Red Hulk is an alias that is used by different fictional characters appearing in
American comic book
An American comic book is a thin periodical originating in the United States, on average 32 pages, containing comics. While the form originated in 1933, American comic books first gained popularity after the 1938 publication of ''Action Comics'' ...
s published by
Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics is an American comic book publishing, publisher and the flagship property of Marvel Entertainment, a divsion of The Walt Disney Company since September 1, 2009. Evolving from Timely Comics in 1939, ''Magazine Management/Atlas Co ...
. While the first two were created from members of the United States army, the third one is a form of
Hulk
The Hulk is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in the debut issue of ''The Incredible Hulk (comic book), The Incredible Hulk' ...
's Joe Fixit personality.
Fictional character biography
Thunderbolt Ross
The first incarnation of Red Hulk (also known as Rulk) first appeared in the ''Hulk'' series that debuted in 2008. The 2010 "
World War Hulks
"World War Hulks" is a comic book crossover storyline published by Marvel Comics that ran in 2010 following the "Fall of the Hulks" storyline.
The plot builds on the depowering of Bruce Banner by Red Hulk during the " Dark Reign" storyline and ...
" storyline reveals that this being is
United States Army
The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, cla ...
General
Thunderbolt Ross
General Thaddeus E. "Thunderbolt" Ross (also known as the Red Hulk) is a fictional character who appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics featuring the Hulk. Ross is a United States military officer, the father of Betty Ross, ex-father- ...
,
the father-in-law and longtime nemesis of the original
Hulk
The Hulk is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in the debut issue of ''The Incredible Hulk (comic book), The Incredible Hulk' ...
, Bruce Banner. The story line reveals that Ross was given the ability to transform into Red Hulk by the organizations
A.I.M. and the Intelligencia and that he did this in order to better fight the original Hulk.
[
]
Robert Maverick
The origin of the second Red Hulk appears in the 2017 debut issue of ''U.S.Avengers
''U.S.Avengers'' is an American comic book series published by Marvel Comics, featuring a traditionally patriotic-themed team of Avengers. It is written by Al Ewing and penciled by Paco Medina. It was released as part of Marvel NOW! 2.0.Betanco ...
''. Four-star General
A four-star rank is the rank of any four-star officer described by the Ranks and insignia of NATO, NATO OF-9 code. Four-star officers are often the most senior commanders in the armed services, having ranks such as (full) admiral, (full) general ...
Robert Maverick
General Robert L. Maverick is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is the second character to use the Red Hulk identity.
Publication history
Created by Al Ewing and Gerardo Sandoval, the character ...
is selected for his genetic profile to create a being who is "halfway to a Hulk". A device called the Hulk Plug-In, created by Avengers Idea Mechanics (a legitimate technology company created from the remnants of the defunct supervillain organization Advanced Idea Mechanics
A.I.M. (Advanced Idea Mechanics) is a fictional criminal organization appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. In most versions, it is depicted as a think tank of brilliant scientists dedicated to overthrowing the world's ...
), is implanted in Maverick's wrist. When triggered, it turns him into a variation of Red Hulk for one hour approximately every day and a half. Unlike the Thunderbolt Ross version of Red Hulk, Maverick retains his mustache in his Hulk form and wears his sunglasses. He joins the U.S. Avengers
''U.S.Avengers'' is an American comic book series published by Marvel Comics, featuring a traditionally patriotic-themed team of Avengers (comics), Avengers. It is written by Al Ewing and penciled by Paco Medina. It was released as part of Marvel ...
.
Joe Fixit
Hulk's Joe Fixit personality later gained the ability to transform into his version of Red Hulk form when in the Below-Place.
Other versions
The 2015 "Secret Wars
''Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars'', commonly known as ''Secret Wars'' for short, is a twelve-issue American comic book Fictional crossover, crossover limited series published from May 1984 to April 1985 by Marvel Comics. The series was written ...
" story line tells of an unidentified Red Hulk called the Red King, the Baron of the Battleworld
Battleworld is a fictional patchwork planet appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.
Publication history
The first Battleworld debuted in the ''Secret Wars'' crossover where it was created by Jim Shooter and Mike Zeck.
The s ...
domain of Greenland. A variation of Captain America
Captain America is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by cartoonists Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, the character First appearance, first appeared in ''#Golden Age, Captain America Comics'' #1 (cover ...
called the Captain is sent into Greenland by God Emperor Doom and Sheriff Strange to kill Red King, who is holding Bucky Barnes
James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Originally introduced as a sidekick to Captain America, the character was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby and first appeared ...
prisoner. After the Red King reveals to that group that he already killed Barnes, the Captain kills the Red King.
Powers and abilities
Red Hulk has superhuman strength, durability, and endurance, comparable to that of the Hulk
The Hulk is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in the debut issue of ''The Incredible Hulk (comic book), The Incredible Hulk' ...
. He is capable of absorbing radiation, which his body can metabolize for increased strength. Unlike the Hulk, increased anger does not make him stronger but emit increasing heat. The upper limit of this heat has not been specified. When fighting the Hulk, during Red Hulk's first story line, this heat created an aura of light around the two behemoths and melted the desert sand on which they stood into a glass disc at least dozens of feet in diameter. At this level, Red Hulk weakens and is vulnerable to being knocked unconscious by the Hulk.
References
{{Hulk
Set index articles on comics
Fictional characters with superhuman durability or invulnerability
Marvel Comics characters with superhuman strength
Marvel Comics superheroes
Marvel Comics supervillains
Hulk (comics)
Comics characters introduced in 2008