Get smashed with the Green...

By Ben Morse

Every week, a secret cabal of Marvel staffers gathers to discuss the best of the best when it comes to the House of Ideas.

This Friday, June 13, "The Incredible Hulk" smashes the big screen world—so Marvel.com has decided to smash back.

There have been hundreds of dustups across the Marvel Universe involving the Hulk over the years, but the Secret Cabal has selected what they feel to be Greengenes' 10 most smashtacular battles.

For each brawl you get a special spotlight comic featuring either the fight itself or another fracas involving the Hulk courtesy of Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited.

As always, these picks reflect the personal choices of the Secret Cabal, not the official opinion of Marvel or Marvel.com, and can be considered subjective at best. Enjoy!10. HULK VS THE X-MEN, X-FACTOR & JUGGERNAUT
Where It Went Down: WORLD WAR HULK: X-MEN #1-3 (2007)
What Went Down: After returning from Sakaar intent on conquering Earth and taking revenge on those who exiled him into space, the Hulk tracks down the one Illuminati member who did not participate in the decision to banish him: Professor Charles Xavier. Every active member of the X-Men and New X-Men leap to their mentor's defense, soon after backed up by X-Factor and even Xavier's estranged step-brother, the Juggernaut!
Why It Makes the List: "The Hulk gets to show off some of his newly-learned gladiatorial skills from Sakaar in this battle royal, and the creative strategies he employs in taking out various members of this X-Army show that this ain't your daddy's Green Goliath and it may be time to panic. Whether it's using sonic claps to disorient the mutant psychics, bending Colossus' arms behind his back or shaking Wolverine until his brain rattles around in that adamantium cage he calls a skull so much it turns to jelly, the Hulk shows he can do more than just smash." –Secret Cabal member Annihilator882
Spotlight Comic: WORLD WAR HULK: X-MEN #1—The Hulk has come for Professor X, and only the X-Men—all the X-Men—stand in his path!

9. HULK VS WOLVERINE VS WENDIGO
Where It Went Down: INCREDIBLE HULK v2 #180-181 (1974)
What Went Down: Hoping to cure her brother of the curse of the Wendigo, the sister of Paul Cartier lures the Hulk to Canada in order to battle the savage beast, planning to transfer its essence into the Green Goliath's form. Nobody counts on the Canadian government deploying their new super-powered operative, Wolverine, to subdue both creatures, resulting in a hurricane of slashing and smashing!
Why It Makes the List: "Now I wasn't around to read Marvel Comics back in 1974, but I have to imagine that the level of brutality displayed in this two-issue story had to be at least a bit above the norm. I mean, there's not blood and guts flying everywhere, but between Wolverine and Wendigo, Hulk gets turned into a pincushion and then gives as good as he gets. Wolverine is definitely in prototype stages, but with the way he dives into battle against these towering foes with reckless abandon, it's not hard to see why he became a fan favorite." –Annihilator882
Spotlight Comic: INCREDIBLE HULK v2 #181—Hulk's melee with the Wendigo becomes a three-way throwdown when Wolverine makes his debut!

8. GREY HULK VS WOLVERINE
Where It Went Down: INCREDIBLE HULK v2 #340 (1988)
What Went Down: En route to Houston with the rest of the X-Men to battle the Adversary, Wolverine gets sidetracked by a downed aircraft and runs afoul of the Hulk in the process. At first, the mutant resists the temptation to scrap, but the newly grey and nasty incarnation of his old rival goads him into a nasty brawl that taxes both combatants' healing factors to their limits.
Why It Makes the List: "You know that old saying about how we can't change who we are—we can't escape our nature? That saying definitely applies to this vicious battle where this encounter of two highly recognized Marvel Universe occupants brings out the true animalistic natures they try to suppress. With the unmatchable strength of the Grey Hulk battling the unbreakable adamantium claws of Wolverine, plus similar healing factors on either end, a horrifically violent fight provides sinful fun for the reader." –Secret Cabal member Stuntman72
Spotlight Comic: HULK/WOLVERINE: SIX HOURS #1—Can Hulk and Wolverine not tear each other apart long enough to save the life of a little girl?

