Hulk (Earth-1610)
The Hulk, born Bruce Banner, is an American scientist and hero. One of the world's most brilliant minds, Banner becomes a thoughtless monstrosity when he transforms into the Hulk, possessing virtually unmatched strength and endurance and remarkable agility. He seems to transform between his two personae based on stimulation: when Banner becomes angry he becomes the Hulk, and when the Hulk is calmed he becomes Banner. He was once engaged to Betty Ross, but the two have since separated, and Ross maintains a distasteful opinion of Banner.
Biography
Origin
Around the turn of the millennium, Bruce Banner was working with S.H.I.E.L.D. to recreate the super-soldier serum that had resulted in Captain America during World War II. The serum's formula had been lost with Cap's apparent death in 1945, and S.H.I.E.L.D. sought Banner's scientific expertise to develop a new one. Through undisclosed means, this plan went awry, transforming Banner into a huge green monster that came to be known as the Hulk.[1]
The Hulk and the Ultimates
Some time after his initial transformation in Nevada, the Hulk found his way to New York City, apparently pursued by the United States Army the whole way. When he arrived, he started committing wanton destruction, seemingly for its own sake. Spider-Man learned of this and took the fight to the Hulk, but soon learned that he was no match in direct combat.[2] Instead, Spider-Man led Hulk away from the bustling city center to an empty building on the docks, where Hulk began eating from a box of frozen fish. As Spider-Man watched quietly, Hulk transformed back into Bruce Banner, possibly having calmed down from being fed. Spider-Man confronted Banner, who began babbling vaguely about a conspiracy theory. Before he could adequately explain, the Army burst down the door and attempted to take Banner into custody. This disturbance angered and transformed Banner once more, and the Hulk again escaped the Army's clutches, fleeing to New Jersey.[3]
By early 2002, Banner was brought under control by S.H.I.E.L.D. and heavily medicated to prevent him from becoming the Hulk again. Banner became reasonably stable, fully intending to leave the Hulk behind him and continue his scientific career. S.H.I.E.L.D. boss Nick Fury came to Banner and offered him the opportunity to continue his research into the super-soldier serum. In particular, S.H.I.E.L.D. was interested in forming a superhero team—to become known as the Ultimates—to defend American interests, and a new Captain America was at the top of their recruitment list. Banner signed on as a subordinate to Henry Pym, who for his part was working on enlarging technology that would result in his Giant-Man persona. Frustrated with his own lack of progress, Banner was soon reheartened by the news that the original Captain America had been found alive and frozen in the Arctic Ocean.[1] Indeed, Steve Rogers was recovered and unfrozen, perfectly preserved and healthy. After some initial terror on Rogers' part, Captain America was returned to mental fighting shape.[4] Banner continued researching the serum with the added advantage of Rogers' blood, but still failed to make any progress. Pressure began to mount from the public and the rest of the team, especially from Hank Pym and Betty Ross, and the already fragile Banner crumbled emotionally. He injected himself with a cocktail of Captain America's blood and the serum that had originally created the Hulk, quickly going into cardiac arrest. He was rushed to the hospital, but rapidly transformed into the Hulk while in the ambulance.[5]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The Ultimates #2: "Big." (April 2002) Millar, Mark (w), Hitch, Bryan (p), Currie, Andrew (i), Eliopoulos, Chris (let), Mounts, Paul (col), Macchio, Ralph and Brian Smith (ed).
- ↑ Ultimate Marvel Team-Up #2: "Spider-Man & Hulk, Part One." (May 2001) Bendis, Brian Michael (w), Hester, Phil (p), Parks, Ande (i), Choi, Jung (col), Abbott, Wes (let), Macchio, Ralph and Brian Smith (ed).
- ↑ Ultimate Marvel Team-Up #3: "Spider-Man & Hulk, Part Two." (June 2001) Bendis, Brian Michael (w), Hester, Phil (p), Parks, Ande (i), Choi, Jung (col), Abbott, Wes (let), Macchio, Ralph and Brian Smith (ed).
- ↑ The Ultimates #3: "21st Century Boy." (May 2002) Millar, Mark (w), Hitch, Bryan (p), Currie, Andrew (i), Eliopoulos, Chris (let), Mounts, Paul (col), Macchio, Ralph and Brian Smith (ed).
- ↑ The Ultimates #4: "Thunder." (June 2002) Millar, Mark (w), Hitch, Bryan (p), Currie, Andrew (i), Eliopoulos, Chris (let), Mounts, Paul (col), Macchio, Ralph and Brian Smith (ed).