TheHulk’s journey through theMarvel Cinematic Universehas been tumultuous to say the least, but the comics might proffer the perfect stories to fix his unfavorable depiction. Hulk started strong inthe MCU timelinewithThe Incredible Hulk(2008), yet somewhere along the way, the MCU turned one of its most compelling characters into comic relief. Smart Hulk was fun — briefly — but many agree that the rage, tragedy, and depth that define Hulk in the comics have been lost. Luckily, Hulk’s comic book history is packed with storylines that could reignite his legacy.
In Marvel Comics, Hulk has always been more than just a big green brute. Bruce Banner’s tragic inner battles, Hulk’s emotional complexity, and his wild, sometimes horrific adventures have made the character a constant favorite. Meanwhile, the MCU largely side-stepped that rich material afterAvengers: Age of Ultron, smoothing Hulk’s edges in favor of humor and science-fiction spectacle. Furthermore, Hulk never received a sequel to his solo movie,The Incredible Hulk, and was largely relegated to supporting roles.
10Betty Ross Becomes The Red Harpy
Immortal Hulk #16
One of the most haunting moments inImmortal Hulkcame when Betty Ross — Bruce’s long-time love — returned as the Red Harpy. After years of tragedy and transformation, Betty wasn’t just another gamma-powered fighter; she was somethingfar more monstrous and tragic. The MCU has underused Betty Ross sinceThe Incredible Hulk(2008), with Liv Tyler only recently returning forCaptain America: Brave New World.
Having Betty mutate into the Red Harpy would create an emotionally charged arc for both her and Bruce, giving the MCU a chance to explore the cost of gamma radiation on personal relationships. Bruce confronting the woman he loves in a form that’s part terrifying beast, part vengeful spirit would bea compelling evolution of their story. It’s the perfect way to deepen Hulk’s emotional story while reintroducing horror elements that the character has always thrived on in the comics.
9Hulk Vs Red Hulk
Hulk (2008) #4
The introduction of Red Hulk inHulk(2008) rocked the Marvel Universe and gave fans a brutal new rivalry. Red Hulk, eventually revealed to be Thunderbolt Ross, combined raw strength with military cunning, making him a deadly foe for the original Hulk. A real Hulk vs. Red Hulk battle in the MCU could be theepic showdown audiences have been waiting for— especially with Harrison Ford stepping into the role of Ross inBrave New World.
The MCU has set the stage perfectly: Red Hulk’s appearance would not only give Hulk a worthy opponent, but it could also reflect Bruce’s personal demons. Fighting Ross, a man who’s hated Hulk for years, would embody Bruce’sstruggle for acceptance and redemption. Plus, a real Hulk-on-Hulk slugfest would bring back the massive, world-shaking action sequences that made Hulk a legend in the first place.
8Skaar’s Backstory Is Revealed
Skaar: Son Of Hulk #1
One of the biggest surprises inShe-Hulk: Attorney at Lawwas the sudden introduction of Skaar, Hulk’s son from the comics. However, the showbarely touched on his origins and has not appeared in the MCU again since. In the comics, Skaar’s backstory is tragic and epic: he’s the son of Hulk and Caiera, born during Hulk’s time on the planet Sakaar.
Raised in a savage world, Skaar grows up believing he must kill his father to claim his destiny. The MCU desperately needs to flesh this out. Giving Skaar a proper origin story would finally allow the MCU to explore the untapped potential of Hulk’s Skaar storyline, while deepening Bruce’s character as a fatherforced to confront the sins of his past. Further interactions between Hulk and Skaar could bring emotional drama, brutal action, and the cosmic scale that Phase 5 has been building toward.
7Bruce Banner Becomes Grey Hulk’s Mr. Fixit
The Incredible Hulk (Vol. 2) #347
One of Hulk’s most fascinating transformations came when Bruce Banner’s fractured psyche gave rise to Joe Fixit — the Grey Hulk’s cunning, morally ambiguous persona who worked as a Las Vegas enforcer. Unlike the savage green Hulk, Mr. Fixit is intelligent, crafty, and operates in the shadows. Adapting this arc would give the MCU an opportunity toshow off a completely different side of Bruce.
After the relatively flat depiction of Smart Hulk, audiences are ready for a Hulk with some edge. Introducing Grey Hulk and Joe Fixit would allow Mark Ruffalo to stretch his performance, playing a more sarcastic, morally complex version of the character. Plus, it would open the door for noir-inspired stories that couldblend crime, action, and psychological drama, giving Hulk a fresh setting far from the usual superhero formula. It’s the reinvention the MCU’s Hulk desperately needs.
6Bruce Banner Has Group Therapy With The Hulks
The Incredible Hulk #377
InThe Incredible Hulk#377, Bruce Banner undergoes a revolutionary form of therapy where he confronts the multiple Hulks inside his own mind. With the help of Doc Samson, Bruce faces the Green Hulk, Grey Hulk (Joe Fixit), and his childhood trauma, leading toa major step toward internal balance. This comic moment is essential because it frames Hulk’s transformations as more than physical — they’re psychological battles.
