Powers and abilities of the Hulk
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is a listing of powers and abilities possessed by the Hulk, a fictional comic book superhero from the Marvel Comics universe.
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[edit] Powers and abilities
[edit] Strength
The Hulk possesses the potential for incredible 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." His original enraged strength, at a usual level, made him a match in combat with beings such as Thor[1] and Hercules.[2]
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 billion tons stands the Hulk".[3] More impressively, he managed to shift the continental plates of an entire planet to keep it from collapsing.[4] 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 outer space at great speed.[5] On another occasion he lost control of his power to a point where was referred as being 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.[6] The writer Greg Pak here described Hulk, as of the events of World War Hulk, as being at a level of physical power where "I don't think even Superman would stand a chance".[7] There are examples of the Leader,[8] and Doc Samson,[9] attempting, unsuccessfully, to measure the limits of The Hulk's strength using the advanced technology at their disposal. Upon probing by the Beyonder, his inner potential for strength was described by the Beyonder as incalculable.[10]
During combat with the psionic entity known as Onslaught, stated to possess power rivaling a Celestial,[11] 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 his armour.[12] 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.[13]
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,[14] and even jumping into a low-Earth orbit.[15]
[edit] Durability
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 for extremely long periods without tiring. 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,[16] 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.[17]
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 fictional planet Sakaar near the point of collapse,[18] and following this, Black Bolt's voice, which generated enough power to knock off a piece of the moon the size of Rhode Island.[19] He has also displayed sufficient durability to survive immersion in magma and the immense temperatures and pressure of a planetary mantle for extended periods.[20]
Other examples include withstanding energy blasts from the Silver Surfer,[21] Thor,[22] a vastly powered-up gigantic Thanos clone,[23] the High Evolutionary,[24] the Sentry,[25] or Galactus (when not fully nourished),[26] and a blast from Exodus was incapable of causing any discomfort.[27]
Even his eyeballs have been demonstrated as completely resistant to portable machine gun fire,[28] and his skin resisted being pierced by a "Dog O' War" stated as capable of crushing adamantium in 7.3 seconds.[29] As noted previously, the Hulk received no damage from a head-on collision powerful enough to shatter an asteroid twice the size of the Earth.[5]
[edit] 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.[30] 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 by Vector.[31] His future "Maestro" incarnation proved capable of eventually reconstructing himself after being blown to powder.[32]
He has displayed great resistance to unwilling transformation of his physical form. For instance, he was immune to direct genetic manipulation from the High Evolutionary.[24] Additionally he fought off the effects of being shrunk by Goom,[33] was quickly restored to normal by his healing factor after he was turned to stone by the Grey Gargoyle, [34] and he immediately tore free, completely unscathed, after having his limbs phased into solid concrete.[35]
As another possible effect, he has been shown as functionally immortal by human standards in terms of long lifespan.[36]
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.[37]
[edit] Speed and reflexes
Marvel Comics executive editor Tom Brevoort officially listed the Hulk as possessing super speed comparable with Thor or Spider-Man.[38] The Hulk has sufficiently fast reflexes and reaction time to match the Sentry in physical combat.[39]
[edit] Resistance to psionics
The Hulk has also demonstrated great resistance from psychic control such as assaults from Xemnu the Titan,[40] Cable,[41], Professor Phobos,[42] and Professor Xavier.[43]
In his earliest days, he proved vulnerable to the pre-Phoenix Jean Grey.[44]
[edit] Miscellaneous
- In addition to these powers, the Hulk demonstrated the ability to "home in" on the desert base where he was empowered.[45] He also has the ability to see and hear spectres, such as the astral form of Doctor Strange.[46]. In this episode Hulk successfully crushed Doctor Strange's hands through the astral plane when Strange had projected himself into Banner/Hulk's mind.
- His powers have been shown and stated to increase after absorbing large amounts of radiation up to ground zero nuclear attacks.[47]
- 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.[48]
[edit] Irregular abilities
- The Hulk has displayed limited reactive evolution, as he's developed a gland that enables him to breathe underwater,[49] and stated that he would adapt to the vacuum of space,[50] which he later did, spending prolonged periods without needing to breathe.[51]
- He once used a ‘homing sense’ to locate Onslaught while burrowing underground.[52]
- He has been stated to possess an undefined mystical connection, enabling him to work as an inter-dimensional nexus of reality,[53] and has acted as a sponge for dark magic, being immune to or empowered by its effects.[54]
- He has also been able to reflect the gamma ray blasts of the Galaxy Master back to the source.[55]
- 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,[56] changing direction in mid-jump, or punching his way through a time-storm.[57]
[edit] Notes and references
- ^ Journey Into Mystery #112 (Jan. 1965)
- ^ Tales To Astonish vol. 1, #79 ((May 1966))
- ^ Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #4 (Aug. 1984)
- ^ The Incredible Hulk vol. 3, #102 (Mars 2007)
- ^ a b Marvel Comics Presents #52
- ^ World War Hulk #5; http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread/showthread.php?t=136412
- ^ Greg Pak interviewed
- ^ Tales to Astonish #73 (Nov. 1965)
- ^ The Incredible Hulk vol. 2, #228 (Oct. 1978)
- ^ Secret Wars vol 2. #8
- ^ 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. 3, #102 (Mars 2007)
- ^ Silver Surfer vol. 2, #125
- ^ The Incredible Hulk vol. 2, #440 (April 1996)
- ^ X-Man/Incredible Hulk '98 Annual
- ^ a b Incredible Hulk vol.2, #266
- ^ World War Hulk #5
- ^ Marvel Super-Heroes Secret Wars #9
- ^ The Incredible Hulk vol.3, #84
- ^ Incredible Hulk vol.2, #395
- ^ The Incredible Hulk: Future Imperfect #1
- ^ 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 annual #5
- ^ The Incredible Hulk vol.2, #364
- ^ World War Hulk: X-Men #2
- ^ 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
- ^ The Incredible Hulk vol. 2, #259 (May 1981)
- ^ World War Hulk: X-Men #1
- ^ X-Men #66 (Mar. 1970)
- ^ 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
- ^ 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
