One of the most anticipated scenes in the entire Avengers: Age of Ultron was the clash between Hulk and Hulkbuster. Basically, all the trailers were built around this scene. And, by all means, Marvel was right to do so!
Everybody loves when Avengers fight between themselves. This is the not only to see the actual blows, but also a chance to see them trading one-liners. And, from the trailers, it seemed like this fight won't just deliver: it seemed that it will indeed be the highlight of the movie!
But was it really so? Was Hulk vs. Hulkbuster what the fans wanted?
Hulk - the most powerful Earthling
In the comics, at least, Hulk is described as being one of the most powerful superheroes on Earth. By all means, when every blow that you take makes you even stronger, what else can you think?
Sure enough, this is the MCU and the powers that be have toned down this awesome superhero. But still"¦
In the first Avengers movie, Hulk stood on his own against the mighty Thor, who is a God. It was a draw, eventually, simply because someone else interfered. Furthermore, the Green Goliath sucker-punched the mighty God of Thunder out of the frame later on. Even more, he was the one to make a rag doll out of Loki, another God, at the end of the same movie.
So yes, Hulk is very powerful even in the MCU. Remember how he stopped a Chitauri Leviathan with a single punch? Yeah, not even Thor was able to do that without the help of Mjolnir and lightning"¦
Age of Ultron
But now comes Age of Ultron, the main event of 2015, and promises an epic fight between Iron Man and the Hulk. Obviously, in the comics, even when wearing the Hulkbuster suit, Tony Stark never defeated the angry World Breaker.
Yet again, we can say that this is the MCU and that the Green Goliath's powers have been greatly diminished. Still, he is the most powerful Avenger originated from Earth. So we expected from Tony Stark to put one helluva fight but, in the end, to be defeated.
Was it so?
Obviously, it wasn't. While the scene in itself was actually very cool, how can Hulk be defeated with a single punch? What is the point of having unlimited strength if a sucker punch is all that is needed to knock you out?
Is Marvel trying to say that an 11 foot tall suit can bring down a monster such as Hulk, when a massive Leviathan stood no chance? What's next? Hawkeye taking down the Hulk on his own?!?
Thanos vs. Hulk – Really?!?
Why do we say that Age of Ultron ruined this powerful character? Because, when the time will come, nobody will believe the strength of the Hulk. And that time will be during the Infinity War, when Thanos will descend on Earth with all his strength.
Obviously, even without the Infinity Gauntlet, Thanos would beat the green monster (in the comics, at least). But this isn't the point. The point is that when they will clash (if they ever will) you won't be expecting for the Hulk to emerge victorious. He was defeated by a simple man in armor. How can the Mad Titan lose?
Where will the suspense be?
In a way, Age of Ultron showed that there is a need for someone much stronger than the Hulk - by all means, bring it! But in the same way, the studio showed us how puny Banner actually is.
And there is also something else: can Marvel have a major event without focusing too much attention on Iron Man?
We don't know. But still, when the time will come, what Earthling will prove his/her worth against Thanos? We know for sure that it won't be the Hulk.