The MCU has touched on Bruce’s split identity lightly, but it’s never dived deep into the fractured psyche behind the rage. A “group therapy” session on screen would let Mark Ruffalo explore Bruce’s internal conflict in a raw, emotional way. It could even bring back Edward Norton’s Hulk and alternate versions, mirroring multiversal trends. The result would be a visually stunning, introspective storylineunlike anything Marvel has attempted with Hulk so far.
5Hulk Meets Maestro
The Incredible Hulk: Future Imperfect #1
Future Imperfectintroduced one of Hulk’s most terrifying foes — himself. Maestro is a future version of Hulk who survived the apocalypse, absorbing radiation to become stronger, smarter, and utterly ruthless. When present-day Hulk meets Maestro, it’sa chilling reminder of what he could become if he loses his humanity. Bringing Maestro into the MCU would instantly raise the stakes for Hulk’s story.
This would give Mark Ruffalo a powerful dual role and let Marvel explore darker, dystopian themes. It would also answer a lingering MCU question: what happens if Hulk stops caring? With the Multiverse Saga reaching its sixth and final phase, introducing Maestro could anchor Hulk’s arc with real emotional and moral urgency, giving audiences the most intense Hulk story yet. Maestro would also bean Avengers-level threat, meaning the MCU could tell a Hulk story while sidestepping the rights issues with Universal.
4Hulk Is Framed For Murder
Incredible Hulk (Vol. 2) #52
InIncredible Hulk(Vol. 2) #52 Bruce Banner faces one of his darkest moments when he’s blamed for the supposed death of a young boy named Ricky Myers. The world turns against Hulk,believing he murdered an innocent child in a violent rampage. However, it’s eventually revealed that Ricky is actually alive, hidden away in a secret base by a shadowy organization secretly led by Hulk’s longtime enemy, the Leader.
The entire murder accusation was a cruel ruse to frame Hulk and turn public opinion against him. Adapting this storyline into the MCU would inject theperfect amount of psychological thrills and public mistrustback into Hulk’s story. It would not only challenge Bruce’s faith in himself but force the Avengers and the world to question their loyalties. A personal, devastating conspiracy like this could give Hulk a much-needed MCU narrative.
3Hulk Vs Wolverine
The Incredible Hulk #180
One of Hulk’s most iconic comic battles is his brutal clash with Wolverine inThe Incredible Hulk#180. Wolverine was originally introduced as a weapon sent to take down Hulk, resulting in an epic brawl that showed off both characters' ferocity. With Wolverine debuting in the MCU (thanks toDeadpool & Wolverine), there’snever been a better time to recreate this legendary fight.
Hulk and Wolverine are perfect foils: brute strength versus feral precision. A Hulk vs. Wolverine showdown could give audiences the savage, no-holds-barred action sequence they’ve been craving, one thatfeels visceral and raw compared to typical MCU battles. It would also add weight to Hulk’s story, reminding audiences just how dangerous he can be when pushed. Plus, it would establish Wolverine as a force to be reckoned with right from his first MCU appearances.
2Hulk Has To Calm Down A Raging She-Hulk
Avengers (Vol. 3) #75
InAvengers(Vol. 3) #75, a rare twist occurs: it’s She-Hulk who loses control, and it’s up to Bruce to calm her down. Usually the more stable of the two, Jennifer Walters succumbs to gamma rage, and Hulk must step in to subdue her. This rare moment saw She-Hulk lose her ability to speak coherently,mimicking Hulk’s usual slowed and simple dialogueas her rage grew to her cousin’s level.
The MCU, having already introduced She-Hulk, could easily adapt this storyline to explore deeper character development for both cousins. It would highlight Bruce’s expertise with gamma conditions and offer ahuge dynamic brawl between the two powerhouses. It would be an ideal follow-up to their established relationship and rivalry depicted inShe-Hulk: Attorney at Law.
1Hulk’s Time On Sakaar
Planet Hulk
Planet Hulkis one of the greatest Hulk stories ever told — and theMCU only skimmed the surface of itduringThor: Ragnarok. In the comics, Hulk is exiled from Earth by the Illuminati and crash-lands on Sakaar, a savage world where he rises from gladiator slave to revolutionary king. It’s a story of betrayal, resilience, leadership, and tragedy, culminating in Hulk losing everything he fought for.
Revisiting Hulk’s time on Sakaar would let the MCU correct its biggest Hulk-related missed opportunity.Instead of using Sakaar as colorful background scenery, Marvel could dive deep into Hulk’s reign, his relationship with Caiera, and the rebellion he led. It would also better set up Skaar’s presence, giving emotional weight to their father-son story. A Disney+ series or movie exploringPlanet Hulkfully could be the epic, character-defining sagaHulkdesperately deserves.
