Red Hulk Now Officially Stronger Than the Original Hulk

A shock character made famous by the MCU is now officially stronger than the Hulk – at least according to Steve Rogers’ Captain America.

Hulk is famous for his incredible strength, and even in his own rogues’ gallery, there are vanishingly few villains who possess greater physical might. However, that just changed, as an iconic rival gets a major upgrade.

Sadly for the rest of the Marvel Universe, godlike strength is only the beginning, as this Hulk-tier foe takes his rightful place as Marvel’s next major big bad.

Red Hulk Is Stronger Than Ever Before

In the recent Captain America #11 – from Chip Zdarsky, Valerio Schiti, Romulo Fajardo Jr. and Joe Caramagna – Steve Rogers goes up against the Red Hulk, aka General Thaddeus ‘Thunderbolt’ Ross. After being imprisoned and tortured by Doctor Doom for months, Red Hulk is on a mission to kill Doom’s recently discovered clone, despite them being an innocent kid.

As Captain America tries to drive Red Hulk back, he takes a giant red fist directly to the shield. As his shield glows red hot, Captain America reflects, “Good God, I don’t think I’ve ever felt a stronger punch.”

Traditionally, Red Hulk isn’t quite as strong as Bruce Banner’s Hulk, though he does have other advantages to make up for it, like the ability to absorb energy from others. Now, however, it seems he’s undergone a huge strength upgrade, not just equaling the Hulk, but packing even more of a punch.

Following his experiences locked in Doom’s castle, Red Hulk has undergone a change in philosophy, setting out to change the world. Not only does he now command an army of Hulks, but he’s stronger than ever, whether through increased rage or exposing himself to further gamma.

Captain America has fought Bruce Banner’s Hulk countless times, tangled with gods, and even stopped a blow from Thor’s hammer – if he thinks Red Hulk is his strongest foe yet, then the antihero-turned-villain has undergone an unprecedented upgrade.

Red Hulk’s Full Plan Explained

While Red Hulk may be even more of a physical threat, that’s nothing compared to his plans for the Marvel Universe. In the recent Armageddon/X-Men CGD 2026 #1, fans learned more about Red Hulk’s endgame thanks to ‘The Long View’ from Chip Zdarsky, Frank Alpizar, Delio Diaz, Jesus Aburtov and Cory Petit.

In that story, it’s revealed that Red Hulk plans to use his new Hulk army to enforce global democracy. Ross uses a powerful device to simulate possible futures, glimpsing a world where he kills every Avenger but Captain America and plunges the world into chaos and despair.

Chillingly, despite this dystopian outcome, Red Hulk is satisfied by this vision of the future. His desire isn’t to save the world or make it a good place – just to force the people of the world to become the masters of their own destiny. If that leads them to death, destruction and misery, Ross sees that as their own fault.

Red Hulk plans to erect a “Red Tower” – a base of operations from which his Hulk army will deploy to destroy any resistance to his new global democracy. His plan is to create “Planet America,” even if it leads to the extinction of the human species.

It’s All Leading to the Era-Defining Avengers: Armageddon

As Red Hulk leads his Hulk army into Latveria, Marvel fans know that Captain America is setting the stage for the upcoming Avengers: Armageddon event. Marvel has promised this game-changing series will begin a new era, such that there will be the Marvel Universe before Armageddon, and the Marvel Universe after.

The event will begin with the Avengers going up against the Red Hulk’s army, and involve the introduction of a Superman-esque new character with unfathomable powers.

As the Red Hulk unleashes a staggering new strength level never seen before, it’s just the beginning of a clash of the gods that Marvel promises will change its universe forever.

Captain America #11 and Armageddon/X-Men CGD 2026 #1 are available now from Marvel Comics.

First Appearance

The Incredible Hulk (1962)

Alias

Robert Bruce Banner

Alliance

Avengers, Defenders, Horsemen of Apocalypse, Fantastic Four, Pantheon, Warbound, S.M.A.S.H., Secret Avengers

Franchise

Marvel