Warning: Contains spoilers for Aliens vs. Avengers #1! Ever since getting blasted with gamma radiation and become the incredible HulkBruce Banner has effectively gained immortality. Like the Hulk, Bruce can survive almost anything, from an alien invasion to the literal end of the world. Even when he dies, the Hulk can come back to life because of the otherworldly source of his powers. Indeed, the Hulk has made Banner strong beyond comprehension, but there seems to be at least one downside to his gamma mutation, as Hulk reveals the terrifying way his powers will destroy his body as he ages.
in Aliens vs Avengers #1 by Jonathan Hickman and Esad Ribić, Xenomorphs have completely taken over planet Earth, forcing all of humanity to align behind the walls of the last city stronghold in the world. Years pass, the Avengers are almost all killed, and the survivors consider leaving the planet altogether. However, the leader of humanity is holding strong, refusing to give up hope without putting up a fight – and that person is Bruce Banner aka The Hulk.
Banner sends Valeria Richards on a mission to obtain a Facehugger egg in order to experiment on it and find a way to defeat the Xenomorphs (specifically engineer a deadly virus that only targets the aliens). While waiting for an update from Valeria, Bruce talks to Captain Marvel, who teases him that he will go blind if he keeps “Stare like that in the sun“As Bruce looks off into the distance. In response to Carol’s joke, Bruce admits, “I have gamma-powered cataracts half a millimeter thick, Carol. I’m pretty blind already“.
Hulk’s Gamma Powers Give Bruce Banner ‘Super Aging’
Bruce Banner’s aging experience is heightened because of the Hulk
Cataracts are cloudy areas that develop in the lens of the eye, and it’s something that many people experience as they grow older – including Bruce Banner. However, based on what Banner tells Danvers in this issue, it seems that his cataracts are even worse due to the gamma in his blood. Cataracts that are “half a millimeter thick” are no joke, especially if they are so severe because of Hulk’s gamma.
Basically, it seems that the Hulk’s gamma powers have given Bruce ‘super-aging’, as he still goes through the natural aging process, but everything associated with it is heightened, with his cataracts being just one example. That begs the question: What other unfortunate side effects of aging have been heightened because of the Hulk? Although no other conditions were named, you have to assume that everything related to aging has improved, which is quite scary, because the gamma itself is slowly destroying his body.
This terrifying side effect to the Hulk’s powers redefines what fans thought they knew
Throughout his Marvel Comics history, the Hulk’s powers have been the one thing that keeps Banner alive even after the most severe injury or in the harshest environments. in The Immortal HulkHulk was completely dismembered, but was able to pull his body parts back together and heal in a matter of moments. in Hulk: The endHulk kept Bruce alive well after he should have died of old age while living in the barren wasteland that was once planet Earth. But now, the opposite is happening, because the Hulk’s gamma is not keeping Banner alive, but slowly killing him.
Hulk’s powers make Bruce Banner’s aging process more painful and severe, breaking his body down slowly as opposed to holding it together. This change to Hulk Learning is absolutely fascinating, and decidedly terrifying, because it confirms that Bruce Banner is destined to have a pretty ordinary retirement, even without xenomorphs ravaging the planet.
Aliens vs. Avengers #1 by Marvel Comics and 20th Century Studios is now available.