The green giant Hulk has been an iconic Marvel property for several decades. For audiences, the 2010s helped in popularizing the character as Mark Ruffalo began playing Bruce Banner in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. When it comes to the comics, this was a major era for crossovers and limited series involving not just Bruce Banner but also other versions of the character like the Totally Awesome Hulk and the Immortal Hulk.
Classic themes like rage and redemption are explored further in these storylines as they attempt to take a humanistic look at the beastly character. At the same time, there's the usual dose of adrenaline-heavy action that makes Hulk who he is.
"World War Hulks" (Crossover)
Set after the Fall Of The Hulks storyline, World War Hulks is an ambitious crossover that includes several major changes in the Hulk continuity. While Bruce Banner is depowered at the hands of Red Hulk, it also dwells on the origins of Betty Ross's She-Hulk.
The star of the comic is General Thunderbolt Ross and his transformation into Red Hulk. Viewers get a glimpse at his early life and the newfound responsibility he has to evoke as a superhero. His transition from a lame Hulk comic book villain to a state-sponsored antihero adds more dimensions to this morally grey character.
"Hulk" (5 Ronin #2)
Largely inspired by the samurai genre of films and literature, 5 Ronin reimagines powerful Marvel characters like Wolverine, Captain America, and Hulk as masterless samurai in feudal-era Japan. Most of the lead characters are introduced as lonely wanderers with troubled pasts, with the second issue focusing on Hulk.
Hulk's troubling cycle of violence is interpreted in an interesting manner as he's shown as a spiritual monk. Even though "The Monk" uses his monstrous abilities to kill bandits and save villagers, the bloodshed only makes him guiltier with every passing day. 5 Ronin adds an introspective touch to the Hulk mythos.
"Fall Of The Hulks" (Crossover)
A follow-up to the famous Planet Hulk comic of the 2000s, Fall of the Hulks is set in a time period when Bruce Banner is held captive and General Ross takes charge as Red Hulk. In this scenario, Red Hulk's identity wasn't revealed making this comic one of his origin storylines. The primary antagonists in the series include MODOK and his Intelligencia that comprises of Doctor Doom, Egghead, The Leader, and many more.
With a tamed Banner and an ever-raging Ross, the contrast in both their personalities is perfectly shown in Fall of the Hulks. An added bonus is Red Hulk engaging in colossal duels with Avengers like Thor, She-Hulk, and Iron Man.
"Cho Time" (Totally Awesome Hulk #1-6)
"Cho Time" was monumental for introducing Amadeus Cho as the new Hulk aka the "Totally Awesome Hulk." Cho is introduced as a scientifically proficient teenager who becomes another green-skinned Goliath after being exposed to gamma rays, much like Bruce Banner did when he was introduced in the early 1960s.
This alternate version of Hulk is much younger than Banner and is also more in control of his alter ego. As he assists She-Hulk and Spider-Man in fighting Lady Hellbender, his rage is under control and he tries to avoid as much collateral damage as possible. Cho's instant likability makes him worthy to step in the shoes of his predecessor. Fans who want a break from Banner's storylines should start by reading these first issues of The Totally Awesome Hulk.
"Or Is He Both?" (The Immortal Hulk #1-5)
Set in the aftermath of Civil War II, the opening storyline of The Immortal Hulk finds Bruce Banner giving full control to his alternate personality Devil Hulk. This allows him to get back to life even after being mortally wounded. This seemingly perpetual cycle of immortality adds to Banner's melancholic existence.
Even though Banner does fight off villains like Sasquatch, this storyline provides food for thought. All his life, Banner has tried to attain control over his Hulk side. But ever since he died and then got resurrected in Civil War II, Devil Hulk has left him with no freedom of choice.
"Weapons Of Mutant Destruction" (Limited Series)
Hulk joins forces with mutants like Sabretooth and Wolverine to investigate a mystery linked to the infamous Project X. Upon countering a few cyborgs under Project X, Banner sets out to collaborate with others who have been experimented upon by the military operation.
Several Wolverine comic book storylines have shown that his powers have been misused by Project X on more than one occasion. He has also harbored an enmity with Hulk ever since his comic book debut. Weapons of Mutant Destruction gives him the opportunity to make peace with Hulk while revisiting his own traumatic past.
"The Hulk In The Mirror" (Totally Awesome Hulk #5-6)
Amadeus Cho embraces his "Hulk side" early on and aims to be one of the greatest heroes of all time. But he goes through a mental dilemma when he struggles to find out what is his driving force (like how Banner is driven by his rage). In his search for answers, he encounters the Enchantress. What follows is a battle between Thor and the Enchantress with Cho drawn in between.
"The Hulk In The Mirror" makes for an interesting adventure that attempts to add more layers to Cho's newly-embraced alter ego. His confrontation with Jane Foster's version of Thor heralds a new age of heroes where more diverse characters are at the forefront of Marvel's most high-profile events.
"Planet Red Hulk" ( Hulk #31-36)
Following the footsteps of Planet Hulk is Planet Red Hulk, a cosmic adventure featuring its titular protagonist. The story kicks off with Captain America sending Red Hulk on a mission in outer space. But after a series of misadventures, he ends up becoming the king of the planet Tiran.
"Planet Red Hulk" is a perfect example to show General Ross's transition to the Red Hulk. The usually uptight General now seems to have a gala time while collaborating with superheroes, intergalactic warlords, and many more characters.