Hulk Just Lost to Kraven, Destroying His Reputation

Of all Marvel’s heroes, Hulk has earned his reputation as the most unbeatable. The strongest beings in the world have all taken their shot, only to end up crushed at the Jade Giant’s feet. However, Hulk’s good name just came into major question, as he suffers a humiliation he can’t shake off easily.

Hulk Just Lost to Marvel’s Least Impressive Villain

Kraven Was Ready for Hulk, And His Plan Worked Perfectly

In today’s Predator Kills the Marvel Universe #3 – from Benjamin Percy, Daniel Picciotto, Frank D’Armata and Clayton Cowles – Hulk goes down to one of Marvel’s most-mocked characters. In the series, Kraven the Hunter has allied with the Yautja species, bringing a Predator army to Earth to hunt and kill its superhuman population.

Kraven has given the Predator army a plan for every major hero. While Hulk tears through a cadre of alien warriors, it turns out they’re just a distraction – Kraven has used the Yautja’s Vibranium supply (stolen during the events of Predator vs Black Panther) to create a new version of the Cathexis Ray, draining Hulk of all his gamma radiation.

Once the Hulk returns to his human form as Bruce Banner, Kraven cuts him down with an axe, taking out the Strongest Avenger as if he was barely a threat. From his lion jerkin to his 2024 solo movie bomb to his name literally meaning ‘cowardly,’ Kraven is rarely seen as a serious threat by Marvel fans. And yet with enough planning, he just downed the Hulk like it was nothing.

Hulk’s Reliance on Gamma Power Is a Weakness

While Hulk is capable of wielding essentially limitless strength, all his abilities are powered by gamma radiation. This gamma comes from a higher dimension known as the Below Place, with Bruce Banner acting as the bridge between this eldritch world and the Hulk. As unbeatable as Hulk is physically, all it takes to depower him is to cut off his gamma, turning him back into a feeble scientist.

This isn’t just an issue in Predator Kills the Marvel Universe. Even over in his own comic, Bruce Banner just lost the Hulk because his demonic foe Eldest has enough control of gamma to separate the two. It’s a huge weakness in Hulk’s otherwise worldbeating power set.

Hulk May Have One More Round Left in Him

While going down to Kraven hurts the Hulk’s reputation, he may not be out of the fight yet. Hulk has returned from death before, and while Kraven cuts down Banner, he’s not shown fully destroying his body. The Predators have had things all their way since they hit Earth alongside Kraven, and it can’t be long until Marvel’s heroes muster a comeback.

Hopefully, Hulk will be able to return to life once again and show Kraven that as easy as it apparently is to put the Green Goliath down, keeping him down is another matter entirely.

Predator Kills the Marvel Universe #3 is available now from Marvel Comics.

First Appearance

The Incredible Hulk (1962)

Alias

Robert Bruce Banner

Alliance

Avengers, Defenders, Horsemen of Apocalypse, Fantastic Four, Pantheon, Warbound, S.M.A.S.H., Secret Avengers

Franchise

Marvel