David or Bruce Banner: The Story of Two Incredible Hulks
David Banner and Bruce Banner are two characters that have become synonymous with the famous green-skinned superhero, the Hulk. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in the debut issue of The Incredible Hulk in May 1962. Since then, the Hulk has become an integral part of the Marvel Comics Universe, appearing in countless comic book titles, movies, and TV series.
But who are the two alter-egos of the Hulk, David and Bruce Banner? What makes them different, and how have they contributed to the Hulk’s enduring legacy?
David Banner: The Forgotten Hulk
David Banner, also known as Joe Fixit or the Grey Hulk, was the first alter-ego of the Hulk introduced in the comics. Unlike the more famous Bruce Banner, David was a brilliant scientist who had invented a device that could tap into the power of gamma radiation. However, his experiment went wrong, and he was exposed to a massive dose of gamma rays that transformed him into the Hulk.
Despite being a genius, David’s Hulk persona was not as intelligent as Bruce’s. In fact, he was more like a bouncer, with a love of gambling and usually found himself getting into street fights. David was also known for his grey skin tone, which separated him from the green-skinned Hulk.
While David may not be as well-known as Bruce, he played a significant role in the Hulk’s comic book history. He appeared in several story arcs, including “The Incredible Hulk” #324, which saw him battling against the Abomination in Las Vegas, and “The Incredible Hulk” #345, where he defeated the Maestro, a powerful version of the Hulk from the future.
Bruce Banner: The Iconic Hulk
Bruce Banner, also known as the Green Hulk, is undoubtedly the most recognizable version of the character. He too was a brilliant scientist who was exposed to a massive dose of gamma radiation, which transformed him into the Hulk.
Unlike David, Bruce’s Hulk persona was incredibly intelligent and often spoke in complete sentences. He was also known for his superhuman strength, near-invulnerability, and the ability to heal quickly. Despite his incredible powers, Bruce struggled with controlling his anger, which would trigger his transformation into the Hulk.
Bruce’s Hulk persona often found himself at odds with the US government, which saw him as a danger to the public. This led to several confrontations between the Hulk and the military, including the famous “Incredible Hulk” #181, which introduced the Wolverine character to the Marvel Universe.
Bruce’s Hulk persona has also been a significant part of several crossover events, including “World War Hulk” and “Planet Hulk.” These events saw the character becoming a gladiator on a distant planet and later returning to Earth to seek revenge on those who had exiled him in the first place.
The Legacy of David and Bruce Banner
Both David and Bruce Banner have left a lasting impact on the Hulk character and the Marvel Comics Universe as a whole. While David may not be as well-known as Bruce, he helped to lay the foundation for the Hulk character that fans know and love today.
Bruce, on the other hand, has become an icon in his own right, with several solo comic book titles and multiple appearances in movies and TV shows. His portrayal in the Marvel Cinematic Universe by Mark Ruffalo has been widely praised, and he has become a fan favorite among audiences.
The legacy of David and Bruce Banner can also be seen in other characters that have been introduced in the comics. For example, the She-Hulk, a character introduced in “Savage She-Hulk” #1 in 1980, is the cousin of Bruce Banner and gains her powers in a similar way. The Red Hulk, a character introduced in “Hulk” #1 in 2008, is a former general who gains Hulk-like powers through a similar process as David and Bruce.
In Summary
David and Bruce Banner are two alter-egos of one of Marvel Comics’ most legendary characters, the Hulk. While David may not be as well-known as Bruce, he helped to establish the foundation for the Hulk character that fans know and love today. Bruce, on the other hand, has become an icon in his own right, with several solo comic book titles, movies, and TV shows. Both characters have left a lasting impact on the Marvel Comics Universe, and their legacy can be seen in other characters that have been introduced in the comics.