In many key ways, the 70sIncredible Hulkseries remains superior to theMarvel Cinematic Universe’s Hulk narrative. While the MCU’sHulkhas seen a wide variety of interpretations, from rampaging monster to Professor Hulk, many still fondly remember the original 1970sIncredible HulkTV series starring Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno. Debuting in 1977, the show carved out a unique place in pop culture, embracing science fiction drama more than superhero spectacle.
Unlike the CGI-heavy chaos ofthe MCU timeline,The Incredible Hulktold intimate, human-driven stories grounded in emotion, loss, and isolation. Rather than being just another piece in a larger universe, the 1970s Hulk thrived on self-contained episodes that highlighted Dr. David Banner’s internal struggle. Though the MCU delivers bombastic action, the ‘70s show arguably offered a richer exploration of the character, presenting a more emotionally engaging and thematically consistent Hulk story throughout its run.
9More Effectively Depicted Hulk’s Solitude
The MCU Quickly Forgot That Bruce Was On The Run
The 1970sIncredible Hulkseries excelled at showing the isolating toll of being the Hulk. Each episode often ended with David Banner walking away alone, accompanied by the haunting “Lonely Man” theme. This consistent visual motifreinforced his emotional exile and inability to form lasting connections. While the MCU occasionally touches on Bruce Banner’s loneliness, it’s often undercut by jokes, team-ups, and romantic subplots.
In contrast, the TV series lingered on Banner’s pain and the impossibility of peace in his condition. He couldn’t stay in one place, build a life, or trust anyone with his secret. Hulk wasn’t just a burden;he was a wall between David and the world. The show’s recurring message was simple yet profound: to be the Hulk meant to be perpetually alone, a concept the MCU stopped exploring afterThe Incredible Hulk(2008).
8Though Campy, Hulk Is Treated Seriously
Hulk Became Comic Relief In The MCU
Despite its modest budget and occasional camp, the 1970sIncredible Hulktreated its central character with a surprising amount of respect and gravitas. David Banner’s transformation wasn’t played for laughs, it was treated as a tragic loss of control. The showavoided turning Hulk into a punchline, something the MCU has increasingly leaned into, particularly with Smart Hulk’s comedic moments inAvengers:EndgameandShe-Hulk: Attorney At Law.
In the original series, every Hulk-out had consequences: destroyed lives, broken friendships, and sometimes even death. Lou Ferrigno’s silent, growling Hulk was a force of nature, not someone to joke about. The show’s tone, while occasionally melodramatic,always centered on the emotional cost of Banner’s curse. While the MCU often aims for levity, the ‘70s series gave Hulk the dramatic weight of a true monster burdened by the pain of a man.
7The ’70s Savage Hulk Is More Compelling Than The MCU’s Smart Hulk
Smart Hulk Is Much Less Interesting
The original Hulk was pure rage and emotion, a silent beast driven by instinct. Lou Ferrigno’s portrayal gave the Hulk a primal presence: he didn’t speak, but his actions were always expressive. This made him unpredictable and dangerous,yet oddly sympathetic. In contrast, the MCU’s Smart Hulk leans heavily into intellect and control, but loses the dramatic tension that defined the character.
By merging Bruce and Hulk, the MCU removed the central conflict that made the Hulk compelling: the battle between man and monster. In the 1970s show, Hulk’s appearance meant something; he was a last resort, a transformation thatDavid Banner feared and resisted. That emotional friction added depth to every episode. Smart Hulk may be amusing, but the savage Hulk of the ‘70s embodied the tortured duality that makes the character timeless.
6It Focuses On Tragedy Rather Than Superhero Action
The MCU’s Hulk Quickly Became About Spectacle
The 1970sIncredible Hulkwas, at its heart, a tragedy. Each episode followed a familiar pattern: David Banner would attempt to help someone or start over, only for circumstances to force a Hulk transformation thatdestroyed everything he hoped for. There were no big supervillain battles, no cosmic stakes, just a man trapped in a personal nightmare. This emphasis on human drama and sorrow gave the show a literary, almost mythic quality.
The MCU’s Hulk, by comparison, is more a cog in the superhero machine. His storylines serve broader narratives, from fighting aliens inAvengersto quipping about time travel. The intimate pathos of the TV show islargely absent in modern films. The tragedy of David Banner – always helping, always running, never finding peace – resonates in ways blockbuster storytelling often overlooks.
