Superman and the Hulk are two of the most powerful characters in comic books and among the strongest in their respective universes.
However, it’s an enduring debate among fans, between the Man of Steel and the Jade
Giant, who would emerge victorious in a hypothetical battle?
Let’s settle the debate once and for all as we delve into the abilities and weaknesses of these two formidable characters.
Get ready for the ultimate showdown between Superman and the Hulk!
Superman vs. Hulk: Powers & Abilities Shoulder to Shoulder
Superman and Hulk are both invulnerable, immortal beings with infinite strength, stamina, superspeed, and a host of other extraordinary abilities.
Let’s take a closer look at the powers possessed by both superheroes.
Superman’s Powers
- Flight – The Last Son of Krypton can hover in mid-air, push heavy objects away from the Earth’s surface, and manipulate the gravitational force surrounding him
- Heat Vision – Superman absorbs solar energy from the Earth’s Sun and uses it as heat vision
- Time Travel – In the comics, the Last Son of Krypton can travel back in time by flying around the Earth faster than the speed of light
- Superhuman Senses – He possesses an enhanced sense of sight, smell, and hearing
- Shapeshifting – Superman can change the shape of his body and face
Hulk’s Powers
- Unlimited Stamina – Hulk has immeasurable stamina, allowing him to fight without getting tired
- Unlimited Strength – The driving force behind Hulk’s strength is his rage, and the angrier he gets, the more powerful he becomes
- Regeneration – Hulk is not only invulnerable but has regenerative powers that enable him to heal from any injury and even regenerate missing parts of his body
- Ability to Survive in Space and Water – Hulk can hold his breath for extended periods, allowing him to be and fight in diverse environments
Superman’s and Hulk’s Weaknesses
When you think that Superman survived a gunshot wound to the eye and the Hulk endured being skinned alive, you may think that these two superheroes are invulnerable.
However, mighty as they are, both Superman and Hulk have weaknesses.
Superman’s Weaknesses
- Vulnerable to anything supernatural and magical
- Atomic radiation
- High-pitched noises
- Kryptonite—when exposed to the green kryptonite’s radiation, Superman can experience severe weakness and excruciating pain, resulting in the loss of his powers
Hulk’s Weaknesses
- Adamantium and Vibranium
- Sleeping gas
- Rage nullification, i.e., being calmed and soothed can keep Hulk’s anger at bay
- Inner battles with Bruce—the Hulk has multiple personality disorder and frequently clashes with Bruce for control over the body they share
What Would the Superman vs. Hulk Fight Look Like?
Let’s consider the hypothetical scenario of a fight between Superman and Hulk. Their superhuman strength and speed could mean the fight could potentially last for days.
However, the nature of their strength is fundamentally different.
Namely, Hulk’s super strength is mechanical—in other words, his powerful muscles and indestructible skeleton move his body with tremendous power.
On the other hand, Superman’s power seems to be telekinetic, as he can move objects with his mind and defy gravity. More so, he can lift and carry objects with ease, even without making any physical contact, which suggests the essence of his power is mind over matter.
In the scenario where their fight takes place in outer space, Superman would have an advantage over the Hulk because he can fly at the speed of light and fight in space as if he were on the ground.
While the Hulk can survive in harsh environments, he cannot match Superman’s mobility and agility in zero-gravity conditions.
However, if the Hulk had access to kryptonite, he would have a massive advantage over Superman, as prolonged exposure to kryptonite can drain all of Superman’s strength, rendering him powerless.
An expert on the matter, Greg Pak, who was the writer for several Marvel comics featuring Hulk, weighed in on the Superman or Hulk dilemma.
He suggests that Superman would ultimately emerge as the winner due to his virtues.
“Superman, being who he is, will not just make his enemy angry. Also, Superman, Clark, would take the time to figure out what’s going on and try to diffuse the situation. Clark doesn’t just charge into battle and start fighting people for the hell of it. He doesn’t lose control in that kind of way. And if he does, he comes back. So, Clark would win by eventually finding a way to reach the Hulk and diffuse him, and he would turn back into Bruce Banner.”
What Do the Comics Say About the Superman vs. Hulk Debate?
In The Death of Superman comic series, Superman faced off against Doomsday, and both of them ended up dying.
Interestingly, Doomsday was created as a response to the debate of who would win in a fight between Hulk and Superman. So, DC came up with a character with similar abilities to Hulk.
On the other hand, in World War Hulk, Hulk took on the Sentry—a character who is a copycat version of Superman.
The fight between Hulk and Sentry ended with both of them turning back into their human form, both heavily injured. In the end, Bruce managed to land a weak punch and knock out Sentry’s human form, before passing out himself. So, it was a tie, at best.
Superman vs. Hulk: The Verdict Is In
So, who would win in a fight between Hulk and Superman?
Well, if the Green Goliath had some kryptonite, Superman would be in trouble. However, if Superman could take Hulk to outer space, he’d have the upper hand thanks to his flying ability and familiarity with space.
Putting their massive powers aside, the outcome of this epic battle would largely depend on the emotions of these two superheroes.
Hulk gets his power from rage, while Superman’s cooler head relies on his logic and good morals. Superman is a stand-up guy, so he probably wouldn’t even want to fight the Hulk.
Instead, he’d do everything he could to talk him down.
Despite their superhero status and physical strength, these two iconic characters aren’t each other’s enemies.
