Wolverine vs Hulk a classic for introducing X-Men’s most popular mutant. For some background detail, Hulk finds himself in Canada fighting against the Canadian government and a Wendigo. That is until Wolverine joins the fight. During this time Logan is still Weapon X. With the similarities in name, Len Wein and Dave Cockrum bring Wolverine into the X-Men years later. But many years afterwards, creators decide to let this event be a battle that illustrates their respective character.
Wolverine vs Hulk: The Double Feature
Christopher Yost likes this scenario so much he decides to do it twice. First as a short film and again as an episode of Wolverine and the X-Men. According to him they’re also in the same universe. Somebody should have told that to the art people. The costumes don’t match up.
In both cases Logan is called in to deal with the Hulk, but everything else plays out differently. Hulk vs Wolverine for example has Hulk suspected for destroying a town. A crucial difference between the comics is that while Wolverine is part of Alpha Flight, he’s long escaped Weapon X. That is until it captures Wolverine and Hulk. Logan recognizing how his hunt for Hulk was set up by Weapon X tries to help them both. All because despite how violent he gets, Logan doesn’t want anyone else to become a weapon. A sentiment that Bruce Banner shares, mirroring Wolverine’s own bode on avoiding exploitation. This is in sharp contrast to the exploitive Wolverine in the original comic; he uses Hulk to weaken the Wendigo to later attack a wounded Hulk. These changes to the story bring up how much Logan has matured unlike the Hulk who holds it against Wolverine for attacking him.
Take Two
And the Hulk holds quite a grudge. Within Wolverine and the X-Men Hulk fights against the Wendigo absent from the comics. That is until Wolverine shows up as a favor to SHIELD. In exchange Director Nick Fury would make sure intel about the X-Men doesn’t end up in the Mutant Response Division.
SHIELD might not be as bad as MRD who outright imprison all mutants on sight or Weapon X but they can as exploitative. As it turns out the Wendigo is a product of a failed super soldier serum. Banner was there to try and cure the subject before it can infect anyone else. But SHIELD used the Hulk as bait and made the situation worse as the agents got infected. Logan and Banner, not fond of SHIELD exploiting dangerous elements leave Fury at the mercy of the Hulk. Everyone does survive so no big deal. But try telling that to the ever angry Hulk.
Wolverine vs Hulk On Character
Both Wolverine and Hulk are popular Marvel characters known for their rage. The Hulk’s monstrous fury is an act of defense against a hostile world. With a dad like Brian Banner, Bruce needed someone. Unfortunately the Hulk has all of Banner’s anger so it makes trust and self-respect a struggle for him. Banner’s made several attempts to try and cure the Hulk. He wants human connection but he’s afraid of hurting them as the Hulk. But nothing’s worked until Banner has to accept that the Hulk is a part of him. A part of him that can help channel the rage at oppressive forces like his pursuers.
Wolverine like Banner has had a hard life, many parts of it were stolen from him. Weapon X tried to make him a weapon, but Logan has a sense of loyalty and ethics that prevent him from crossing lines. It’s that same loyalty that helps him focus on using his rage to help others, but with more discipline than the Hulk. Which is why the clash between Wolverine and Hulk feel so personal. It’s a clash of complementary violent natures, something the comics do in reaction.
Wolverine vs Hulk Comic Summary
For Wolverine these clashes come down to two factors: duty and reflection. Wolverine hardly ever goes after Hulk unless it’s for a good reason. Like when Hulk accidentally downs an airplane or threatens the X-Men in World War Hulk. But there’s a personal level of antagonism between them. Logan can control his rage, but Hulk is what he might’ve become had he not met the X-Men. That perhaps comes up best in Old Man Logan one where Hulk rids all of his inhibitions. In comparison to Logan who renounces his violent ways, Hulk becomes a killer who goads Logan for fun. Only for the former Wolverine to fully embrace his rage and kills Hulk in vengeance.
But there’s something for the Hulk as well. He might seem like an invincible juggernaut but there’s this struggle to be more than angry. Because that anger can become a means of being exploited. Something that even Banner does in order to get through life. In Ultimate Wolverine vs Hulk Banner tries everything to contain the rage until he meets someone to try and combine them. But Banner still treats Hulk as a means of channeling his carnal impulses instead of accepting his rage. Hulk hates that Banner only gives his most destructive feelings to Hulk; which makes it hard for Bruce to find any real peace. This is all in contrast to Wolverine who is everything Hulk can’t be.
Future Matchups
One has to wonder what will happen between Hulk and Wolverine after they both make big leaps. With the Devil Hulk, Banner fully embraces his rage to try and make change against the corrupt world. Wolverine being in a similar position with mutant-kind’s threats would have to face Hulk in a battle between complementaries.
The MCU meanwhile could very well use this rivalry to bring both Hulk and Wolverine into focus. If to get around Universal Pictures’ ownership of the film rights by making it Wolverine focused.
But wishful thinking aside, what do you all think?