There is still a litany of compelling Hulk powers that the Marvel Cinematic Universe needs to include before his story concludes. The Hulk has had an undeniably impressive run in the MCU timeline. While the MCU has showcased some of his raw strength and rage, it’s only scratched the surface of what the character is truly capable of.

From his debut in The Incredible Hulk to his evolution into Smart Hulk by Avengers: Endgame, he has had some explosive moments. Yet in the comics, the Hulk possesses a vast array of powers that go far beyond smashing. The MCU should dig deeper into his comic lore and unleash the full spectrum of his abilities before his final chapter.

10

The Hulk’s Connection To The One Below All

One of the most terrifying and powerful Hulk storylines in comics is his connection to the One Below All – a malevolent cosmic enтιтy and dark reflection of the One Above All. This force is the root of the Hulk’s gamma mutation and rage. Introduced in Al Ewing’s Immortal Hulk, the One Below All represents pure destruction and chaos.

The Hulk is revealed to be a kind of vessel or gateway for its power. When someone is exposed to extreme and ᴅᴇᴀᴅly gamma radiation, it opens a Green Door and infuses them with the One Below All’s power, creating a Hulk. Incorporating this lore into the MCU would radically reshape the Hulk’s mythos.

It would elevate him from a superpowered Avenger to a cosmic keystone in the balance between creation and annihilation. It could also finally give the Hulk a truly terrifying villain of his own with connections to the multiverse. It would help explore the darker implications of gamma radiation in the MCU’s cosmic future.

9

Hulk’s Regeneration Abilities

The MCU has mentioned Hulk’s incredible healing factor. However, it’s never fully explored just how powerful it really is. In the comics, Hulk’s regeneration is nearly limitless – he’s come back from being reduced to a skeleton, torn in half, and even having his heart ripped out.

Hulk’s body constantly adapts to damage, regenerating wounds that would be fatal to most other characters. The Incredible Hulk hinted at this with his resistance to bullets and tranquilizers. It’s likely missing, as the Hulk was introduced into the MCU as a Super Soldier replica.

Nevertheless, The Avengers showed him shrugging off wounds, but a more explicit on-screen display would be a game-changer. It would reinforce why Hulk is not just strong but nearly unstoppable. If the MCU returns to Savage Hulk, introducing his healing factor could increase his threat level.

8

The Hulk’s Size Changing As He Gets Angrier

One of Hulk’s more underutilized powers in the MCU is his ability to grow larger and stronger the angrier he becomes. This isn’t just metaphorical in the comics – he physically increases in mᴀss and height depending on his rage level. The more emotional or furious he gets, the more formidable he becomes.

The MCU’s Hulk has remained largely the same size across appearances. However, showing his increasing scale in real time would visually emphasize just how dangerous his temper is. This was depicted in Ang Lee’s Hulk, and to great effect.

Imagine a moment during a climactic battle where the Hulk grows so mᴀssive and monstrous that even his fellow Avengers look on in awe or terror. It’s a perfect way to raise the stakes and the tension. It would forge a truly rewatchable Hulk moment for the MCU.

7

Hulk’s Superbreath

Though not as well-known as other abilities, Hulk’s superbreath is a comic-accurate power. Yet it is rarely acknowledged in adaptations, especially in live-action. He has used his lung power to blow away enemies, extinguish fires, or send mᴀssive shockwaves with just a breath.

It’s a power similar to Superman’s. It makes sense given the Hulk’s monstrous physique, and has been used in numerous ways, such as allowing the Hulk to spend multiple days of time underwater. Bringing this into the MCU wouldn’t just add a fun new layer to his action scenes.

It would expand the range of abilities he can use when brute strength isn’t the only option. A moment where Hulk takes out a line of enemies or clears debris with a thunderous exhale would remind audiences that the Hulk is more than fists. It could help show Hulk as a full-on force of nature.

6

Hulk’s Gamma Radiation Control

One of the most advanced and underexplored Hulk powers is his ability to manipulate gamma radiation itself. In later comics, especially Immortal Hulk, Bruce Banner becomes capable of using gamma not only as a weapon but as a form of life energy. He can absorb it, redirect it, or even bring others back to life using it.

The MCU has focused heavily on gamma as the source of Hulk’s power. However, it has never explored his control over it. This could tie directly into future MCU science plots or threats (especially after the Leader’s return). This is especially pertinent as the MCU gradually introduces other gamma characters.