7. HULK VS THING
Where It Went Down: FANTASTIC FOUR v1 #25-26 (1964)
What Went Down: Having just escaped his former teammates in the Avengers, the Hulk makes his way to New York City, where he lands squarely on the Fantastic Four's radar. The Thing, eager to prove his superhuman strength against a worthy foe, leaps into fisticuffs with his brutish rival and the two proceed to tear up a construction site and cause massive property damage before the Avengers and remainder of the FF can intervene.
Why It Makes the List: "Poor Thing. He may be clever, he may be fast for his considerable size and he may be one helluva tough nugget, but against the Hulk, he's simply outclassed. In the midst of the larger FF/Avengers/army vs Hulk battle, this first Hulk/Thing fight establishes the finesse vs power, brains vs brawn dynamic that follows the two combatants across their numerous tussles. Sure Thing gets his licks in from time to time, but this is an early—and awesome—bit of proof that Hulk's the strongest one there is." –Secret Cabal member Agent M
Spotlight Comic: FANTASTIC FOUR v1 #25—An epic Marvel rivalry begins!

6. HULK & WARBOUND VS EVERYBODY
Where It Went Down: WORLD WAR HULK #2 (2007)
What Went Down: With Iron Man down for the count, both teams of Avengers, along with the Fantastic Four, She-Hulk, Doc Samson and more step up to stand between Hulk's space-born army and conquest of New York City. Unfortunately for the collected Marvel heroes, the Hulk has learned much about strategy and fighting techniques while on Sakaar and also gained something he has never had before: allies, in the form of the Warbound.
Why It Makes the List: "This wasn't a fight so much as possibly the most epic beat-down in the history of the Marvel Universe. After years of puny humans not respecting his wish to be left alone, the Hulk showed everyone what he could do with a team of interplanetary gladiators at his back—and it was truly incredible. Seeing Marvel's major players go down so hard and so fast painted a horrifying picture of what it means to be on the receiving end of a true Hulk smashing!" –Secret Cabal member Mercury552
Spotlight Comic: WORLD WAR HULK #2—The Hulk and his alien posse fend off the combined forces of the Avengers and Fantastic Four!

5. HULK VS BLACK BOLT
Where It Went Down: WORLD WAR HULK #1 (2007)
What Went Down: Before even touching down on Earth following the destruction of Sakaar, the Hulk makes a pit stop on the moon to confront Black Bolt, king of the Inhumans and part of the Illuminati council who chose to exile him. Hoping not only to protect his people but to provide a chance for Earth's heroes to organize, Black Bolt cuts loose with his full sonic powers, but fails to take into account just how strong the Hulk has become.
Why It Makes the List: "The opening volley to a World War of pain, the Hulk took on Black Bolt before crashing to Earth in search of the rest of the "heroes" who sent him to the battle planet Sakaar. The most amazing part of this battle was the Hulk's incredible determination. Blasted away by a whisper from Black Bolt, the Hulk clawed his way back and demanded to hear the king of the Inhumans scream. If there was any question as to whether the Hulk meant business, this fight obliterated it." –Mercury552
Spotlight Comic: WORLD WAR HULK #1—Black Bolt makes his last stand on the moon against a fighting mad Hulk!

4. HULK VS THE AVENGERS
Where It Went Down: INCREDIBLE HULK v2 #321-322 (1986)
What Went Down: With Doc Samson unable to take down a Hulk free of Bruce Banner's psyche, the green-haired super shrink calls in both branches of the Avengers—East Coast and West—for emergency aid. Faced with the sheer power of heavy hitters like Namor, Hercules and Wonder Man as well as the arrayed talents of Captain America, Iron Man, Captain Marvel and more, Hulk finds himself backed up against a wall—and thus more dangerous than ever!
Why It Makes the List: "There's a certain childlike glee in watching the Hulk set up and knock down Earth's Mightiest Heroes like so many bowling pins. Normally the Hulk is the clear favorite in just about any fight, but he's up against such sheer numbers here that you can't help but root for the big guy. Namor gets slammed through a wall, Hercules gets smacked across the face and Iron Man's armor gets ripped to shreds—the fact that it's a mindless Hulk wreaking the carnage only makes it more fun. Eventually the Avengers must resort to the most tried and true game plan of all: the grade school dog pile approach." –Annihilator882
Spotlight Comic: AVENGERS v1 #1—Before Earth's Mightiest Heroes can be born, the Hulk combats his future teammates!

