When discussing Bruce Banner’s Hulk, one might visualize the iconic green giant, but did you know that the Hulk actually comes in a spectrum of colors? Since his inception in 1962, the character has donned various hues including grey, blue, red, and black. Interestingly, Bruce Banner’s green incarnation was not the first form of the Hulk.
This article explores 11 distinct colors of the Hulk present in Marvel lore, with a primary focus on instances where Bruce Banner’s Hulk exhibited new colors. Additionally, we will highlight moments when other incarnations of Hulk, such as General ‘Thunderbolt’ Ross’s Red Hulk—expected to appear in the upcoming Captain America: Brave New World, with Harrison Ford portraying Ross—adopted different hues.
11 Green Hulk (Bruce Banner’s Classic Form)
Most Hulks Are Green Due to an Ancient God Connection
The green color remains the defining hue for Hulk, with various gamma mutates—including She-Hulk, the Abomination, and Amadeus Cho’s Brawn—also sharing this shade. Various explanations have arisen throughout Marvel’s history about this choice, including a theory suggestive of Hulk’s skin resembling a large bruise. However, Al Ewing and Joe Bennett’s Immortal Hulk series revealed a deeper truth: Hulks are green because they draw energy from the One-Below-All, a malevolent eldritch god.
The One-Below-All resides in the Below Place, the source of gamma energy, which possesses both scientific and mystical properties. This connection grants Hulks the extra muscle mass they require while also leaving them susceptible to influence from the One-Below-All, whose ultimate aim is the destruction of all reality. The storyline culminated in revealing that the One-Below-All is the destructive alternate persona of Marvel’s supreme deity—the One-Above-All.
10 Grey Hulk (aka Mister Fixit)
Stan Lee’s Initial Vision for the Hulk
While the green form of the Hulk is widely recognized today, it may surprise many to learn that Stan Lee originally envisioned the character as grey. Unfortunately, printing constraints led to the character’s transformation into green in subsequent issues. This change opened the door for a unique alternate persona known as Joe Fixit, a morally ambiguous gangster character who briefly served as a Las Vegas enforcer.
Although Joe Fixit lacks the raw strength of Hulk’s savage form, he compensates with significant intelligence. His character is deeply influenced by Bruce Banner’s childhood love for gangster films, and beneath his cunning facade, he possesses a heart of gold.
9 Red Hulk (Thunderbolt Ross’ Gamma Form)
While Ross Is More Notable, Bruce Has Also Taken on a Red Form
The Hulk’s signature green hue stems from gamma radiation, but the addition of cosmic rays—associated with the origins of the Fantastic Four—can alter him to a striking red. Cosmic rays have been established as a significant hazard for Hulk, potentially disintegrating him on contact. However, in Immortal Hulk #49, Joe Fixit gains the ability to absorb cosmic rays, transforming into a Red Hulk and merging his powers with the Savage Hulk, thus evading his previous vulnerabilities.
The most recognized Red Hulk is, of course, General Thunderbolt Ross. His transformation resulted from clandestine experiments conducted by the Intelligencia, combining Bruce Banner’s gamma energy with cosmic radiation. The creation of Red Hulk came with the bonus of unique powers that differentiate him from Bruce’s classic form.
8 Orange Hulk (Age of Apocalypse Hulk)
Like Superman, This Hulk Draws Power from Solar Radiation
An interesting variant, the Orange Hulk appears briefly in Uncanny X-Force #12 and is rooted in the Age of Apocalypse timeline. This version gains power from solar radiation, sharing similarities with the green Savage Hulk in both strength and intellect. Other iterations of an Orange Hulk can be found in games like Marvel vs. Capcom and in the ‘Infernal Hulk’ scenario, where Bruce Banner assumes a demonic form after being exiled to Hell.
7 Yellow Hulk (Enhanced by A.I.M.)
Captain America’s Nightmare World Spawned a Yellow Powerhouse
The Yellow Hulk emerged from Matthew K. Manning and Marcio Fiorito’s Marvel Action: Avengers #9, crafted from Nightmare’s manipulation of Captain America’s psyche. Within this pocket reality, Nightmare transformed Avengers allies into corrupted beings affiliated with A.I.M., resulting in a Hulk that retained the characteristics of the Savage Hulk but appeared in A.I.M.’s signature yellow color.
