Powers and abilities of the Hulk
This is a listing of powers and abilities possessed by the Hulk, a fictional comic book superhero from the Marvel Comics universe.
Powers and abilities
Strength
The Hulk possesses the potential for astounding levels of superhuman strength, growing directly proportional to his emotional state, particularly his anger, spawning the famous quotes: "The madder Hulk gets, the stronger Hulk gets," and "Hulk is the strongest one there is."
The Hulk has been shown capable of protecting other prominent Marvel superheroes from the collision of a falling mountain range, claimed to dwarf the Andes, and supporting a part of it on his back, with the assistance of leverage. The cover stated "Beneath one hundred and fifty billions tons stands the Hulk".[1] More impressively he managed to shift the continental plates of an entire planet to keep it from collapsing.[2] The Hulk has also been shown shattering an asteroid twice the size of Earth with a single punch, with the help of hydraulic catapults launching him into space at great speed.[3] On another occasion he lost control of his power to a point where he was about to destroy the entire planet beneath his feet, through the sheer output of force from his body. During that time his merest foot step threatened to sink the entire Eastern Coast of the United States[4]. During this time, the Hulk intentionally weakened himself to become vulnerable to Iron Man's attacks, and was described as being at a level of physical power where he could easily overcome Superman [5]. There are examples of the Leader,[6] and Doc Samson,[7] attempting, unsuccessfully, to measure the limits of The Hulk's strength using the advanced technology at their disposal.
During combat with the psionic entity known as Onslaught, stated to possess power rivaling a Celestial,[8] Jean Grey psionically disables Bruce Banner's persona, to remove all restraints on the Hulk's rage. While trading punches, the Hulk is angered to a point where he is able to overcome Onslaught's strength and destroy the latter's physical form.[9] In the officially approved statistics of the "Marvel Super Heroes Adventure Game" Hulk was listed as having a calm level strength of 20, but could reach at least 30 when enraged, the same as a Celestial. This can be compared to Thor and Juggernaut being listed at 19, Silver Surfer at 20, Thanos at 22, Destroyer at 24, and Surtur at 28.[10]
The Hulk possesses highly developed leg muscles which enable him to leap several miles at a time, and even longer distances while in an enraged state. He has been shown covering 1000 miles in a single leap,[11] and even jumping into a low-Earth orbit.[12]
Durability
 | This section needs additional citations for verification. (October 2007) |
The Hulk is depicted with extremely high levels of superhuman stamina and resistance to physical injury. His muscles are resistant to fatigue poisons, which allows him to function at peak performance without tiring for extremely long periods. He's been shown enduring the impact of high-caliber artillery shells, falls from orbital heights, or extremely powerful energy blasts without sustaining injury, and resisting poisons and diseases with no ill effect. The Hulk has been shown capable of withstanding a ground zero nuclear explosion,[13] as well as the 1,000,000-degree Fahrenheit "nova-burst" of the Human Torch, in one case combined with a full-power lightning strike by Storm.[14] At the end of the "Planet Hulk" storyline, he withstands the blast effect of a "warp core breach", which generated enough force to destabilise the planet Sakaar near the point of collapse,[15] and following this, Black Bolt's voice, which generated enough power to knock off a piece of the moon the size of Rhode Island.[16]
The Hulk is extremely resistant to drugs, but they can affect him.[volume & issue needed] His near-impenetrable skin makes gas a more reliable method of administering them.[volume & issue needed] He can also be immobilized, put to sleep, transformed into Banner (or other manifestations), or pacified, either by the use of magic, or specialized radiation.[volume & issue needed]
Healing factor
Despite his body's high resistance to damage, it is possible to injure the Hulk. He has been hurt numerous times by opponents wielding weapons composed of adamantium.[17] However, he can regenerate damaged or destroyed tissue with far greater efficiency than an ordinary human. He has proven capable of regenerating his eyes, skin, and most of his muscle tissue, within moments of having it flayed from his body.[18] His future "Maestro" incarnation proved capable of eventually reconstructing himself after being blown to powder.[19] He has been described as functionally immortal by human standards in terms of long lifespan.[20] It has been stated that The Hulk's durability, stamina and the efficiency of his healing powers all fluctuate with his emotional state, much like his physical strength.[21]
Speed and reflexes
Marvel Comics executive editor Tom Brevoort officially listed the Hulk as possessing superhuman speed comparable with Thor or Spider-Man.[22] The Hulk has sufficiently fast reflexes and reaction time to match the Sentry in physical combat.[23]
Resistance to psionics
The Hulk has also demonstrated great resistance from psychic control such as assaults from Xemnu the Titan,[24] Cable,[25] and Professor X.[26]
Miscellaneous
- In addition to his these powers, the Hulk demonstrated the ability to "home in" on the desert base where he was empowered.[27] He also has the ability to see and hear spectres, such as the astral form of Doctor Strange.[28]
- His powers have been shown and stated to increase after absorbing large amounts of radiation up to ground zero nuclear attacks.[29]
- He has displayed great resistance to unwilling transformation of his physical form. For instance, in addition to the occasions displayed in the "feats" list, he was immune to direct genetic manipulation from the High Evolutionary.[30]
- As a result of the Planet Hulk storyline, the Hulk has been written with combat skills and experience as a military strategist and leader. Also, he wears armor and utilizes mêlée weapons. For instance, he was able to eliminate the Juggernaut from his battle with the X-Men by using the latter's own momentum against him, accelerating him to a point where he could not stop himself.[31]
Irregular abilities
- The Hulk has displayed limited reactive evolution, as he's developed a gland that enables him to breathe underwater,[32] and stated that he would adapt to the vacuum of space,[33] which he later did, spending prolonged periods without needing to breathe.[34]
- He once used a ‘homing sense’ to locate Onslaught while burrowing underground.[35]
- He has been stated to possess an undefined mystical connection, enabling him to work as an inter-dimensional nexus of reality,[36] and has acted as a sponge for dark magic, being immune to or empowered by its effects.[37]
- He has also been able to reflect the gamma ray blasts of the Galaxy Master back to the source.[38]
- Occasionally, the Hulk has performed features not possible through real life physical force, even by comic-book 'logic', such as keeping apart matter and anti-matter spheres,[39] changing direction in mid-jump, or punching his way through a time-storm.[40]
Shown higher extents of power
Indexed in a very rough order of 'scale'.
