Last week, to mark the relaunch of “The Incredible Hulk,” we asked you to name your favorite version of the title character. Coming in at number one with 24 percent of the vote was the Immortal Hulk, the utterly devilish incarnation who starred in the acclaimed 2018-2021 run that bears his name. A cynic might say this is the result of recency bias, but that version of the Hulk helped make the series as good as it was, with his unsettlingly strong sense of justice, his gruesome transformations, and the disturbing levels of bodily damage he could take.
In second place with 20 percent was the Gravage Hulk, the similarly more intelligent version of the green Hulk who was dubbed the Green Scar during ‘Planet Hulk.’ He is arguably the Hulk at his most heroic, capable of being a devoted husband, father, and leader, but also — crucially — less idealized than the merged Professor Hulk version, with the prophecy of becoming the literal Worldbreaker casting a shadow over his appearances during Greg Pak’s full 2006-2011 run.
At third place with 18 percent was the Savage Hulk, the classic incarnation many grew up with thanks to the comics from the ’60s to the ’80s, the TV shows, and the films. While (as this ranking demonstrates) he isn’t the most interesting version of the Hulk, his characterization offers the most contrast with Bruce Banner, and best reflects his nature as a victim of childhood abuse – the poignant way Al Ewing would often have his personality resurface during “Immortal Hulk” demonstrates there’s still life in the old dog yet.
Thanks to everyone who voted, and be sure to check back on Friday for our next Reader Poll!
