With the upcoming release of She-Hulk, it seemed like there was no better time than to go public with my utter dislike of the current state The Hulk finds itself in, a point with which I am fully aware that many disagree, my editor included. I will say that I’m just focusing on the MCU characterization of the Hulk, and nothing to do with the comics that are coming out right now, that’s a whole different story.
Pre-end game
While the history of the MCU’s characterization of The Hulk is troubled, partly thanks to Universal effectively shutting down all future solo films, and partly because they seemingly have no idea where to take the Hulk. character, it is definitely worth discussing.
Think back to pre-Endgame, all the way back to Age of Ultron in fact. We saw the Hulk depart in a Quinjet to at this time, locations unknown, having had a crisis of conscience in his part in the destruction of a major city in South Africa, and the implication being that of many innocent people were injured. Hulk and Banner (individual personalities at this point), seemingly agreeing on their reluctance to help the Avengers, for fear of what would happen, and once Scarlet Witch coerced Hulk with some magic into letting go, their fears came true.
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At the time, many expected or hoped that we would lead to a Planet Hulk-style storyline, where in the comics the Hulk was sent into space by The Avengers in order to avoid unnecessary death and destruction at the hands of from The Hulk. Similar themes, different execution. Ragnarok type of brought that to us, with a now-toddler Hulk entertaining the adoring masses, loved by all, and in no rush to return to Earth or even let Banner regain control. Thanks to a well-placed video of Natasha doing her “the sun is getting very low” routine, Banner regains control and, helping Thor, finds himself on a spaceship heading for Earth.
This same ship is attacked by Thanos at the start of Infinity War, and we get the now famous snap of The Hulk by Thanos, before Heimdall sends him back to Earth to warn of Thanos’ impending attack and form the rest of The Hulk. Avengers of his plans. We see a frightened Hulk who refuses to help, and is fed up with being the brawn called upon only when needed, rather than being his own entity in the eyes of The Avengers.
End of Game
When Endgame hit theaters, no one really expected to see a full-fledged Professor Hulk; Hulk’s body, Bruce Banner’s intellect and lexicon. In heavy, explanatory dialogue, Bruce explains that he and The Hulk have come to an agreement and combined, meaning he’s in control but also gets the benefits of being The Hulk.
This is where my problem with the MCU characterization of The Hulk comes in. That’s not to say I didn’t like Professor Hulk, because he’s accurate and fun, to some degree. However, what didn’t make sense to me was how they apparently threw away the character arc they had built for the later movies. Where was the troubled, almost broken Hulk, who wanted to be seen as his own person, as desperate for validation from those around him as he was to accept himself? Or Bruce Banner’s tortured soul now seems fine with the Hulk as long as he can control damage and destruction? Isn’t that exactly what the Hulk didn’t want in Ragnarok?
She-Hulk
Maybe She-Hulk will fix a lot of the issues I have with the MCU’s characterization of the Hulk, but unless they have big plans for him in the future, how do they explain the necessary return to the monstrous, angry giant of a man, rather than the cardigan-wearing, well-talking Professor Hulk? I just don’t see him, and I don’t see much more character progression with his current form, but I sincerely hope I’m wrong.
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