7 DC Heroes Hulk Can’t Beat, Ranked (and Batman Isn’t #1)

The Hulk is unrivaled in strength, a fact that’s been evident for many years. By blending body horror and Cold War apprehension, the Hulk created something unique. Now, the Hulk stands as one of Marvel’s most intricate and formidable characters. Unlike typical superheroes, the Hulk battles villains but his main foe is self-struggle. The Hulk’s narratives have evolved into psychological masterworks, offering readers some of the most epic fights in comic books. In Marvel’s universe, the Hulk has toppled a roster of villains, instilling fear in everyone, even mighty beings like Thanos (unlike in the MCU where the Hulk can potentially vanquish Thanos). The Hulk leaves even super-teams powerless, as he wreaks havoc on teams such as the Avengers, X-Men, and Fantastic Four as if they don’t exist.

Marvel and DC Comics are teaming up once more, an event that has been absent for many years. So far, there’s no word about The Hulk participating in these crossovers, but given his popularity among Marvel fans, it’s just a matter of time before he makes an appearance. The Hulk has faced off against some of the mightiest Marvel heroes, so witnessing him fight DC’s champions promises to be exciting. Although there are many DC characters that The Hulk could easily overwhelm, these seven DC heroes would actually be able to defeat him (and Batman is not one of them), effectively bringing The Hulk down a few notches.

7) Swamp Thing

In simpler terms, Swamp Thing is a prominent and legendary character within DC Comics. He embodies the essence that fuels all plant life on Earth, often referred to as “The Green.” Swamp Thing possesses immense strength, yet his most remarkable ability lies in controlling and manipulating plant life. Essentially, he’s a sentient being capable of creating bodies from various forms of growth. Swamp Thing is almost indestructible, as when one of his bodies perishes, he can regenerate an entirely new one. He even controls multiple bodies simultaneously, enabling him to assault foes from all sides.

Swamp Thing has proven victorious against Superman, both the omnipotent pre-“Crisis” version and the less potent modern ones, implying that defeating Hulk is merely a formality. Hulk might be destructive, but Swamp Thing is essentially invincible. A battle between them would be thrilling, yet Swamp Thing has an upper hand due to his abilities.

One important factor often overlooked is that Hulk requires air to breathe, which Swamp Thing could obstruct with plants until Hulk succumbs. Alternatively, he can manipulate the gut flora within humans to defeat Hulk. While Hulk can demolish anyone, Swamp Thing remains virtually unbeatable. It would certainly make for an exciting confrontation, but Swamp Thing has the advantage in this hypothetical match-up.

6) The Flash

Wally West, renowned as the Flash, surpasses the power levels once thought unattainable by his predecessors, proving it could be done. As a master of the Speed Force, he exhibits extraordinary feats of speed and manipulation of physics. The Flash is an exceptional character who typically loses only when he chooses to. With speeds surpassing human comprehension, even thought itself, he’s virtually unstoppable when fully engaged in a fight.

Comparatively, the Hulk and the Flash share formidable power levels, each having near-infinite potential. Yet, while the Hulk’s boundless strength is impressive, the Flash’s unmatched speed takes precedence. During their hypothetical encounter, the Hulk would grow stronger from his frustration at being unable to hit the Flash, but his power wouldn’t be enough due to a singular tactic: the infinite mass punch. As you approach light speed, your mass increases dramatically, theoretically reaching infinity once you reach the speed of light. The Speed Force allows the Flash to surpass light speed and beyond, making him capable of delivering an infinite-mass blow to the Hulk. Although the Flash wouldn’t need to achieve infinite mass to win the fight, the idea remains clear.

5) The Spectre

In simplified language:

The Spectre is a very powerful character in comic books, often portrayed as God’s avenger on Earth, punishing evil-doers. With control over reality itself, The Spectre has shown no mercy to those who stand against him, even going so far as to commit terrible acts during his 1990s series. He’s even managed to battle the Anti-Monitor, a being more powerful than pre-Crisis Superman (a character capable of moving planets like they were beach balls). The Spectre can be defeated, but this requires extraordinary magical abilities that only a select few possess. Unlike the Hulk, who may have unlimited strength fueled by the One Below All, the Spectre has a unique kind of power that the Hulk does not possess. This fight would only occur if the Spectre chose to engage; otherwise, he could easily exert his will over the Hulk. The Hulk, known for causing harm to innocents during his rampages, would face severe consequences from the Spectre, potentially beyond imagination.

