Between Hulk and Daredevil: Who Experiences a More Miserable Life?

When comparing the lives of Hulk and Daredevil, one might wonder who truly faces greater adversity. While both characters have faced their share of challenges, an in-depth exploration reveals that despite their distinct struggles, the Hulk seems to inherit an even more miserable path in life, fated to endure despite his choices.

Tragic Love Lost: Hulk's Eyewitness

The Hulk, whose full name is Bruce Banner, has experienced the loss of his loves twice over, each time more bleakly devastating. Jarella, the queen of the planet K'ai and a green-skinned female ally, was a faithful lover who accepted him for who he was. Despite her undying affection, she met a tragic end and was resurrected only to die again, leaving behind an emotional void that the Hulk continues to struggle with.

Caiera, another of the Hulk's wives, also loved and accepted him for who he is, but her life was cut short as well. Both these women were torn from him, a painful inevitability that adds to the severity of his lifelong misery.

The Eternal Misery of Hulk

One of the more crucial aspects of the Hulk's misery is his global recognition as a destructive force, rather than as Bruce Banner. This omnipresent image hinders his ability to live a normal life, particularly in comparison to Matt Murdock, who faces other challenges but isn't as immediately recognizable as a threat. Jarella, for instance, is a figure who could be resurrected and brought back to the roster of living characters, but not the Hulk, who is an entity that has long been entangled with fear and destruction.

Folks with Sins: Betrayals and Losses

Hulk, who has been betrayed by numerous individuals, including friends who have not always stood by him, faces a cyclical sense of betrayal and abandonment. Each new friend he builds trust with eventually fails him, or is complicit in his suffering. For instance, Robert Reynolds, also known as the Sentry, is no longer considered one of his friends, a painful testament to the wounds he carries from past betrayals. The Sentry himself, in one of his arcs, sent the Hulk to a planet where he was enslaved and tortured, not doing so intentionally but ultimately contributing to the Hulk's torment.

Rick Jones, a long-time companion and one of his earliest friends, has been killed off a couple of times, although he has returned each time. However, he has now returned as a gamma zombie, a form that is both unsettling and a reminder of the ongoing torment he endures.

Uncle Ben's Finality: The Expertise of Jim Wilson

Jim Wilson, another early friend of the Hulk, served a necessity in the comic by adding emotional impact and helping to spread a message. However, his sacrifice is final and irrevocable, which, for the Hulk, merely adds to the list of those he has lost and will never reclaim.

Blindness or Ridicule: Differing Fates

While Daredevil, or Matt Murdock, faces the challenge of blindness, his capacity to "see" as a ninja and his successful career as a lawyer and vigilante provide him with the opportunity to lead a more normal life, though not without its own set of tragedies. The Daredevil steels his strength in the face of adversity and, despite his blindness, can still navigate the world with a unique and profound insight beyond the physical.

For the Hulk, there is no refuge from his persona. Bruce Banner can only hide when the Hulk is unleashed, and this constant duality of identity is a source of his perpetual suffering. Unable to lead a normal life due to his public recognition as a menace, his life is a cycle of loss, betrayal, and painful, unrelenting reminders of his existence as the Hulk. Each resurrection and return to earth brings with it a new set of challenges and a fragile sense of hope that is often shattered.

Ultimately, the misery of the Hulk is a testament to his resilience and the depths of his pain. While Daredevil's blindness, though challenging, does not prevent him from leading a life of purpose and integrity, the Hulk's life is a series of inescapable, aggravated fetters that he must bear, making his journey through life not just tough, but manically unrelenting.

Conclusion: Despite my limited knowledge of Daredevil, I cannot in good conscience suggest that he has it worse than the Hulk. The relentless cycle of loss, betrayal, and suffering that the Hulk endures sets him apart in a way that makes his misery more profound and complex.