Hulk Smash… His Chances to save the world! Why This One Moment Makes Him irredeemable
The Incredible Hulk: More Than Just a Rage Monster
The Hulk. That iconic Avenger. A giant green powerhouse, but he often walks that incredibly blurry line between hero and menace; resulting in some surprisingly bad decisions that hurt both himself and those who otherwise wanted him to make a better choice. We're looking at one specific case where that line blurs exceptionally badly – an unbelievably colossal blunder from his past showing just how unreliable and childish he actually could be! He’s frequently shown as one of Marvel's greatest strengths, but also one of the greatest liabilities within that same universe!
One of Hulk’s worst moments– this event displays the depths of the Hulk’s selfishness, highlighting just how terrible his judgment can be. A completely unique encounter involving an alien allows him (and the Thing) a chance to make two world-altering wishes. And it didn't work. Hulk messed up those opportunities. What could’ve easily resulted in resolving many global crises such as worldwide diseases, solving global famines, and permanently resolving those kinds of catastrophic events were just utterly wasted in that moment which perfectly highlights what was to follow. Let’s take a closer look. That event is going to be explored and studied much more deeply here!
An Unthinkable Opportunity Lost
In Marvel Graphic Novel #29: The Incredible Hulk and The Thing (written by Jim Starlin, art by Berni Wrightson), the Hulk and the Thing get zapped to an alien planet. They're offered a crazy deal by an alien called Malelet. Two wishes! In exchange for hunting down a missing scientist. The Thing thinks globally; initially wanting to become human again. Then considering using his second wish to help improve mankind's fate, but Hulk completely screws this whole thing up for the whole planet; focusing only on getting some food.
That wasted wish changes everything. It’s easily the single worst moment in Hulk’s history; the decision made remains as utterly inexcusable– regardless of future good acts or even the redemption narratives that surrounded the many problems he did to himself and others! That easily achievable and achievable win, this possibility of saving many billions of human lives got utterly obliterated from that unbelievably self-centered person, focusing his entire being on merely obtaining some sustenance for himself. It’s amazing that that moment is not more studied as to the depth and consequence it implies.
Hulk's Irredeemable Moment: Why Selfishness Trumps Strength
Some argue it's unfair to judge Hulk harshly: He's often shown as incapable of truly complex thinking! And he primarily thinks immediately, not considering consequences. It explains that impulsive moment. This would seem like a sufficient argument from those sympathizing to his childish nature; especially when considering how poorly designed his very core psychological structure actually is! But that self-centered behavior and a complete inability to even consider the vast benefits he could achieve to everyone shows why the decision remains unforgivable. Even just offering that second wish to the Thing (or merely listening to him) would've saved many lives. And the alien's ability to instantly teleport them home makes this an easily achievable victory!
Many of the most awesome superheroes still make bad calls because of selfishness – it showcases just how flawed those legendary heroes actually were; however, the significant aspect here is their realization about it. Many will actively make up for it. That key feature is wholly absent for the Hulk: it's exactly his childish and inherently selfish nature that stopped the most heroic possible moment of all of Hulk’s life. His capacity for destroying things far outweighs that moment; highlighting the kind of threat this iconic Avenger becomes whenever unchecked, leading to devastating catastrophes. That decision shows exactly what Hulk might otherwise always be— he truly fails because of it and never could possibly redeem himself from such a completely self-centered decision that hurt literally everyone in this very fictional universe; something we need to recognize as having had devastating effects in his history!
Conclusion: Even a Smashing Hero Can Have an Irredeemable Moment!
Superheroes are complex creatures– and that's an intentional plot device used in creating these fictional figures! Even the Hulk’s immense strength is entirely worthless against his complete inability to look past his own desires, making it clear why some audience members consider Hulk more of a threat than an Avenger. That decision shows why his childlike, impulsive personality cannot allow him to ever fully become the hero that others often thought that he could potentially become! That single moment is forever etched into the legend of the Hulk, and proves how easy that terrible line between "hero" and "villain" becomes utterly blurred – it perfectly encapsulates everything surrounding that immensely controversial and questionable character’s history.
