RED HULK
To overcome his greatest enemy, General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross became the very thing he hates: a Hulk. As Red Hulk, Ross worked with villains like M.O.D.O.K. and the Leader to defeat Hulk and win back his daughter Betty. Eventually, Ross saw the error of his ways and became a reluctant hero, working alongside the Avengers and the Thunderbolts. Behold the rise of Red Hulk!
Red Hulk Rising
First Appearance
In Incredible Hulk (1962) #1
General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross debuted alongside Bruce Banner in the very first issue of THE INCREDIBLE HULK. Here, Ross is simply the general who oversees the gamma radiation experiment that turns Banner into the Green Goliath for the first time.
Ross' Sacrifice
In Incredible Hulk (1962) #330
To save his daughter Betty, Ross sacrifices his life during a fight with the mind-eating Nevermind.
Ross Returns
In Incredible Hulk (1962) #455
Through machinations by the Leader and an alien race known as the Troyjan, Ross was resurrected and reunited with Betty. While he seemed eager to turn over a new leaf, Ross soon turns bitter and vengeful once again following Betty's death in INCREDIBLE HULK (1962) #466.
On the Hunt
In World War Hulk (2007) #1
After the Hulk returns to Earth following his exile on the alien world Sakaar, Ross leads a military strike force against him.
Red Hulk's Debut
In Hulk (2008) #1
While his true identity remains a mystery for quite some time, Red Hulk makes a deadly debut involving a confrontation with Abomination.
Origin Revealed
In Hulk (2008) #23
This issue details Ross' transformation into the Red Hulk, as well as his reasons for becoming the very thing he hates.
Reluctant Hero
In Avengers (2010) #7
At Captain America's behest, Red Hulk joins the Avengers, where he helps take down the Hood, briefly wields an Infinity Stone, faces M.O.D.O.K., and more.
Circle of Four
In Venom (2011) #13
While on a mission to hunt down Agent Venom for Captain America, the Red Hulk teams up with his target, X-23, and Ghost Rider (Alejandra Jones) as the Circle of Four to save Las Vegas.
Thunderbolts
In Thunderbolts (2012) #1
The Red Hulk forms new incarnation of the Thunderbolts with Agent Venom, Deadpool, Punisher, Elektra, and the Leader. This group pursues lingering threats from Ross' time in the military.
Depowered
In Hulk (2014) #14
After developing a brilliant and ruthless new persona called "Doc Green," the Hulk concluded that too many people had powers from gamma radiation and launched a mission to depower his peers. In this issue, he faces Red Hulk in a bloody battle to determine the strongest there is.
Back in Action
In Captain America (2018) #26
After working undercover, a very human Ross is captured and tortured by the villainous Power Elite—only for the Red Hulk to reemerge just in time to help Captain America and his allies.
Captured
In Incredible Hulk (2023) #19
During a covert mission, Red Hulk finds himself captured by Doctor Doom.