While Hulk seems like a purely Sci-Fi monster based on his origin and the majority of his stories, his grossest power proves he’s a being of magic.
While the Hulk is a product of grizzly mutation made possible by scientific experimentation the likes of which fans would only see in science fiction, his absolute grossest ability has nothing to do with science but is actually based entirely on magic.
Bruce Banner became the Hulk after he was exposed to an explosion of gamma radiation during a test conducted by the U.S. government. After he was engulfed by the radiation which merged the gamma with his very DNA, he was granted the ability to transform into a green, hulking monster anytime he became angry or stressed. However, this super power wasn’t the only change Banner experienced after his gamma exposure as he also gained access to the mystical Green Door which led to a hellish dimension known as the Below Place–the true source of Hulk’s power and immortality.
In Immortal Hulk #8 by Al Ewing and Joe Bennett, the Hulk has been captured by a secret government task force who are holding him in a secure location known as Shadow Base. Since the Hulk is strong enough to break through any containment, the scientists at Shadow Base decided to dismember the Avenger and place each piece of him in separate jars. The Hulk, being immortal, isn’t killed by this and remains fully conscious. Not only is his mind still alert, but he retains control over his severed limbs despite them being cut off from his brain–proven true when he snaps the fingers of his dismembered hand with enough force to shatter the separate jars he is kept in, allowing him to merge his body into a single being once more.
While it makes sense that the Hulk wouldn’t be killed even after being chopped up since his superhuman power makes him invulnerable to even the most devastating attacks, the fact that he can control other parts of his body despite the fact they are no longer directly connected to his brain proves that he is as much a being of magic as he is a sci-fi monster. The Immortal Hulk series was centered around Hulk’s connection to the Below Place and by extension, his connection to the supernatural. In most other storylines, the main focus is Hulk’s sci-fi roots, telling the story of a man mutated into a monster after an experiment goes horribly wrong, and the fallout of that life-altering event. While the science fiction side of the character explains his immense strength, the mystical side explains the more fantastical elements of his power set, with this issue being a prime example.
There is no scientific reason behind the Hulk’s ability to control his dismembered limbs even in the realm of science fiction rooted in exaggerated reality as all of the muscles and nerve endings had been severed. However, by adding magic as a key element to the Hulk’s powers–after it was established that gamma is tied to mysticism–he is suddenly able to pull off incredible feats that would have otherwise been impossible for his character–including this truly disgusting ability.
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