Despite both being heroes and founding members of the Avengers, Hulk and Thor They have gotten into the habit of conflicting at every possible opportunity. However, 2024 has added a dark new chapter to its story of confusion, as Thor revealed that he can kill the Green Goliath whenever he wants. Although Thor may not be quite as physically powerful as the strongest there is, he has a failsafe move if the Hulk it needs to be stopped.
The revelation came in 2024 Avengers: Twilightby Chip Zdarsky, Daniel Acuña, Cory Petit and Joe Caramagna. In history, the Hulk is corrupted by the Red Skullwhich uses Ultron's technology to turn him into a killing machine. After attacking several countries with gamma warfare, Red Skull attempts to use the Hulk to take down the Avengers, resulting in his final confrontation with the God of Thunder.
After innocents are massacred and Bruce Banner begs Thor to stop him, Odinson finally triggers his contingency plan. Punching Hulk into the ocean, Thor places Mjolnir on his chest. Because of the 'worthy' enchantment, Hulk is unable to lift the legendary weapon and quickly drowns in the water.
Thor kills Hulk by drowning him with Mjolnir
Thor reveals what it would take for him to use this lethal tactic
Avengers: Twilight is set in a potential future where audiences have lost faith in the Avengers. The team disbanded, allowing Red Skull to insinuate himself into the US government, using Tony Stark's son James to infiltrate the most advanced levels of technology. An elderly Captain America decides to return one last time, assembling a team of Avengers that includes Thor, an older Ms. Marvel, and new hero Hawkeye, as well as eventually bringing James to his side. Unfortunately, Hulk is too far gone to be saved or redeemed, with Ultron and Red Skull having years to break him to their will.
Hulk's need for oxygen is how Batman beat him during their epic fight between Marvel and DC.
Fortunately, the series offered fans a heartwarming epilogue, as Bruce Banner (and Tony Stark, who also didn't survive the adventure) wakes up in Asgardhaving been given a place in the afterlife by Thor. It's the God of Thunder's apology for the way the battle ended, finally giving Bruce some peace and happiness after years of becoming the exact living weapon he always feared.
While this adventure didn't take place in the main Marvel timeline, it revealed that Thor has been keeping this move in reserve for years, planning for the day when he can be called upon to put an end to the Hulk for good. The older and more jaded Thor essentially retired from Earth after the Avengers disbanded, taking his rightful place as ruler of Asgard. This makes it all the more tragic that he was called back only to end up killing his former friend. However, as clever as this Hulk-killing tactic is, would it actually work?
Hulk's death in Avengers: Twilight begs a question – can't he breathe underwater?
Would drowning the Hulk really work?
Marvel Lore confirms the answer is…complicated
Hulk's vulnerability to drowning is a complicated issue, especially since Marvel lore hasn't been particularly consistent. It's normal for Hulk to need oxygen, but he he can hold your breath for days at a time. However, on occasions when air was forced from his lungs, he quickly became vulnerable – for example, in the films of Roy Thomas and George Perez. Fantastic Four #166where the team defeated the Hulk by burning the oxygen from his lungs and then cutting off his air supply with a force field. Reed Richards attempted to replicate this victory in Contest of Champions IIonly for Hulk to turn the tables by literally inhaling him.
Surprisingly, this is how Batman beat Hulk when they fought in the Len Wein and José Luis GarcÃa-López fight DC Special Series #27. Knowing that he couldn't beat the Hulk in a physical fight, Batman used knockout gas to take down the Jade Giantkicking him as hard as possible in the stomach to give the Hulk air and force him to breathe. It's apparent that although the Hulk can essentially hold his breath indefinitely, once he's without oxygen he needs it as desperately and immediately as any human. This supports the events of Avengers: Twilightas Hulk is approached screaming in the water, with no chance to hold his breath.
However, on rare occasions, Hulk he has specifically demonstrated the ability to breathe underwater. This famously happened in the Peter David and Lee Weeks film The Incredible Hulk #77. In this issue, Hulk begins to drown, but his 'adaptive evolution' sees him develop an entirely new organ – which produces an emulsion that allows him to breathe underwater. The idea hasn't been used much outside of this story, but it's still canon and makes sense considering the wild shapeshifting Hulk has achieved on other occasions.
Hulk has an impressive way of evading Thor's attack, and it's something he's done before – ripping Mjolnir through his body.
Thor's attack works, but cannot be used consistently
Hulk has many ways to escape if he wants
The definitive answer is offered by Al Ewing and Joe Bennett Immortal Hulkwhich revealed the mystical aspects of gamma radiation. This story confirmed that the Hulk's powers are partially magical and that gamma radiation transforms humans into “metaphorical people” whose powers are an extension of their identity and psychological state. From the flag he wants Thor to kill him in DuskIt makes sense that your extra organ wouldn't come into play. This also explains why Hulk didn't use his most terrifying way to escape Mjolnir.
In the recent Hulk #7 by Donny Cates and Martin Coccolo, Thor uses the same Mjolnir trick to pin Hulk to the ground. Unwilling to be trapped, Hulk pushes the ground with such force that Mjolnir tears a hole in his body – a serious injury, but one that he is able to survive and heal. It's a far from extreme way to escape Thor's hammer, but it's effective. It's important to note that at this point, Bruce Banner was in control of the Hulk's body, and this technique may not even occur to the real Green Goliath.
Ultimately, Avengers: Twilight portrays a Hulk who has been out of control for years and wants nothing more than for Thor to free him from the Red Skull's control. Probably because Bruce Banner he wants die so Hulk doesn't hold his breath, grow his emulsion organ, or rip Mjolnir through his body.
Hulk's bestial rage means it's possible that these survival techniques simply wouldn't occur to him, and even with the organ, he possibly die if trapped underwater. However, while ThorThe contingency plan of killing Hulk with Mjolnir is a smart tactic that no one else could use, definitely not a tactic he can rely on to win easily. Hulk in the future.
Avengers: Twilight is now available from Marvel Comics.