The Hulkhas been one of Marvel’s most popular charactersfor over 60 years. Exhibiting a mean and green attitude and color, theIncredible Hulkbecomes more complex and horrific with each issue, and with that complexity, it might be time to explain all the Hulk colors in the comics and just what they are capable of.
After all, the Hulk is set to return in big ways with the Marvel Cinematic Universe introducing the Red Hulk inCaptain America: Brave New Worldreleasing in theaters on June 16, 2025. With a range of colors and powers set to each different Hulk, fans of the character might want to learn what they can before more Hulks hit the scene.
8Green
Hulk’s Most Prominent Color That Highlights Gamma Radiation and Rage
Whilst Hulk’s original appearance was in grey, it wasn’t until the second issue of his first solo series that they decided to stick with green as the theme. Hulk’s main color has been green ever since, with radiation caused by gamma rays being the main reason. Bruce Banner was the first and most famous Hulk, and when under stressful situations, his repressed rageunleashes the abomination of the Hulk, where a green monster rages and smashes.
Out of all the Hulk colors, green is the most prominent, and Bruce Banner is not the only Hulk to feature in this color. His cousin, Jennifer Walters is often seen as the green She-Hulk, and even his enemies like the Leader and Abomination have green skin as a result of their mutual experimentation. There are a few experimental shades of green that fluctuate depending on Hulk’s rage levels like an emotional spectrum.
7Gray
Another Hulk Born of Bruce Banner’s DID, Often Depicted as a Las Vegas Enforcer
The first-ever color of the Hulk was gray, as by intention of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Yet, due to the limitations of colored printers back in the ’60s, Hulk soon became green permeate. The original intention of Hulk’s color was not lost, and by 1986, Hulk’s gray color returned to the comics, complete with a new look and personality tobring back a classic whilst creating something new.
Gray Hulk had his own story to tell, and he was the result of Bruce Banner’s dissociative identity disorder which showcased the mental health problems that Banner was suffering from. As a result, the Joe Fixit alias was born, and this gray Hulk became a Las Vegas enforcer wiseguy who exhibited great strength and even better intellect.
6Red
A Creation To Embody What Thaddeus Ross Hates, With Powers Intense Heat
They always said to fight fire with fire, and as such, Thaddeus Ross elected to become the Red Hulk, combatting Gamma radiation and the Hulk with his own twisted sense of strength and intellect. The red appearance is a stark opposite to rival that of the green Hulk, and Thaddeus Ross would wield this intense power for his government.
Red Hulk still has the intellect of Thaddeus Ross, as well as a few additional powers. Ross is able to generate heat within his skin through his rage, which can become intense enough to turn sand into glass. Whilst not primarily a villain,Red Hulk will stop at nothingto put the Hulk down, which has resulted in some harsh casualties.
5Purple Hulk
The Super Adaptoid Program Can Turn Users Into Copying Hulks With Identity Intact
Through the experiments at AIM, Norman Osborn was granted the ability of power absorption through the super adaptoid program. With this power, Norman Osborn was able to absorb the powers of anyone he touched, and that resulted in granting himself the powers of the Hulk after a punch from Red Hulk hit his skin.
Whilst the color of Purple Hulk doesn’t mean anything, it’s still fascinating to see Norman Osborn as a Hulk, with the incredible intellect and cunning status that has carried him so far as villain, hero, and everything in between. These warping powers were only beaten after Norman was overloaded with other powers, but it proves just how strong he could have become.
4Orange
Empowered Through Solar Radiation
Outside of the central 616 Universe of the Marvel Comics, is Orange Hulk. Orange Hulk comes from Earth-295, which served as the multiverse tragedy of the Age of Apocalypse. Within said universe, the Hulk gains his extreme powers through solar energy and the sun’s rays rather than gamma radiation and rage.
Proclaiming himself through broken speech as Solar Hulk, this orange Hulk has solar radiation powers that probably means he’s at his strongest during the daylight. Whilst there isn’t much to this Hulk’s story, it’s still interesting to see one who presumably gets stronger depending on how hot it is outside.
3Blue
Hulk is Enhanced with the Uni-Power, Manifestations of the Universe Itself
Captain Universe is the Uni-Power itself, which bestows a host with incredible power of universal potential. The most dangerous bond yet happens when Captain Universe combines with Bruce Banner, and this temporary host is perhaps the fiercest in the universe when the Hulk comes out as a new glowing blue color all with the powers of the sentient universe itself.
The Uni-Power is almost omnipotent and wielded by the Hulk, it’s at its most dangerous. Luckily for everyone,Hulk just loves to smash things, so his discovery and mastery of flight and time-warping abilities are rather limited, and this blue Hulk isn’t seen again after Captain Universe bonds with Daredevil.
2Brown
One of Bruce Banner’s Protective Alter-Egos That Craves Destruction
Bruce Banner and the Hulk often struggle to co-exist, and part of the reason for that is due to the terrible childhood that Banner was forced to endure. As a result of this childhood, a manifestation of his conscience is split, and thus the Devil Hulk lurks within his mind. Devil Hulk exhibits evil traits and resentment toward the worldthrough violent rage and neglect.
Devil Hulk is seen less as a physical monster and more as an inner demon for Banner to clash with his own subconscious. With brown scales adorned on his skin, Devil Hulk represents the worst of Banner and the constant fight to not indulge in the monster within. Whilst Devil Hulk is dangerously protective of Banner, it manifests into a desire to kill anyone and anything that has or could hurt Bruce. Both dangerous and smart, Devil Hulk is a corrupted attempt at Banner’s desire to shield himself from being hurt.
1Black
The Hulk’s Hulk, The Strongest Hulk There Is
The Hulk is already a terrifying monster that develops when Bruce Banner is enraged. Yet, what happens if the Hulk is enraged? The answer is Kluh, the Hulk’s Hulk who has had to sit back and watch Banner and the Hulk get picked on and enraged, all whilst his own mind grows and his hatred boils over to create a harsh black skin with sharp rock like fragments and glowing red cuts that act like magma.
This black Hulk is the strongest of the Hulks, and it’s terrifying to see the Avengers face off against a Hulk that is worse than the Hulk. Not just a raging monster, but a monster with plans and motives, this alter-ego is not from Banner, but from Hulk, and adds further complexity to the character through both mind and sharp claws.
