Since his inception in 1962, the Incredible Hulk has been one of Marvel’s greatest superheroes, with a long career in comics, cinema, and video games. A hero who claims to be the strongest one there is, Hulk’s naturally drawn challengers looking to control or defeat him, some becoming notable villains in the Marvel universe.
While foes like the Leader and the Abomination have remained popular with fans, some of the Hulk’s most fearsome combatants never gained the recognition they deserve. Despite this, Hulk’s adversaries shouldn’t be underestimated and still have the potential to rise above their B-List status.
10/10 The Ringmaster Is The Master Of The Mind
The Circus of Crime is one of those B-list supervillain teams who have an impressive roster of skilled thieves. Leading them is the master of ceremonies himself, the Ringmaster. Starting off as a struggling circus owner, he used his training as a performer to become a fully-fledged criminal.
Besides being a skilled leader and tactician, the Ringmaster is a master of hypnotic devices, using them to mind-control large crowds of innocents. His first battle with the Hulk saw the brute under his thrall, mindlessly juggling elephants. While Ringmaster usually isn’t taken seriously, under the right circumstances,he could be a formidable foe even without his circus lackeys.
9/10 Moonstone Was Cold And Calculating Before She Acquired Her Powers
Few female villains have managed to win a fight against the Hulk. Doctor Karla Sofen was a psychologist who manipulated her patients to further her own nefarious goals. Sofen coerced one of her patients, the original Moonstone, into giving her the moon rock that him his powers, resulting in the corrupt doctor becoming the second Moonstone.
Under this guise, Moonstone was hired to brainwash both the Hulk and General Ross, using her newfound powers to beat Banner into submission. Though she ultimately failed, she returned to battle other heroes, either on her own or as part of Baron Zemo’s Masters of Evil and the Thunderbolts. Overall, the character’s lust for power and cunning nature makes her a threat that even the Hulk should be wary of.
8/10 John Ryker Proves That Not All Menaces Need Superpowers
The military has constantly chased the Hulk since his creation, seeing the hero as only a mindless monster. General John Ryker has been one of the Hulk’s most important pursuers. Unlike General Thunderbolt Ross, who seeks to destroy the creature, Ryker wants to dissect the Hulk for his own purposes.
Ryker’s fascination with the Hulk has led him to experiment with gamma radiation, creating multiple gamma soldiers to capture the brute. His drive for success has seen massive collateral damage and many soldiers lost in the process. Ryker will do anything to possess the Hulk’s power Hulk for himself.
7/10 Armageddon Holds A Personal Grudge Against The Hulk
Lord Armageddon is the ruler of the Troyjans, an alien race of warriors who live for combat. Armageddon’s son tried to claim one of Hulk’s friends as his bride, resulting in the Green Goliath accidentally killing him. Holding the Hulk responsible, Armageddon wants revenge on his jade-jawed foe.
Besides possessing alien physique on par with the Hulk’s, Lord Armageddon is a master tactician and weapons expert, able to outsmart and outmaneuver almost any foe. Though he tried to use his battered foe to resurrect his deceased son, Armageddon’s plan ultimately failed, and he let the Hulk go. However, should he return, the Hulk would need to prepare himself to take down a foe of this magnitude.
6/10 The Bi-Beast Is Double The Trouble
To combat different threats, various robots and monsters were created by various races to protect and serve across the Marvel Universe. The Bi-Beast is an advanced android created by the Inhumans as a security guard but abandoned centuries ago. This creature is unique among all of the Hulk’s various enemies because of his two distinct personalities.
While Bi-Beast’s top head contains his intellect and wisdom, his lower head possesses knowledge of various cultures. Wielding massive strength and size, Bi-Beast is a silly-looking but worthy adversary. His intelligence and multiple cloned bodies make him a particularly tricky foe for the Hulk to smash.
5/10 Piecemeal Can Be Whatever He Wants
A few Marvel villains started as tragic victims forced into a life of crime. Created by scientists working for the ruthless Red Skull, Piecemeal was a cyborg created from various animal and human parts. Brainwashed, the creature broke free and went on a rampage, running across the Hulk in the process.
Besides his increased strength and multiple firearms, Piecemeal proved he wasn’t a regular cyborg thanks to his most powerful upgrade. Via touch, he can shape-shift into his opponent, taking their memories and personality traits as well. While not a notable Hulk foe, Piecemeal is ripe for a return. He could be a deadly foe, especially if he copied Hulk’s rage and appetite for destruction.
4/10 The U-Foes Are The Anti-Fantastic Four
The Fantastic Four was responsible for Marvel’s initial boom in the ’60s, reinventing the universe for a new generation. The success of the team saw many imitators try to copy their tragic accident for their own gains. Four of these copycats recreated the FF’s spacefaring accident, gaining powers similar to their more heroic counterparts’ abilities.
The Hulk battled the U-Foes after he rescued their shuttle and the U-Foes blamed him for their not reaching ‘their full potential.’ Over the years, the group has battled the Hulk and other heroes, sharing a skewed dynamic, unlike Marvel’s First Family. While the U-Foes are seen as an inferior duplicate, the team’s unique relationship and power set could make them a true danger if they get their act together.
3/10 Madman Is Fascinated By The Hulk
The Madman is the Hulk’s greatest enemy the Leader’s sibling. However, while the Leader despises the Green Goliath, Philip Sterns developed an obsession with the Hulk and his alter ego. His interest saw him try to recreate the same accident that Banner endured, resulting in a twisted transformation that also messed with his mind.
As the Madman, Sterns isn’t as strong as the Hulk, but he can increase his size and density at will, retaining his brilliant mind in the process. His powers made him a fierce combatant, potent enough for the Hulk to team up with the Leader to stop him. A foe who’s strong and smart enough to face off with Hulk and Banner deserves recognition and should face off against them more often.
2/10 Zzzax Is An Energy Sponge
Some of Marvel’s greatest threats have been living forces of nature. A botched terrorist attack saw the birth of a creature made of electricity, who took the consciousness of the terrorists and other innocent victims. The beast went on a rampage until the Hulk, with help from fellow Avenger Hawkeye, managed to defeat it.
Since then, the creature has returned as an occasional foe for the Hulk, finding new ways to obtain power. Zzzax has shown to be a horrifying enemy by increasing in size depending on how much it absorbs. Should the creature learn how to draw in other forms of energy, this could be fatal for not just the Hulk but for the rest of the Marvel universe.
1/10 Xemnu Is A Manipulative Monster
Many Marvel monsters have come to Earth from the far reaches of the galaxy. Before Bruce Banner was transformed into his infamous alter ego, another creature was called the Hulk. Unlike the green-skinned behemoth, Xemnu was a space convict trapped on Earth after his spaceship crashed. While Xemnu boasts incredible strength and stamina, his most deadly skills revolve around his mind.
Xemnu’s powers of telepathy, hypnosis, and possession make the malevolent monster a danger to the Hulk, beating him in brains and brawn. While the cunning creature is seen as one of Hulk’s strongest foes, he hasn’t found much popularity among Marvel fans.
