Team-ups between DC and Marvel heroes are always exciting, and today marks the 44th anniversary of one of the most famous: *Batman vs. The Incredible Hulk*. Building on the popularity of the 1976 crossover *Superman vs. The Amazing Spider-Man*, this story imagines a world where DC and Marvel characters have always shared the same universe. The comic doesn’t bother to explain why these heroes hadn’t met before, but *Batman vs. The Incredible Hulk* remains a fun and memorable clash between titans from the two biggest names in comics.
It’s surprising to see Batman, DC’s famous detective, team up with the Hulk, Marvel’s incredibly strong and angry hero. However, *Batman vs. The Incredible Hulk* isn’t just a great Hulk story-it also cleverly highlights the ways these two characters are both different and alike, making them an ideal pairing for a single, self-contained adventure.
How Batman & The Hulk Begin as Enemies (& Become Allies)
Imagine a world where the Hulk ends up facing Batman. In this story, Dr. Bruce Banner is desperately trying to cure his condition – the one that turns him into the Hulk when he’s angry. He believes he might find a solution while working at Wayne Enterprises, where they’re building a special Gamma gun. However, the Joker orchestrates a robbery to steal the gun, and during the confusion, Bruce transforms into the Hulk. Batman intervenes, managing to subdue the Hulk, but the Joker and his crew get away in the process.
When Bruce Wayne tasked Bruce Banner with building a new Gamma gun, it came out that the Joker had stolen the original one, working for a dangerous villain called the Shaper of Worlds. The Shaper, who was dying but could grant people’s greatest desires, made a deal with the Joker: steal the Gamma gun to try and save himself, and in return, the Shaper would fulfill the Joker’s wildest fantasies. This led to a confrontation between Batman and the Hulk against the Joker and the Shaper, and they ultimately stopped the villains’ plan. However, Bruce was once again forced to disappear to control the Hulk, continuing his search for a way to reverse his condition.
Batman vs. The Incredible Hulk Was the Perfect Meeting of Heroic Opposites
As a huge comic book and movie fan, I always found the team-ups fascinating. While the *Superman vs. Spider-Man* crossover was fun, *Batman vs. The Incredible Hulk* really highlighted just how different the DC and Marvel universes could be. It’s a classic brains-versus-brawn scenario – Batman’s a master strategist and martial artist relying on gadgets, and the Hulk is just raw, unstoppable power fueled by his emotions. Think about it: Batman has all this incredible technology, while the Hulk’s strength comes purely from his rage. Plus, Batman operates in the shadows, a secret identity, while everyone *knows* when Bruce Banner turns into the Hulk. Honestly, if you were building a dream Marvel vs. DC fight card, you’d probably match them up with different opponents – and that’s exactly what happened back in 1996’s *Marvel vs. DC*, where Hulk went toe-to-toe with Superman and Batman battled Captain America.
Even though they’re very different, the story of Batman versus the Hulk works well because of *how* different the two heroes are. Despite Batman’s skills, technology, and intelligence, fighting the Hulk is one of his greatest challenges. Interestingly, Batman is almost the opposite of the Hulk – both characters carry a lot of anger, but Batman has spent years learning to control his, while the Hulk’s rage is raw and unrestrained. While Batman and the Hulk need each other to defeat villains like the Joker and the Shaper, their teamwork differs from pairings like Superman and Spider-Man. Batman has to take the lead, guiding the Hulk, who tends to be powerful but reckless.
Batman vs. The Incredible Hulk Is a One-Off & Works Best That Way
Similar to *Superman vs. The Amazing Spider-Man*, *Batman vs. The Incredible Hulk* explores what happens when heroes from DC and Marvel share the same universe. However, while *Superman and Spider-Man* received a sequel in 1981, *Batman vs. The Incredible Hulk* remained a single, standalone story. This difference highlights the core of their interaction: Batman meeting a hero-the Hulk-who is even more troubled and isolated than he is. Because of this, a lasting partnership was unlikely. In many ways, the story perfectly captures Batman and the Hulk as both contrasting figures and two sides of the same coin.
Among DC’s many great Batman comics, the team-up with the Hulk is a standout example of the kind of alternate-universe story DC does best. The story also offers a unique perspective for Marvel’s Bruce Banner, as he sees Batman’s self-control as something to aim for in his own struggle to manage the Hulk. Published 44 years ago, this unlikely pairing brought together two heroes from different universes, creating a surprisingly insightful story about two men – both named Bruce – who appear vastly different but share a common inner struggle.
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2025-09-22 20:51