Note: This article contains spoilers for The Incredible Hulk #24. Within the realms of Marvel Comics and the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the Hulk stands out as one of the most formidable heroes among the Avengers. Despite his immense strength, he is not entirely immune to attacks from his fellow heroes. Throughout comic history, the Avengers have demonstrated time and again that they can be counted among the Hulk’s fiercest adversaries. This theme is echoed in early issues, such as the second issue of The Avengers, and later stories like Immortal Hulk and World War Hulk. Now, a pivotal development has emerged: one character has identified a method to potentially subdue the Hulk for good.
In The Incredible Hulk #24, crafted by Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Kev Walker, Bruce Banner, alongside his companion Charlie Tidwell, embarks on a quest for Charlie to master her newfound abilities. Previously possessed by the Mother of Skinwalkers, Lycana, Charlie has gained the unsettling ability to morph into a wolf-like creature capable of flight. Much like Banner himself, she harbors a destructive alternate persona within her. However, where the Hulk defends, Lycana embodies malevolence. Therefore, it is essential for Charlie to channel her powers effectively, which propels them to seek guidance from none other than Doctor Strange.
Upon arriving at the Sanctum Sanctorum, Banner and Charlie discover that Doctor Strange is absent. Instead, they meet Clea, who agrees to assist them in controlling Charlie’s extraordinary powers. However, there is a significant stipulation. Clea instructs Banner to wait in a unique section of the Sanctum, called the Drawing Room. This extraordinary space is actually a magical pocket dimension where gamma radiation holds no dominion, thereby rendering the Hulk powerless.
Doctor Strange’s Ultimate Anti-Hulk Weapon
Doctor Strange Reveals the True Method to Defeat the Hulk
The Avengers have long acknowledged the Hulk as one of their greatest threats. While they are generally reluctant to confront him—recognizing his inherent heroism—there are occasions when the Hulk’s danger surpasses his heroism. This concern led the Illuminati, composed primarily of Avengers, to decide on a radical solution: banishing the Hulk to another planet, a move which gave rise to the Planet Hulk and World War Hulk arcs. Even during their initial confrontations, the team struggled with the notion of fighting the Hulk, considering him uncontrollable.
Historically, the Avengers have opposed the Hulk, yet they lacked an effective means to truly neutralize him. Their attempts to dispatch him to other worlds failed, as evidenced in World War Hulk, and the events of The Immortal Hulk reinforced that even death could not keep the Hulk down permanently. As noted in various sources, including CBR, the Hulk possesses an immortal healing factor that defies all injury, linked to the mysterious Below-Place. Thus, while the Avengers can temporarily incapacitate him, they never found a foolproof way to eliminate the Hulk for good—until now.
Although the Avengers have traditionally managed to incapacitate Hulk temporarily, Doctor Strange’s innovative Drawing Room offers a concrete solution for containment. This pocket dimension, designed to erase gamma influence, represents a crucial advancement in the Avengers’ strategies. Had not the Skinwalkers intervened, Banner could have been indefinitely trapped without power, a promising prospect for the Avengers if they deem the Hulk a potential threat in the future.
This ‘Anti-Hulk Weapon’ Surpasses Doctor Strange’s Original Approach
Doctor Strange Employed a Demonic Force in His Previous Encounter with the Hulk
Interestingly, Doctor Strange has previously wielded an anti-Hulk mechanism during the World War Hulk saga, involving the demon Zom. By binding with this malevolent entity, Strange temporarily augmented his powers to confront the Hulk successfully. While this demonic enhancement allowed him to challenge the Hulk effectively, it ultimately left him vulnerable as the corruption of Zom compromised his defenses.
Conversely, the Drawing Room presents an innovative and efficient solution for containing the Hulk. Here, the gamma radiation is ineffective, ensuring that Hulk cannot escape. Additionally, if Banner were to perish within this dimension, the Hulk would not regenerate. Although it would be a harsh action for the Avengers to take against one of their own, this newly devised ‘anti-Hulk weapon’ provides them a crucial contingency plan, especially if a similar mechanism exists in the MCU.
The Incredible Hulk #24 is currently available from Marvel Comics.