- Ripping the gigantic "Flame of Life", created to withstand and fight the Celestials, in half.[41]
- Breaking the armour of Onslaught, stated to possess power rivaling a Celestial,[42] during combat when Jean Grey psionically disabled Bruce Banner's persona, to remove all restraints on the Hulk's rage. The Hulk was angered to a point where he was able to overcome Onslaught's strength and destroy the latter's physical form.[43]
- Pushing a 10x stronger than normal,[44] "warrior's madness" Thor towards the ground with a single arm.[45]
- Destroying a pocket universe, by clapping his hands to create a shock wave that reflected the Dark-Crawler's blasts.[46]
- Sending concussive shockwaves, causing cataclysmic upheavals throughout a great number of multiversal planets, by the impact of his punches when within the 'Crossroads' nexus.[47]
- Shattering Doctor Strange's otherwise indestructible Crimson Bands of Cyttorak.[48]
- Breaking free of a power-leeching machine that held Silver Surfer, Sub-Mariner, and Doctor Strange combined.[49]
- Defeating Doctor Strange when the latter was merged with the essence and power of a depleted Zom.[51]
- Denting or cracking true adamantium through physical force.[52]
- Withstanding energy blasts from the Silver Surfer,[53] Thor,[45] a vastly powered-up giant Thanos,[54] the High Evolutionary,[30] and Galactus.[55]
- Overloading the Absorbing Man.[56]
- Stopping the Juggernaut when Hulk had higher base strength, due to nexus-energies from Franklin Richards' pocket universe, but had lost his rage-factor. Likely given help from the light armor provided by Apocalypse.[57] He later repeated the feat without help. It was never resolved for how long this could be maintained.[58]
- Beating the Silver Surfer unconscious with 3 blows.[59]
- Reflecting Gladiator's eye-beams, stated to burn hotter than the heart of stars,[61] back into the latter's eyes by covering them with his hand, and beating him bloody and unconscious.[62]
- Defeating the Fantastic Four & Storm single-handedly, including smashing Sue Storm's force field.[63]
- Closing vault doors to a nuclear core that Thor and Thing together couldn't budge.[64]
- Throwing the 20-ton dragon Fin Fang Foom to the moon.[67]
- Effortlessly stopping a strike from Red Norvell's equal copy of Mjolnir with one hand.[68]
- Defeating nearly the entire X-men roster single-handedly, including easily breaking both of Colossus' arms, and overloading Strong Guy with one strike.[69].[70]
- Quickly being restored to normal by his healing-factor after he was turned to stone by the Grey Gargoyle.[71]
- Having his limbs phased into solid concrete and immediately tearing free, completely unscathed.[73]
- Resisting being pierced by a "Dog O' War" stated as capable of crushing adamantium in 7.3 seconds.[74]
Lower-end power occasions
Beyond being a creation that per definition varies greatly in power, as in the case with other Marvel Comics powerhouses like Juggernaut burned by a chandelier, Firelord being physically beaten by Spiderman, Silver Surfer unable to break the grip of Black Panther, or Thor being injured by Mongoose and rendered unconscious by a shot to the head from a conventional handgun, comicbook characters are sometimes displayed at wildly differing levels to fit story conveniences (or the interpretation/unfamiliarity of the writer in regards to the character) and greatly shifting personal bias. Hulk has overall been shown to grow vastly more powerful from his origins in the 60's and 70's, but even in recent years has occasionally been displayed at seemingly mindboggling lows. Listed below in order of scale/embarrassment, with references of date.
