (writer) and Paul Pelletier (illustrator), Umar was portrayed as dominating the Hulk once more, drawing him into her realm, the Dark Dimension, to be her companion. Interestingly, in these later events, the Hulk appeared able to retain his green form during their intimate moments.
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2024-12-22 15:30