The Hulk is often celebrated as one of the mightiest characters within Marvel’s universe, showcasing an impressive track record of victories in battles. Nevertheless, the Fantastic Four‘s Thing has proven that he can hold his own, even managing to best the Hulk under specific circumstances thanks to his formidable abilities.
Despite the Hulk’s overwhelming power, the Thing possesses several enhancements that can tip the scales in his favor. Below, we delve into eight notable upgrades that demonstrate how the Thing can overpower the Hulk.
8
The Thing Unleashed His Full Power Thanks to Cosmic Rays
True fans of the Fantastic Four are familiar with their origin story, where cosmic rays transformed their team during a hazardous space mission. Among them, Ben Grimm faced significant changes, emerging as the Thing—a rocky powerhouse.
Yet, the Thing harnessed these cosmic rays to achieve even greater strength when he opted for an extra infusion of radiation, enhancing his power to the degree that would make even the Hulk wary. Initially a curse, cosmic rays can be turned into an astonishing gift when wielded correctly.
7
The Thing’s Cosmic Upgrade Gives a New Meaning to “Clobberin’ Time”
Fantastic Four: Antithesis #3 by Mark Waid and Neal Adams
Benefiting from superhuman strength and formidable durability, the Thing can ascend to unprecedented levels through cosmic enhancements. His interactions with cosmic energy allowed Ben Grimm to not only attack head-on but also to manipulate his enemies from a distance, a significant strategic advantage that enables him to defeat foes without direct confrontation.
6
The Thing Unlocked His Ultimate Form At the Cost of His Humanity
Siege #1 by Kieron Gillen and Filipe Andrade
In the face of the Hulk’s might, the Thing found an equalizer by sacrificing part of his humanity. On Battleworld—an alternate reality ruled by Doctor Doom—the Thing assumed an incredible role as a living shield protecting humanity. His transformation made him more durable and powerful, ensuring that even the Hulk would struggle to break through his defenses.
5
The Thing Used Wonder Man’s Powers to Clobber The Hulk
Ultimate Fantastic Four #23 by Mark Millar and Greg Land
In a remarkable twist within the Ultimate Universe, the Thing utilized Wonder Man’s powers during a direct confrontation with the Hulk. Ben managed to score a decisive victory, showcasing his potential when backed by extraordinary abilities, and even knocking the Hulk down with a single blow—an impressive feat that challenges their established dynamics.
4
The Brute Was The Thing’s Own Hulk-Like Gamma Transformation
Spider-Girl #57 by Tom DeFalco and Ron Frenz
In an alternate universe where good and evil roles were reversed, the Thing experienced a gamma infusion similar to that which transformed Bruce Banner into the Hulk. This new form, dubbed “the Brute,”showcased a color transformation and an increase in raw strength, placing him in the same league as the Hulk, complete with a formidable presence that Earth-616’s Hulk never had the opportunity to confront.
3
The Thing Upgraded Himself With the Infinity Stones
Avengers Forever #3 by Jason Aaron and Aaron Kuder
Possessing the Infinity Stones is synonymous with immense power in the Marvel Universe. In one storyline, the Thing stepped into the fray as the “Infinity Thing,”effectively harnessing these artifacts to become a supreme guardian of cosmic strength. In this form, he could certainly stand toe-to-toe with the Hulk, exemplifying the immense potential that comes with wielding such power.
2
The Fantastic Four’s Wonderful One Gave The Thing an Upgrade
Secret Warps: Iron Hammer Annual #1 by Al Ewing and Carlos Gómez
While the Thing typically faces an uphill battle against the Hulk, an extraordinary merger of powers resulted in the “Wonderful One.”This fusion featured abilities from all the Fantastic Four, empowering Ben Grimm sufficiently to confront the Hulk more effectively than he could alone. The Wonderful One became a synthesis of strength, intellect, and agility, embodying the best aspects of the Fantastic Four and enhancing the Thing’s overall combat capabilities.
1
The Thing’s Gadgets Alone Proved He’s Tougher Than The Hulk
The Thing #4 by Walter Mosley and Tom Reilly
The culmination of the Thing’s abilities can be credited to various artifacts enhancing his powers. One pivotal item was a vial of light that exponentially increased his strength, allowing him to overpower the Champion, an Elder of the Universe, with incredible ease.
Post-victory, the Thing was awarded the Champion’s belt, which expanded his arsenal with teleportation capabilities. These enhancements, although less flashy than some of his other transformations, highlight how strategic tools can significantly alter the balance of power in battles against seemingly insurmountable foes, emphasizing that the Thing indeed has ample ways to challenge the Hulk in future confrontations.