Bruce Banner

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See also Hulk for a complete list of references to clarify differences between these closely named or closely related articles.


Bruce Banner
Aliases:	Robert Bruce Banner; The Hulk; Grey Hulk; Mr. Fixit
Continuity:	Marvel Universe
Notability:	Main character
Type:	Superhero; Scientist
Gender:	Male
Race:	Mutated human
Location:	New Mexico New York City, New York Sakaar
Relatives:	Brian Banner (father) Rebecca Banner (mother) Jennifer Walters (cousin) Betty Ross (ex-wife) Thaddeus Ross (ex-father-in-law) Caiera the Oldstrong (mate) Skaar (son) Hiro-Kala (son)
Status:	Formerly deceased
First:	Incredible Hulk #1
Actor:	Bill Bixby Lou Ferrigno Neal McDonough Eric Bana Edward Norton Mark Ruffalo

The Hulk is the name of a fictional comic book character as well as a series of comic book titles published by Marvel Comics based on that character. The Hulk is the monstrous alter ego of a physician named Robert Bruce Banner and was introduced in the first issue of his own short-lived comic book series titled Incredible Hulk, cover-dated May, 1962. The initial series lasted only six issues, but was picked up again in 1968 when the anthology series Tales to Astonish changed its title to The Incredible Hulk with issue #102. The Hulk comic franchise has been rebooted several times and spun-out into a successful multimedia franchise. There was an animated program in the 1960s, which was part of the "Marvel Super-Heroes" umbrella of animated shorts. The popular live-action series, The Incredible Hulk ran on CBS for five seasons and starred Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno. Another cartoon series aired in the 1980s followed by a third animated project, which ran for two seasons from 1996 to 1997. There have also been two live-action feature films and several direct-to-video animated projects. The first feature film was directed by Ang Lee and starred Eric Bana as Bruce Banner. The film was rebooted in 2008 and was directed by Louis Leterrier. It starred Ed Norton as the tormented Banner. This version of the Hulk was also featured in the 2012 movie The Avengers, this time played by actor Mark Ruffalo.

Overview[]

The Hulk is the alter ego of Robert Bruce Banner - a scientist working for the U.S. Army, who is exposed to a lethal amount of gamma radiation, which transforms him into a giant grey-skinned behemoth that men call the Hulk. Initially, Banner only transformed into the Hulk when the sun went down, but in short order, the monster's grey skin was turned into the classic green skin that everyone is familiar with. The means by which the transformation occurred changed as well. Whenever Bruce Banner experienced feelings of anger or great anxiety, he would change uncontrollably into the Hulk. The Hulk's intelligence level has altered many times over the years. He started out in the series with average intelligence, but soon de-evolved into the classic-era "Hulk Smash" Hulk. There have also been permutations that have shown the Hulk boasting Banner's intelligence and others where he was a completely primeval savage with no human intellect at all.

Biography[]

Silver Age[]

Bruce Banner discovered that someone else had found his gamma ray projector and used it to transform themselves into a super-strong monster. This turned out to be a Russian spy named Emil Blonsky who became the Abomination. Banner transformed into the Hulk and fought with the Abomination, who proved to be stronger and more intelligent than he. The Abomination scored a decisive victory over the Hulk in their first go-around, and then took Betty Ross hostage and super-leaped away. ^[1]

The military used gamma-electrodes to revive the Hulk and he reverted to his human state. Banner then used an Infinite Weapon Ray to lure the Abomination back to Gamma Base. Once Betty Ross was safely tucked away, he changed into the Hulk and the two fought a second time. The fight ended in a stalemate, and was interrupted when the mysterious cosmic being known as The Stranger teleported the Abomination off of planet Earth. ^[2]

Bronze era[]

When the Hulk learned that Trish Starr was abducted by Machine Man, he launched into another classic berserker rage. As it turned out, it was actually an agent of the Corporation posing as Machine Man who abducted Trish under orders of Curtiss Jackson. Jackson's scheme relied upon the notion that the two powerhouses would destroy one another. The Hulk fought against Machine Man in Central City, California. He pulled up some underground cabling to electrocute the robot, but also succeeded in rupturing a gas main, which caused a huge explosion. When he came to realize that Jackson had Trish, he super-leaped across town to the Mid-State Tower. Machine Man apprehended Jackson and the Hulk pounded the roof of the skyscraper until the entire structure came tumbling down. ^[3]^[4]^[5]

Modern era[]

Maria Hill met with Bruce Banner who offered S.H.I.E.L.D. the services of the Hulk in exchange for letting him have access to S.H.I.E.L.D.'s resources. Hill was reluctant to accept Banner's offer until she saw how effectively the Hulk took down the Mad Thinker. Believing that it would be wise to keep as close an eye on Banner as possible, Hill accepted him into S.H.I.E.L.D. ^[6]

Equipment[]

Bannertech shield: The Bannertech shield is a technological device developed by Bruce Banner. It acts as a personal force field, generating a small pocket electromagnetic force that surrounds his body. Although the field can deflect physical assault, it seemingly allows molecules of oxygen through so that Banner can breathe.
Bannertech stun gun: The Bannertech stun gun was developed by Bruce Banner. It fired a tentacle cable which would attach itself to a target and deliver an extremely powerful electric shock, causing neuromuscular incapacitation. The voltage of the stun gun is very high, and is capable of momentarily stunning powerful opponents such as the Red Hulk. Prolonged exposure to the stun gun's tentacle barbs would result in an increase in current, which would extend the results.
Gamma ray detector:
Infinite Weapon Ray: The Infinite Weapon Ray was a device designed by Bruce Banner. Its purpose was to repel oncoming objects that possessed a gamma radiation signature. When the Abomination kidnapped Betty Ross and super-leaped away, Banner reversed the polarity on the weapon, transforming it into a veritable gamma magnet. The Abomination felt an unnatural compulsion to return to Gamma Base, whereupon the military were able to secure Betty's safety. ^[2]