3. HULK VS IRON MAN
Where It Went Down: WORLD WAR HULK #1/IRON MAN v4 #19 (2007)
What Went Down: The Hulk has declared his intentions to raze New York City if the Illuminati do not surrender themselves to him, leading Tony Stark, as both leader of that group and director of S.H.I.E.L.D., to confront the aggressor in his new souped up Hulkbuster Iron Man armor. With no desire to talk things out, Hulk immediately takes the offensive and uses the Golden Avenger as a javelin to destroy the Sentry's Watchtower—and that's just for starters!
Why It Makes the List: "There's nothing funny about this brawl between Iron Man and the Jade Giant. Nothing in Tony Stark's arsenal—from nanobots to missiles—can stop a Hulk fueled by fury like no one has ever known. We get to see Tony's conflicted inner musings and his grand speech to the other Marvel heroes, but more importantly, we get to see him get thrown through the Sentry's Watchtower!" –Secret Cabal member MightyMsM
Spotlight Comic: IRON MAN v4 #19—Tony Stark steps up as Earth's first line of defense against the invading Hulk!

2. HULK VS THE MARVEL UNIVERSE
Where It Went Down: INCREDIBLE HULK v2 #300 (1984)
What Went Down: When a mindless Hulk lays waste to large sections of New York City, Dr. Strange calls upon Spider-Man, Daredevil and others to attempt and slow the behemoth's path of destruction, but their efforts prove hopeless. Reinforcements from the Avengers and Fantastic Four seem similarly ineffectual, as all the champions fall before the emerald fury. Finally, Thor arrives on the scene and fights the Hulk to a standstill, but still can't best the beast, forcing Strange to call upon the last resort of banishing his old ally to another dimension.
Why It Makes the List: "Paint a portrait of a city waking to a realization that a man has died—and that a monster has taken his place." Now absent of all human qualities, the cursed gamma ray goliath collides with several of the Marvel Universe's greatest in a fierce battle that demonstrates the power of the Hulk and the valor of the selfless super heroes. The countless powers of all who make their stand against the bestial brute have no affect—therefore presenting the question: Who will be able to rid the world of this unstoppable force and how can they do it?" –Stuntman72
Spotlight Comic: WORLD WAR HULK PROLOGUE: WORLD BREAKER #1—On the eve of World War Hulk, the Green Goliath reflects on his hostile history with the rest of the Marvel U!

1. HULK VS THE MAESTRO
Where It Went Down: HULK: FUTURE IMPERFECT #1-2 (1992)
What Went Down: In a post-Apocalyptic future ravaged by nuclear war and bereft of super humans, an aged, cruel and incredibly powerful incarnation of the Hulk known as the Maestro rules all that he surveys. Desperate for freedom, Rick Jones and his allies bring the intelligent "Professor" Hulk forward in time to oppose his counterpart, leading to perhaps the single greatest power-on-power clash in Marvel history. Finding himself outmatched in savagery and in the unusual position of not being able to rely on his strength alone, Hulk must use his wits to somehow shatter the dark reflection staring back at him and free a world enslaved.
Why It Makes the List: "HULK: FUTURE IMPERFECT answers the age-old question of, 'could the Hulk break his own neck?' The answer, duh, is yes. Granted, the neck breaker—old beardy Hulk, aka the Maestro—is older, wiser, stronger, more battle-hardened and crazier than his other self, but that's part of what makes their fight so cool. There's almost no way for Hulk to beat Maestro, and over the course of several disgustingly brutal fights Maestro pretty much mops the floor with Hulk. The wicked ending comes courtesy of brains as opposed to brawn, but the entire horrifying ordeal just proves that Hulk is his own deadliest enemy." –Agent M
Spotlight Comic: HULK SMASH #1—The Hulk unleashed!



Need to catch up on your Hulk reading? Looking for the perfect stories starring the Jade Giant? Check out our list of the 10 Collections marked as required reading by any Hulk fan!



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