HULK: Strength and Power

[Ubertroy]

Has Marvel "Pre-Crisised" the HULK? HULK once had strength in the 100 ton range, that increased with anger. However, even though there was never a known limit, one could get an idea of his limits by how and who he fought.

Now they write HULK with strength levels that have him shattering planets and breathing under water. It seems that each writer makes him more powerful than the previous. Isn't this how Superman became so Unpopular during the Pre-Chrisis (pre 1986) era?

Your thoughts:

 

[Hand of Evil]

I think they are getting ready for Hulk to take on and replace Galactus as the planet smasher. As far as Hulk goes, I always liked the one that gets stronger as he gets madder.

 

[Cyclone_Joker]

Uh, dude? He's always demonstrated ludicrous levels of power. In Secret Wars, he held up a 150 billion ton mountain by himself. He's punched through time. He's clapped away dimensions. He's injured Galactus. Decades ago! When he was boosted by Apocalypse, he stopped the Juggernaut, you know, the guy powered by Cyttorak. And that's not getting into the Onslaught crap.

Sorry, dude, but he's not been merely super-strong, not for decades. An analysis of his powers can only lead to the conclusion that he's a reality warper with powers tied to anger.

 

[Kramodlog]

Avatar of anger? Seems right.

 

[Zombie_Babies]

Is it really a good idea to teach kids that anger helps you overcome conflict? That punching your way through something that makes you angry is ok? And we wonder why kids behave the way they do.

 

[Kramodlog]

Yeah, that sort of behavior will cost the US 6 trillion dollars thanks to Iraq and Afghanistan.

 

[Morrus]

Politics. Not here, please.

 

[Kramodlog]

Oops, force of habit.

 

[Ubertroy]

Is it really a good idea to teach kids that anger helps you overcome conflict? That punching your way through something that makes you angry is ok? And we wonder why kids behave the way they do.

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Good point. However, there are a TON of reasons why kids behave as they do today and I can almost guarantee you that most of it has nothing to do with comics... I read comics for as long as I could read and I never once wanted to harm anyone. The only times I've ever been in fights were to defend myself when necessary. The worst thing comics ever did for me was broaden my imagination. I think that has served me well.
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The difference between myself as a kid and the average kid today is that I had enough respect and, yes, Fear of my parents to NOT do what I knew was wrong. Most kids today have no fear of consequences at all. They do as they please with little or no regard to how their actions affect others.

 

[Ubertroy]

I think they are getting ready for Hulk to take on and replace Galactus as the planet smasher. As far as Hulk goes, I always liked the one that gets stronger as he gets madder.

/
HULK's strength has increased with anger for almost as long as he's been published. I get that and it's one of the things I've liked about him. He was one of my favorites as a kid because of his "hands on" nature. However, I don't care for any of his new, "ridiculous" powers.
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HULK is a physical strength being. I'm perfectly OK with him being Marvel Earth's strongest being. Growing up, I enjoyed his classic battles with guys like Namor, THOR and the THING. However, I really don't care for this list of new powers he has. Breathing under water, Punching "Time", it doesn't get more ridiculous than that.
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I can remember when the Abomination was physically stronger. It was interesting because HULK would only beat him when his anger increased his strength to match and then surpass Abomination's. However, it usually took a short while before that happened.
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I think the "Limitless" part is the most ridiculous. I like the idea of an Unknown limit but EVERY physical being has SOME limit. "Clap away dimensions" sounds about as ridiculous as Pre-Crisis Superman's "Hear a whisper a galaxy away". How do you write about someone so powerful? It gets boring real quick.
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What makes even less sense is his battles with guys like THING or Namor. If both are just around Class 100 and the HULK has that, how could they ever fight have fought him?