When Bruce Banner loses control, the world trembles. The Hulk isn’t just Marvel’s strongest hero—he’s a walking catastrophe powered by rage, grief, and raw emotion. While most superheroes fight with precision and restraint, Hulk battles like a natural disaster, leveling cities and crushing enemies with unstoppable force. But what truly defines his most unforgettable rampages isn’t just the destruction he causes—it’s the circumstances that push him beyond reason. Whether he’s betrayed by his friends, mourning a devastating loss, or simply pushed too far, each rampage marks a moment when Banner is no longer in control and the Hulk takes over completely. These are the stories where “Hulk smash!” isn’t a catchphrase—it’s a warning. From world-shaking battles to tragic meltdowns, these ten rampages show why you never want to be in Hulk’s path when the rage takes hold.
#10: Hulk vs. the Avengers (The Ultimates #5–6)
In the Ultimates universe, Bruce Banner’s transformation into the Hulk is far more brutal and chaotic than in the main continuity. When the Ultimates unleash Hulk in Manhattan to combat an alien threat, the monster quickly becomes more dangerous than the invaders. Fueled by jealousy, confusion, and a violent libido, this Hulk rampage is terrifying and grotesque. He bites the head off a man, throws cars like baseballs, and nearly crushes his own teammates. It takes the combined might of the Ultimates—Captain America, Iron Man, Giant-Man, and Thor—to slow him down. This version of Hulk is primal and unhinged, a far cry from the misunderstood beast we often root for. His uncontrolled destruction in downtown New York remains one of the most disturbing—and unstoppable—moments in Hulk history.
#9: World War Hulk vs. Black Bolt (World War Hulk #1)
After being exiled to space and losing everything he built on Sakaar, Hulk returns to Earth with a single mission: revenge. The first stop? Attilan, home of the Inhuman king Black Bolt. Known for a voice so powerful it can shatter mountains, Black Bolt tries to warn Hulk off with a whisper—only for Hulk to tank it and growl, “I didn’t come here for a whisper. I want to hear you scream.” The rampage that follows is short, savage, and definitive. Hulk doesn’t just defeat Black Bolt—he makes a statement. This brutal beatdown showcases just how focused and unstoppable Hulk can be when his rage is sharpened by grief. If Black Bolt couldn’t stop him, who could?
#8: The Hulk Destroys Las Vegas (Incredible Hulk Vol. 2 #321–323)
When the government sends a gamma-powered version of the Hulkbuster team to apprehend the Hulk in Las Vegas, it backfires catastrophically. Caught in the crossfire between S.H.I.E.L.D. and their own Gamma Corps, Hulk loses all sense of restraint and demolishes the city. Casinos crumble, helicopters are swatted from the sky, and the Strip becomes a war zone. Banner’s mind has little control in this state, and the destruction is raw and untamed. It’s a moment that underscores just how poorly conventional weapons fare against Hulk’s fury. What begins as a tactical strike ends as one of the most expensive mistakes in Marvel history—and a landmark in Hulk’s rampaging legacy.
#7: Hulk vs. The Thing in “Secret Wars” (Secret Wars #4, 1984)
When the Beyonder assembles Marvel’s mightiest on Battleworld, tensions explode into full-blown war. One of the most iconic moments? Hulk vs. The Thing. Though they’ve fought many times, this showdown is pure, unfiltered chaos. The ground shakes as these two titans clash, leveling terrain and sending shockwaves across the planet. Hulk’s rage climbs steadily, pushing him past even Ben Grimm’s rock-solid strength. Their battle epitomizes raw power—and Hulk’s refusal to be stopped. It’s not just two strong guys punching each other; it’s a battle of wills, and Hulk’s wins every time. The damage they cause and the ferocity of their blows make this rampage unforgettable.
#6: Gray Hulk Goes Wild in “Joe Fixit” Era (Incredible Hulk #347–348)
During the “Joe Fixit” period, Hulk is gray, meaner, and a lot more cunning. He takes a job as a Las Vegas enforcer, living life under the radar—until his temper flares. In Incredible Hulk #347–348, Fixit is provoked into full-blown rage and unleashes a calculated yet savage beatdown on rival gangsters, mob bosses, and even the Absorbing Man. This version of the Hulk doesn’t just smash—he plans, strikes, and punishes with terrifying precision. The rampage isn’t city-leveling like some others, but it’s unstoppable in its own brutal way. Watching the smarter, nastier Hulk operate like a gangster with super strength is a rare—and unforgettable—kind of rage.