6 Blue Hulk (Fused with the Enigma Force)
Merged with the Ultimate Symbiote, Hulk Received an Impressive Power Boost
One lesser-known character in the Marvel universe, Captain Universe, embodies the Enigma Force and bestows incredible abilities on a mortal as a protector against perilous threats. In Captain Universe/Incredible Hulk #1, the Enigma Force merges with Hulk, endowing him with heightened strength, flight capabilities, energy blasts, and the ability to manipulate matter at an atomic level. This powerful upgrade, however, was temporary as the Enigma Force eventually sought other hosts.
Interestingly, Rick Jones also takes on a blue hue after exposure to gamma radiation through the Intelligencia. This transformation grants him powers similar to those of the Abomination, and he christens himself the ‘A-Bomb’. Unique abilities such as camouflage add to Rick’s impressive capabilities, further blurring the lines of identity among Hulk variants.
5 Purple Hulk (Possessed by Shanzar)
This Variant Achieved Immunity to Doctor Strange’s Magic
In the Incredible Hulk series created by Peter David, a storyline involving the sorcerer Shanzar leads to Hulk gaining an impressive immunity to magical attacks. Notably, while the comic illustrated Hulk primarily in black and white, the cover depicts him as purple, and this color has persisted in adaptations like animated shows.
Another individual claiming the title of Purple Hulk is Norman Osborn, the Green Goblin. During the Dark Reign storyline, he underwent a transformation into a colossal Purple Hulk after absorbing gamma radiation from Red Hulk, although this dramatic fusion ultimately proved disastrous for him.
4 Silver Hulk (Galactus’ Herald)
Hulk Acquires the Power Cosmic
Designed by Ron Lim, the Silver Hulk appears in the intriguing one-shot comic What If…? Galactus Transformed Hulk? #1. In this imagined tale, Galactus selects Bruce Banner as his herald, endowing him with the coveted Power Cosmic, which includes the ability to manipulate reality and unleash devastating energy blasts. Although this comic has yet to be published, the anticipation is palpable for the powers Hulk will wield.
3 Black Hulk (Hulk’s Titan Form)
Eldritch Magic Unleashes the Hulk’s Inner Fury
Bruce Banner’s Hulk has revealed two significant black forms: Titan and Kluh, both emerging from magical influences that allow Hulk to channel his unrestrained rage. Kluh’s form surfaced during the AXIS event, while Titan was introduced through a plotline involving D’Spayre’s mind-altering powers. Both forms display extraordinary strength and abilities that exceed those of current Hulk incarnations.
2 White Hulk (Hulk Clone)
He May Be Quirky, but He’s Part of the Marvel Multiverse
The White Hulk took shape in James Kochalka’s Hulk Squad, Smash!, emerging as a tongue-in-cheek character in an anthology of whimsical Marvel tales. Despite his absurd nature, this version is indeed a canon character, part of a team of unusual Hulk clones generated by government experimentation.
Another portrayal of a White Hulk exists in the form of Xemnu, a psychic predator who first appeared in 1960’s Journey Into Mystery. Although he was initially referred to as “the Hulk”before Bruce Banner’s creation, Xemnu’s quest for relevance was notably depicted in the Immortal Hulk series.
1 Skin-Tone Hulk (Doc Samson and ‘The First Hulk’)
Not All Hulks Exhibit Color Changes
The final category of Hulk is one that does not possess a color. Certain gamma-radiated beings maintain human-like appearances, exemplified by Doc Samson—a psychiatrist who infused himself with Hulk’s powers, presenting with nothing more than green hair. On a few occasions, Bruce Banner has demonstrated an ability to utilize Hulk’s strength while in his human form, further complicating what defines a Hulk.
Within the Ultimate Universe, Tyrone Cash surfaced as “the First Hulk,”using Bruce Banner’s research to achieve a giant form, subsequently enabling others to embody Hulk-like powers. This development led to the transformation of various heroes such as Nick Fury and the Punisher into formidable fighters.
These are the myriad colors of Hulk in Marvel’s expansive universe, encompassing a broad spectrum from vibrant green to the absence of color. If there are any other colorful variations we may have overlooked, please share them in the comments below. Also, don’t forget to tell us your favorite gamma-enhanced characters!