5The 70s Hulk Was Grounded In Real Social Issues
The MCU’s Hulk Moved On From Human Tragedy After Avengers: Age Of Ultron
One of the most surprising strengths of the 1970sIncredible Hulkseries was its willingness to tackle real-world issues head-on. Each episode functioned like a self-contained drama,often centered around social injustices, ranging from racism and poverty to domestic violence and sexual assault. David Banner frequently encountered individuals facing abuse or discrimination, and his Hulk transformation was often triggered by witnessing this cruelty firsthand.
These storylines gave the show relevance and a moral backbone that extended far beyond the usual superhero formula. In contrast, the MCU tends to keep Bruce Banner’s storylines abstract or cosmic,rarely grounding him in street-level conflicts or societal commentary. The 1970s series felt more intimate and urgent, using the Hulk not just as a symbol of inner rage, but as a catalyst for confronting real human suffering.
4Hulk Felt More Like A Monster
The MCU’s Hulk Became An Avengers Mascot
Lou Ferrigno’s Hulk in the 1970s wasn’t cuddly, sympathetic, or meme-worthy, he was terrifying. From the low growls to the intense close-ups of his rage-filled eyes, thisHulk was genuinely monstrous. He flipped cars, smashed through walls, and threw villains like rag dolls. The fear other characters displayed was palpable, adding suspense and gravitas to every transformation.
This contrasted sharply with the MCU, where Hulk’s frightening edge gradually faded in favor of comedy and team dynamics. ByThor: RagnarokandEndgame, Hulk becamea lovable brute or brainy sidekick, but in the ‘70s series, he was still an uncontrollable force of nature. This sense of danger made the character more engaging – he wasn’t just powerful, he was unpredictable. The 1970s Hulk reminded viewers that true strength often comes with terrifying consequences.
The MCU’s Hulk Has Been Left To Languish
TheIncredible HulkTV series was given the kind of finale most long-running characters can only dream of. After years of tragedy and exile, David Banner’s story concluded in the 1990 TV movieThe Death of the Incredible Hulk, delivering a somber, emotional farewell. It allowed Banner a measure of peace and closure, even in death. Compare that to the MCU’s treatment of Bruce Banner, whose arcfeels unresolved and directionless.
After merging into Smart Hulk off-screen and survivingEndgame, he’s largely been sidelined, appearing in cameos rather than central roles. There’s no clear sense of purpose or finality to his journey. The 1970s series may have ended on a sad note, but it did end,honoring its protagonist with emotional resonance. In contrast, the MCU’s Hulk often feels like an afterthought.
2More Explicitly Depicted Hulk-Outs
The MCU Has A Habit Of Hiding Hulk-Outs
One of the signature elements of the 1970s Hulk series was the highly detailed and dramatic Hulk-out transformation. Viewers watched every stage of David Banner’s metamorphosis: the glowing eyes, swelling muscles, tearing clothes, and agonized expressions. These moments weren’t just effects, they were events,building suspense and emphasizing the horror of losing control.
In contrast, theMCU frequently skips over Hulk’s actual transformations, opting for quick cuts, CGI shortcuts, or skipping them altogether especially once Smart Hulk enters the scene. As a result, the MCUloses a key emotional and visual componentof what makes Hulk compelling. The ‘70s show understood that the transformation itself was central to the character’s tragedy and spectacle. By showing every painful detail, it made Hulk-outs feel consequential and terrifying, not just a convenient means to deliver action.
1It Spotlights Hulk Far More Than The MCU Ever Has
The MCU Has Repeatedly Sidelined Hulk
In the 1970sIncredible Hulkseries, Hulk wasn’t a supporting character, hewasthe focus. The show centered every plot around David Banner’s attempts to live a normal life while battling his inner monster. Each episode made the Hulk’s appearancesemotionally significant and narratively crucial. Unlike the MCU, where Bruce Banner often plays second fiddle to other heroes or serves as comic relief, the TV series placed him at the emotional core of every story.
There were no team-ups or crossover distractions until the TV movies; the show itself was committed to exploring the personal cost of being the Hulk. Even when Hulk appeared less frequently in an episode, his presence loomed large. In contrast, the MCU has diluted Hulk’s impact, reducing his screen time and narrative importance. The 1970sIncredible Hulkgave Hulk the solo spotlight he’s always deserved.
