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Red Hulk
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Creation & Design

Red Hulk was created by writer Jeph Loeb and artist Ed McGuinness, first appearing in 2008 as a new incarnation of the Hulk character, with a unique twist on the traditional Hulk lore.

Early Years

Initially introduced as a villain to the Hulk, Thaddeus Ross's transformation into Red Hulk was part of a larger narrative exploring the consequences of gamma radiation and the Hulk's legacy.

Character Development

Over the years, Red Hulk has evolved from a villain to a complex anti-hero, grappling with his identity and the consequences of his actions, ultimately seeking redemption and understanding.

Cultural Reception

Red Hulk has received mixed to positive reviews, with some fans appreciating the character's depth and others criticizing the changes to the Hulk mythos.

Character Details

Real Name:
Thaddeus E. Ross
First Appearance:
Marvel Previews #51
Aliases:
Rulk, Thunderbolt Ross
Species:
Human
Gender:
Male
Affiliations:
Thunderbolts, Avengers, Gamma Corps
Abilities:
Superhuman strength, Durability, Regenerative healing
Equipment:
Gamma radiation, Advanced military technology
Weight:
400lbs
Height:
6' 3"
Eye Color:
green
Hair Color:
gray

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Marvel Previews #51
Marvel ⋅ 2007
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Marvel Previews #51
 
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$50

Key Facts

First consumer-facing cover image of the Red Hulk

Previews is a catalog used by comic shops and collectors to order new comics

Daily Bugle #18
Marvel ⋅ 2007
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Daily Bugle #18
 
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$4
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$40

Key Facts

Preview of the Red Hulk

Hulk #1
Marvel ⋅ 2008
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Hulk #1
 
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$75

Key Facts

1st cover appearance of the Red Hulk, General 'Thunderbolt' Ross

Death of Abomination, initially suspected to have been shot to death by the Hulk but later revealed to be murdered by the Red Hulk

1st team appearance of a new Winter Guard roster: Red Guardian, Ursa Major, Crimson Dynamo, Darkstar

⚠️ Debatable Firsts: the interior story is about a murder perpetrated by, who is believed to be the Hulk, Bruce Banner. Doc Samson as an investigator is piecing together what occurred and the panels depict a recreation of events from his point-of-view with the belief that it is Bruce Banner, the green Hulk who is the killer

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[October 2022 - Harrison Ford has been cast as General Ross in Thunderbolts / July 2024 - Red Hulk confirmed to appear in Captain America]

Hulk #1
1:20 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2008
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Hulk #1
 
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Key Facts

Variant cover art by Daniel Acuna

Hulk #1
1:50 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2008
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Hulk #1
 
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$12
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$125

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Ed McGuinness

Cover art inspired by The Incredible Hulk #1 (1962)

There are two variants with identical cover art but the edition that is limited to 5,000 copies has an Atomic Comics logo above the Hulk title and a Hero Initiative logo under the corner box

Hulk #1
Wizard World ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2008
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Hulk #1
 
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Key Facts

Variant cover art by Michael Turner

Wizard World Los Angeles 2008 convention exclusive

Hulk #1
Dynamic Forces ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2008
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Hulk #1
 
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Key Facts

Variant cover art by Dale Keown, limited to 4,200 copies

Dynamic Forces edition

Hulk #1
Variant ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2008
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Hulk #1
 
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$20
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$85
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$245

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Ed McGuiness, limited to 5,000 copies

Different from the 1:50 retailer incentive by the Atomic Comics logo above the Hulk title and a Hero Initiative logo under the corner box

Although this edition regularly sells for higher than the 1:50, there are approximately 3x more copies registered to the census than the 1:50

Hulk #2
Marvel ⋅ 2008
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Hulk #2
 
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Key Facts

1st appearance of the Red Hulk, in-story, appeared only on the cover of Hulk #1 (2008)

1st appearance of A-Bomb, later revealed to be Rick Jones

Hulk #2
Variant ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2008
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Hulk #2
 
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Key Facts

Variant black and white sketch art by Ed McGuinness

Hulk #2
1:20 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2008
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Hulk #2
 
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Key Facts

Variant cover art by Marko Djurdjevic

Hulk #2
2nd Print ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2008
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Hulk #2
 
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$18

Key Facts

Variant second printing wraparound cover art by Ed McGuinness

1st in-story appearance of Red Hulk, interior art used for cover

Hulk #3
1:20 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2008
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Hulk #3
 
