Hulk always ends up being the Avengers’ ringer in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The very first time the team assembles, Captain America lets his monstrous ally loose on the streets of New York City, giving him only one direction: smash. Earth’s Mightiest Heroes do it again at the start of Avengers: Age of Ultron, aiming the Hulk directly at the remaining forces of HYDRA when it’s time to collect the Mind Stone. Time and time again, the Hulk finds himself doing all the dirty work because that’s what he’s best at. However, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows for the hero, as he sometimes finds himself snatching defeat out of the jaws of victory.
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Since his MCU debut in 2008, the Hulk has lost a handful of battles. Most of the time, it’s a hard-fought contest, and Bruce Banner’s alter ego has nothing to be ashamed of when he enters the loser’s circle. There are a couple of instances, though, where the Hulk doesn’t have a very good showing. Here are the three more humiliating Hulk losses in the MCU.
3) Fight Against the Hulkbuster (Avengers: Age of Ultron)
Banner and Tony Stark grow close after the events of The Avengers, so much so that the latter relies on the former to act as his therapist. During their time together, they develop a Hulk deterrent known as the Hulkbuster. It’s a suit of armor that Tony keeps in orbit for a rainy day, or a day when Banner loses control and threatens an entire city. One such situation occurs in Avengers: Age of Ultron, where Wanda Maximoff manipulates Banner’s mind.
After locating the nearest city, Johannesburg, the manipulated Hulk begins a rampage that destroys several major structures. Iron Man learns of his friend’s meltdown and calls in the Hulkbuster. Once the impressive suit arrives on the scene, it immediately gives the Hulk fits. There’s nothing wrong with the Hulk losing to something his other half helped design, but getting knocked out puts the fight in the humiliating category.
2) Trying to Flex on the Ancient One (Avengers: Endgame)
Hulk has a new lease on life in Avengers: Endgame. During the five-year time skip, Banner decides to put his mind in the Hulk’s body, creating a new being known as Smart Hulk. The benefit of having all that power and intelligence at the same time is immeasurable, but the loss of the rage puts Smart Hulk at a disadvantage when he finally needs to fight.
When the Avengers travel back in time to acquire the Infinity Stones, Smart Hulk’s mission is to grab the Time Stone. While he believes he will come into contact with Stephen Strange, he instead meets the Ancient One, who is still the Sorcerer Supreme. Not thinking much of magic, the green hero tries to grab the gem right off the Ancient One’s neck, only to find himself in his astral form. Crossing a Master of the Mystic Arts is a major wake-up call for Smart Hulk, as he learns brute force is far from the greatest power in the universe.
1) Thanos Lets Loose (Avengers: Infinity War)
Thanos’ attack on Thor’s ship at the start of Avengers: Infinity War is devastating, killing dozens of Asgardians who just escaped the destruction of their home. Loki isn’t too worried about finding his brother chained up by the Mad Titan, though, because he knows he has an ace up his sleeve. Right when Thanos thinks he’s about to acquire the Space Stone, the Hulk leaps out and begins throwing haymakers.
Hulk’s control of the fight only lasts a few seconds, though, as Thanos quickly turns the tide and gives the beast the worst beating of his life. All the Hulk can do is stand there and take it because Thanos isn’t going to let anyone get in his way as he continues his mission to collect all of the Infinity Stones and wipe out half of life in the universe. The next time the two meet up, the Hulk won’t even come out, being too embarrassed by his performance earlier in the movie.
Which of these Hulk losses is the most humiliating? Do you think the MCU’s version of the hero is too weak? Let us know in the comments below!
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Image courtesy of Focus Features.
