TheHulkis known for being one of the most challenging heroes to defeat within the Marvel Universe, but one huge flaw lies beneath his seemingly indestructible exterior that changes everything. Believe it or not, it’s possible for certain versions of the Hulk to undergo a game-changing transformation that could make the Avengers' biggest powerhouse more vulnerable than ever before.
InUltimate Comics: Avengers 3#2 by Mark Millar, Steve Dillon, Andy Lanning, Matt Hollingsworth, and Cory Petit,a clone of Hulk known as “Nerd Hulk” gets unexpectedly attacked and bitten by the King of the Vampires, which transforms him into one of their kind.
Although theHulk’s healing factornormally prevents him from being susceptible to bites and afflictions such as the vampiric plague, this Ultimate Universe version of the character succumbs to the virus and becomes a vampire. Thus,Hulk has a glaring weakness that even his healing properties can’t guard against, and it could be the key to defeating the Green Goliath.
The Hulk’s Healing Factor Can’t Always Protect Him From Vampirism
As Great as Hulk’s Powers Are, One Version of Him Has a Vulnerability
All it takes is a single bite from Anthony to remove Hulk’s free will and convert him into a full-fledged vampire, which indicates that he is less invulnerable than most would assume him to be. Thanks to the gamma radiation that granted Banner his power to transform in the first place, the Hulk of Earth-616 is essentially immortal, but not every Hulk can say the same.Earth-1610’s Ultimate Universeproduced a clone of the Hulk that joined his immense strength with Banner’s intelligence, producing “Nerd Hulk”. However,this Hulk variant lacked the same abilities as the original, as evidenced by his susceptibility to a vampire bite.
Bruce Branner Thought He Understood the Hulk, But Marvel Is Now Turning the Hero’s Worldview Upside Down
Sorry, science-side of Marvel, Bruce Banner has officially given up on understanding the Hulk as anything other than a magical creature.
Hulk’s healing factor has aided him on countless occasions in other continuities, making this change within the Ultimate Universe a truly staggering one that redefines his abilities. For example, inIncredible Hulk#398,Hulk demonstrates that he’s able to heal himselfinstantly from an injury when his skin is removed and regrown within seconds. EvenDeadpool and Wolverine’s healing factorspale in comparison to Hulk’s, which doesn’t require time to activate and can support him the moment damage is inflicted upon him. Moreover,Hulk has shown that he’s immune to zombie bites, but it seems a clone of his isn’t immune to vampire bites.
Hulk Becoming a Vampire Exposes Him to Other Major Weaknesses
The Key to Defeating the Hulk Is To Turn Him Into a Vampire, It Seems
DespiteHulk’s gamma powerskilling off most viruses before they can convert him, Nerd Hulk serves as evidence that his healing has its limits - at least, it does for his clone. Being able toturn into a vampireintroduces a slew of weaknesses that can make the Hulk easier to defeat, rendering him unusually vulnerable. From sunlight to wooden stakes, if the Hulk were to undergo a vampiric transformation, he could be at risk of losing his invincibility and getting taken down by monster hunters. TheHulk’s healing factor isn’t foolproof, and his potential to become a vampire proves it.
