The Incredible Hulk is a major character in the Marvel Universe, widely known as the strongest superhero. Over the years in Marvel comics, he’s faced off against many of its greatest heroes and villains. Some of his most memorable battles have even been against other heroes – like his early rivalry with Wolverine, his legendary clashes with Thor, and the many heroes he defeated during the World War Hulk storyline. However, the Hulk also has a fantastic collection of dedicated villains, including Thunderbolt Ross, the Abomination, and the Leader, all of whom have starred in iconic fights.
Everyone knows the Hulk’s biggest rivals – both heroes and villains. However, many other villains who fought the Hulk deserve recognition but often get overlooked. Today, we’re highlighting seven of the Hulk’s most underrated enemies. We’ll be focusing on villains specifically tied to the Hulk, so characters primarily known for fighting other heroes won’t be included, even if they’re deserving of attention. Let’s dive into the list of those brave (or foolish!) enough to battle the Hulk.
7) Speedfreek
Joss Shappe was a small-time criminal who gained a powerful, high-tech battlesuit by killing its creator. This suit gave him incredible speed with jet boots and nearly indestructible blades on his arms. He first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #388, where he fought the Hulk in a battle of quickness against raw strength. Fights between Speedfreek (as he became known) and the Hulk are always exciting because the Hulk has to think strategically to overcome Speedfreek’s speed – something the Hulk doesn’t usually bother with.
Speedfreek is a character straight out of the ‘90s, from his look to his very name, and honestly, that makes me eager for a comeback. I’d love to see either a total update to the character, or just how hilariously dated his style has become.
6) Umbu the Unliving
Umbu first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #110. He’s a huge robot created by an alien race called the Sagittarians, who intended for him to guard a dangerous weapon hidden in the Savage Lands. Basically, Umbu is a massive, pyramid-shaped robot, and he’s a really cool design. It’s always fun to see the Hulk battle giant monsters and robots, and Umbu is a great opponent for him. Plus, he’s connected to the Sagittarians, who are a fascinating but often overlooked group of villains. Any time the Hulk fights enormous creatures, it’s a spectacle.
5) Zzzax
Let me tell you about Zzzax, a really compelling villain who first showed up in an old Incredible Hulk comic. He starts as basically a powerful, electric monster, but quickly figures out he can become smarter by absorbing the life force – the bio-electricity – from people’s brains. And that, naturally, leads him down a dark path of, well, murdering a lot of folks. What makes Zzzax so good isn’t just his power – he’s a real physical threat to the Hulk, with serious strength and those electric blasts – it’s the twisted mirror he holds up to Bruce Banner. The Hulk is this brilliant scientist who becomes a mindless monster, usually trying to save the day. Zzzax is the opposite: a monster trying to become smarter through horrific acts. It’s a seriously messed up, but undeniably fun, flip of the classic Hulk formula. Plus, let’s be honest, any character whose name sounds like a sound effect – Zzzax! – automatically gets a thumbs-up from me.
4) Madman
Philip Sterns is a compelling character because of his family tie to the Hulk villain, the Leader – he’s actually the Leader’s brother. However, unlike his brother, Philip is a remarkably talented scientist. He first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #362 as someone fixated on Bruce Banner, deeply envious of Banner’s intellect. His own gamma radiation experiments turned him into the Madman, giving him the Hulk’s strength combined with his own intelligence, though he also developed a separate, unstable personality. Madman represents a fascinating balance between the Hulk and the Leader, and could be a compelling, focused antagonist for Bruce Banner.
3) Galaxy Master
As a huge comic book and movie fan, I’ve always found Galaxy Master to be one of the Hulk’s most interesting villains. He first showed up way back in The Incredible Hulk #111, and his origin is pretty wild. Basically, he’s this being made of pure cosmic energy, created by some seriously bad guys a long time ago. He ended up turning on them, wiping them out, and then decided to travel the universe destroying any planet with intelligent life – he wanted to make sure nobody could ever challenge him. He used a race called the Sagittarians to do his bidding, which eventually brought him face-to-face with the Hulk. Seeing the Hulk battle a massive, almost ghost-like creature like Galaxy Master is just awesome, and it’s a great way to throw the Hulk into the more cosmic side of the Marvel universe – something I always enjoy!
2) The Gremlin
Kondrati Topolov, also known as the Gremlin, debuted in The Incredible Hulk #163 and has a unique history with the Hulk. He’s the son of the Gargoyle, the very first villain the Hulk ever faced in The Incredible Hulk #1. Driven by the belief that the Hulk caused his father’s death, he devoted his life to defeating the Jade Giant. A super-intelligent human mutate, he built powerful armor allowing him to fight even the Hulk. He shares a deeply personal connection to Bruce Banner’s past – he’s the first villain with a legitimate grievance against the Hulk, and he also challenges Banner on an intellectual level.
1) Bi-Beast
Bi-Beast, a massive robot with two heads, first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #169. Created by the ancient Bird People – a branch of the Inhumans – he was designed to be similar to the Hulk, and proved to be a formidable match. Beyond his incredible strength, Bi-Beast is a complex character with a heartbreaking history; he’s the sole survivor of his people. His intelligence is immense, but divided between his two constantly bickering heads. Like the Hulk, Bi-Beast is more a tragic victim than a villain, and their battles have the potential to be powerful, emotionally resonant stories – the kind the Hulk consistently delivers.
We’ve highlighted seven Hulk villains who don’t get enough recognition. Who’s your favorite overlooked Hulk enemy? And what are your thoughts on a hypothetical battle between Godzilla and the Hulk? Share your opinions and join the discussion in the ComicBook Forum!
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2025-11-01 18:17