- Spider-Man reminiscing about Captain America withstanding the Hulk's blows and knocking him out.[77]
- Hurt by Deadpool's regular steel swords and impaled by a lamppost.[79]
- Several Spanish citizens transformed by Diablo based on the Hulk's appearance, leisurely beaten by a 25-feet tall Giant-Man.[80]
- Knocked unconscious by Spider-Man throwing a truck at him, as relayed by an audience of drunks.[81]
References
- ^ Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #4 (Aug. 1984)
- ^ The Incredible Hulk vol. 3, #102 (Mars 2007)
- ^ Marvel Comics Presents #52
- ^ World War Hulk #5; http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=136412
- ^ http://www.brokenfrontier.com/columns/details.php?id=792
- ^ Tales to Astonish #73 (Nov. 1965)
- ^ The Incredible Hulk vol. 2, #228 (Oct. 1978)
- ^ Heroes Return #1-#4
- ^ Onslaught: Marvel #1
- ^ Marvel Super Heroes Adventure Game™ SAGA, 1998
- ^ The Incredible Hulk vol. 3, #33 (Dec. 2001)
- ^ The Incredible Hulk vol. 2, #254 (Dec. 1980)
- ^ The Incredible Hulk vol. 2, #440 (April 1996); Fantastic Four #433
- ^ Fantastic Four #435; World War Hulk #2
- ^ The Incredible Hulk vol. 3, #105 (June 2007)
- ^ Iron Man Vol.2 #19; World War Hulk #4; Writer Greg Pak comments
- ^ The Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #340 (Feb. 1988); Wolverine vol. 2, #145; The Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #430
- ^ The Incredible Hulk vol. 1, #398 (Oct. 1992)
- ^ Hulk: Future Imperfect #2; The Incredible Hulk Vol.2, #451; The Incredible Hulk vol. 2, #460
- ^ Incredible Hulk: The Last Titan
- ^ The Incredible Hulk vol. 2, #394 (June 1994)
- ^ The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Hulk 2004 (August 2004)
- ^ World War Hulk #5
- ^ Defenders Vol.1, #12 (February 1974)
- ^ Cable Vol.1, #34
- ^ World War Hulk: X-Men #1
- ^ The Incredible Hulk Vol.1 #314
- ^ The Incredible Hulk vol. 3 #82
- ^ The Incredible Hulk vol. 3, #105 (June 2007); The Incredible Hulk: Future Imperfect #2; Fantastic Four #433; World War Hulk: X-Men #2
- ^ a b Incredible Hulk vol.2, #266
- ^ World War Hulk: X-Men #3
- ^ The Incredible Hulk vol. 3, #77
- ^ The Incredible Hulk vol. 3, #90
- ^ World War Hulk: Prologue
- ^ The Incredible Hulk Vol.2 #445
- ^ The Incredible Hulk Vol.2 #453; The Incredible Hulk Vol.2 #450
- ^ The Incredible Hulk Vol.3 #82; The Darkness/Hulk #1
- ^ Incredible Hulk Vol. 2 #270
- ^ Marvel Team Up annual #2
- ^ Incredible Hulk vol. 2, #135
- ^ The Incredible Hulk vol.2, #242
- ^ Heroes Return #1-#4
- ^ Onslaught: Marvel #1
- ^ Thor vol.1, #502
- ^ a b The Incredible Hulk vol. 2, #440 (April 1996) Cite error: The named reference "Thorfight440" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ Incredible Hulk vol.2, #126
- ^ "Incredible Hulk vol.2, #305
- ^ The Incredible Hulk vol. 2, #450
- ^ Defenders vol. 2, #8
- ^ World War Hulk #5
- ^ World War Hulk #4
- ^ Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #12; The Incredible Hulk vol.2, #300
- ^ Silver Surfer vol. 2, #125
- ^ a b X-Man/Incredible Hulk '98 Annual
- ^ Marvel Super-Heroes Secret Wars #9
- ^ The Incredible Hulk vol. 2, #456
- ^ The Incredible Hulk vol. 2, #457
- ^ World War Hulk: X-Men #3
- ^ Incredible Hulk vol.3, #95
- ^ Incredible Hulk Vs Superman (1997)
- ^ Fantastic Four vol. 1, #250
- ^ Incredible Hulk Annual 1997
- ^ World War Hulk #2
- ^ The Invincible Iron Man vol.2, #6
- ^ Heroes Return #1
- ^ Marvel Fanfare #7
- ^ Hulk vs. Fin Fang Foom (Dec. 2007)
- ^ Incredible Hulk vol.2, #421
- ^ World War Hulk: X-Men #2
- ^ World War Hulk: X-Men #1-#3
- ^ The Incredible Hulk vol.2, #364
- ^ Incredible Hulk annual #5
- ^ World War Hulk: X-Men #2
- ^ The Incredible Hulk: Future Imperfect #1
- ^ The Incredible Hulk vol.3, #84
- ^ Incredible Hulk vol.1, #470, November 1998
- ^ Fallen Son: Spider-Man April 2007; Very rough scale comparison: Maximum human strength: 472.5kg. Weight of the Earth: 6.0×10^24kg.
- ^ Marvel Fanfare vol.2, #2-3, October 1996
- ^ Deadpool vol.1, #4
- ^ Avengers vol.3, #39, April 2001
- ^ Spider-Man Unlimited #11, November 2005
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