How the Death of The Incredible Hulk Was Explained in Different Media
How the Death of The Incredible Hulk Was Explained in Different Media
The death of The Incredible Hulk has been a subject of much discussion among fans of the character. There are significant differences in how the character’s demise was handled across certain media, particularly when comparing the 1978 TV show to the comic books and later iterations in films and cartoons. This article will delve into the various explanations that have been given for the death of The Incredible Hulk in different media.
Comic Books
In the comic book realm, The Incredible Hulk has faced numerous deaths and comebacks. One notable instance of his death occurred early in the character's storyline when Dr. David Banner, a scientist with the New Mexico Nuclear Corps, experiments with gamma radiation to cure Bruce Banner of the Hulk transformation. This results in Banner suffering greatly during the transformation, which ultimately leads to his death. The Hulk is left to battle his own fate in this version of the story.
1978 TV Show
The 1978 TV show, which was a significant adaptation of the comic, took a different approach to the character's death. In this show, The Hulk is killed in a plane crash. However, the way in which he is killed and the subsequent aftermath have different interpretations depending on the episode in question. For instance, in the episode "To The Nines," he is shot with a machine gun and then the airplane explodes around him. This combination of gunfire and the subsequent explosion would cause significant bodily damage to The Hulk, a being who already had weakened healing abilities due to his experimental treatment to cure him of the Hulk transformation.
Explanations for the Death
There are several reasons provided for the death of The Incredible Hulk in the 1978 TV show. One major factor is the altitude from which he fell. The Hulk, having fallen from a higher altitude, had less time to heal from the plane exploding before landing on asphalt. This scenario implies that the damage caused by the explosion and the subsequent fall was too severe for his enhanced healing abilities to mend. Additionally, the creators of the TV show intentionally made The Hulk much weaker compared to the comic and later cartoon and movie versions, which directly contributed to his vulnerability and eventual death in the series.
Comparison of Healing Abilities
In contrast to the comic books, the 1978 TV show suggested a slower healing process for The Hulk. This slower healing ability is consistent across various episodes, making it more difficult for him to recover from injuries sustained during the plane crash. Even if The Hulk were to heal in the comic books version's timeline, the differences in the TV series would make the outcome different.
Conclusion
The different explanations and interpretations of The Incredible Hulk's death across various media offer a unique insight into the character's nuanced nature. The comic books present a more dramatic and desperate death, reflecting the darker and grittier version of the character. On the other hand, the 1978 TV show provides a more realistic and medically plausible scenario, albeit one that is weaker in comparison to the other media versions. Understanding these differences can help fans appreciate the complexity and evolution of one of the most enduring superhero characters in pop culture.