4) Green Lantern

In my opinion, a contentious statement, but I firmly believe it – The Green Lantern ring holds the title of the most powerful weapon in the cosmos. As portrayed in JLA #22-23, Dream referred to the Green Lantern ring as a wish-granting ring, which I find the most accurate description. It possesses the ability to accomplish anything its user can imagine. Hal Jordan, in my view, is the best Green Lantern of them all; his unyielding willpower allows him to execute feats with his ring that others couldn’t even dream of.

One of the key aspects of the Green Lantern is its onboard computer, which could provide Hal information about the power level of characters like the Hulk. Armed with this knowledge, Hal would take a defensive stance against the Hulk. Although the Hulk has broken through energy shields in the past, Green Lantern shields are virtually indestructible.

Hal’s intelligence gives him an edge over the Hulk; he can keep himself out of the Hulk’s reach, thus ensuring his safety from the Hulk’s overwhelming strength. However, it is important to note that offense often wins fights, and while the Hulk’s power is immense, it would limit him to withstanding only the most devastating attacks.

Earlier, we discussed that the Hulk requires oxygen to survive. Hal would quickly deduce this information, using his ring to cut off the Hulk’s air supply, effectively ending the fight. Although the Hulk is stronger, Hal’s intelligence will tip the balance in his favor.

3) Martian Manhunter

Martian Manhunter is one of the most powerful and versatile superheroes within the DC Universe. Similar to a Swiss army knife, J’onn J’onnz possesses an array of abilities including superhuman strength, speed, invulnerability, enhanced senses, shape-shifting, telepathy, invisibility, intangibility, and flight. He’s also highly intelligent and has contributed significantly to the Justice League’s victories in tough battles. A common misconception is that the Hulk has unlimited strength at his disposal; however, he can increase his power over time, initially capable of lifting 100 tons. Martian Manhunter, on the other hand, starts off much stronger than the Hulk. Once he decides to showcase his full potential against the Hulk, he could easily overwhelm him. His speed, flight, and Martian vision powers allow him to evade and attack the Hulk effectively. Furthermore, his telepathic abilities can help him predict the Hulk’s actions. The Hulk presents a challenge for Martian Manhunter, but he excels in situations that demand effort and skill.

2) Supergirl

As a devoted moviegoer, I’d say it’s intriguing to note that Supergirl, unlike her cousin Superman, hails from another planet – Krypton. The devastation of Krypton left an indelible mark on her, and she’s determined to ensure Earth doesn’t suffer the same fate. A lesser-known fact is that Supergirl possesses more power than Superman; people often mistakenly believe she’s weaker, but they couldn’t be more wrong. The Hulk is undeniably strong, but he pales in comparison to Supergirl’s formidable might. She’s quicker, stronger (at least for a while), but what truly sets her apart is her intelligence. While the Hulk could give Supergirl a run for her money, once she comprehends the situation, it’s game over for him. He’d soon learn, as many others have, never to underestimate Supergirl.

1) Superman

A highly anticipated showdown between Superman and the Hulk is something many people dream of, yet it’s generally accepted that Superman would emerge victorious. Though Superman isn’t invincible, the Hulk simply lacks the might to defeat him. Superman possesses abilities beyond comparison – he can manipulate planets and travel at the speed of light. The Hulk pales in comparison when it comes to speed.

Even if Superman were to hold back, the Hulk wouldn’t stand a chance. While there is a theoretical possibility that the Hulk might eventually grow strong enough to cause Superman some harm, such an outcome seems distant and unlikely.

In fact, Superman has the capability to render the Hulk unconscious with a single, well-aimed punch, or even choke him out if need be. The Hulk is indeed powerful, but Superman outshines him in every aspect.

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2025-08-25 03:11