When is the first appearance of the Red Hulk?

Red Hulk’s first cover appearance was in Marvel Previews #51, this is a preview of comics coming out given to comic shops as free books for customers to order early.  It was unknown at this point that it wasn’t Bruce Banner but actually a new Hulk entirely.

Thunderbolt Ross’ Red Hulk first appeared on the cover of Red Hulk #1. Though he didn’t actually appear as Red Hulk in the story until issue number 2. Despite not appearing in Red Hulk #1 This is considered by most to be the first appearance due to the cover. 

The Debut of Red Hulk in Hulk #1 (2008)

Issue and Storyline Summary

The opening panels of the issue show a Hulk in shadow beating up and killing Abomination. Hulk is only shown in shadow and darkness never revealing his color in this issue.

She-Hulk, Doc Samson, Iron man and Shield are sent to Russia to investigate the death of the Abomination.  They suspect it was Bruce Banner’s Hulk that was involved in the death and used a giant gun to finish Abomination off. 

During the investigation, the new version of the Winter Guard show appeared. This includes the new Red Guardian, Crimson Dynamo, Ursa Major and Darkstar.  The Winter Guard tells the American investigators to leave and that Emil Blonsky was a Russian citizen and it is their jurisdiction.

The American team does not agree with the Winter Guard and a fight between the teams begins. The two teams eventually are called to their senses and part ways with the American team going back to the heli-carrier. 

How does Red Hulk differ from Bruce Banner’s Hulk?

Red Hulk is uninhibited and tactically intelligent.  Green Hulk was typically shown as a mindless monster. 

Both have most of the same abilities and powers, though Red Hulk can emit heat and can absorb cosmic rays.  When unconscious, Red Hulk does not revert to human form like Green Hulk does. 

Red Hulk as he gets angrier his temperature rises instead of gaining more strength like Green.  Since Red doesn’t have a mechanism for regulating heat this is a weakness. This can be exploited to defeat him. 

The Role of Red Hulk In Marvel Comics

Major Battles and Story Arcs

Red Hulk has been involved in some major match ups and story arcs.  

In his opening appearance he fought She Hulk and Iron Man and dispatched them with ease. 

Hulk (2008)

In a story arc with The Collector he leads a team called the Offenders and siphons Silver Surfer’s cosmic power along with the Terrax’s cosmic Axe starts murdering a lot of super powered individuals including Namor, Doctor Strang, Mordo and Hulk among others. 

Red Hulk tells Galactus of his new found power, Galactus takes the cosmic power back and resurrects all the individuals Red Hulk had killed.

World War Hulks (2010)

Red Hulk is key in stopping an organization known as the Intelligencia from taking over the United States.  As a result of this Bruce Banner arranges for Red Hulk to join the Avengers. 

Heroic Age (2011)

Red Hulk unsuccessfully attempts to stop The Thing from destroying Avengers tower. He engages in a battle with MODOK and Black Fog, The Thing (Angrir) defeats Red Hulk by knocking him into the state of Vermont!

Collecting Red Hulk’s First Appearance

Current Market Value of Hulk #1 (2008)

Hulk #1 is a fairly affordable key in the current market. Even with the release of Captain America Brave New World which features Harrison Ford taking on the role of General Ross. 

A raw copy of Hulk #1 averages between thirty and fifty dollars depending on the condition.

The most popular graded copy of 9.8 sells for around two hundred dollars. 

There were a couple of variants and a few ration variants. 

The most expensive variants are the Ed McGuiness 1 in 50 variant that sells for one hundred and fifty to two hundred dollars. The most expensive variant is a very rare newsstand edition which sells for over two hundred dollars. 

First prints vs Reprints 

There has only been one reprint of the first issue and can be found in dollar bins. There was a release in 2010 under Marvel’s Greatest comic line. This can also be found in dollar bins. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the Red Hulk?

The most well known version of the Red Hulk is General Thaddeus “ThunderBolt” Ross.  There is also a 2nd version of Red Hulk introduced in 2017 Robert Maverick was given a wrist device that could turn him into a less powerful version of the Red Hulk.

What Powers Make Red Hulk Unique?

Red Hulk can absorb cosmic energy, his rage does not make him stronger it makes him heat up in temperature.  He can project enough heat to turn sand to glass.  When knocked unconscious he does not revert to human form. 

Has Red Hulk appeared in other media?

Red Hulk/Thaddeus Ross has appeared in numerous animated shows and video games as a playable character.  The character’s biggest appearance to date is the MCU movie Captain America Brave New World.

Red Hulk’s first appearance and lasting legacy

While Red Hulk’s first appearance could be argued didn’t happen until issue number two most collectors have settled on the first cover appearance in Hulk #1 (2008) and the shadowed panels of the character being sufficient to qualify as the first appearance. 

Red Hulk’s last legacy remains to be seen. He was voted number 71 in IGN’s 100 greatest comic book villains.  His debut in the latest Captain America movie and the character’s involvement in Secret Wars could mean a bigger impact is coming but that remains to be seen.  

For now he can be viewed as a middling villain with a huge power advantage over most Marvel Heroes.