Want to talk about ‘Incredible’? We’ve got some awesome Hulk trivia that will prepare you for any Avengers-style smackdown! Check out these details about our favorite scientist turned green monster of mayhem:
1. If you can imagine it, The Incredible Hulk we know as a keen green – wasn’t actually going to be green! Hulk was originally more gray than anything but the printers had issues with having a grayscale figure on paper. The shades were strangely inconsistent and so Stan Lee made the call to switch to a green which could make the character pop. (Ironically, Gray Hulk aka “Joe Fixit” would appear in the comics later.)
2. In a story-arc meant to show the range of Hulk, Nick Fury hires Wolverine to take Hulk down. How did that go? Well, Hulk ripped Wolverine in half. Rough, right? Imagine being Logan.
3. The Avengers we know and love weren’t always sure on how to handle Bruce Banner’s wildcard of an alter-ego. So much so that, during the Civil War arc, they captured Hulk and shot him into space in order to keep him from doing anymore damage to Earth. How did that end up? Look into the Planet Hulk comics and read a thrilling story where Hulk essentially has to break free from captivity on a planet of intelligent lifeforms attempting to enslave him to use his strength.
4. The Hulk storylines actually didn’t resonate with fans for at least a decade. Stories were started and ended prematurely because writers weren’t sure how to handle his powers. In some stories, Bruce Banner would constantly need to tap into gamma rays in order to become Hulk. In others, he would only become Hulk at night. This and several other inconsistencies made it difficult for decades to get Hulk right. We’re glad they get him now!
5. It was actually Edward Norton who pushed to have Lou Ferrigno, who played Hulk in the 70’s-80’s television series, included in The Incredible Hulk where he played Bruce Banner. This wouldn’t be the only time Lou Ferrigno was included in the films either. Nice to have a call back for the fans!
(Marvel)
6. Pre-Hulk does have six total words he’s spoken in films: “Hulk Smash“, “Betty” and “Leave Me Alone.” You can say he’s a man of few words, compared to Bruce Banner is known for his intellect and eloquence with language. In the comics, of course, the Hulk speaks quite a bit albeit struggling with his grammar here and there.
7. The Leader, a character in the Marvel Universe, was made to be the opposite of Hulk. He has a diminutive stature but incredible intelligence that should make him a decent rival for Hulk; however, while trying to introduce the character in ‘Hulk’, the villain went nowhere. Abomination, aka former KGB agent Emil Blonsky, also underwent gamma exposure but a much more similar transformation to Banner’s; he even made it to the big screen in The Incredible Hulk, played by Tim Roth.
8. Hulk is one of three characters who can see the astral plane that Doctor Strange phases into, making him able to see Strange when others think he’s vanished. Why? No idea. Gamma rays, maybe?
9. When Marvel and DC did their crossovers, DC’s Solomon Grundy was mashed-up with Hulk to make… wait for it — Skulk. We’re still scratching our heads about that one but at least it delivered a new twist on the Hulk’s storyline.
10. Hulk was actually featured on a 1971 cover of Rolling Stone! Rolling Stone did a fantastic issue that actually delved into stories of Marvel’s now iconic heros as well as the staff involved! (Another headline from the same issue was “Spider-Man’s Secret Life!”)
(Marvel)
