Random Superhero Thoughts: Why does Gray Hulk work while Ultimate Hulk doesn't? · 11:16pm Mar 5th, 2019
Now both these versions of The Hulk have two things in common. Both are gray and both represent Bruce Banner's inner rebel to an extent. Ultimate Hulk DID begin green, but has spent most of his existence as gray, an inverse of the usual Earth 616 Hulk I know.
Here we have Ultimate Hulk
Whereas his mainstream counterpart is ultimately moderated by Banner's desires, the Ultimate Hulk is a living expression of Banner's unrestrained id, meaning he has no moderation at all. He is every lustful thought, every violent act, every dark thing Bruce Banner of Earth-1610 has ever repressed or unconsciously wished. He's even a CANNIBAL!
Here we have Joe Fixit from Earth 616
Joe is on the surface basically the same as Ultimate Hulk. He's a representation, not of Bruce Banner's anger but of the wild party life he never took part in as a teenager, that rebel phase of youth given life, as due to his traumatic childhood... He never worked up the nerve to do it. Joe Fixit is a largely amoral and hedonistic mob enforcer villain protagonist who mainly fought other villains. Joe Fixit enjoys fine clothes, fine food, and even fine women. Joe may be a brute but he's disgusted by people who prey on the weak, as the man said himself once
"Ain't nothin' fun about smashin' a guy who can't hit ya back"
He was a mafia enforcer, a torturer, a bully, a murderer, a mercenary, a lecher, and proud of all of it. He also grew some conscience, such as grudgingly helping some children celebrate Christmas, turned loyal and protective of his friends, and towards the end before Banner and the other Hulks in his head pushed him down eventually, avoided using excessive force against army officers or similar attackers just doing their jobs.
The main thing to take away from Joe is that he is NOT a nice guy... But he's not an EVIL guy either. He's a man who lives for the finer things and his own enjoyment. Usually at the expense of others... But he's also a barrel of bombastic laughs and has that old school gangster/private detective vibe to him that makes him endearing to Hulk fans. After all it's THE HULK... In a nice suit who loves Las Vegas and making money while enjoying some light gambling and night life of an endless party.
Compare this to Ultimate Hulk... Who is neither fun nor even that interesting compared to Joe as he never grew as a character like our pinstripe suit wearing pal from Earth 616.
But that's just me. What do you guys think?
So basically Grey Hulk is a GTA protagonist.
5023524
With Hulk Level Power. Which is actually awesome and probably what would happen to someone that could control Hulk strength perfectly. the more you think about it, Joe Fix it is probably the most civilized of the Hulks vices and all. And relishes in the comforts of civilized life.
I think the comparison is not really fair. Both characters have really different bases. Joe Fixit is basically a closer adaptation of Edward Hyde, being a bohemian contrast to the stoic Bruce Banner. While Ult. Hulk is more of a logical conclusion of the concept of Hyde, by rejecting any and all restrains from his moral oposite. When you think about it, Joe Fixit is Hyde written by Edgar Allan Poe, and Ult. is Hyde by Alan Moore.