The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has introduced five different Hulks, each with a unique color and story. The most well-known is Bruce Banner’s Hulk, played by Mark Ruffalo.
He is the classic green Hulk that most fans recognize. Jennifer Walters, known as She-Hulk, played by Tatiana Maslany, also has a green appearance. A third green Hulk, Skaar, appeared in the final episode of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law and is played by Wil Deusner.
However, not all Hulks are green. In What If…?, Jon Favreau’s Happy Hogan becomes a Purple Hulk in the episode “What If… Happy Hogan Saved Christmas?”. This was a fun take on the character, showing that Hulk variations are not limited to just comics. Most recently, the MCU introduced President Ross, played by Harrison Ford, who transforms into the Red Hulk.
Many casual fans may assume these color changes are just a creative decision by Marvel. However, the comics explain why different Hulk colors exist. In fact, eight more Hulk colors have yet to appear in the MCU, each with a fascinating background.
The Three Hulk Colors That Have Appeared in the MCU
Green Hulk: Green is the most common Hulk color. Bruce Banner, Jennifer Walters, and Skaar all have green forms. Other Hulk-like characters, such as the Abomination and Amadeus Cho’s Brawn, also share this color. The MCU has not yet explained why gamma radiation turns these Hulks green, but Marvel comics provide an answer.
The Immortal Hulk comic series (2018-2021) reveals that gamma energy comes from an ancient, god-like being known as the One-Below-All. This entity exists in a dark dimension called the Below Place.
Since gamma radiation is both a scientific and mystical force, it allows Hulks to transform into powerful beings. The One-Below-All is actually a version of the One-Above-All, a cosmic god believed to reside in a higher plane of existence.
Purple Hulk: The Purple Hulk in What If…? is different from the versions seen in comics. The first comic book Purple Hulk appeared in Incredible Hulk #370-371. In that story, an evil Sorcerer Supreme from another dimension, named Shanzar, possessed Hulk. This caused Hulk to turn purple, making him even stronger and immune to magic.
A second Purple Hulk appeared in Avengers #24 (2012). In this version, Norman Osborn, also known as the Green Goblin, absorbed the Avengers’ powers. After taking Red Hulk’s gamma radiation, he transformed into a massive Purple Hulk.
Red Hulk: The Red Hulk first appeared in Hulk (2008) Volume 3, Issue #1. In the comics, General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross became the Red Hulk after a group called the Intelligencia infused him with Banner’s gamma energy and cosmic radiation.
Unlike Bruce Banner’s Hulk, who gets stronger the angrier he becomes, Red Hulk increases in heat instead of strength. If he overheats too much, he can explode with the force of an atomic bomb. Red Hulk can also absorb different types of energy, making him even more dangerous.
The Gray Hulk That Was Almost in the MCU and Other Hulk Colors in the Comics
The MCU almost introduced a Gray Hulk. The Incredible Hulk 2 was never made, but director Louis Leterrier planned to feature multiple Red Hulks and an alternate Gray Hulk.
Marvel originally designed the Hulk to be gray in The Incredible Hulk #1, but printing issues forced them to change his color to green in The Incredible Hulk #2.
Later, Marvel explained that both Green Hulk and Gray Hulk exist within Bruce Banner’s subconscious. Gray Hulk resurfaced in The Incredible Hulk #323 (1986) and became a separate personality known as “Joe Fixit.”
Unlike the traditional Hulk, Joe Fixit was not just strong but also manipulative and cunning. He worked as an enforcer in Las Vegas and had a morally ambiguous nature.
So far, the MCU has not introduced these additional Hulk colors, but seven more exist in Marvel comics.
-
Orange Hulk: This version appeared in Uncanny X-Force #12. Unlike the other Hulks, the Orange Hulk draws power from solar radiation. This gives him abilities similar to Superman, making him a fusion of both characters.
-
Yellow Hulk: This Hulk appeared in Marvel Action: Avengers #9. He was not a real person but a creation of Steve Rogers’ nightmares. The villain Nightmare brought Captain America’s fears to life, including a version of the Hulk corrupted by the Advanced Idea Mechanics (A.I.M.).
-
Blue Hulk: In Captain Universe/Incredible Hulk #1, A powerful cosmic force merged with the Hulk, causing him to turn blue and gain extraordinary new abilities. This transformation granted him cosmic awareness, immense strength, energy projection, flight, and the ability to manipulate matter at an atomic level.
-
Silver Hulk: In What If…? Galactus Transformed Hulk? #1, Galactus chose Bruce Banner to be his new herald. As a result, Banner transformed into Silver Hulk, gaining abilities similar to the Silver Surfer.
-
Black Hulk: Black Hulk has appeared twice in Marvel comics. The first version, known as “Kluh,” was created when Doctor Strange and Scarlet Witch accidentally cast a spell that backfired.
-
The second version, named Titan, was created when the demon D’Spayre manipulated Bruce Banner’s mind. Both versions of Black Hulk were much stronger and more evil than regular Hulks.
-
White Hulk: Unlike the others, White Hulk was a joke character. He appeared in Strange Tales Volume 5 in a comedic story called “Hulk Squad, Smash!”. This version was intentionally silly and exaggerated.
-
Skin-Tone Hulk: This version is actually Doc Samson. In The Incredible Hulk Volume 2, Issue #141, scientist Leonard Skivorski Jr. exposed himself to gamma radiation taken from Bruce Banner. Unlike most Hulks, his skin did not change color, but his long hair turned green.
Will the MCU Introduce More Hulk Colors?
It is uncertain whether the MCU will include more Hulk variations. Some fans speculate that a World War Hulk movie could introduce different Hulk colors. This storyline, inspired by the Planet Hulk comics, would bring multiple Hulks into a single movie.
Until then, Bruce Banner’s Green Hulk, Red Hulk, and She-Hulk remain the most prominent versions in the MCU. With Marvel constantly expanding its universe, it is possible that more Hulks could appear in the future. Fans will have to wait and see what Marvel has in store for these powerful characters.
Also Read: ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ Ending Explained: Can Sam Wilson Handle What’s Next?
