Numerous iconicHulkscenes were depicted years previously inThe Incredible Hulkanimated series. The Hulk is one ofMarvel’s most beloved and destructive characters, with his live-action film appearances showcasing some of his most thrilling moments. However, many of these cinematic highlights actually have their roots inThe Incredible Hulk: The Animated Series. From the Hulk’s relentless battles against the military to his clashes with Marvel’s mightiest heroes, the animated series laid the groundwork for several key moments that would be immortalized on the big screen.
Whenthe MCU timelinefully embraced the Hulk, audiences had already seen many of his most famous story beats play out in animation.The Incredible Hulk: The Animated Series, which ran from 1996 to 1997, provided a deep dive into Bruce Banner’s struggles with his monstrous alter ego. The series featured a serialized narrative that explored themes of identity, control, and the consequences of unchecked power, mirroring some of the same arcs later seen in films likeThe Incredible Hulk(2008),Thor: Ragnarok(2017), andAvengers: Age of Ultron(2015).
10Hulk Flees And Fights The Military
Hulk (2003), The Incredible Hulk (2008), & The Incredible Hulk Season 1, Episode 1 “Darkness And Light”
One of the most persistent themes in Hulk’s history is his status as a fugitive, constantly pursued by General Thunderbolt Ross and the U.S. military. This was a recurring element throughoutThe Incredible Hulk: The Animated Series, most notably in the three-part opening narrative, “Darkness and Light,” where Bruce Banner is relentlessly hunted by Ross. The show captured the tragedy of Banner’s existence,portraying his attempts to evade capture while grappling with his uncontrollable transformations.
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Decades later,The Incredible Hulk(2008) andHulk(2003) would bring this dynamic to live-action, featuring intense chase sequences and military showdowns. Scenes of Hulk taking down helicopters and tanks in the animated seriesclosely resemble the spectacle seen when Hulk battles the armyin the dessert inHulk. WhileThe Incredible Hulkproffers a comparable depiction of Banner’s life on the run and being confronted by the military.
9Hulk Battles The Mighty Thor
The Avengers, Thor: Ragnarok, & The Incredible Hulk Season 1, Episode 9 “Mortal Bounds”
The Hulk and Thor’s rivalry has been a fan-favorite element of Marvel storytelling for decades, and it was first brought to animation in the episode “Mortal Bounds.” In this classic showdown, Thor teams up with Hulk to stop the Gargoyle, buta misunderstanding leads to a battle of raw strength versus divine might. The fight showcases Hulk’s relentless fury and Thor’s godly power, foreshadowing their epic confrontations in live-action.
This animated brawl was later echoed inThe Avengers(2012), where Hulk and Thor trade blows aboard the Helicarrier. It was later fully realized inThor: Ragnarok(2017) when the two warriors clash in the Grandmaster’s gladiator arena. The animated version of their fight was remarkably similar in execution, proving thatThe Incredible Hulk: The Animated Serieswas ahead of the curve in delivering some of Marvel’s most thrilling matchups.
8Hulk Clashes With Iron Man
Avengers: Age Of Ultron & The Incredible Hulk Season 1, Episode 4 “Helping Hand Iron Fist”
Another iconic battle that predates the MCU’s depiction is Hulk’s fight against Iron Man in the episode “Helping Hands, Iron Fist.” This episode features a unique twist – Hulksuffers from amnesia and doesn’t recognize his old friend Tony Stark. This forces Iron Man to battle him in an attempt to calm him down.
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The battle features an all-out clash between Stark’s high-tech weaponry and Hulk’s brute strength, a dynamic that would later be revisited inAvengers: Age of Ultron(2015). In that film, Iron Man dons the Hulkbuster armor totake down a mind-controlled Hulk in Johannesburg, creating one of the most visually stunning fight sequences in the MCU. While the stakes were higher inAge of Ultron, the animated series laid the foundation for the idea of a conflicted Iron Man being forced to subdue his green-skinned ally in a dramatic showdown.
7Bruce Banner Dons The Hulkbuster Armor
Avengers: Infinity War & The Incredible Hulk Season 1, Episodes 11-13 “Darkness And Light”
One of the most unexpected moments inAvengers: Infinity War(2018) was Bruce Banner piloting the Hulkbuster armor after being unable to transform into the Hulk. However, this concept was actually introduced decades earlier inThe Incredible Hulk: The Animated Series. In the three-part episode “Darkness and Light,” Bruce Banner and the Hulk are separated into two distinct beings.
When the Hulk goes on a rampage without Banner’s influence, Bruce is forced to don a prototype Hulkbuster suit to stop his alter ego. This idea was incredibly ahead of its time, as it demonstrated Banner’s scientific ingenuity and willingness to do whatever it takes to control the monster inside him. While the circumstances were different inInfinity War, the core concept ofBanner stepping into a mechanical suit to compensate for his lack of transformationoriginated in animation, making it yet another moment where the show beat the movies to the punch.
6Hulk’s Brutal Fight With Abomination
The Incredible Hulk (2008) And The Incredible Hulk Season 1, Episode 1-3 “Return Of The Best”
One of the most anticipated battles in 2008’sThe Incredible Hulkwas Hulk’s brutal clash with Abomination. However, viewers ofThe Incredible Hulk: The Animated Serieshad already seen this intense rivalry play out years earlier. Throughout the animated series,Hulk and Abomination were constantly at odds, with their most thrilling battle occurring in the three-part episode “Return of the Beast.”
