Hulkbusters


Hulkbusters is the name of three fictional organizations appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. All three groups exist within Marvel's shared universe known as the Marvel Universe and are so-named for their attempts to battle the Hulk.

Fictional history

The U.S. military's Hulkbusters

The original Hulkbusters were a large joint task force consisting of both U.S. Army and Air Force personnel, whose primary purpose was to capture or if necessary, destroy the Hulk. Their headquarters was the Hulkbuster Base in New Mexico, resembling a peace sign, after it was damaged by the Hulk, and they were commanded by General "Thunderbolt" Ross, General Ryker and Major Glenn Talbot. Hulkbuster Base was later demolished by the U-Foes. After Bruce Banner, the Hulk's alter-ego, achieved a state in which his normal intelligence and personality remained dominant while in Hulk form, he received a presidential pardon and the Hulkbusters were disbanded.
While this operation was active, Clay Quartermain was the S.H.I.E.L.D. liaison to the Hulkbusters operation.
Gamma Base, located in Death Valley, is dedicated to the capturing and curing of the Incredible Hulk.
Originally, Gamma Base was Project Greenskin: Hulkbuster Base and it was the base for the Hulkbusters. The US Government shut it down and it was opened again for Bruce Banner's Project: Hulkbuster. When that group broke up, it was shut down again. Once again it was re-opened for the use of Operation: Zero Tolerance.

Bruce Banner's Hulkbusters

After the Hulk reverted to his bestial personality, he was captured by Doc Samson. Samson persuaded the government to rebuild and finance Gamma Base. There, Samson managed to separate Banner and the Hulk into two distinct beings, although the Hulk was able to escape. Banner was named the leader of this iteration of the Hulkbusters, which first appeared in Incredible Hulk #317, created by John Byrne.
Members of this group of Hulkbusters included:
Saunders, Jr. and La Roquette later became Rock and Redeemer, a supervillain team who faced the Hulk on various occasions, after much of Banner's HB team were slain in Hulk's destruction. Rock had an external hide made of deadly minerals which can be used to impale and grow in size. Redeemer had an exoskeletal suit with weapons like repulsor blasters, and rocket fuel. The Leader later recruited them into "New Freehold" along with the Riot Squad, and they haven't been seen since.

S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Hulkbusters

Hulk's exile from Earth by the Illuminati brought forth an unexpected consequence: Hulk's rogues' gallery began running wild. As a result, S.H.I.E.L.D. formed a team called the Hulkbusters to capture these villains and implant them with nanotechnology to nullify their powers. The team was led by Agent Clay Quartermain and members included Agent Cheesecake, Agent Crimson, and She-Hulk.

Other versions

Ultimate Marvel

The Ultimate Marvel version of Hulkbuster teams exist and primarily serve Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D. Hulkbuster units have been used to take down major threats such as the Green Goblin and Venom.

In other media

Television