When it comes to superhero comics, one character that has become a household name is the Hulk. With his incredible strength and unique ability to transform from a mild-mannered scientist into a raging green behemoth, the Hulk has been a staple of the Marvel Universe for decades. However, what many people may not realize is that there are several characters in the DC Universe who share similar traits and abilities with the Hulk. From monstrous brutes to scientific experiments gone wrong, the DC Universe has its fair share of Hulk-like characters. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most notable Hulk’s Counterparts in DC Universe and examine how they compare to the original.
Hulk’s Counterparts in DC Universe
Maul
Maul, also known as Doctor Jeremy Stone, is a superhero and member of the WildC.A.T.s, a team of powerful beings with extraordinary abilities. He is a rare Kherubim subspecies called a Titanthrope, which allows him to transform into a hulking titan. Maul was created by Brandon Choi and Jim Lee and made his first appearance in WildC.A.T.s #1 in 1992.
Initially, Maul was Wildstorm’s take on Marvel’s Hulk, with a similar premise of a timid scientist turned into a monster and compelled to save lives as a hero. However, with Maul’s integration into the mainstream DC continuity in the 2023 WildC.A.T.S comic book series by Matthew Rosenberg, Stephen Segovia, and Elmer Santos, Maul’s character has evolved. In WildC.A.T.S #3, Maul is portrayed as a more reasonable character than the Hulk, acting as the peacemaker of the Seven Warriors of Victory.
While Maul continues to act as the muscle for the Seven Warriors of Victory, he has also put his scientific knowledge of biochemistry to use for Halo Corporation’s new ‘think tank’ of scientists. Collaborating with other notable scientists, Maul’s work has the potential to make significant scientific breakthroughs.
Despite working for the morally questionable Halo Corporation, it remains to be seen if Maul is a true hero like his original Wildstorm incarnation or a more ambiguous version of the Hulk. The future issues of WildC.A.T.S will reveal how Maul interacts with his new team and where his loyalties lie.
Eddie Walker (Loose Cannon)
Many believe that the DC Universe has its own version of the Hulk in the form of Loose Cannon, also known as Eddie Walker. Initially a homicide detective in Metropolis, Walker earned the nickname “Loose Cannon” due to his recklessness on the job. After a car accident left him paralyzed, he was given a desk job and sank into a deep depression. However, he was given a new lease on life when he was attacked by an alien parasite during the Bloodlines story arc. Instead of dying, he gained superhuman abilities that allowed him to walk again and fight against the alien threat.
Loose Cannon’s powers include super strength, regenerative abilities, durability, and super endurance, speed, and stamina. His skin changes color as he gets angrier, from blue to purple to red and ultimately white, which signifies his angriest form. However, in his white form, he loses all sense of reason and becomes a danger to those around him. Despite this, he continued to fight alongside other “New Bloods” heroes to eliminate the alien threat.
Loose Cannon’s story is just one example of the many Hulk-like characters that exist in the DC Universe. As we explore more of these counterparts, we will see how they compare to the original Hulk and what unique traits they bring to the world of comics.
Solomon Grundy
Solomon Grundy is a fictional character in the DC Universe who first appeared in the 1940s. He is known as an undead monster who possesses superhuman strength and durability. The character is based on a nursery rhyme, and his origin story varies depending on the comic book series in which he appears.
One of the defining characteristics of Solomon Grundy is his near-immortality. He is incredibly difficult to kill, and his body can regenerate from almost any injury. This means that he can withstand a tremendous amount of damage and continue to fight on. Even if he is destroyed, he will eventually regenerate and return to life, making him a persistent threat to his enemies.
Another notable feature of Solomon Grundy is his immense strength. He is capable of lifting incredibly heavy objects and can dish out devastating blows to his opponents. His fighting style is often described as savage, and he is known for his relentless attacks on his enemies.
In terms of his durability, Solomon Grundy is virtually indestructible. He can withstand attacks from almost any weapon and can shrug off blows that would incapacitate or kill a normal human being. He is also immune to most forms of disease and poison, making him a formidable opponent in battle.
Damage (Elvis Ethan Avery)
Elvis Ethan Avery, known by his superhero name Damage, is the DC Comics counterpart of the Hulk. He was created as part of the aftermath of the Dark Nights: Metal crossover event in 2018, which was written by Scott Snyder and illustrated by Greg Capullo. Like the Hulk, Damage also possesses the ability to transform into a powerful monster. However, instead of a scientific experiment gone wrong, his powers are the result of a military program aimed at creating a super soldier army.
Damage starred in his own seventeen-issue solo comic book series, where he struggled with a split-personality. This inner conflict added depth to his character, as he fought to control his monstrous alter-ego. In the final issue of the series, Damage was left stranded on Monster Island, which added an element of uncertainty to his future appearances in the DC Universe.
Throughout his comic book run, Damage faced various adversaries, some of which included other superheroes and supervillains. He also encountered different organizations, such as the Suicide Squad, and struggled with the consequences of his destructive actions. Overall, Damage’s story explored themes of identity, morality, and redemption, making him an interesting and complex character within the DC Universe.
Behemoth
DC’s Behemoth, a colossal blue infant with immense physical strength, is a character that bears a striking resemblance to the Hulk. Behemoth was initially introduced as a humorous take on the Hulk and appeared in Grant Morrison’s The Multiversity comic book series as part of the Retaliators of Earth-8, a team that paid homage to Marvel’s Avengers. In Suicide Squad #11, published in 2022 and written by Dennis Hopeless, Robbie Thompson, and illustrated by Eduardo Pansica, Dextor Soy, Julio Ferreira, and Marcelo Maiolo, Behemoth teamed up with the Retaliators to confront the Suicide Squad from another universe, following Amanda Waller’s order to test her team’s strength on Earth-8.
Behemoth, similar to Hulk, is a character who possesses superhuman strength and is capable of causing extensive damage. While Behemoth is intended to be a parody of the Hulk, he remains a formidable opponent in battle, as demonstrated by his role in the confrontation against the Suicide Squad. Despite their similarities, Behemoth’s unique physical attributes, such as his blue complexion and size, set him apart from the Hulk and make him a distinctive character in the DC universe.
Behemoth is a character in DC’s comics that bears a striking resemblance to the Hulk. Introduced as a parody of the Hulk, Behemoth possesses immense physical strength and is a formidable opponent in battle. His unique characteristics set him apart from the Hulk, making him a distinctive character in the DC universe.
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