Book Chapter

Working with the Incredible Hulk

Epstein, Orit Badouk

2011

Overview

The Hulk was born when Bruce was nine years old. Prior to the Hulk, there was Leo, who was the first alter to protect Bruce from trusting anyone. Leo would sometimes lash out, kicking an adult who was trying to be nice to little Bruce, warning him that humans are not to be trusted even if they appear to be kind. Although the Hulk’s colouration has varied throughout the character’s publication history, the most consistent shade is green. As the Hulk, Banner is capable of significant feats of strength, which increases in direct proportion to the character’s anger. Strong emotions, such as anger, terror, and grief are also triggers for forcing Banner’s transformation into the Hulk. As with some female survivors who self harm, releasing tension and anxiety as the Hulk did is a way of gaining control over the experience and the loss. At the neurological level, the brain will experience an analgesic effect through the production of opioid or morphine-like substances.

• Publisher: Routledge
• ISBN: 1855758393, 9781855758391