The latest fight between Marvel Universe's most imposing figures clash once more, it has become evident that neither is inclined to play by the "rules."
The Incredible Hulk Annual (2024) #1 – written by Derek Landy, with art by Geoff Shaw – continues the massive "Infinity Watch" crossover storyline, as Hulk becomes Thanos' next great obstacle toward his goal of once more acquiring Marvel's Infinity Gems. At least for Thanos, the battle does not go as planned – as not only does Hulk refuse to be defeated, but he is more than willing to fight dirty, overcoming an inhibition that held him back in previous encounters with the villain.
Hulk vs Thanos Proves It Doesn't Pay To Fight Fair Against The Mad Titan
The Incredible Hulk Annual (2024) #1 – Written By Derek Landy; Art By Geoff Shaw; Color By Frank Martin; Lettering By Cory Petit
The Incredible Hulk Annual offers a thrilling comic book battle between Marvel's Mad Titan, Thanos, and one of Earth's Mightiest Heroes' strongest , the Hulk. The fight featured in the issue is everything Marvel Cinematic Universe fans wish they had gotten from a face-off between the two characters. It is an extended one-on-one fight that finds each of them getting the upperhand at one point or another – before Hulk finally emerges victorious by embracing a tactic he's never used against Thanos before: fighting dirty.
During their brawl, Hulk bites Thanos, sucker punches him in the gut, and hits him from behind – in the process, physically disorienting the alien antagonist. At the same time, Hulk's irreverence toward his opponent infuriates Thanos, getting him further emotionally and psychologically off-balance in order to aggressively maintain the advantage. More than just an exposition of brute force, The Incredible Hulk Annual depicts this version of Hulk as a master of battlefield mind-games. In the end, it is his mental manipulation of Thanos, as much as his physical ability, that allows Hulk to prevail.
Hulk Reminds Readers That He's Powerful Enough To Stand Toe-To-Toe With Thanos
The Incredible Hulk Annual (2024) #1 – Available Now From Marvel Comics
Of course, in the abstract, most Marvel fans know that Hulk is one of the publisher's strongest characters – but realistically, Thanos' Eternal biology, and various upgrades throughout the years, have made him immeasurably strong, yet Hulk more than holds his own when they trade blows.
The villain has never faced this incarnation of the Hulk before, and the Mad Titan ultimately pays for underestimating his enemy.
As mentioned, he also stands tall as he trades insults with Thanos – another dimension to this battle that makes it by far the most exciting Hulk vs. Thanos match-up in Marvel history. Hulk is depicted as an intellectual equal to Thanos, something that increasingly works in his favor as the battle progresses. When Thanos remarks that he has defeated Hulk before, Hulk corrects him; the villain has never faced this incarnation of the Hulk before, and the Mad Titan ultimately pays for underestimating his enemy.
Hulk Is More Than Willing To Whatever Is Necessary To Put Down The Mad Titan
Hulk Holds The Advantage – Until Their Next Bout
The Incredible Hulk Annual does more than just emphasize that Hulk is a physical and mental match for Thanos; it doubles down on the fact that Hulk is a fighter unlike any of his Avengers colleagues, one who is willing to use tactics others wouldn't. This is the key to his victory, as it turns out, but even more crucially, it sets the stage for an escalating rivalry between the pair. In their inevitable next confrontation, Thanos will know he has to raise – or rather, lower – the bar if he wants to keep up with Hulk.
Thanos Finally Takes on the 1 X-Men Hero Strong Enough to Beat Him Solo
Jean Grey's "Phoenix" series continues to escalate, as her new role as a cosmic Marvel hero brings her into conflict with the Mad Titan, Thanos.
In other words, hopefully Marvel recognizes the great potential for further confrontations between Hulk and Thanos, and acknowledges the enthusiastic fan response to their fight in this year's The Incredible Hulk Annual. Who would win in a fight between the two is a perennial question for Marvel fans, and each time the two come into , it adds fuel to the fire of that raging debate. Though Hulk won this round, he will have to fight even harder, and even dirtier, the next time he and Thanos come to blows.
The Incredible Hulk Annual #1 is available now from Marvel Comics.
- Alias
- Robert Bruce Banner
- Created By
- Stan Lee, Jack Kirby
- Franchise
- Marvel
- First Appearance
- The Incredible Hulk (1962)
- Alliance
- Avengers, Defenders, Horsemen of Apocalypse, Fantastic Four, Pantheon, Warbound, S.M.A.S.H., Secret Avengers
The Hulk, a Marvel Comics superhero created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, is physicist Bruce Banner transformed by gamma radiation. He morphs into a giant, green-skinned creature of immense strength and invulnerability when angered. Struggling with his transformations, Hulk allies with other heroes, battling villains while balancing his intellect with uncontrollable rage, making him a central figure in Marvel's universe.