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In this narrative, Emil Blonsky, already transformed into Abomination and working wiht the Leader, engages in a destructive duel with Hulk, causing mass destruction and showcasing both characters' raw power. Just like in the movie, their battles are personal, with Blonsky holding deep resentment toward Hulk. While the live-action version delivered cinematic spectacle,The Incredible Hulkanimated series hadalready captured the core of their feudthrough its high-stakes confrontations and emotional tension through numerous brutal bouts.
5Bruce Banner and Hulk Reconcile
Avengers: Endgame & The Incredible Hulk Season 1, Episodes 11-13 “Darkness And Light”
One of the most defining moments inAvengers: Endgameis Bruce Banner’s reconciliation with Hulk, leading to the emergence of Smart Hulk. However,The Incredible Hulk: The Animated Seriesexplored this theme long before the MCU. In “Darkness and Light,” Bruce Banner attempts to suppress the Hulk after they’ve been separated but ultimately realizes that they must coexist. Bannerreaches an understanding with his alter ego, leading to a reunification of their personalities.
This mirrors the transformation of Smart Hulk inEndgame, where Banner explains how he spent time in a lab working to merge both sides of himself. The animated series took a more psychological approach,exemplifying Banner’s conflict and ultimate acceptance of his dual existence. While the MCU version presents this reconciliation as an accomplishment of science, the animated series portrayed it as an emotional and mental breakthrough.
4Hulk’s Blood Creates She-Hulk
She-Hulk: Attorney At Law & The Incredible Hulk Season 1, Episode 7 “Doomed”
InShe-Hulk: Attorney at Law, Jennifer Walters receives her powers when Bruce Banner’s gamma-irradiated blood enters her system after a car accident. This pivotal moment is directly mirrored by a similar event inThe Incredible Hulk: The Animated Series. In the episode “Doomed,” Jennifer Walters suffers life-threatening injuries, forcing Bruce to give her a blood transfusion. The result is the birth of She-Hulk, a powerful, green-skinned heroine with superhuman strength.
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In both versions, Bruce feels a sense of responsibility for Jennifer’s transformation, yet she embraces her new identity with confidence. This leads to Jen assuming her own heroic persona andjoining Hulk permanently throughoutThe Incredible Hulkseason 2. WhileShe-Hulk: Attorney at Lawmodernized this origin, the animated series had already introduced audience to Jennifer’s transformation decades earlier, proving how ahead of its time the show was in adapting Hulk’s lore.
3Hulk Confronts Major Glenn Talbot
Hulk (2003) & The Incredible Hulk Season 1, Episode 5 “Innocent Blood”
Major Glenn Talbot has always been a thorn in Bruce Banner’s side, serving as General Ross’ right-hand man and a relentless pursuer of the Hulk. His role inHulk (2003)is particularly memorable, especially in the tense corridor scene where he confronts Banner. However, hisantagonism was already well established inThe Incredible Hulk: The Animated Series, most notably in the episode “Innocent Blood,” in which he similarly wields an experimental weapon against the Jade Giant.
Throughout the animated series, Talbot is portrayed as an obsessive soldier determined to capture Hulk, mirroring his live-action counterpart’s persistence. His interactions with Banner are filled with hostility, often reflecting the military’s broader fear of Hulk’s uncontrollable power. While theHulk (2003)version gave Talbot a more cinematic and villainous flair, the animated series had already laid the foundation for his character’s deep-seated rivalry with Bruce Banner and his unwavering loyalty to Ross.
2Hulk Forms A Brief And Uneasy Partnership With General Ross
The Incredible Hulk (2008) & The Incredible Hulk Season 1, Episode 10 “And The Wind Cries… Wendigo"
One of the most surprising moments inThe Incredible Hulk(2008) occurs when General Ross, usually Hulk’s greatest enemy, realizes he needs the green behemoth’s help to stop Abomination. Thistemporary alliance mirrors an earlier team-upfromThe Incredible Hulkthe animated series. In “And the Wind Cries… Wendigo,” Betty Ross is kidnapped by Wendigo, forcing Hulk and General Ross to set aside their differences and work together to save her.
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The episode highlights their mutual disdain yet shared goal, reflecting the uneasy partnership seen in the live-action film. While both versions see Ross reluctantly working with Hulk, the animated series dives deeper into the general’s internal conflict. He despises Hulk but also recognizes that he is sometimes the only force capable of stopping greater threats. This recurring theme in Hulk’s history shows howeven his worst enemies sometimes have to rely on his strength.
1Samuel Sterns Is Exposed To Gamma And Becomes The Leader
The Incredible Hulk (2008) & The Incredible Hulk Season 1, Episode 1 “The Return Of The Beast”
InThe Incredible Hulk(2008), Dr. Samuel Sterns is exposed to Bruce Banner’s gamma-irradiated blood, causing his forehead to mutate, instigating his transformation into the Leader. InThe Incredible Hulkanimated series,Sterns’ origin is even more dramatic. In the animated series, Sterns begins as a factory worker who falls into a vat of gamma radiation, drastically altering his physiology and increasing his intelligence.
Sterns soon adopts the identity of the Leader, becoming one of Hulk’s most formidable adversaries and regularly scheming to gain the behemoth’s strength. While the show fully explores his transformation, the live-action film onlyteases it before he reappears inCaptain America: Brave New World. Interestingly, a subsequent episode changes this slightly to radioactive waste spilling on him. Nevertheless, the animated series, once again, was ahead of its time in adapting classicHulkevents.
