Both the Incredible Hulk and his alter ego, Bruce Banner, have roamed the planet without a stable place to call home. While the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) depicts Bruce Banner living in caves, the comic universe—specifically Earth-616—has seen him become a wanderer. Yet, there was a time when they possessed a top-secret underground facility that would put even Batman’s lair to shame. The pressing question remains: When will Bruce reclaim what was once his?
In Indestructible Hulk #4 (2013), penned by Mark Waid and illustrated by Leinil Yu and Gerry Alanguilan, Bruce Banner is presented with a remarkable opportunity—a fully funded laboratory and a team from SHIELD, promising that when the need arises, they will have access to the Hulk’s might.
To prevent any accidental transformations in populous areas, SHIELD cleverly designates a nuclear detonation site, which Bruce humorously names “Bannerville”for his operations. This isn’t just any rundown shack; Bannerville is equipped with SHIELD’s finest technology and a cadre of enthusiastic young scientists. It represents a dream come true for a dedicated researcher like Banner.
Bruce Banner’s Unmatched Secret Laboratory
Concealed beneath the layers of dirt and grime lies Nuclear Springs—Bruce Banner’s meticulously designed lab. This state-of-the-art facility houses every conceivable piece of equipment that Banner could desire. Accompanied by a diverse team of specialists in microbiology, astrophysics, and renewable energy, Banner finds himself among fellow intellectuals. Indeed, Bannerville epitomizes the ideal setting for all aspects of Bruce Banner’s life. Isolated from civilian populations, it is outfitted with everything necessary for his research, complete with devices to monitor his gamma emissions. SHIELD has undeniably invested in his scientific sanctuary.
The transformation into the Hulk has subjected Bruce to endless challenges and personal turmoil, yet nothing pains an academic more than the inability to pursue their craft. Despite decades of wandering the edges of civilization, Bruce Banner remains stifled. Depending on the Hulk’s unpredictable behavior or the whims of comic writers, Bruce has often been deprived of the chance to engage in his academic pursuits. Even his fellow genius, Tony Stark, seems reluctant to offer support despite their shared victories as Avengers.
The Need for a Permanent Home for Hulk and Banner
The MCU’s Bruce Banner Remains Unfettered
It is disheartening that the MCU has placed Bruce Banner in a pattern of living in caves despite his significant contributions to saving the universe on two occasions. In the She-Hulk television series, when Jennifer Walters visits her cousin, Bruce is confines to jungle caves instead of pursuing meaningful scientific ventures. This deprivation seems not only harsh but short-sighted, denying one of the world’s most brilliant minds the space to conduct research. Bruce Banner and the Hulk require a facility of this caliber simply to navigate the daily grind of existence. Meanwhile, in the comic realm, Bruce continues to traverse a path of solitude, lacking a true home.
Deprived of both companionship and intellectual stimulation, each facet of the gamma-radiated hero finds itself longing for something that is genuinely theirs. Indestructible Hulk introduced a revolutionary concept that Marvel has largely ignored since its inception. Once Banner overcomes the eldritch Mother of Horrors in the series, Marvel should strongly consider the revival of Banner’s lost base. The time has come for Bruce Banner to reclaim his title as a true scientist. If any Marvel hero deserves a dedicated research facility, it is undoubtedly Bruce Banner and the Hulk.