As similar as Red Hulk might be, the differences between the two are significant; the pair have a diverging set of powers, and the people who transform into them are radically different in their own rights. Ahead of Red Hulk's MCU debut, and with the character starring in a new Marvel Comics miniseries, it is worth taking a deeper dive into what separates him from classic Hulk.

In an interview with Benjamin Percy – writer of Red Hulk, which features art by Geoff Shaw – the author described the series as "a war book," the story of which sounds primed to highlight what makes Red Hulk, and the man within, General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, different from Bruce Banner, the original Green Hulk.

Wounded and on the run from Doctor Doom, Ross will have to try and use his intelligence to survive, emphasizing the skills, while in human form, he has that Bruce Banner lacks.

Red Hulk Has A Brilliant Tactical Mind, Which His New Marvel Miniseries Will Put To The Test

Red Hulk – Written By Benjamin Percy; Art By Geoff Shaw; Available February 26, 2025 From Marvel Comics

Hulk comics are often about deep introspection about Bruce Banner and his struggle with the Hulk personality inside of him. How something with that much rage could live inside a man and whether he'll ever have a normal life. This is also usually accompanied by massive amounts of physical destruction as the Hulk goes on rampage after rampage. This is in stark contrast to Red Hulk, who's experience is best described by the writer of the character's new series. According to Benjamin Percy:

This is a war book. That’s how I’ve been talking about this with Editor Mark Paniccia from the beginning. That’s why Geoff Shaw is such a brilliant partner, since he draws such brutal, kinetic, gritty action. Wars don’t consist of a single battle. They’re long-lasting and complicated and require much more than brute force to win. The first few issues will feel like The Great Escape. The next few issues will feel like First Blood. And after that? Things get even wilder and thornier.

In other words, even as Red Hulk, "Thunderbolt" Ross is remarkable for his tactical genius.

It would be so easy to simply make an evil version of the Hulk. Someone with all the rage and physical power and no regret ing it to get whatever they want. But Marvel has taken a step further with Thaddeus Ross's character. Instead of making him a one-note monster, with the exact same powers as Bruce Banner, they've added more to him. Thaddeus doesn't lose his intelligence when he's transformed, and his experience in military conflict makes him a significantly more dangerous character; while the two look similar, Red Hulk and Hulk have some major differences.

Both Hulks Are Geniuses, But Bruce Banner's Brilliance Is Very Different From Thaddeus Ross' Intelligence

Banner Is A Scientist; Ross Is A General

Marvel has many genius-level characters, both Hulks included. As one of Marvel's most classic characters, many fans are already familiar with Bruce Banner's intelligence level, particularly his specialty in gamma radiation – both a blessing and a curse. There has never been anyone in Marvel Comics lore who is more of an expert in the realm of gamma radiation. When it comes to problems of complex radiation science, Bruce is one of the most highly regarded minds on the planet – that is, while in human form.

While Bruce Banner is a certified genius, the Hulk isn't. There are actually many different Hulk personalities inside of Bruce Banner, and they all have varying degrees of intelligence. Savage Hulk is little more than a rampaging child. Devil Hulk has a brutal cold cunning kind of intelligence, while Joe Fixit possesses a great degree of street-smarts. The Hulk is far from a stupid character, but he's not one that's often defined by his intelligence, only his brute strength and the intelligence Bruce Banner does have rarely has every day practical application. This is completely different from Red Hulk's intelligence.

Red Hulk's Differences From Green Hulk Are What Define The Character

Thaddeus Ross Is No Stranger To The Art Of War

Bruce Banner was a scientist testing a gamma bomb for the military when he was ultimately transformed into the Hulk. This is a stark difference to Thaddeus Ross, who had an extensive military background. Ross has been a general in the military for decades and is an incredibly skilled tactician. That's the biggest difference between these two characters. While Bruce Banner is a radiation genius, that isn't nearly as useful in a fight as having been in charge of and winning several military conflicts; Thaddeus is a pure genius when it comes to manipulating and outmaneuvering enemies on the battlefield.

Fans who are excited to watch Red Hulk rampage on screen in Captain America: Brave New World will certainly get what they want to some degree, but they shouldn't be surprised when Red Hulk is a different, nuanced type of Hulk.

Red Hulk excels in combat situations not because of his unbelievable strength, but because he's simply devoted the vast majority of his life to the art of combat. He's capable of predicting what his enemies are most likely to do and instantly coming up with a plan to counter them. It's an incredibly useful skill set when combined with his overwhelming physical strength, and it's what makes Red Hulk so incredibly dangerous. Bruce is incredibly smart, but the Hulk doesn't utilize his intelligence in combat, but Red Hulk and Thaddeus Ross are the same person. Ross completely retains his intelligence.

All told, these are among the biggest distinctions between the two versions of the Hulk – far from a surface level matter of coloration, the two are actually vastly different characters, with different goals, and different ways of achieving them. Fans who are excited to watch Red Hulk rampage on screen in Captain America: Brave New World will certainly get what they want to some degree, but they shouldn't be surprised when Red Hulk is a different, nuanced type of Hulk for a new era of the MCU.

Source: ComicBook.com, Benjamin Percy Interview

Red Hulk #1 will be available February 26, 2025 from Marvel Comics!