Hulk learning to wield gamma intentionally, not just be shaped by it, would be a fascinating and empowering twist for the character. It would showcase his growth and mastery over his curse. It could also expand the Hulk lore and allow other characters to be spotlighted.

5

Hulk’s Psychic Resistance

Hulk’s mental defenses are another aspect that’s been wildly underplayed in the MCU. In the comics, his fractured psyche makes him highly resistant to psychic attacks – even telepaths like Professor X struggle to penetrate his mind. This makes Hulk a crucial ᴀsset against mind-controlling enemies or telepaths like the Shadow King.

In a universe where threats like Wanda Maximoff and Kang the Conqueror employ psychic or reality-altering attacks, Hulk’s resistance could play a major role. It would also explain how he maintains such resilience in the face of both physical and mental trauma. Frustratingly, Hulk’s psyche has been vastly underexplored by the MCU despite The Incredible Hulk animated series centering on it.

As psychic characters are introduced with the X-Men, the MCU is primed to introduce this Hulk ability. Establishing it in a future appearance could finally give Hulk a moment to shine as not just a brute. He could become a uniquely impenetrable force.

4

Hulk’s Prolonged Lifespan

Though never directly mentioned in the MCU, Hulk’s gamma-irradiated biology grants him an exceptionally long life – possibly even immortality. This is exemplified by the villain Maestro. Maestro is a future version of Hulk that has lived for years in a post-apocalyptic future.

Hulk himself ages at a rapidly slow rate. Bruce himself does not, but transforming into Hulk effectively pauses his aging. Maestro stays permanently in his Hulk form and has lived for over a hundred years.

This would make Hulk a unique kind of legacy character, someone who could remain in the MCU long after others have left or fallen. The MCU could hint at this through futuristic visions, alternate timelines, or just by exploring Hulk’s slowed aging process. It adds both a sense of tragedy, living through the loss of his peers, and awe to Hulk’s legend.

3

Hulk’s Ability To Survive In Inhospitable Environments

The Hulk’s durability doesn’t stop at brute force. He can also survive in extreme conditions where no normal human could. In comics, he’s survived the vacuum of space, toxic atmospheres, nuclear detonations, and the bottom of oceans.

This would be a powerful visual for the MCU, especially as it explores more cosmic and multiversal terrains. It makes Hulk perfect for off-world missions or apocalyptic situations. A sequence showing him walking unfazed through fire, radiation, or space debris would highlight the monster’s true invulnerability.

Both Banner and Hulk have demonstrated their ability to live in inhospitable locations, including deserts. This is an extension of his impeccable healing factor. Including this in the MCU could push him visually into the realm of near-godlike.

2

Hulk’s Latent Fear Inducement Powers

A lesser-known but intriguing power is Hulk’s ability to generate fear. In the comics, the Devil Hulk can exude a presence so intense that enemies are paralyzed or terrified before he even throws a punch. After being restored to Savage Hulk, he retained this ability.

The MCU could use this as an intimidation tactic. It could even be used as a subtle hint that the Hulk taps into something more primal than just strength. This could be introduced by way of gamma control and connection to One Below All.

It’s not a surprise that many villains quake with fear a the sight of the Hulk. However, a more formidable villain trembling at the sound of Hulk’s roar, or minions freezing as he approaches, could give this power cinematic weight. It could also reinforce Hulk’s status as a mythic figure.

1

The True Extent Of Hulk’s Strength

Finally, the MCU has yet to fully show the limitless nature of Hulk’s strength. While Hulk’s performed incredible and sometimes underrated feats (holding up part of a mountain, smashing Leviathans) he hasn’t yet displayed the truly planet-shaking might seen in comics. Hulk’s strength grows with his rage, meaning there is no upper limit.

Hulk is established as the strongest figure in the universe, with unlimited potential. As long as he can get angrier, he can get stronger. In fact, Hulk is so strong that he can literally punch holes through universes.

The Hulk in the MCU has been woefully underpowered for years. The franchise could rectify this by truly flaunting how strong he is. Giving the MCU’s Hulk a moment where he unleashes his full potential, not just as a hero, but as a raw elemental force, could be the most epic and memorable display of Hulk power ever.