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Key Facts

Variant cover art by David Finch

King-Size Hulk #1
Marvel ⋅ 2008
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King-Size Hulk #1
 
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Key Facts

2nd appearance of Red Hulk, in-story

First battle of She-Hulk and Red Hulk - in Hulk #2 (2008), She-Hulk is grabbed by the Red Hulk in one panel and in the next, shown to be unconscious

Origin of Abomination, recap

Includes full reprints of Hulk #180 and #181, first cameo and full appearance of Wolverine

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Full reprint of Avengers #83, first appearance of Enchantress as Valkyrie

King-Size Hulk #1
Marvel ⋅ 2008
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King-Size Hulk #1
 
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Key Facts

2nd appearance of Red Hulk, in-story

First battle of She-Hulk and Red Hulk - in Hulk #2 (2008), She-Hulk is grabbed by the Red Hulk in one panel and in the next, shown to be unconscious

Origin of Abomination, recap

Includes full reprints of Hulk #180 and #181, first cameo and full appearance of Wolverine

View more (1)

Full reprint of Avengers #83, first appearance of Enchantress as Valkyrie

Hulk #4
Marvel ⋅ 2008
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Hulk #4
 
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$9

Key Facts

First battle of Green Hulk (Banner) versus Red Hulk (Ross)

Cover A connects with cover B

Hulk #4
Non-Key
Variant ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2008
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Hulk #4
 
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$1
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$8

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Ed McGuinness, cover A connects with cover B

Hulk #4
2nd Print ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2008
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Hulk #4
 
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Key Facts

Second printing, interior art

Hulk #14
1:200 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2009
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Hulk #14
 
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$18
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$180

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Ed McGuinness

Hulk #14
2nd Print ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2009
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Hulk #14
 
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$2
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$25

Key Facts

Variant second printing cover art by Ian Churchill, interior splash page

Hulk #16
1:200 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2009
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Hulk #16
 
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$30
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$315

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Ed McGuinness

Hulk #27
Marvel ⋅ 2010
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Hulk #27
 
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Key Facts

First meeting and battle of Red Hulk and Namor

Marvel's Greatest Comics: Hulk #1
Marvel ⋅ 2010
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Marvel's Greatest Comics: Hulk #1
 
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Reprint of Hulk #1 (2008), first cover appearance of the Red Hulk

Copies ordered by retailers: 10,910

Hulk #22
Marvel ⋅ 2010
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Hulk #22
 
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Red Hulk revealed to be General 'Thunderbolt' Ross

Hulk #23
Marvel ⋅ 2010
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Hulk #23
 
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Key Facts

Origin of the Red Hulk, General Thunderbolt Ross

Avengers #12
Marvel ⋅ 2011
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Avengers #12
 
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Iron Man wields the Infinity Gauntlet

Red Hulk joins the Avengers, invited by Captain America

Hulk #42
1:50 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2012
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Hulk #42
 
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Key Facts

Variant cover art by Patrick Zircher

Cover art inspired by Thor #337 (1983)

Hulk #50
Variant ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2012
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Hulk #50
 
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$18
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$60
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$180

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Art Adams

Thunderbolts #1
Marvel ⋅ 2013
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Thunderbolts #1
 
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Key Facts

General Ross aka Red Hulk recruits a Thunderbolts team consisting of Punisher, Elektra, Deadpool, Venom/Flash Thompson

Thunderbolts #1
Non-Key
1:50 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2013
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Thunderbolts #1
 
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Key Facts

Variant connecting cover art by Billy Tan, issues #1-#5 1:50 variants

Age of Ultron #3
1:50 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2013
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Age of Ultron #3
 
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Variant cover art by InHyuk Lee

Avengers, The #685
Marvel ⋅ 2018
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Avengers, The #685
 
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Key Facts

Debut of Iron Hulk Armor

Immortal Hulk #9
Marvel ⋅ 2018
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Immortal Hulk #9
 
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$2
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$8
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$20

Key Facts

1st appearance of the third Red Hulk, Carl Creel the Absorbing Man (briefly)

Circulation: 41,938

Immortal Hulk #21
Non-Key
Store Exclusive ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2019
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Immortal Hulk #21
 
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$18

Key Facts

Variant cover art by InHyuk Lee

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