10 Times Hulk Was the Most Powerful Avenger, Ranked

There’s a humorous moment in the 2017 movie Thor: Ragnarok where Thor (Chris Hemsworth) tries to unlock a Quinjet using a code claiming he’s the “strongest Avenger,” but it doesn’t work. Interestingly, the code does work when Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) transforms back to normal.

This playful jab at Thor highlights a well-known fact about the Hulk’s strength in both Marvel comics and movies. But what are the key instances that demonstrate the Hulk is actually the most powerful Avenger?

Hulk Revives Thanos’ Victims

The Hulk isn’t just known for his strength. After Bruce Banner fully integrated his mind and body in the 2019 film Avengers: Endgame, the Hulk became capable of more than just smashing. This integration was also key to undoing the devastation caused in the 2018 film Avengers: Infinity War.

Having collected all six Infinity Stones from across time, the Avengers build a new Infinity Gauntlet. Their plan is to use it to bring back everyone Thanos erased – those lost in the ‘Blip.’ Bruce Banner volunteers for the dangerous task, explaining that the stones’ radiation won’t affect him like it would others, almost as if he was destined to do it.

Hulk Sends Fin Fang Foom To The Moon

Back in 1999, DC and Marvel Comics teamed up for a special event called The Incredible Hulk vs. Superman which imagined a fight between the Hulk and Superman. The Hulk initially appears stronger, even managing to blast Superman into outer space, leaving Superman shocked.

But what he does to resolve another massive battle in 2007’s Hulk vs. Fin Fang Foom #1 is even more impressive. The Hulk literally throws the 20-ton monster off the planet, sending it flying all the way to the Moon – a distance that would normally take a spacecraft three or four days to travel.

Hulk Body Slams Thor From A Colosseum’s Height

Currently, the 2010 animated movie is the only direct adaptation of the Planet Hulk storyline. However, the popular 2006 comic book arc by Greg Pak greatly influenced the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Thor: Ragnarok, particularly the scene where Chris Hemsworth’s Thor is forced to battle a familiar foe.

While Thor is the main hero, director Taika Waititi doesn’t shy away from showing him getting thoroughly defeated by the Hulk. This happens during a gladiatorial fight on the planet Sakaar, in front of a huge audience. The Hulk finishes the battle with an incredible leap, crashing down onto a helpless Thor, who tries in vain to shield himself from the impact.

Hulk Punches A Hole Through Time Itself

Time travel in Marvel comics—and most comic book worlds—doesn’t always follow strict rules and can sometimes happen surprisingly easily. The Hulk is particularly aware of this, and it’s not just because his human side, Bruce Banner, is a highly respected scientist.

In the 1971 comic The Incredible Hulk #135, Kang the Conqueror tries to travel back in time to eliminate the Hulk, hoping to prevent the Avengers from ever forming. However, a time storm disrupts his plan. Ironically, Kang ends up needing the Hulk’s help to escape the storm, and the Hulk manages to break free by simply punching his way through it.

Hulk Stops A Chitauri Ship With His Fist

One of the most iconic scenes in 2012’s The Avengers is when the team finally unites to fight the Chitauri and protect New York City. The powerful imagery of them working together is made even better by a fantastic moment featuring the Hulk.

Bruce Banner demonstrated his value as a hero by intentionally transforming into the Hulk and stopping an alien ship from attacking. With just one powerful punch, he crippled the ship, sending it crashing in a stunning victory.

Hulk’s Sonic Clap Destroys A Dimension

Everyone knows the Hulk for his smashing, and he even announces it with his famous line. But one of his most impressive and strategic abilities is the Sonic Clap – also known as the Thunderclap. He generates a powerful burst of energy simply by clapping his hands together.

A particularly striking example of this happens in the 1970s comic The Incredible Hulk #126. In it, the Hulk is manipulated by a group practicing the occult into battling a villain called Night-Crawler (who was later renamed Dark-Crawler to avoid being confused with the X-Men character of the same name). When Night-Crawler’s sonic attacks combined with the Hulk’s Sonic Clap, they generated enough power to obliterate the villain’s home universe.

Hulk Puts Sakaar Back Together

Hulk is infamous for the massive destruction he’s caused, even wiping out planets, large space objects, and once, an entire universe. But his incredible strength has also saved worlds from destruction, most notably during the Planet Hulk story arc.

When a dangerous weapon put the planet Sakaar in danger of being destroyed, the Hulk dove into a lava river and physically held the planet together, preventing its destruction. It’s hard to think of another Avenger who can claim to have literally saved a planet by putting it back together!

Hulk Stops A Mountain Range From Crushing The Avengers

Bruce Banner, and especially his Hulk persona, doesn’t get enough recognition for how crucial he’s been to the Avengers. The team would have likely been destroyed if not for his intervention during a pivotal event in the mid-1980s.

The crisis began when Molecule Man, trying to win the affection of someone he loved, attempted to defeat the Avengers by dropping a massive, 150-billion-ton mountain range on top of them. Fortunately, Hulk intervened, lifting the immense weight and holding it above his head, giving the other Avengers time to figure out a way to escape.

Hulk Destroys A Planet-Sized Asteroid

Michael Bay’s 1998 film Armageddon could have been more concise and realistic if the Incredible Hulk had been the one to stop the asteroid, rather than hastily-trained oil drillers. Evidence of this comes from a 1990 issue of Marvel Comics Presents, specifically issue #52.

Okay, so I was reading this comic storyline called “Kids Will Be Kids,” and it was WILD. Basically, the Hulk saved the planet from an asteroid twice the size of Earth. And get this – he didn’t even use his usual green form! It was the Gray Hulk, Joe Fixit, who did it. He just launched himself at the asteroid using some crazy rocket springs – apparently they were experimental and anti-magnetic! It really makes you think about just how unbelievably strong the real Hulk is if even the weaker Gray Hulk can pull off something that massive.

Hulk Becomes Worldbreaker Hulk

Besides the classic gray form, Bruce Banner – also known as the Hulk – has transformed into different versions of himself, like the Devil Hulk, Savage Hulk, and Professor Hulk. These transformations make him incredibly powerful. But the Hulk at his absolute strongest and most unpredictable is the “Worldbreaker Hulk,” and that name is definitely fitting.

Okay, so this seriously powerful form of the Hulk first showed up in the World War Hulk comic series back in 2007. It’s a direct continuation of the Planet Hulk story. Basically, after Hulk’s wife, Caiera, and their baby died, he got unbelievably angry. I mean, we’re talking rage that created this insane energy – enough to wipe out planets! Every time he took a step, it caused earthquakes that were off the charts. It was a huge deal!

2025-12-11 05:45