Has the Hulk Ever Won a Fight Against Thanos?

In the complex and vast universe of Marvel Comics, an ongoing debate revolves around whether the Hulk has ever managed to best the relentless Titan, Thanos. While fan theories and fan expectations abound, recent comics have provided some answers in the form of recent encounters between these two formidable characters.

Recent Hulk vs Thanos `Fight'

The fight you're most likely referring to was detailed in Incredible Hulk Annual 1, 2024, where the Hulk emerges victorious against Thanos. This encounter garnered attention because writer Derek Landy acknowledged and played into longstanding fan theories within the narrative itself. During their conversation, Thanos arrogantly taunts Hulk by saying, "I have bested you before without undue effort," to which the Hulk responds, "You've never bested me."

Previous Encounters

While this was the first in-canon one-on-one meeting between Hulk and Thanos, their prior encounters included:

Infinity Gauntlet (1991): In this early meeting, Thanos displayed his dominance by slapping the Hulk, who was only a sapling in terms of his full potential at that point. X-Man Hulk Annual (1998): A variant of the Hulk, known as X-Man, assisted in defeating a giant form of Thanos, but this encounter was later retconned, making it effectively a non-event in the main timeline. Avengers Assemble (2012): In another attempt, the heroes of the Avengers team beat Thanos, but his eventual retreat is chalked up to their collective efforts rather than the Hulk's triumph. Infinity (2013): A brief, intense encounter where Thanos demonstrated his power by punching the Hulk and engaging in a combat duel with Corvus Glaive, causing the Hulk to regroup before his battle. Thanos vs Hulk (2015): A cosmic battle primarily focused on the backdrop of Thanos and Hulk's external battle of wills, resulting in a stalemate with Thanos being the perceived victor due to the Hulk's internal struggle.

Power Dynamics and New Encounter

The Immortal Hulk series writer, Al Ewing, further expressed his belief that Thanos would likely win an outright fight against the Hulk without any additional cosmic or magical aid. However, a detailed analysis of the recent fight reveals a different outcome. In Incredible Hulk Annual 1, 2024, when the Hulk and Thanos finally do engage, it is portrayed as a decisive win for the Hulk. The scenes highlight the Hulk's rapid healing ability and his growing strength. Toward the end of the fight, Thanos attempts to break the Hulk's neck, but the Hulk recovers almost immediately. In a decisive move, the Hulk lands a powerful punch that causes the ground to cave in, leaving Thanos temporarily paralyzed. Colleen Wing then stabs Thanos in the head with her sword, rendering him unconscious, and the Hulk delivers a final blow to ensure Thanos remains down.

However, the story has further layers. In a subsequent issue of the series, it's revealed that Thanos was not incapacitated by Colleen's sword. Despite this, he is quickly killed by Thanos, illustrating the level of power and combat strategies needed to defeat Thanos.

Conclusion

From the Incredible Hulk Annual 1, 2024 series, the Hulk does win a definitive fight against Thanos. However, it's crucial to note that this is a new and unique in-canon encounter that differs from previous depictions. The power dynamics between these two characters remain complex and can vary depending on the narrative context. The Hulk's recent victory is a testament to his developing powers and resilience, but theadxny subtle changes in storytelling mean that the outcome can be multifaceted.

Key Points to Remember

Recent In-Canon Success: The Hulk's victory in Incredible Hulk Annual 1, 2024 marks a new milestone in the ongoing saga between the two. Power and Healing: The Hulk’s rapid regenerative ability and his ongoing growth in strength put him at a significant advantage over Thanos. Narrative Context: The outcome can vary depending on the narrative context and era of the story, further highlighting the complexity of their battles.

Further Reading

For more information on these characters and their battles, consider exploring comics like Incredible Hulk Annual 1, 2024. Understanding the full scope of their interactions can provide a detailed insight into the complex power dynamics between the Hulk and Thanos.

Keywords: Hulk vs Thanos, Thanos Slaps Hulk, Immortal Hulk