#5: Hulk vs. Thor in the Desert (Incredible Hulk #255)
Thor and Hulk have clashed many times, but this early desert duel is one of the purest examples of Hulk’s overwhelming power. Set in a barren landscape where nothing can hold them back, the two titans tear into each other with mythic force. Hulk’s fury grows with every blow, and Thor is pushed to summon every ounce of his godly might just to keep up. Despite the Thunder God’s best efforts, Hulk keeps rising, keeps hitting, and keeps getting stronger. This rampage isn’t about destruction—it’s about proving who the strongest is. And in this issue, Hulk makes a compelling case that strength alone can make you truly unstoppable.
#4: Hulk vs. The Avengers in “Avengers Disassembled” (Incredible Hulk #90–91)
In the lead-up to Planet Hulk, Bruce Banner finds himself betrayed, hunted, and pushed past his emotional limits. The result is one of the most intense rampages against the Avengers themselves. Iron Man, She-Hulk, and even Sentry are called in to contain him, but Hulk tears through them with seismic fury. The emotional weight of the betrayal fuels his rage, turning him into a force of nature. Buildings collapse, Avengers fall, and even the SHIELD Helicarrier isn’t safe. This moment sets the stage for Hulk’s exile, but not before proving—once again—that no Earthbound team can contain him when he’s truly unleashed.
#3: Planet Hulk Gladiator Rampage (Planet Hulk, 2006)
Exiled to the planet Sakaar, Hulk becomes a gladiator, a rebel, and ultimately a liberator. His journey from slave to warlord is filled with rage-fueled battles, but one of the most unstoppable moments comes during a rebellion at the Great Arena. Facing down elite warriors, death machines, and tyrannical warlords, Hulk tears through them all, inspiring an uprising and claiming victory through sheer power and will. He isn’t just fighting for himself—he’s fighting for freedom. This rampage isn’t about mindless destruction—it’s Hulk with purpose, focused and unrelenting. When he smashes here, he becomes more than a monster—he becomes a myth.
#2: World War Hulk in Manhattan (World War Hulk, 2007)
The World War Hulk storyline is the gold standard of Hulk rampages. After losing his wife and kingdom on Sakaar, Hulk returns to Earth with an army and declares war on the heroes who betrayed him. In the heart of Manhattan, Hulk dismantles the Fantastic Four, Iron Man, Doctor Strange, and more. His brutality is precise—measured—but still apocalyptic. Madison Square Garden becomes a gladiator arena, and even the Sentry’s power barely slows him. This isn’t just rage—it’s vengeance. Hulk controls the chaos like a general wielding an army and a fist. His rampage through New York is both terrifying and awe-inspiring. No one comes out unscathed.
#1: The Maestro Reigns Supreme (Future Imperfect, 1992)
In the dystopian future of Future Imperfect, we meet the Maestro—a version of Hulk who has embraced his rage, ego, and intellect to become a tyrant ruling over a shattered world. Unlike other rampages, Maestro’s dominance is permanent. He’s killed most of Earth’s heroes, crushed all resistance, and sits atop a throne made from their remnants. His reign is the ultimate Hulk rampage—one that never ends. Written by Peter David with hauntingly powerful art by George Pérez, Future Imperfect shows us what happens when Hulk’s power is unchecked by conscience or compassion. The Maestro isn’t just the strongest—he’s the most terrifying future Hulk could ever become.
Hulk’s most unstoppable moments aren’t just about how hard he hits—they’re about what pushes him over the edge. Whether it’s grief, betrayal, survival, or sheer fury, the rage that drives Hulk is as emotional as it is physical. These rampages reveal that the real danger isn’t Hulk’s strength—it’s what happens when he stops holding back. Because when Hulk truly lets go, the world shakes—and no one, hero or villain, can stand in his way.
